NBA Midseason Breakdown: Los Angeles Lakers Unstoppable in Western Conference

With the All-Star break approaching, LayupDrill gives you an in depth NBA Midseason Breakdown of the three best teams in the Western Conference, showing which team has the tougher remaining schedule and who will continue to shine and make it to the top at the end of the season.

Los Angeles Lakers (33-8)—First place in the Western Conference

The L.A. Lakers have made a statement this season as they seek to make it to the NBA Finals once again, but this time to win a Championship. With Kobe Bryant making another run at winning the MVP award, the Lakers are virtually unstoppable in the Western Conference.

A few key reasons for their play:

• While Bryant is averaging the least amount of minutes per game he has averaged since his sophomore season, he has stepped up his shooting percentage and is currently shooting a career high 47.3 FG percentage and 86 FT percentage.
• Pau Gasol has improved his rebounding game since being called “soft” on the court and is a huge part of the Lakers' success.
• Andrew Bynum is learning and progressing every game and is becoming more dominant down low. Also of note is how he dropped a career-high 42 points and 15 rebounds on the Clippers on 1/21.

Remaining Schedule

The Lakers play the San Antonio Spurs (2), Denver Nuggets (2), Houston Rockets (2), Atlanta Hawks (2), Boston Celtics (1), Cleveland Cavaliers (1), New Orleans Hornets (1), and the Detroit Pistons (1). 12 total games against the top five best teams in each conference.

Reasons for an increase in success

Bryant and the Lakers will continue to improve their league-leading record in the second half.

• Jordan Farmar will be returning from injury shortly and will certainly help Derek Fisher in the front court.
• The Lakers bench (Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, Trevor Ariza) has the ability to come into games and take full control, enabling the Lakers starters to get more rest.
• Trevor Ariza is playing the best basketball of his career.
• The Lakers starting five will improve their magnificent play throughout the remainder of the season.

Season Predictions

64-18 and first seed in the Western Conference.

San Antonio Spurs (28-13)—Second place in the Western Conference

After a slow start to the season, the Spurs are back to their true form and look better than ever. With a 28-13 record and winning eight of their last 10 games, the Spurs look to make it far into the playoffs once again.

A few key reasons for their play:

• Tony Parker is playing his best basketball since coming into the NBA. He is averaging career highs in PPG (20.4), APG (6.7), and FT percentage (80.7).
• Tim Duncan is the best power-forward to have ever played the game of basketball and just his presence on the court is more than enough to help a team win games.

Remaining Schedule

The Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets (3), Los Angeles Lakers (2), Boston Celtics (2), Cleveland Cavaliers (2), Houston Rockets (2), Denver Nuggets (1), Detroit Pistons (1), and the Atlanta Hawks (1). Fourteen total games against the top-five best teams in each conference.

Reasons for an increase in success

• Manu Ginobili is bound to pick up his production as the season progresses and will be a key reason for the future success the Spurs can look forward to.
  
• Roger Mason has made a big impact on the roster and will continue to drain threes from left and right.
• Rookie George Hill will start to receive more playing time and is expected to produce during that time.

Season Predictions

58-24 and second seed in the West.

New Orleans Hornets (26-13)—Third place in the Western Conference

The Hornets have been able to keep their record from collapsing so far this season. With an overall 26-13 record, they look to improve their play as the season goes on.

A key reason for their play:

• Chris Paul is what we call greatness, averaging career-high numbers in PPG (21.2), RPG (5.5), SPG (2.7, best in the NBA), 49.9 FG percentage, and an 86.7 FT percentage, while still managing to dish out a league high 11 APG. How much better can this guy get?

Remaining Schedule

The Hornets play the San Antonio Spurs (3), Denver Nuggets (2), Houston Rockets (2), Boston Celtics (1), Orlando Magic (1), Los Angeles Lakers (1), Detroit Pistons (1), and the Atlanta Hawks (1). 12 total games against the top five best teams in each conference.

Reasons for an increase in losses

• Tyson Chandler’s averages are down from last season, averaging just 8.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.4 BPG, and a 56.3 FG percentage. He has not played basketball to his full potential this year and is currently out for a week due to an ankle sprain.
• The Hornets bench is not producing enough.

Season Predictions

44-38 and fifth seed in the West

Denver Nuggets (28-15)—Fourth place in the Western Conference

The Denver Nuggets are a new team this season with the acquisition of point-guard Chauncey Billups and the emergence of Nene. They have stepped up their playing immensely and look like playoff contenders going into the All-Star break this season.

A few key reasons for their play:

• Billups is one of the best point guards in the game today and is clearly showing it on the Nuggets court, putting up career-high numbers in PPG in his 11th NBA season, with 18.9 per game.
• Big man Nene is averaging career numbers in PPG (14.8), RPG (8.1), BPG (1.4), 60.1 FG percentage, and a 73.8 FT percentage in 33.2 MPG.

Remaining Schedule

The Nuggets play the Los Angeles Lakers (2), New Orleans Hornets (2), San Antonio Spurs (1), Orlando Magic (1), Boston Celtics (1), Atlanta Hawks (1), Detroit Pistons (1), and the Houston Rockets (1). 10 total games against the top five teams in each conference.

Reasons for an increase in success

• Carmelo Anthony could be back on the court as soon as next week; his play will greatly improve the Nuggets' record.
• J.R. Smith has started to improve his overall game with the absence of Carmelo, averaging 14.6 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, and nine 3PTM during his last five games.
• Kenyon Martin is playing outstanding basketball for the Nuggets and is a major key to their success.

Season Predictions

50-32 and third seed in the West