2010 NBA Outlook: Lakers, Spurs Favorites Out West

It is hard to imagine that the NBA season has come to an end, but to every end, there is also a new beginning.

Although there are no games to be played or practices to be scheduled, the most pivotal point of the year comes down to now. The offseason of the NBA is where dreams come true, players break strong ties with their teammates, and executives must choose precisely what players their team needs to succeed.

The offseason period of NBA basketball is one of the most exciting, yet often disappointing, times for the players who are involved.

Although some trades turn out to be disasters, others can propel an often mid-level team to championship contender.

Below, I will list the teams out in the Western Conference that I believe have the best chance to hold the NBA Championship when June comes around.

(The number stands for the final position in the standings that will be held by each team, and next year's predicted record is in parentheses).

1. Los Angeles Lakers (67-15):

The defending champions have to be the number one team out West. With the departure of Trevor Ariza, many speculated that the Lakers lost a key component to their championship success.

However, filling in for Ariza's absence will be Ron Artest, one of the best lockdown defenders in the league. Though many Laker's fans may miss Ariza's acrobatic and dynamic plays down the stretch of the season, Artest should fit into the rotation perfectly.

In addition to adding Artest to the team, the Lakers recently discovered that Phil Jackson will also return in what seems to be his final season. Although he will not be as dynamic of a coach sitting on the bench, he will continue his success as one of the greatest, if not greatest, coaches in the league.

Ron Artest will add an outstanding defender on the perimeter, Kobe Bryant will be his normal dominant self, Derek Fisher will return to lead the Lakers as point guard, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol will continue their strong front-court play, and Andrew Bynum will return and be a very influential player in the paint.

If the role players step up in the playoffs as they did last season, there is no team equip to take down the high-flying Lakers.

Home Record: 35-6

Road Record: 30-11

2. San Antonio Spurs (58-24)

The beginning of the offseason has proved to be very successful for the San Antonio Spurs. The signing of free-agents Antonio McDyess (Detroit Pistons) and Richard Jefferson (Milwaukee Bucks) has added not only depth to the Spurs roster, but also experience.

Add to the free-agent signings a healthy Manu Ginoboli, and you get a very successful and promising team full of role players and veterans.

Tony Parker will lead the Spurs as the point guard, Manu Ginoboli is healthy and ready to go, possibly Richard Jefferson or Antonio McDyess added to the starting lineup alongside Tim Duncan, and you have very strong front-court play.

The Spurs have the coach and personnel to challenge the Lakers out West, but at the end of the day, the Lakers have more overall talent and depth than the Spurs. The talent factor, however, will prove to be too tough for the Spurs to overcome.

Winning the Southwest Division title will be a plus, however, but in the end it will come down to the fact that the Spurs just can't win the tough road games.

Overall, the Spurs will have a successful season, but a couple more years together could prove to be devastating for the rest of the Western Conference.

Home Record: 30-11

Road Record: 28-13

3. Denver Nuggets (56-26)

Last season, the Denver Nuggets showed how tough and good they could be when they took on the Lakers in the Western Conference Championship and played brilliant basketball.

Had it not been for the Lakers, along with some of the great plays Trevor Ariza made down the stretch, then the Nuggets very well could have been the reigning NBA champions at this point.

However, the Nuggets did in fact play the Lakers and did in fact lose in the conference finals. Although many critics believed that the loss would take a toll on the following season for the up-and-coming Nuggets, Denver came out of the gates strong and played well down the stretch.

There haven't been many offseason moves made by the Nuggets to this point, and I honestly don't believe there will. The five-year deal the Nuggets guaranteed to Chris Andersen is about the largest offseason contract the Nuggets have made.

The core players, Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony, will lead the younger players to yet another successful season. High scoring and poor defense will be two factors that will not change for the Nuggets organization next season.

Chris Andersen's outstanding postseason presense will follow over to next season, along with the great play and sharp-shooting of J.R. Smith.

As in the case of the Spurs, the Nuggets will be unable to win the games that matter down the stretch. Poor defensive pressure will again hurt the Nuggets, and what could have been another outstanding postseason could end up being a first round upset.

Home Record: 33-8

Road Record: 23-18

4. Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)

Brandon Roy and the young Trail Blazers will again be a tough outing in the Western Conference. The one key component missing from the starting lineup, however, will be Hedo Turkoglu, who chose the Toronto Raptors over the Trail Blazers.

In what was supposed to be a promising offseason has now turned out to be a disaster. After spending a ton of time trying to draw Turkoglu to Portland and then him choosing Toronto, the Trail Blazers really need to find a large free agent signing and fast.

The fans in Portland must be getting restless, and although I personally am not a Portland fan, I honestly feel for their organization. The huge target was Turkoglu, and thus they really didn't look for anyone past him. After getting turned down, they have no other option to turn to except Paul Millsap.

Although Millsap would be an outstanding signing for Portland, he would most likely sit on the bench and back up LaMarcus Aldridge. It would just be hard to believe that Portland would bench Aldridge over Millsap.

LaMarcus Aldridge will yet again be a key player down the stretch in games, but overall Brandon Roy's play will determine how far the Trail Blazers can go in the post-season.

Another successful season is on the horizon for the up-and-coming Trail Blazers, and post-season success is there for the taking. Although experience may be a factor, the Blazers have enough talent to outweigh their inexperience and march on to the Western Conference Finals.

This team has potential, but can they achieve greatness through inexperience?

Home Record: 32-9

Road Record: 22-19

Western Conference Playoffs:

Western Conference Semifinals:

Lakers def. Blazers: 4-2

Spurs def. Nuggets: 4-1

Western Conference Finals:

Lakers def. Spurs: 4-3