2009-10 Western Conference Playoff Picture

The West has always seemed to be the superior conference and this year is no different as the defending champs come out of the West.

This year should be no different.

Most of the top teams in the West refused to stay pat this offseason. The Lakers jumped at the opportunity to sign Ron Artest (five years, $33 million) and the Portland Trail Blazers inked veteran point guard Andre Miller (three years, $21 million). Meanwhile, the Spurs traded for Richard Jefferson on draft day, and the Mavericks added the versatile Shawn Marion as a part of a four-team deal, kept up by trading for veteran swingmen.

The West is always strong and as usual there will be some teams that will miss the cut despite records over .500. Take the Suns last year who won 46 games that would’ve guaranteed them a playoff spot in the East.

However, the West is a different game, so let’s preview.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Consider that the Lakers made a nice run without getting much out of their young guys, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar. Add Ron Artest to the equation, and you may have yourself a repeat.

The Lakers have added Artest, who should be their designated defensive stopper. If the scenario unfolds where they are playing against a star like LeBron James, Artest could guard him, allowing Kobe to stay fresh.

Another element that Artest adds is his character; there will be no complacency with a squad that includes two of the fiercest competitors in this league in Bryant and Artest.

With the talent, the leadership, and the experience, I think the Lakers are destined for another finals appearance, assuming everyone stays healthy. There is really no reason that prevents them from securing another Western Conference title and perhaps another ring.

2. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs were decimated by injuries last season to key guys like Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Duncan (chronic knee tendonitis) was slowed most of last season and Ginobili (various injuries) was only on the court for 44 games.

However, the Spurs are reloaded and have increased depth by adding Jefferson, an ironman who hasn't missed a game in the past two seasons. They also added Antonio McDyess, who should help the Spurs rest Duncan and DeJuan Blair, a second round draft pick who should also help with rebounding.

The only obstacle keeping the Spurs away from a Conference Finals date with the Lakers is the injury bug, because someone on their injury-plagued roster is bound to get hurt.

Tony Parker had a career year. Can he do it again?

If the Spurs stay healthy, they should really challenge the Lakers. This Gregg Popovich-coached team should be primed for another season where they can be considered title contenders.

3. Denver Nuggets

With Chauncey Billups around for a full season, I expect Melo to make a huge leap this year. I expect Melo to be a contender for the MVP award and maybe even win it.

Last year, the Nuggets got to the Western Conference Finals, but they didn’t improve their squad in the offseason. The only noteworthy addition they made was acquiring rookie Ty Lawson from the Timberwolves on draft day.

The defending champ Lakers got better adding Ron Artest. I assume the Nuggets think that a full season for 'Melo and J.R. Smith with Billups means that they can make a leap forward. The Nuggets also lost Dahntay Jones who played tough, gritty defense that was a big part of the playoffs, as Jones really got in Chris Paul’s face in the first round.

The Nuggets could make it back to the Western Conference Finals, but I think that staying pat this offseason could come back to bite them.

4. Portland Trail Blazers

The young Blazers should finally be able to break through. They are now more experienced with guys like Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge a year older.

The key man is center Greg Oden who has yet to justify his No. 1 overall pick due to not being on the court. Oden was basically a rookie last year. He played 61 games and he was in foul trouble most of the time.

However, Oden did show flashes. The 21-year-old center averaged seven rebounds in 21.5 minutes, so we know he could easily average double digit rebounds if he’s on the court longer. He also averaged just under nine points per game. You have to assume that it would go up if he were to be on the court longer.

The Blazers must be patient with Oden. Big men don’t reach their prime until about 27 years old, and Oden will turn just 22 in January. He has all the talent, and if the Blazers can turn him into a solid center, they could rival the Spurs and Lakers in the upper echelon of the West.

The Blazers also added Andre Miller, who may not start due to the fact that he is not as good a shooter as Steve Blake. Personally, I think Miller should start because he is a rare pass-first point guard who should really benefit from Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge running their unstoppable pick and roll sets.

Bottom line is the Blazers are the future of the Western Conference, but as for now are probably still a year away from a legitimate shot at the Conference title.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban and the Mavs spent some money this offseason, resigning Jason Kidd and adding Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden. This season has a now-or-never type feel to it.

Superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki is now 31 but coming off a year in which he played at a first team All-NBA level. Floor general Jason Kidd is 36 and a major question; can he average double digits in points? Jason Terry is the reigning sixth man of the year and he’s 32.

Shawn Marion is 31 and got a five-year, $40 million deal which is a big risk as Marion is a player who relies on his athletic ability and turns 36 by the end of the deal which may not help for the long term. Marion will probably split time at the three and four depending where Josh Howard and Dirk play.

The key man is Josh Howard who is only two years removed from making the All-Star team. In games that Howard scores at least 20 points, the Mavs are 37-2 over the last two years.

The Mavs have a massive trade chip in Erik Dampier’s expiring contract and could get some value out of his $12 million price tag.

The Mavs have added nicely to their bench now. Although Terry was sixth man of the year, they got nothing out of their bench last year. There front office brought in Gooden to complement guards Terry, J.J. Barea, and Rodrigue Beaubois. The Mavs may have the best bunch of forwards, however, they struggle defensively and the loss of Brandon Bass won't help that issue.

I think Dirk and the Mavs are good enough for the fifth seed in the West. Despite not being young or deep enough to jump into the top three, they could be solid contenders in the conference.

6. Phoenix Suns

Shaq is gone.

A full season of Alvin Gentry, who was the one holdover from Mike D’Antoni’s staff in Phoenix, as head coach plus a healthy Nash and Amare means the fun of run-n-gun ball is back.

No, I’m not saying that the Suns are going to be title contenders, but nobody is picking the Suns to make the playoffs. They’re flying under the radar, and the big factor is that this year they can go back to the style that fits their personnel.

Last year was just a train wreck under former head coach Terry Porter, the players weren’t buying into the slower paced offense and that led to Porter’s firing during the All-Star Break.

This year’s Suns should be the same team when Alvin Gentry took over. They were five games over .500 and even better in a full season under their new leader.

A player nobody is paying attention to is center Channing Frye. Due to Robin Lopez’s injury, Frye should get significant playing time. With Amare healthy, Frye should be getting some space to get his open three’s.

Also expect Leandro Barbosa to contend for the sixth man of the year award. The Suns are going to try to keep Nash healthy so Barbosa may also get some time at the point.

The Suns are going to sneak up on some people this season. They’re healthy and now they have the right coach and the right system.

7. Utah Jazz

I can’t see a Jerry Sloan-coached team this talented not make the postseason.

The Jazz made big decisions this offseason. First by not trading Carlos Boozer and then having to take a loan to re-sign Paul Millsap—who plays the same position as Boozer.

If the Jazz want to even sniff the playoffs, they have to be healthy and it won’t be easy. Deron Williams says he is still bothered by his ankle injury and some experts say this is one of those long-lasting injuries, and Carlos Boozer never stays healthy, but it’s a contract year.

Although they have a great home record, they were an awful road team last year. I didn’t like the way the Jazz finished up last season, going 7-11 over their last 18.

The key is their health, however, I worry about the whole Millsap-Boozer thing plus the injuries.

8. New Orleans Hornets

Last year everything went wrong for the Hornets. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Isn’t this the same team that had the second seed two years ago? Don’t they have a superstar guard in Chris Paul?

Well, things have changed since then. The Hornets severely underachieved last season, finishing seventh in the West.

This offseason the Hornets traded Tyson Chandler for Emeka Okafor, which may have upset Chris Paul, the franchise player. Also, Okafor hasn’t even played a preseason game this year and looks banged up.

However, I can’t see a team with two young All-Stars not make the postseason, but the problem is the Hornets won't get past the first round.