West's Best

The best team in the west is clear, after that...who knows. Anyway let's get started

Outside Looking In : Phoenix Suns

The team that made the WCF and took the defending champion to 6 hard games. Just went from a top 4 west team to a outside looking in team. The addition of Hedo Turkoglu might help the suns 3 point fact, but how well will he defend the post, against Nowitzki, Gasol, Aldridge, Jefferson. Josh Childress will help the suns bench, some scoring and athleticism, and Hakim Warrick replacing a crowd favorite Louis Amundson. { Assuming he does leave }

Final Record : 48 - 34

8. Houston Rockets

Yao, don't retire. The Houston Rockets barley missed the playoffs without Yao. Now getting the 2nd best center in the league back, plus with Most improved player of the year Aaron Brooks and one of the best scorers in the league in Kevin Martin. Let's not forget one of the most undervalued players in the league in Luis Scola, it won't be easy for the Lakers to take the Rockets out in the first round.

Final Record : 51-31

7. Utah Jazz

In my opinion I think Carlos Boozer is better than Al Jefferson, that's just me, but Al Jefferson is on his doorstep. So they didn't really add or lose anything. Al Jefferson for Carlos Boozer, Matthews for Raja Bell. Utah's frontline will be terrible at defense and spectacular on offense. One thing the did get though was Deron Williams is one year older and that means one year better.

Final Record : 51 - 31

6. Denver Nuggets

Until Carmelo signs an extension, it will be a distraction for the team. Kenyon Martin will be injured until half of the season, who knows about George Karl. All the pressure is on Chauncey, can he keep J.R. Smith from being crazy or to being the coach on the floor. We don't know but until Kenyon Martin and George Karl are back on the floor, this is a first round and out team.

Final Record : 51-31

5. Portland Trailblazers

It's hard to rank them higher, because you never know if they will be healthy. But when healthy they are a top 4 team but for right now, Greg Oden is still out there and may get injured again. They did get a really good center in Marcus Camby. I personally think they overpaid for Wesley Matthews. But overall I think this team will be healthy for the most part and Brandon Roy will have a terrific year.

Final Record : 52-30

4. San Antonio Spurs

Added one of the best scorers in college basketball, James Anderson a steal at 20th pick in the draft, and they also added the one of the best overseas player in Tiaggo Splitter. They still have they big 3, the best defensive minded coach in basketball, so they will be back in the thick of things.

Final Record : 53-29

3. Oklahoma City Thunders

One of the league's best player can only get better. Rusell Westbrook one of the best young point guards in the league. Jeff Green can stroke it, but lacks size for the 4 spot, and James Harden is a terrific fit for the 6th man role. They got a terrific defender Thabo Sefelosha. This team is the best young team in basketball.

Final Record : 54 -28

2. Dallas Mavericks

Mavs time is now. They're not getting any younger, but this team is very deep and talented, have the best owner in the league. Have an MVP scorer, a 6th man of the year winner. Time is now for the mavs. They added Tyson Chandler a double double guy with CP3, now he's with Jason Kidd, a pretty good passer himself.
Let's see what the mavs can do this year.

Final Record 56-26

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant 5 rings, gunning for his 6th. The 2 time defending champion will not have an easy road to get to the finals. Alot of talented teams this year, but they also did get better with the addition of Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. This team is already good but just got better.

Final Record 57-25