LA Lakers: San Antonio Spurs, Dallas and Top Threats To Dethrone LA in West
The Los Angles Lakers are the reigning two-time defending champions and have the team to make it three. But this season may be more difficult than the prior two to even make it to the NBA finals for the Lakers.
There are quality teams in the Western Conference that are emerging as legitimate threats to take down LA. The Lakers still remain the best team in the league when they are clicking on all cylinders.
They have everything you need to win in the NBA. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom give them the size to dominate on the glass. And Kobe Bryant is a Top 5 player who remains the best clutch scorer in the game.
If there is a weakness the Lakers may have it's complacency. The drive, hunger and overall desire to win another is still there, but it may not be as high as it is for a team like Dallas.
With that being said let's take a look at the top Western Conference teams who have a shot to take down the champs.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Russell Westbrook's emergence has been the big story out of OKC early on. We all saw how Westbrook dominated Derek Fisher in last season's playoffs to the point where Bryant was called on to defend him.
With Westbrook raising his game to another level and Bryant older, who is going to be able to defend the explosive point guard for a whole game?
And all of this is without mentioning Kevin Durant.
The Thunder have the talent, youth and energy to challenge the Lakers in a seven-game series. And they also have a great home-court advantage that can not be stressed enough.
Whether or not the Thunder can take down the champs will ultimately come down to how well their bigs play against a much bigger Laker team. Nevertheless this is a team that is a potential roadblock for LA.
Utah Jazz
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The Jazz have transitioned nicely without Carlos Boozer mostly because of the addition of Al Jefferson. Deron Williams continues to show why he's in the conversation for best point guard in the league.
What makes Utah more dangerous than last year's team is Jefferson. He's bigger, stronger and can score with his back to the basket whereas Boozer was more of a face up power forward.
With Boozer, the Jazz were never able to get past the Lakers in the playoffs because they were overwhelmed on the inside. While Jefferson isn't exactly a defensive force, his presence in the paint on the defensive end will give the Laker bigs more troubles than the smaller Boozer did.
Like the Thunder, the Jazz have a distinct advantage at the point guard position over the Lakers. LA doesn't have anybody who can stop Williams from getting into the lane and finding teammates.
Adding Raja Bell—a defensive stopper—was another nice move for Utah and it gives them somebody who can check Kobe.
New Orleans Hornets
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New Orleans got off to a fast start, but has sputtered recently. Nevertheless this still remains a team that could threaten the Lakers in the playoffs.
With Chris Paul healthy the Hornets have their leader back and against the Lakers, Paul would have a field day. But what makes the Hornets dangerous is the combination of David West and Emeka Okafor down low.
West gives the Hornets scoring on the block whereas Okafor is a shot-blocker who can rebound with the best of them. Experts always like to say "defense wins championships" and that is exactly what this New Orleans team is known for.
The Hornets are giving up the second lowest point total per game at 92. Defense isn't the team's problem, but offense has been a struggle.
If the Hornets are serious about contending they will need to add a perimeter scorer like a Stephen Jackson who can create his own offense to help Paul and co.
Dallas Mavericks
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Dallas is a veteran-laden team that has become more defensive minded this season. Dirk Nowitzki is playing terrific basketball for the Mavs and with the addition of Tyson Chandler, Dallas is as deep as they've ever been.
Having the luxury of two seven-footers in Brendan Haywood and Chandler at the center position will come in handy when the playoffs arrive. Size-wise Dallas can compete with LA's combination of Odom, Bynum and Gasol.
But where the Mavs still need to improve is on the offensive end. Outside of Nowitzki, Dallas has struggled to find anyone that can provide consistent offensive production on a nightly basis.
Nevertheless the Mavs have a great shot at making the finals this season and taking down the Lakers. They have all the pieces it's just whether or not the players make the plays when called upon.
San Antonio Spurs
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Every year people doubt the Spurs because of their age, but once again they are proving doubters wrong. San Antonio has the NBA's best record at 22-3 and look better than ever. Tim Duncan is no longer the dominate power forward he once was the only difference is that the Spurs don't rely on him to be anymore.
Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson have picked up the slack for Duncan and have been the main reason the Spurs currently boast the best record. The Lakers and Spurs have been through many great playoff battles over the years and if both teams stay healthy we could be in for another one.
San Antonio doesn't fear LA like so many teams do. They know that they have the experience and players to compete with the defending champs.
Keeping guys healthy and fresh will be Gregg Popovich's ultimate challenge this season. If he is able to do so the Lakers will have their hands full come playoff time.
