The West's Best: NBA Conference Preview

The Western Conference is so fast-paced, so crazy, and so unpredictable that the only way to break it down is by taking a look at the facts.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the league's top five point guards—Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd. 

Fact: The Western Conference holds the league's most valuable big men—Yao Ming and Amare Stoudamire.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the league's most underachieving player—Tracy McGrady.

Fact: The Western Conference holds the MVP—Kobe Bryant.

Feeling any more sure of your preseason predictions now? Maybe I can help you out.

Regular Season

1. Los Angeles Lakers (62-20)

The Lakers are experienced, healthy, and LOADED. In 35 games last season, emerging star Andrew Bynum averaged 13 and 10. Bynum is now healthy and has emerged.

The Lakers will throw alley-oops to Bynum like it's their job—and with Gasol and Odom finishing out the frontcourt, I don't see anybody being able to slow them down. Oh yeah, Kobe Bryant plays for the Lakers too.

2. New Orleans Hornets (60-22)

The Hornets are going to run, shoot, and play for four quarters—and have fun while doing it. Its not a job to this team, especially while Chris Paul is running the team and filling the arena with energy.

James Posey is the perfect pickup for the Hornets. He has been there and done that and is not big enough to overshadow any of the teams stars from last year. The Hornets are going to pick up right where they left off last season.

3. Utah Jazz (56-26)

The bad news is that the Jazz will start off slow without the injured Deron Williams. But the good news is that the ankle injury does not seem to be a lingering injury. Virtually the same team as last year with a entire year with sharp shooter Kyle Korver will remain at the top of the West, under its disciplined coaching and wild home crowd.

4. Houston Rockets (58-24)

Ron Artest waisted no time in his arrival in saying anything less then a championship is unacceptable for "the new Big Three."  He does have a point, though. T-Mac is still a major threat on offense and Yao is the most dominant center in the league when healthy. Add the leagues most tenacious defender to a team that won 22 straight without all three...I like their chances.

5. Phoenix Suns (57-27)

The Suns are aging and slowing down. True, but they are also getting hungrier. With a relatively-young roster and an experienced core, the Suns will not have to worry about chemistry issues this year.  

Shaq was the baddest at 25 and is still the baddest at 35. Amare will carry the load in the regular season with redunkulous numbers and the Suns will be able to rest up going into the playoffs...again.

6. San Antonio Spurs (55-27)

It's crazy that that maybe the best team in the league will be going into the playoffs without home court advantage.

7. Dallas Mavericks (53-29)

The Mavericks find themselves in the same position as the Suns—their corps is aging and they finished the season with chemistry problems. The Mavs will overcome their chemistry issues and find their form in the regular season.

8. Portland Trailblazers (51-31) 

Brandon Roy and Greg Oden are going to show signs of Shaq/Kobe. Roy thrives under pressure and Oden will be a force. The only problem in this giant relationship is that you have to take baby steps first. A playoff appearance for the Blazers will cap an exciting year.

Playoffs

First Round

Lakers over Blazers

The worst thing the NBA ever did was go away from the five-game first-round format. It gave teams like Portland a chance. Golden State and Atlanta completely proved that statement wrong the last two seasons—but realistically, it's not going to happen. Portland will steal a game but the Lakers have too much firepower. Lakers in five.

Hornets over Mavericks

In another playoff rematch, the Mavs find themselves in the same position—too old to keep up with Chris Paul and the run-and-gun Hornets. CP3 and co. win in six.

Spurs over Jazz

I think this potentially could be the best first-round series. The Spurs want to prove they can still do it, and the Jazz want to prove they have what it takes. A loss to either team will be devastating. Spurs in seven.

Rockets over Suns

I take that last statement back—this will be the best first-round series. Think about the names—Nash, Mcgrady, Amare, Yao, Artest, Shaq.  These two teams are also looking to prove they have what it takes.

In a series that is impossible to predict, I'll take the player that can do the most in a one-play scenario. T-Mac finally gets out of the first round. Rockets in seven.

Western Conference Semifinals

Lakers over Rockets

Kobe is the best closer in the league. In this series, that's what its going to come down to—the determination to win. Bynum, Gasol, and Odom (if he is still around) are big enough to control the paint while Kobe takes care of everything else. Lakers make it back to the conference finals in six.

Hornets over Spurs

After being unable to overcome the experience of the Spurs in Game Seven last year, the Hornets will prove to be the more polished team. Adding James Posey is going to pay off in this series with his ability to lock up and shoot well under pressure. New Orleans in seven.

Western Conference Finals

Lakers over Hornets

The Lakers are playing with a chip on their shoulders, after—quite frankly—getting embarrassed in the Finals last year. Phil Jackson has already questioned their toughness publicly this offseason. In a back and forth series that will go the distance, I like Kobe over Paul this year. Lakers in seven.