NBA Midseason Grades: Western Conference

On the heels of Tim Legler's ESPN article of handing out midseason grades to the Western conference, I'd thought I'd weigh in with my grades for the West.

In the standings, the Western conference is in a tight race for the coveted number one spot, with a mere five games separating the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors and the first-seed Phoenix Suns.

On the court, watching the Western conference as been as exciting as Eli Manning driving down in the final minutes to win the Super Bowl.

By far the better than the Eastern Conference, the West has been the focal point of high-powered offense and high-scoring games. The Western conference has taken all the titles in this decade except for two. Now, on to the grades...

Dallas Mavericks (Grade: B)

After a great season last year, it wasn't too likely they'd duplicate that success, but while other Western powers have made significant moves to improve, the Mavs have stayed put and made it harder for them to advance to the finals again.

With the Pau Gasol trade to the Lakers and now Shaq heading to the Suns, look for them to make a move before the deadline. Kidd anyone?

Denver Nuggets (Grade B-)

Injuries have taken its toll on this team this year, but that doesn't excuse them from playing porous defense. While very talented on offense, defense is what wins championships.They have proven time and time again that they cannot beat an elite team four times with the defense they play. If they figure out what defense is, no team will want to see them in the playoffs.

Golden State Warriors (Grade A-)

This team sure is fun to watch, right? That may be true, but what happens when the game slows down, like in the playoffs? I think that their pick-up of Chris Webber was a great deal for them.

Although he can't run with the team, when the playoffs come around, he'll be a valuable asset in the half-court set down low when the game does slow down. Like Denver, this team puts a scare in any team come playoff time, like last years number one seed Mavs.

Houston Rockets (Grade C)

This team has underachieved considerably with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Granted T-Mac has missed some time due to injury, but when is T-Mac ever fully healthy?

In the preseason Houston was being mentioned as a Finals candidate, but the defense hasn't been there like it was under coach Jeff Van Gundy, and the free-flowing offense under Rick Adelman has yet to take shape. Look for a second half turnaround for the Rockets and a playoff spot in the bottom four.

Los Angeles Clippers (Grade D)

This team has been decimated with injuries, most notably losing Elton Brand before the season started for months with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

With the players seemingly no longer responding to coach Mike Dunleavy, and the squabble between owner Donald Sterling and Dunleavy, their players look disinterested. Except for Chris Kaman, who has taken this year to showcase his skills, and establish himself as a solid center.

Los Angeles Lakers (Grade A)

What's not to love about this team? They picked up a solid 20-10 guy every night, in Pau Gasol, to go along with an improved Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and arguably the best player in the NBA in Kobe Bryant.

GM Mitch Kupchak deserves all of the credit for not trading Kobe in the off season and not giving up any of the Lakers' core talent. This team is set for many more years, and once again will be a contender for a title for years to come.

Memphis Grizzlies (Grade D+)

Their record will indicate that they have a terrible team, but Rudy Gay has officially arrived in the NBA, and could be a solid 20-7 guy every night for this team. Their trade of Pau Gasol has officially put this team in rebuilding mode, and has given them substantial cap room in years to come to pick up a top free agent. But until then, they'll have to deal with many L's.

Minnesota Timberwolves (Grade C-)

Let's face it, this team wasn't expected to do anything special this season. Their lone bright spot has been Al Jefferson, and because of him they don't deserve to get any lower than a C-. He has shown that he can be a great low-post presence that the Wolves can build around him in the years to come.

New Orleans Hornets (Grade A)

How can anyone not root for this team? After a tumultuous last couple of seasons, coupled with Hurricane Katrina and key injuries, this team finds itself in the top three in the Western standings, and tied with Dallas for their division.

Point guard and MVP-candidate Chris Paul has lifted this team to new heights, and with forward David West and center Tyson Chandler having career years, the Hornets have surprised everybody. Their only concern come playoff time is their inexperience.

Phoenix Suns (Grade B)

With the top spot in the West, you'd think their grade would be higher, but with chemistry issues and still not committed to playing defense, they're given a solid B. The Shawn Marion situation earlier in the year caused friction between him and his teammates and coach, which could have affected his play.

Marion got his wish and he was shipped to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense because Shaq can't run with the offense. The Suns are hoping he can be that defensive presence that they sorely need. Until the Suns prove they can advance to the Finals, a B is all they deserve.

Portland Trail Blazers (Grade B+)

The most surprising team in the league has improved leaps and bounds over the expectations coming into this season. Their recent slide has brought them back down to earth, but for awhile they were the hottest team in the league.

After losing Greg Oden for the season, last year's Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy has led this team of youngsters to the brink of a playoff spot. Imagine what this team will be like next year when Oden is healthy. Scary.

Sacramento Kings (Grade C)

I'm going to give the Kings a break because of all the injuries that they have sustained during the course of the year. Losing Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin for an extended period, they kept their heads above water.

Now that Bibby, Martin, Ron Artest, and Brad Miller all healthy they are two games below .500 and playing good basketball. Although I don't think they have enough to get to the playoffs, they have enough talent to spoil someone else's bid.

San Antonio Spurs (Grade B-)

The recent offensive struggles and losing Tony Parker are not good omens for the defending champs. Although any team would like to be in the Spurs' shoes, with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Parker, and sitting at 30-16, they are only 6th in the conference.

I'm not concerned with the Spurs, they have proven that they can coast through the regular season and turn it on in the playoffs, and they usually use their rodeo trip as a catalyst for their run in the playoffs. Look for them to be the usual Spurs and go deep in the playoffs...again.

Seattle Supersonics (Grade D+)

Another team that nothing was expected of before the season started, and a 14-game losing streak can't get them a grade above a D+.

Rookie Kevin Durant has found relative success as the Sonics best player, and the improving Chris Wilcox has provided a reliable low post threat, but a point guard is sorely needed to give Durant and Wilcox more open looks. With their departure from Seattle still rumored, they need a lot of help if they want to win some games.

Utah Jazz (Grade B+)

Their success last year carried over to the beginning of this season, as they proved that their Western conference finals run was no fluke. They hit a snag a couple of weeks ago, however, and lost a few games in a row to lesser teams.

Now they are one of the hottest teams in the league, and on a current 9-game winning streak. With Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams they have two players who complement each other very well, and have the potential to return the Jazz to the level of the late 1990s Jazz.

Those are my grades for each team, feel free to give your opinions on these grades, or make your own report card.

Next I will publish the midseason grades for the Eastern conference