NBA Western Conference: Who Will Be the Last Team Standing?

The Western Conference has seen an influx of interesting trades and rumors in the past few weeks.

Could this possibly be the most exciting NBA playoffs since the days of his Airness?

The Lakers got the ball rolling by trading for Pau Gasol which initiated a reactive cycle that has culminated in Shaq's return to the West and the potential return of Jason Kidd to the Mavericks.

It is interesting that while the Lakers and Suns went with big men to sure up their defense, the Mavericks, a notoriously bad defensive team are desperately seeking to bring in a veteran point guard.  A point guard known more for his quick handles and court vision than his ability to defend.

Acquiring Kidd means parting with DeSagana Diop, a player who has shown the ability to play very good defense against the elite Western Conference big men like Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire.   

The clear winner of these trades is the Lakers.

Kobe is the recipient of another legitimate scoring threat in Gasol, who can now take the pressure off of No. 24 and allow him make plays without the threat of a triple team. Also the Lakers will get to use Andrew Bynum in a more traditional center role allowing the young playmaker to grow into his full potential. The Lakers new roster certainly presents match up problems, leaving many in the West wondering how they will defend a team with so many options.

Phoenix's answer was clear, they went out and got the biggest and most dominant player in the NBA to plug into their high octane offensive attack.

At his age Shaq is not going to be running the floor every play looking to score with 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock, but he can present a formidable obstacle for opposing offenses to work against.

Shaq's presence on this roster also allows for Amare to play his more natural power-forward position and also allows him to move freely because some of the defensive focus of the other team will be on the man-mountain at center.

The Suns did give up one of the most athletic players in the league in Shawn Marion, but Marion was more a product of the system than the driving force behind it. Steve Nash still has Stoudemire, Barbosa, Diaw, Hill and Bell to work with.

The rest of the West will have to pick it up to match the firepower of these two Pacific division teams.

San Antonio, the defending champs, will have their hands full now that both LA and Phoenix have a version of the Twin Towers.

Dallas, however faces the most difficult situation. It is problematic for the Mav's because San Antonio has Duncan and hopefully Oberto to spell him, but Dallas will be left with Dampier and Brandon Bass (if the trade goes through), not quite the dynamic duo. 

As a Spurs fan I do see the championship going through San Antonio. But, with the energy the Lakers have played with since the trade and the serious threat Shaq poses in the middle of a tough Suns team I don't think they have what it is going to take to come out of the

It will be the Suns representing the West and winning the Championship (as much as it pains me to say it).  

Regardless of outcome, this year's NBA Western Conference playoffs should feature plenty of exciting and intriguing match ups.

The playoffs will be a true slug fest for the right to play the Celtics who sport their own revamped roster.

I know I shouldn't pick Boston just yet, I mean they do have their own playoffs, but with only Detroit standing in the way I think it's a safe bet that the Celtics will play for the title.

The best match ups, story lines, and entertainment, however will be west of the Mississippi this summer.

So in the immortal words of T.O. "get your popcorn ready!"