Top ten teams in the NBA’s Western Conference

Part one of our TTCS NBA preview

10. Denver Nuggets

Denver has increased its win total each of the last three years. If they can win over 50 games this season, it would be impressive. The West continued to get better, and the Nuggets’ biggest offseason move was trading defensive force Marcus Camby for a lowly second round draft pick.

9. Portland Trail Blazers

In the East, Portland would be under strong consideration for the fifth seed. But in the West, there is a good chance they miss the playoffs. The Trail Blazers have all the talent in the world, the team just needs to figure out how to harness it. Where does Rudy Fernandez fit in? How about Jerryd Bayless? Two of Portland’s best players, Greg Oden and Brandon Roy, have also faced some serious injury issues in the past. We’re picking the Trail Blazers to miss to the playoffs, but it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them make it. This crew has a lot of talent.

8. Dallas Mavericks

It looks like the championship window for Dirk Nowitzki may have closed after the Mavericks’ historic loss to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs two years ago. The Mavs playoff chances for this year may have taken a hit last season when they traded Devin Harris for Jason Kidd. Kidd really showed his age in Dallas. But Rick Carlisle is a good coach, and Dirk is still one of the league’s premier players. That should be enough to sneak into the playoffs.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

Seemingly every year, one team in each conference makes a jump up the standings. We’re betting that team could be the Clippers this year. The arrival of Baron Davis and Marcus Camby makes the team better on both ends of the court. We also like the auxiliary pieces here: Al Thornton put together a nice rookie campaign last year and former Indiana star Eric Gordon should be able to fill it up coming off the bench.

6. Phoenix Suns

What about acquiring a suitable backup point guard don’t the Suns understand? The always wonderful Steve Nash returns again this year to lead a team that will score a little less and defend more. Amare Stoudemire should be in for a huge season with Shaq at center, and rookie Robin Lopez will add interior defense.

5. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are the toughest team to project in the NBA this year. They could win the title or get swept in the first round and no one would be that surprised. But here’s hoping they get out of the first round this year: you can tell it’s starting to take a toll on T-Mac’s psyche. Also, don’t forget, Ron Artest is still ghetto.

4. San Antonio Spurs

I hate the Spurs, you hate the Spurs, everyone hates the Spurs. They’re slow, old, and unexciting. They’re also a little dirty. But every year San Antonio is a threat to win the Western Conference and that is not about to change while Tim Duncan still has a few good years left. Once again, the Spurs are as good a bet as any to win the title.

3. New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets’ main problem from last year returns again: they don’t have much of a bench. James Posey will help, sure, but New Orleans will miss Jannero Pargo’s instant offense. Chris Paul will have to shoulder a huge load once again this year, but there is no reason to think he won’t be up to the task.

2. Utah Jazz

The Jazz have to be bummed. I think the T-Wolves have more white guys this year. While it’s unfortunate, it won’t change the fact that Utah is a regular season powerhouse. They’re bringing back the entire crew for last year’s 54 win team. Carlos Boozer should be in for a huge year, since he can opt out of his contract at season’s end.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Remember how good LA was toward the end of last season? Yeah, they did that without Andrew Bynum, who Tom Ziller named the league’s 24th best player. Kobe isn’t getting any younger (really?); he knows this might be his best chance to acquire the elusive post-Shaq ring. We expect a dominant regular season from the Lakers.

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