NBA Western Conference Preview

As promised here is the NBA Western Conference Preview. Almost always the stronger conference, the West will again be dominant in 2011-12 and that's because of veteran teams like the Spurs and Lakers that are experienced in the playoffs and young teams such as the Thunder and Clippers that demand viewers' attention. Also, let us not forget that the Dallas Mavericks have assembled a team that could have the potential to repeat. I would say there is no clear cut favorite out West and as many as five or six teams have a legitimate shot to represent the conference in the Finals. Here are my picks:

Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Dallas Mavericks

3. Los Angeles Lakers

4. Denver Nuggets

5. San Antonio Spurs

6. Los Angeles Clippers

7. Portland Trail Blazers

8. Memphis Grizzlies

9. Utah Jazz

10. Golden State Warriors

11. Minnesota Timberwolves

12. Houston Rockets

13. Phoenix Suns

14. New Orleans Hornets
15. Sacramento Kings

Teams to Watch

Dallas Mavericks: Always keep an eye on the defending champs in any sports and the Mavs are no different. They lost some pieces to the puzzle from a season ago such as J.J. Barea, Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler but they were able to add Lamar Odom, Vince Carter and Delonte West. The supporting cast is what will propel the Mavs through the playoffs. Carter, West, Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood all bring experience and multiple talents to a deep roster. Dirk Nowitzki had a fabulous playoffs and if he, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry don't show their age this year, Mark Cuban and the Mavs could be hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy again.

Los Angeles Clippers: This is new territory for the Clippers franchise. They are actually a hyped up team with tremendous expectations. And why not? They made the HUGE trade that brought the best point guard in the league, Chris Paul, to LA and signed two veteran role players with Finals experience in Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler. Throw in the freakishly athletic inside duo of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and "Lob City" might be the most exciting television this season. Still, how high can expectations be for a franchise that has never been a winner? In their preseason games the Clips looked good but they aren't deep in the post and their bench is very young. Either way the Clippers are finally relevant and that will create some exciting storylines throughout the season.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Maybe the T'Wolves won't receive that much press, but mark my words, they will be a contender in a few short years. Start with Kevin Love, a double-double machine. He is the star this organization needs and he is consistent. Michael Beasley and Derrick Williams (2nd overall pick) will also be in the frontcourt. If Darko Milicic and Brad Miller can just give Minnesota steady play they will be fine. Gone is Jonny Flynn and in is Ricky Rubio at point. The T'Wolves finally got their man and America will soon find out if he is all he's hyped up to be. He and Wes Johnson will team up in the backcourt and J.J. Barea and Wayne Ellington will come off the bench. This team has serious potential but won't win quite yet due to youth. However, don't sleep on them.

Los Angeles Lakers: Everyone is down on the Lake Show after the Chris Paul trade fiasco that ended up with Lamar Odom in Dallas and Paul in the wrong locker room at the Staples Center. Now, LA will have to move on with it's core group of stars led by Kobe Bryant. Pau Gasol, who was nearly dealt to Houston, is back in a Lakers uniform and says he is fine, despite the trade rumors. LA needs Gasol to have a monster year with no Odom and little production expected from the bench. Maybe even more important will be the play of Andrew Bynum. His potential is great but his knees have to hold up for LA to play deep into the playoffs. I expect the Lakers to still be a good team but don't be surprised if they drop off a little bit.

Players to Watch

Paul (center) with new teammates Griffin and Billups

Chris Paul: The man who has caused the most commotion this offseason will finally be able to just play ball on Christmas Day. He should have a terrific year, benefitting from the athleticism of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan along with the veteran play of Chauncey Billups. CP3 is the best point guard in the league and continues to prove it. This year he could put up his best numbers yet and people are expecting something great from him in LA.

Kevin Durant: Here is my pick for the MVP this season. The Durantula has emerged as the best scorer in the NBA and he should lead his team to a Western Conference championship for the first time. He has talented teammates at every position which allows him to do his thing without double teams coming his way every night. He has already been a scoring champion and I expect he will be again this season. With his size and his ability to shoot he may be the hardest to guard in the NBA.

Kobe Bryant: For the first time in a long time Kobe Bryant isn't the most talked about basketball player in Los Angeles, California. People seem to have pushed the Lakers and Bryant to the side for Chris Paul and the Clippers but don't forget about Kobe. He is the best player in the league and for those who say he is too old to be the "old Kobe" why don't you check his numbers from last season. His 25, 5, 4 averages match his career numbers and indicates that we haven't seen the last of Kobe.

Western Conference Rookies to Watch
Derrick Williams, forward, Minnesota Timberwolves (2nd overall pick)

Enes Kanter, forward, Utah Jazz (3rd overall)

Jimmer Fredette, guard, Sacramento Kings (10th overall)

The West is always deep and this year is no different. I will predict the Oklahoma City Thunder to defeat the Dallas Mavericks for the Western crown but, in reality, there are six teams that have the potential to play in the Finals. It all starts tomorrow and the NBA is right in saying that we should expect BIG things.