By Nick Bond
In part two of the three-part NBA preview series, here is a look at the Western Conference, from contenders to pretenders.
Southwest
San Antonio
This San Antonio squad looks to achieve something that no other Spurs team ever has: repeat. With an all-world core of Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker, this team is far and away the favorite to represent the West in the NBA Finals. With a supporting cast of Oberto, Finley, Bowen, and Horry rounding out the rotation, it would be remarkable if any team even comes close to knocking them off the throne. 60-22
Houston
At some point, this team has to come together healthy and able to defend inside. This, however, is not that point. Back spasms will more than likely rear their ugly head for Tracy McGrady, who has had to deal with the problem for the past several seasons. Also rearing its ugly head will be 7 Foot – 5 Inch pantywaist Ming Yao’s inability to defend inside (See: Round 1, Carlos Boozer). Rockets fans should not be too worried however, as they have acquired the world-renowned walking-victory-machine, Steve Francis, who proved to be a major catalyst for the Knick’s ten-game improvement last season. Oh wait, no, he is deplorable and the Knicks were also deplorable because of his play, not in spite of it. Good call, Houston. With that said, unless they play a team with a premier center or undersized power forward every game, they should at least make it to the playoffs. 46-36
Memphis
Not many prognosticators have predicted anything positive for Memphis this season. Many are right, though it has to be said that this is not a bad team. They just are not very good. With a line- up of solid young players (and Darko Milicic) they may be able to be at least within five games of .500, but, since this is the Western conference, that will not get them to the playoffs. But hey, there’s always the lottery! 38-44
New Orleans
The state of Louisiana is not having a good sports year, with the Saints returning to their Aints form, and the LSU Tigers greatly damaging their national championship hopes with a loss to the Kentucky Wildcats. However, Denizens of the Bayou State should feel a little bit better, because this Hornets team is going to be good and will make the playoffs. Wait… they play where? The West? Oops. Sorry Sugar State sports fans, this team is watching the playoffs from the bar at the golf course. Though, Chris Paul should be an All-Star, so yeah, enjoy that. 40-42
Dallas
Two things are certain about this season’s Mavericks team. One: Dirk Nowitzki did not, in any way shape or form, deserve last year’s MVP, which rightfully belonged to Steve Nash. Two: the better regular season this team has, the worse they play in the playoffs. After their best season ever, they found themselves losing to an eighth seed Golden State Warriors, who completely dominated them on the way to a 4-2 series victory. Look for the same thing to happen this year: a spectacular regular season, followed by a first or second round exit. It is really sad too, because following the Cowboys’ loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl, Dallas fans are going to want something to console them. The Mavericks will not be it. 52-30
Pacific
Golden State Despite trading one of their best players, dunk-aficionado Jason Richardson, to Charlotte, the Warriors are a team to be feared by every team in the Western conference. They have an absolutely amazing point guard in Baron Davis, who along with swingman Stephen Jackson and underrated big men Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins, play the best fast break basketball outside of the Phoenix city limits. They will make the playoffs, and if they are up against the Mavs, they will advance. 44-38
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers were to be this year’s sleeper team until elite big-man Elton Brand went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon. This team’s only hope for making the playoffs is to hold their ground in the Pacific until Brand and up-and-coming point guard Shaun Livingston return sometime in the second half of the season. This will not happen and the Clippers will miss the playoffs…again. 36-46
L.A. Lakers
Kobe is the best player in the NBA, and this will be his best season thus far. Unfortunately for the city of Los Angeles, he may not be doing it for the Lakers. Bryant is very unhappy with the front office right now, and, although he’s too proud to tank, he will most likely end up strong-arming a trade to an Eastern conference team. This leaves the team to Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum and for those who do not know, Odom and Bynum to not a playoff team make. 38-44
Sacramento
Gone are the short-lived glory days of the Kings quasi-dynasty. Gone are Webber, Christie, Williamson, and Jackson. Those that remain, Miller and Bibby, are far past their primes, running on the fumes of former glory. In spite of this, they have an emerging superstar in Kevin Martin, and defensive dynamo Ron Artest, this will be enough to carry this team to the playoffs. 42-40
Phoenix
Mark these words: this season, Shawn Marion will redefine the word “petulant”. During an interview with ESPN the Magazine, he was prompted with the question “Would you rather be a 30-point scorer and an MVP candidate on a lesser team, say, one only flirting with the postseason, than the sidekick to the sidekick in Phoenix?” He responded with “But, we’d still be in the playoffs, right?”. Not, “Of course, I would love to stay in Phoenix with the evolutionary Stockton and Kemp”, which is the only answer which would have been suitable. It is amazing how someone so incandescently brilliant on the court can be so dense off of it. God willing, Marion will see the light, and help carry this team to the championship they so richly deserve. If not, perhaps they could just trade for Andrei Kirilenko, and lose to the Spurs in the playoffs, like they do every year. 59-23
Northwest
Denver
When Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith are coming off the bench for a team, it is clear that said team is going somewhere. With an offense led by AI and ‘Melo, and a defense bolstered by Nene and Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby, this team means business. That should be abundantly clear in the coming season. 49-33
Minnesota
KG may have left for greener pastures in Boston, but not all hope is lost for the T-Wolves. Al Jefferson is one of the best young players in the entire league, and with Randy Foye at the one and Ricky Davis at the two, this team will be at least mediocre, and can build towards a bright future. 36-46
Portland
Without the devastating injury to Greg Oden, this team would likely be a playoff team. However, with Oden’s injury, this team will end up being one of the worst teams in the league, as they must change their entire team structure, and cannot rely on Oden’s stifling defense to get them through games during which they struggle to score. At some point in the next few years, this team will win an NBA Championship, but definitely not this year. 30-52
Seattle
Kevin Durant’s rookie season will go down in history as one of the most remarkable first seasons ever. The same cannot be said for the rest of the Sonics, who will struggle mightily if Durant has a bad game or ,even worse, is injured. The only good thing that will come out of this season, aside from Durant’s ascendance, is that they will more than likely get a high draft pick to help Durant next season. 22-60
Utah
Boozer and Williams’s playoff performances brought something to the national stage that many in the Salt Lake City area had known all year. That was that this team is on its way to being a dominant force in the Western conference for several years to come. Boozer’s tough inside presence, along with Williams’s confidence under pressure and ability to score in bunches will lead this team to a very solid season, and more than likely a trip to at least the second round of the playoffs. 45-37