deedsy404

Well here is my early thoughts on how next seasons Western Conference race should shape out of course much can change with the draft and free agency.

WEST (parenthesis denotes seeding in the post season)

Pacific

LA Lakers(1)- Absolutely have to be the favorites to win it all if they are healthy. This team will be stacked top to bottom and will have a years more development under there belt. If Bynum comes back and plays like he did last season this team could challenge for the Bulls 72 wins record no joke.

Phoenix(4)- I like the Terry Porter hire I think he got a raw deal in Milwaukee and I think he is a solid coach certainly better than D'Asstoni!!!!!! I think the Suns will do very well next season better then the Lakers though not a chance unless the Lakers get hit by the injury bug.

Golden State- One of the more exciting teams in the league but also a team that lacks defense until they improve there and with Nelly as the coach don't count on it this team is no threat to win the division but may sneak into the playoffs and give the Lakers some trouble.

Sacramento- They have some decent young guys in Francisco Garcia and John Salmons. If there bigger 3 guys can stay healthy Artest, Miller, & Martin maybe they have a chance to compete.

LA Clippers- LA's joke of a second team not much else you can say outside of Elton Brand they are next to nothing.

Southwest

New Orleans(2)- The most complete team in this brutal division Chris Paul should be even better. They will give the Lakers a run for there money for the West but ultimately I think the fact they are playing in such a though division hurts there chances of beating the already superior Lakers out for the top spot.

San Antonio(5)- This team will still hang around and they are looking poised to possibly face the Suns again in a classic first rounder. It will be interesting to see what they do this off season to improve.

Houston(6)- I would like to put this team possibly ahead of both of the teams ahead of them however I have little confidence Yao and Tracy can stay healthy all year if they can they could be a scary sleeper next season.

Dallas(8)- They should be good enough to make the post season again unfortunately for them that's about it once again you can sense Dallas time has come and gone.

Memphis- Is there hope in Memphis maybe if Jarvaris Crittenton improves and if they can get something useful out of the Lakers pick.

Northwest

Utah(3)- This team should be pretty rock solid next season as they bring back pretty much the same team intact. You can sense they are part of the new big 3 out West and that is the Lakers, Hornets, & Utah as the old big 3 Dallas, San Antonio, and Phoenix begin to fade out.

Portland(7)- I think the Blazers will be very interesting to watch next season as Greg Oden takes his official rookie lap in this league. They should make the post season and provide a scare to whoever they play in the first round.

Denver- Lot's of questions with this team what do you do with Carmello Anthony and AI? They need defense that's for sure.

Sonics- Well whatever the hell they are going to be called I think they will improve being in a new city and not having to deal with it being there last season in a place. Kevin Durant will continue to flourish into a good young player.

Minneso