How The West Will Be Won

This year’s race for the eighth spot in the Western Conference could prove to be as exciting as any that happens once they actually get there. Fans are watching as nine teams battle day in and day out for their right to move on to the postseason, and it’s so close you can almost compare the odds of each team to eight stallions scampering around a dirt track hoping to be the first to stick their nose across the finish line.

 

The way this is unfolding is reminiscent of the league’s glory days of the 90’s, when Jordan and Pippen led the epic Bulls against duo’s such as Penny and Shaq, Hakeem and Clyde, Stockton and Malone, Ewing and Starks, and Payton and Kemp.  For the first time in nearly a decade the star power has finally returned.  The league may not have a resurgence, but it’s as close as it’s ever been.

 Most teams have just five games remaining for the regular season, and the nine western conference contenders are separated by a mere 8.5 games, with the top six contenders separated by just 3.5 games. Unfortunately, one of these teams has to go.

8. Golden State Warriors
Despite the great duo of A.I. and Carmello in Denver, along with their consistent top defender, Marcus Camby, the Warriors have the best shot at claiming the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference. Denver lost two costly games this weekend against opponents that had no business hanging with them.  Falling at home to Sacramento and on the road to the Supersonics, all but punched their tickets back home for the summer. The Nuggets have the worst road record among the contenders, and have to go and face the Warriors and Jazz on the road, as well as the Rockets at home. Four of the Warriors remaining five games are at home, with three of those dates against Sacramento, the Clippers, and Seattle. If the Warriors can take down the Nuggets on Thursday, they should be able to claim the eighth spot.

7. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks just came off a huge win against the Phoenix Suns, who currently hold the spot ahead of the Mav’s by three games. However, Dallas still has Seattle, Utah, Portland and New Orleans to close out the season. They are 2-0 against the Supersonics, but are just 1-2 against Utah and New Orleans. Lucky for them, they face the Jazz and Hornets at home, but they will have a tough road game against the pesky Trailblazers. Given the talent that Dallas possesses, they should make it through these games fine, but it likely won’t be enough to move the Mav’s up another spot in the conference. As of now, the 7^th seed will have them facing off with San Antonio in round one, which should result in an early departure for Dallas.

6. Houston Rockets
Houston has played extremely well since losing big man Yao Ming earlier in the season. They are currently neck and neck with the Jazz, fighting for the fourth spot in the West, with the Suns trailing one game behind. The Rockets will face Phoenix, Denver, and Utah in three of their remaining four games. Phoenix will be very hungry to gain another spot in the conference, and will be a very tough match-up, while the Nuggets are fighting for their right to entire the postseason. They handed the Jazz one of their league-best four home losses on the season, but they also had the presence of Yao on the court. Expect the Rockets to continue to play tough, but fade out against tougher competition in the playoffs. Mutombo has a heart of gold and can still swat shots, but when it comes to the playoffs, Yao is essential for this team to succeed.

5. Phoenix Suns
The electrifying Suns are currently holding the 6^th seed in the West with Memphis, San Antonio, Houston, Golden State, and Portland left on their schedule. Phoenix beat Houston, Golden State, and Portland all in the month of March, and will likely come out victorious against those three again, though they will likely have trouble with the Spurs. Amare and Shaq are going to have to dominate inside if they want to get past the well-rounded Spurs, but they shouldn’t have to worry about dropping a spot before the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Suns, they lost a step on defense when they traded Shawn Marion for the aging Big Cactus, which could come back to haunt them if they face the Hornets, Spurs, Lakers, or Jazz in the playoffs.

4. Utah Jazz
Utah has been the quietest contender in the league this season. They are a very strong squad, led by Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams. They also boast the leagues best home record at 35-4. The Jazz still have New Orleans, Dallas, and San Antonio all on the road. Against these three teams, the Jazz are a combined 6-3, coming off of a big 26-point victory over the Spurs. Utah should comfortably ride into the playoffs with the fourth seed and move on past the first round.

3. New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans has been a fan favorite throughout the season, and has a load of momentum as playoff time approaches. They currently hold the 1^st spot in the West by 1.5 games, and have won 9 of their last 10 contests. Chris Paul has been absolutely outstanding, and fatigue doesn’t seem to be factor despite all the minutes he’s logging, as evidenced by the triple-double he put up in their win against the Warriors this weekend. Despite New Orleans hovering at the top of the conference for most of the season, I think it will be another year before they get a shot at becoming NBA Champions. Based on experience, the Spurs are extremely tough to get past in the playoffs, and the surging Lakers should be stronger than ever with the return of Andrew Bynum.

2. San Antonio Spurs
When is there ever a year where the San Antonio Spurs don’t find themselves contending for an NBA Championship? No team in the NBA has the chemistry that these guys have on the court, except maybe the Pistons. With the Suns, Lakers, and Jazz still on the Spurs schedule, there is a chance they could fall out of the #2 seed before the playoffs. But regardless if they are matched-up with Dallas, Houston, or Phoenix in the first round, they should be able to get back to the Western Conference Finals once again.

1.L.A. Lakers
The last few summers Kobe has been forced to listen as reporters bagged on him for not be able to get the Lakers over the hump without Shaq, while watching other teams walk away with the trophy.  Well that should all change this year.  With the emergence of Andrew Bynum and the addition Pau Gasol, Kobe has the supporting cast needed to take this team on a deep June run. If Bynum comes back at 100%, these guys are going to be nearly impossible to beat. Their starting line-up will consist of Lamar Odom (6’10’), Pau Gasol (7’0’) and Bynum (7’0’) aside Kobe (one of the greatest players in history). The Lakers are probably the team with the most depth now as well. Turiaf, Radmanovic, Mbenga, and Chris Mihm are all strong, standing 6’10’ or taller, and let’s not forget their prolific shooters Sasha Vujacic and Derek Fisher, or the quickness of Jordan Farmar. As long as this team can stay healthy throughout the playoffs, expect them to be standing when everyone else has fallen.

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The previous was a post by guest contributor Jonny Evans