So, it is time to move to the Western Conference, the more interesting of the two conferences, arguably.  We are going to make our start with the Northwest Division, which could be a toss up.  From top to bottom, this has to be the worst division in the West.  With the Jazz at the top of the division, it is hard to say the division boasts much championship potential for this coming season.  With the Northwest bashing out of the way, lets get started.

Denver Nuggets
I just don’t get the plan.  Maybe I’m just not as basketball savvy as I thought if the Nuggets end up winning it all.  The two guard with all the heart in professional sport, the baby-faced superstar still carving out his true position in the NBA, and a whole host of decent complimentary players to a terribly difficult million-piece jigsaw puzzle.  With the loss of Marcus Camby to the Clippers, the defensive integrity of the team is questionable.  Their inside play is skeptical to say the least.  I would like to see Carmelo Anthony play a similar position to what he did in the Olympics.  He will be a mismatch for anyone at the four spot.  He is strong enough to hit the glass, score inside, and prevent himself from being backed down on the other end of the floor.  It will be interesting to see if they plan on doing anything in the offseason to improve their big men, but who knows.  Then again, maybe Sonny Weems will be as good in the NBA as he is against IU.  I think it will be tough for the Nuggets to make the playoffs in a Western Conference that has been, and still is, pretty stacked.

Minnesota Timberwolves
30 wins.  That should be the mark the T-Wolves shoot for this season.  They are just so young and don’t have many positions adequately filled (meaning every position expect for Al Jefferson).  Mike Miller was a decent addition, along with Kevin Love, however, neither player is going to provide enough this season for the Wolves to go anywhere but the Lottery Draft again.  As a fan of the game, I would like to see Kevin Love and Corey Brewer shine in this league, but it might take a little time.  The T-Wolves will finish near the bottom of the West again.

Oklahoma City Thunder
New city.  New name.  Same results.  The Thunder have a former number one, two, four, and five pick on their current roster.  Potential is not the problem.  If this team ever develops into their potential, it could be interesting, but for now, let’s break 25 wins for a season.  Kevin Durant seems destined to be a star in the NBA, however, I would still like to see him gain a little weight and pick it up defensively.  Russell Westbrook could be a great addition to the team, judging by his high-energy play, and lets not forget about D.J. White and his intensity on the boards.  Despite this, the Thunder could very well end the season with the worst record in the league, but who knows.  Wherever they are, they won’t be in the playoffs.

Portland Trailblazers
The sky is truly the limit for the Blazers this coming season.  The “Jailblazers” of old are dead and gone.  Last season, I was hoping to see a push from them into the playoffs, but the West was just too strong down the stretch.  I’m just going to say it outright.  If the Blazers don’t make the playoffs and win a round, this will be a waste of a season.  They are stacked with athleticism and great basketball awareness at each position.  Somehow, they had the best offseason of any team.  They have two rookies who will contribute this season in Jerryd Bayless and Greg Oden.  I would have included Rudy Fernandez, but I just can’t consider anyone who dunks on Dwight Howard in the Olympics a rookie.  Fernandez is going to be one of the most exciting players to watch this season.  LeMarcus Aldridge proved he is one of the most promising young players and will continue to progress.  Oh, wait, we can’t forget about Brandon Roy, the team’s all-star.  The Blazers should make it to at least the second round of the playoffs with all the talent they have.

Utah Jazz
I’m wondering if the Jazz have fallen behind the curve.  Don’t get me wrong, they are a playoff team, but I’m just not sure they have what it takes to win it all.  They just seem to be missing one piece.  I understand they have outside shooting (Deron Williams, Kyle Korver, Mehmet Okur, etc.), and I can see they can score inside with Carlos Boozer, along with a strong defensive mindset, but it just seems like they are missing a true slashing player on that roster; one who can get to the basket.  I’m sure Jazz fans would love for that to be Ronnie Brewer, but I just don’t know about that.  Overall, the Jazz are a pretty good team and I’m sure they’ll end up in the middle of the Western Conference playoff pack; not the bottom, not the top.

Projected Standings
1.    Utah Jazz
2.    Portland Trailblazers
3.    Denver Nuggets
4.    Minnesota Timberwolves
5.    Oklahoma City Thunder