2. Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers are another team that should be coming into their prime as a franchise, and could be finally ready to take over for the Spurs if the Rockets don't beat them to it. Chris Paul is the anchor to Lob City, and is still one of the league's most exciting players. The Clips brought in Jordan Farmar from cross town rival Lakers to run the team's second unit behind Paul. Jamal Crawford and JJ Reddick provide excellent offensive firepower for the two spot. DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin is such an explosive pair of forwards, and the Clippers added Spencer Hawes in free agency to provide depth. The Clippers have a great team, but still lack a legitimate wing player.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder - This could be OKC's last chance to make a Finals run with Kevin Durant, who can opt out next season. Durant is coming off an MVP season, and is arguably the best player in the league. Russell Westbrook could be the best athlete in the league, and would be the top option for the majority of the league. This duo has made it to the NBA Finals once, but close a number of other times, but this could be their year. They add Anthony Morrow to replace Thabo Sefolosha, and he should add a bigger scoring threat. Sarge Ibaka is still around, and they have drafted a pair of big men with upside in the past two years with Steven Adams and Mitch McGary. Both player could overtake Kendrick Perkins, and that would be an upgrade.
4. San Antonio Spurs - The defending champs have not upgraded much, and they are getting a year older. Tony Parker (32), Manu Ginnaobli (36), and of course Tim Duncan (38) have been the core of the league's most recent dynasty, but they are all aging. Boris Diaw, who recently resigned, will be 32 himself. For most teams that would spell trouble, but Greg Popovich, he can manage and rest his stars better than anyone. San Antonio does have a guy in Kawhi Leonard who could be ready to be the face of the team at any moment. Leonard did win the Finals MVP, and looks poised to be a superstar in the near future. Patty Mills, Danny Green, and first round pick Kyle Anderson could help keep the Spurs stay young, and ready to compete with the other top teams of the West.
5. Portland Trail Blazers - The Trail Blazers sent a message to the league last year that they will be a problem for the next few years. LaMarcus Aldridge is probably the most under appreciated player in the league, but also one of the best. He put on a clinic in the first round against Houston. Damian Lilliard is another budding star point guard in the league, and looks like a veteran the way he handles the position. Portland has a good core with Wesley Matthews, Nick Batum, and Robin Lopez to fill out the starting five. Portland's biggest concern is depth, and to address that they added Chris Kaman and Steve Blake.
6. Golden State Warriors - Stephen Curry has rejuvenated this franchise, and has really made them a threat into a threat in the Western Conference. Klay Thompson is one of the league's top shooters at the two spot. The Warriors had a sneaky good free agent signing with Shaun Livingston. The Warriors have solid wings with Andre Igudala, Draymond Green, and Harrison Barnes. David Lee presents a good option down low. The Warriors aren't quite built to win a championship, but they can hang with anyone when their shooters are on.
7. Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzlies' success starts with their twin towers in the post of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. As long as those two are around, they can hang with anyone. They will push for a playoff spot all year long, but the West is just so competitive. Adding a rookie like Jarnell Stokes will only add to their rugged front line. Guard play can be a little bit of a weakness, though. Mike Conley is very good point guard, but shooting guard is questionable. Veteran Tony Allen, free agent Vince Carter, and rookie Jordan Adams will all compete for minutes there.
8. Denver Nuggets - Ty Lawson is one of the most exciting point guards in the league, and he is joined by three solid options at the two guard spot with Randy Foye, Aaron Affalo, and rookie Gary Harris. Danilo Gallanari and Kenneth Faried are two very good, young forwards. This team is offensive minded, but they lack a solid post presence. The up and down game can only take them so far, but they should be in playoff contention to the very end.
9. Phoenix Suns - The Suns have a deep and talented backcourt, and I think it will get them back to the postseason. Goran Dragic had an outstanding 2014 campagin, and Eric Bledsoe will be back from injury. They also added Isaiah Thomas from the Kings for depth, and drafted Tyler Ennis. PJ Tucker was resigned, and they drafted gifted scorer TJ Warren to handle the small forward spot. It's the depth of the post positions that will hold this team back for the most part, as they lack talent there.
10. Dallas Mavericks - Dallas resigned their franchise superstar in Dirk Nowitski. Although he is older, Dirk can still play. They brought back Tyson Chandler to help matters in the post. If they are able to land Chandler Parsons, Dallas has a good set of starting forwards. Monta Ellis is one of the league's most gifted scorers, but point guard play, depth, and age really is working against this team.
11. Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers added Jeremy Lin, and with Steve Nash's age and health, Linsanity could see big minutes. Kobe Bryant will be back, and could easily elevate his game to being one the better players in the league. Resigning Nick Young is a good move, because he can flat out score. As it stands now, the Lakers will be expecting quite a bit from Julius Randle in the post. The young Kentucky star is a talented guy that dropped to the Lakers in the draft, and could be one of the pillars of this franchise in the future. They still need to make a move to add some more help down low.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves - If Kevin Love gets dealt, they would drop down to 15 and everyone else gets bumped up a spot. Love may hang out for the season, and the TWolves could make a run to the playoffs. Ricky Rubio has not been as great as everyone thought he would be, but still distributes the ball very well. They drafted promising athletic guards, Glen Robinson III and Zach LaVine, and they should help. Corey Brewer and Kevin Martin are both solid veteran scoring options.
13. Utah Jazz - The Jazz have a stable of young guards and wings and the most recent draft was kind to them. Trey Burke is a franchise point guard, and drafting two talented guys like Dante Exum and Rodney Hood should bode well for the future. They were able to hang onto Gordon Hayward by matching an offer sheet from Charlotte. The down low game is what is in question, but Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter are both 22 years old with room to grow, this is a team that will be trending upward in the future.
14. New Orleans Pelicans - The West is a tough place if this is one of your worst teams. Anthony Davis is a budding star in the post. Guys like Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday are a tough set of guards, but still they are low down in the pecking order. Tyreke Evans is also a solid piece, but injury concerns and depth down low will cost them in the end.
15. Sacramento Kings - The Kings have one of the best big men in the league with DeMarcus Cousins, but not a whole lot else. Nik Stauskas will be of the better rookies in the league, but they already had a young guard in Ben McLemore with that kind of skill set. Rudy Gay is a good player also, but beyond that the roster is very dull. Losing Isaiah Thomas and replacing him with Darren Collison is a downgrade also.
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