Western Conference "What-Ifs?"

CP3: They forgot about us! Tony: Let's remind them

The Western Conference was supposed to be simple. OKC was the young team poised to run things for years, and LA's summer pickups would make them immediate contenders. The Western Conference  would be represented in the Finals by either the Thunder or the Lakers.

We were wrong.

Yes, the Lakers have assembled a potentially devastating roster, although they never addressed the issue of perimeter defense. On the other end, it may take some time to fully integrate every member of the "Big 4". Add time when you consider Mike Brown is still the head coach.

In OKC, Harden was due for an extension. He wanted every dollar he could get (understandably) and played hardball. The Thunder organization decided the price was too steep, and promptly shipped him to Houston. They traded a valuable young talent and have jeopardized their chemistry in the process. They will compete, but there is always the possibility that things are never the same.

So with  the supposed favorites actively working to put things together at the start of the season, it has become clear that the West can be won by more teams than expected.

San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs went on a tear last season, using their old and new talent to run a machine-like offense. It took an all-time shooting performance from OKC's frontcourt to really slam the door on their postseason. With nearly every player returning, what will stop them from developing that ferocity again?

Los Angeles Clippers - CP3 can swing any game/series on his own. Fortunately for him, the Clippers organization has surrounded him with enough talent to reduce the frequency of those efforts. Billups, Hill, Crawford, Barnes, and Odom were brought in to give CP3 the most talented roster he's ever had. If they can avoid the Spurs, what can delay the ascension of Lob City?

Memphis Grizzlies - Pundits claim Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph can't co-exist. The truth is: injury has prevented them the opportunity. With legitimate talent at every position, and a frontcourt that can match anybody, Memphis may be the same type of dark horse that Dallas was just two seasons ago. Is this the year Rudy Gay makes the next step?

Denver Nuggets - Go ahead, finish laughing. Name another team that is two deep at every position. Waiting... You can't! Even if this team lacks the traditional go-to scorer, their depth is unmatched. Should things go wrong, they can trade several of those assets to acquire a legitimate star. In any case, this Nuggets squad that already scores at warp speed added Andre Iguodala to help defend the league's best wings. Who can't Denver match up with?