2009-2010 NBA Power Rankings: Western Conference

While the Eastern Conference is finally starting to catch up with the Western Conference, the West still has the favorite to win the 2009-2010 NBA Title. But what other teams remain in contention for a Western Conference title and an NBA Finals appearance? Let’s find out in our 2009-2010 Preseason NBA Power Rankings for the Western Conference.

1. Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers are the reigning NBA Champions and they remain the favorites to win it again in 2010. However, they didn’t do it by standing pat. In fact, the Lakers got significantly better by adding Ron Artest to their starting lineup and keeping Lamar Odom as the backup 3/4. Assuming the rest of the offseason goes well and that no injuries occur in the preseason, the Lakers will be atop any and all NBA Power Rankings to begin the 2009-2010 NBA season.

2. San Antonio Spurs – If it weren’t the Ron Artest signing by the Lakers, it’s quite possible that the Spurs would be the #1 team in the Preseason NBA Power Rankings. Still, they remain the team that gained the most ground during the offseason. If I had done rankings immediately following the season, there’s almost no way that I would have ranked the Spurs the second best team in the Western Conference. But the trade for Richard Jefferson, the acquisitions of Antonio McDyess and DeJuan Blair, and the recent good news concerning Manu Ginobili’s health, render the Spurs a championship contender, yet again.

3. Denver Nuggets – Even though the Nuggets fell apart during the final two games of the Western Conference, they are still a title contending team in the Western Conference. While Carmelo Anthony may be the team’s Superstar, it’s Chauncey Billups that has transformed the Nuggets from a high-flying sideshow act to a respectable playoff team. The Nuggets are returning every starter from last season, so there’s no reason to expect them not return to the same level of play that got them to the Western Conference Finals. Now, if they can get a little better on defense, they might be able move up the rankings that matter before the end of 2010 playoffs.

4. New Orleans Hornets – No, we have not seen the last of the New Orleans Hornets regime. Granted, they fell apart against a surprising Denver Nuggets team during the 2009 NBA Playoffs, but that was the type of setback one can expect from a young team. But rest assure, point guard Chris Paul and head coach Byron Scott will have this team contending again in 2010. Paul is too dominating, and his supporting cast is too talented for the Hornets not to put forth a better effort in 2010. The addition of Emeka Okafor should give the team a more reliable option at center night in and night out. The drafting of rookie Darren Collison will bring some more size to their backcourt rotation. And the presumed health of Peja Stojakovic will give this team the outside shot they were missing during last year’s playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.

5. Phoenix Suns – The Phoenix Suns aren’t done yet. Steve Nash still has plenty more left in the tank, and Shaquille O’Neal’s departure may be the best thing for this team. Now the team can run at the pace this offense was designed to operate at. And with Amare Stoudemire’s presumed return, they can dominate in the paint and with pick and roll like they have for the last several years. Besides, there aren’t very many teams in the NBA, nevermind the Western Conference, that have more playoff experience than the Phoenix Suns, and I don’t doubt that they won’t use that to their advantage during the season and the postseason during the upcoming NBA year.

And there you have it! Those are our 2009-2010 Preseason NBA Power Rankings for the Western Conference.


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