A few weeks ago, the NBA Western Conference appeared to be easy to read. The Los Angeles Lakers were at the top of the heap and the San Antonio Spurs seemed to be ahead of everyone else. However, recently the Spurs lost Manu Ginobili for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. Due to that injury, the entire picture is now different.

While the Lakers are still easily the best team in the conference, the next seven teams are now very equal. Without Ginobili, it will be difficult for the Spurs to have much success in the playoffs. Ginobili has been the team’s Argentine spark plug since he came into the NBA in 2002.

Currently, it appears as if the Denver Nuggets are prepared to finish with the second best record in the conference. With a nucleus built around Carmelo Anthony and former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets will be a powerful team in the postseason.

Other teams that could make noise include the Portland Trail Blazers, the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Hornets. The Blazers are young and inexperienced, however their talent is immense. The Jazz have dealt with a lot of injuries but they are now close to healthy. The Hornets have a high ceiling and are as good as anyone in the West when at the top of their game.

Chances are the Dallas Mavericks will be the team to lay claim to the eighth seed. If that happens, expect the Lakers to make quick work of the Mavs.

When it’s all said and done, the Lakers are the most likely to represent the Western Conference in the NBA. That said, who their foes will be along the way is a lot murkier now that the Spurs lost Ginobili.

Tags: los angeles lakers, manu ginobili, nba, nba playoffs, nba tickets, san antonio sprus
Posted in Sports |