NBA Western Conference Race

What were seeing this year in the NBA's Western Conference is amazing. 8 teams separated by 5 games with the Denver Nuggets sitting 9th and out of the playoffs just 7 games out of first or 2 games out of the playoffs. Also, the Hornets are currently in 5th just 2 games out of first place and the best record in the West. Every single game counts because it could cost teams not only playoff seeds but simply making the playoffs. The Sacramento Kings are currently 11th in the West, 17 games out of first, 12 games out of the playoffs yet they would be 8th in the East. Anyway, its going to be an outstanding finish this regular season in the West and even greater playoff. The good thing about all this is that the teams that get into the playoffs are all pretty much balanced so there really wouldn't be any unbelievable upsets this year like there was last year with the Warriors and Mavericks. The Warriors are currently in 8th just 5 games out of first place and can run the court with anybody in the league so them beating a top team wouldn't be all that crazy. I can't forget to mention the Houston Rockets either, 18 straight and counting, and six straight without Yao. I don't think they can carry this hot streak through the playoffs though without a dominant big man like Gasol, Duncan, or Shaq. I think top eight team in the West up to date are the same teams that are going to make it into the playoffs. I think the Lakers will finish with the number one seed and I think the Mavericks are actually going to finish 8th with the Warriors finishing 7th. As for those Denver Nuggets, I don't think their going to get in, which is honestly pathetic. As good as Coach George Karl has been in his career, if the Denver Nuggets really don't make the playoffs then his job should be under scrutiny because his team is stacked with talent and has two players (Carmelo and A.I.) in the top 5 in the league in scoring. They are just too inconsistent. There is still hope for them to get into the playoffs and if they can start playing good basketball right now consistently then they really can be a force in the playoffs. Being two games out of the playoffs right now is going to be really hard to catch up because I don't see the Warriors hitting a downfall as the season ends, especially with how they finished last season. I think The Lakers and Spurs will finish with the top two seeds in the playoffs and will end up meeting in the Western Conference Finals. As good as all the teams are in the West, I think its going to come down to the two best big men in the West with Gasol and Duncan. What a great matchup this will be with them two along with Kobe and Ginobli. ---CJ Prutch