NBA Western Conference Midseason Observations

As we approach the annual NBA all-star weekend, here are my annual western conference midseason observations. So let's get started.

Northwest Division

Utah Jazz (30-17)
I thought the Jazz would be improved this season, but I'd be lying if I said I knew they were going to be this good. The best part about it is that they're for real too. Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur have been nothing short of spectacular. Expect Utah to be a factor in the second half of the regular season and well into the postseason.

Denver Nuggets (22-21)
The Nuggets will need to gel quickly in the second half of the season if they expect to be a factor in the western conference this postseason. However, I will say that if anyone expected the acquisition of Allen Iverson to immediately transform the Nuggets into title contenders, it's not going to happen people.

Minnesota Timberwolves (22-23)
Although Minnesota recently fired head coach Dwayne Casey, the Timberwolves have played pretty decent basketball so far, surpassing my meager expectations for them. However, this team is still light years from challenging the Suns or Mavericks in the west and will flame out in the first round if they do reach the postseason.

Portland Trailblazers (20-27)
I finally like the direction the Trailblazers are headed in. No-nonsense head coach Nate McMillan has this young team competing hard on the court and - more importantly - staying out of criminal court. Believe it or not, the Blazers could be a force in a few years.

Seattle Supersonics (17-29)
It's a case of the same ol' stuff for Seattle. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis score plenty of points and Seattle usually ends up a sub .500 team. Head coach Bob Hill is clueless and the Sonics have a black hole in the middle where their center is supposed to be.

Pacific Divison

Phoenix Suns (36-9)
The Suns are hotter than their namesake, that's for sure. With two, 15-plus game winning streaks this season, it's apparent that the Suns are on a mission to reach the NBA Finals and nothing else.