Kobe Bryant and the Lakers' Fortunes

A Brief Western Conference Preview

The NBA's Western Conference features three established, dominant teams. The Spurs return everyone from the team that won the 2007 NBA Championship; the Mavericks have virtually the same roster as the team that went to the 2006 NBA Finals; and the Suns were a few plays away from the Finals in each of the last two seasons.

After the established three, Houston and Utah appear poised to join the conference's elite. Utah made a run to the Conference Finals last season and returns its key players, minus Derek Fisher. Houston has been a perennial play-off disappointment over the past few seasons, but a new coach (Rick Adelman), power forward (Luis Scola) and health (Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady) should be enough to push the Rockets into the top of the conference. These five teams appear to be play-off locks, unless one or more face a season-ending injury to one of its stars.

Beyond the power five, there are several good teams and several improved team, and only one team moving backward, the Los Angeles Clippers due to injuries. Denver and Golden State made the play-offs last season, and most assume they will again this year. Denver adds a healthy Kenyon Martin, while Golden State traded Jason Richardson to acquire a young post player (Branden Wright) to complete the make-over which started with last season's blockbuster trade with Indiana that saved the Warriors' season. New Orleans narrowly missed the play-offs last season and suffered all season from injuries. If they remain healthy, the Hornets, behind star PG Chris Paul, appear ready to breakthrough and become a play-off team.

Sacramento missed the play-offs last season with a new coach and introduces another new coach this season. If the Kings believe in Reggie Theus, they have the veterans to make the play-offs, as few teams outside the power five can match the experience and success of Brad Miller, Ron Artest and Mike Bibby.