NBA’s Western Conference could be jumbled next season

The 2008-09 NBA season is in the history books and the Los Angeles Lakers are once again champions. This season’s finals came down to a potential legendary matchup. Lakers star guard, Kobe Bryant — arguably basketball’s best player — versus Orlando Magic star forward-center, “Superman” Dwight Howard — arguably basketball’s best big-man. In the end, however, Bryant’s Lakers seemed destined to win it all. They approached every game this season like a team on a mission.
It was not enough for Bryant to win the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he pushed his team, and that is why they’ll be celebrating all summer.
This team is well put together, and if it can sign forward Trevor Ariza to an extension, they are poised to repeat again. Coach Phil Jackson has some health issues and must evaluate his health in the offseason before committing to another 82-game season. If Jackson decides to retire, it has been rumored that assistant coach Kurt Rambis could take his position.
As for the rest of the Western Conference, things will be interesting going into next season. Here is my list of teams that have a chance to compete with the Lakers:

1. The Portland Trailblazers are on the move. They have a young team with a solid core in forward LaMarcus Aldridge, center Greg Oden and guard Brandon Roy and a young back-up cast, which should help them make some noise next season. This team is tall, young and athletic and they give teams a fit offensively because of their ability to play a high-low post game. Aldridge, Oden, Outlaw and Roy can take over a game with an emphasis on defense.

2. The Denver Nuggets are knocking on the door. They are lead by one of the most underrated players in the league in forward Carmelo Anthony. It helps when you have a veteran point guard in Chauncey Billups that knows how and when to distribute the ball and not to mention, he is a good 3-point shooter who can create his own shot. This team is in need of a legit center, and with that they could possibly be the Western Conference champs next year.

3. The Houston Rockets are teetering on the brink. Yao Ming will not be in next season due to a broken foot. The Rockets are now forced to find a big man — maybe Rasheed Wallace. The focus is on re-signing guard-forward Ron Artest in this off-season. A healthy Yao and the return of guard Tracy McGrady from his season-ending knee surgery should make this team very competitive in the west. Yao Mings foot is worse than expected.

4. The Dallas Mavericks are putting the pieces together. They are led by 7-foot forward Dirk Nowitzki. This team has some talent in the likes of guard Jason Terry, forward guard Josh Howard, veteran point guard Jason Kidd, forward Brandon Bass and center Eric Dampier. They were out hustled by the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs and they had no answer for Anthony, Anderson or Billups during that series. The Mavericks turned it on late in the season and got their motor running. They still have some work to do in order to compete with Denver, Houston and definitely LA.

5. The San Antonio Spurs are never out of the picture. They are led by future Hall of Fame veteran power forward Tim Duncan. The Spurs were plagued by injuries this past season and, thanks to their veterans, were able to make it to the playoffs. The Spurs are old and will be in need of some younger help this off-season. Guard Manu Ginobili, 32; Duncan, 33; guard Bruce Bowen, 38; forward-guard Michael Finley, 36; center Kurt Thomas, 37 and center Fabricio Oberto, 34 have experience but the league has turned in to a “young man’s game.” However, you can never count the Spurs out because they are a well-coached team, and they have a one of the best point guards in the Western Conference in Tony Parker.