2012 NBA Picks and Predictions: Western Conference Odds, Favorites and Sleepers

2012 NBA Picks and Predictions – Western Conference Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: While the Miami Heat won the NBA title last season, it is the Western Conference that is widely regarded as the toughest in the league top to bottom, and it is tough to argue. Last year, it would have been a major surprise to see any team other than Miami and Chicago come out of the East. Meanwhile, there were five or six legitimate contenders in the West. Not to mention the fact that the Western Conference had two teams finish at or above .500 and miss the playoffs while the Eastern Conference had none. Plain and simple, the West is loaded. With that in mind, here is a look at the top contenders in the conference for the 2012-13 NBA season.

2012 NBA Western Conference Odds, Picks and Predictions

The Favorites

Coming off a loss in the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder have their core of stars back for another title run. Kevin Durant is the three-time reigning scoring champ, Russell Westbrook was a top-five scorer last year, Serge Ibaka has led the NBA in blocks per game two years in a row, and James Harden was the Sixth Man of the Year. All four are back, and all four are just entering their prime. Not to mention that this team has advanced one round further in the playoffs in three consecutive years. The only way to advance further this year is to win a championship.

Did any team have a better offseason than the Los Angeles Lakers? Two-time MVP Steve Nash was brought in to fill a huge hole at the point guard spot, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard was added to provide a defensive presence in the middle of the paint. The two new stars will join Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to create one heck of a starting lineup. Yes, there are going to be growing pains as the new parts try to figure out how to play alongside each other. However, the talent level is undeniable, and the Lakers should be able to get things in sync in time for the playoffs and make a run.

The Dark Horses

In each of the past two seasons, the San Antonio Spurs have been dismissed as too old to contend in the Western Conference, and in each of the last two seasons, they have won the most games during the regular season. Tony Parker keeps getting better and is coming off his best season, and while older, Tim Duncan is still force in the frontcourt. Players like Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard have added some youth and athleticism to the mix, and Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw have solidified the depth. If Manu Ginobili can stay healthy, San Antonio still has the firepower and experience to challenge for a title.

After being a franchise known for its losing tradition, the Los Angeles Clippers made the playoffs last season and nearly won the Pacific Division. A big part of the reason for the turnaround was the addition of Chris Paul, and while his long-term future is up in the air, the All-Star point guard will be a Clipper in 2012-13. Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler are pack, as well. More importantly, the team addressed issues with their depth in the offseason adding Lamar Odom in the frontcourt and Jamal Crawford in the backcourt. Los Angeles upgraded its roster from last year’s playoff team, and it might just be good enough to make some noise.

The Sleepers

After being the Cinderella story of the playoffs two years ago, a strong regular season last year ended with an early playoff exit for the Memphis Grizzlies. Still, the team has a young core of athletic, improving players, making them a dangerous team. An excellent frontcourt featuring Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph sets Memphis apart from most teams, and Rudy Gay has star potential at the small forward. Mike Conley Jr. and rookie Tony Wroten could be the X-factors, and if the duo can provide quality point guard play, the Grizzlies have everything else they need to contend.

There might not be a faster, more athletic team in the Western Conference than the Denver Nuggets. Point guard Ty Lawson is a blur with the ball, and with Danilo Gallinari and new addition Andre Iguodala on the wing, the Nuggets should score a ton in transition. More importantly, Denver has plenty of size and athleticism inside with JaVale McGee, Timofey Mozgov and Kenneth Faried. Teams better bring their track shoes to play the Nuggets, and the matchup problems created by the speed of Lawson and company could lead to a surprise run in the Western Conference.

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