Western Conference Midseason Report

Well I am finally going to do this because it needs to be done. The Midseason Report in the NBA and we will start in the Western conference. Break it down from divisions, whose impressing, whose depressing (sometimes it just more of an effort thing), and give the outlook for where they will end up at the end of the year.

1. Los Angles Lakers (43-10): The Good: Pau Gasol- Now I know Kobe could be right there in this one but Gasol has added such a presence inside. The Bad: Andrew Bynum for the second straight year has a freak injury happen to him, disappointing really. Outlook: They are my NBA Finals out of the Western Conference; they need to play within themselves and they will be fine.

2. San Antonio (35-17): The Good: Roger Mason Jr.- What a pleasant surprise this has been for the Spurs. A very clutch player for the Spurs. The Bad: Being boring- They really have no flaws, they are just not that fun to watch. Outlook: I think they will be in the Western Conference Finals but like last year, Kobe and the Lakers are too much for them.

3. Denver (36-17): The Good: Chauncey Billups- In my opinion, he is in the top five point guards in the last three or four years. He seems to know how to carry a team in the right way. The Bad: Kenyon Martin- He isnt having a bad year by any means but it would be nice to see his production up in rebounding for sure. Outlook: A playoff team for sure and I think they have chance to be in the final 8

4 Portland (32-20): The Good: Brandon Roy- He doesnt get enough credit for the things he does all-around on the court. The Bad: Greg Oden- He's doing alright but heres the thing the guy picked behind him having a monstrous year. Outlook: They are a playoff team but that will be about it; they are too young to get past the first round.

5. Houston (33-21): The Good: Yao Ming- Yao has had a great year for the Rockets just giving them a consistent basis of 20 and 10. The Bad: Tracy McGrady- Once again, he is injured and now has entered the realm of washed up. Outlook: If they meet up with Portland in the first round thats a series they can win and probably seeing as T-Mac isnt playing.


6. Utah (30-23): The Good: Paul Millsap- This guy got a significant amount of sleeper hype when he came out of the draft and now he lived up to it. The bad: Carlos Boozer- He has only played 12 games and probably on his way out of Utah. Outlook: Eh. If they play Nuggets, Spurs or Lakers in the first round; they probably will lose so they need to get up to that 5 spot if they want to advance.

7. New Orleans (31-20): The Good: Chris Paul- He is so good its unreal. He does so much for the Hornets. The Bad: Anyone not named CP3, David West, or Peja. Outlook: The Hornets are nowhere near the team they were last year and trading Tyson Chandler yesterday makes them lack an inside presence.


8. Phoenix Suns (28-23): The Good: Shaquille O'Neal- He has had a great comeback year and has been a valuable part of this Suns team. The Bad: Amare's defense- He looks like he doesnt give a shit out there and cannot stop anyone inside. He needs to learn how to stop big men. Outlook: They make the playoffs barely because I dont believe in Dallas.

9. Dallas (31-21): The Good: Dirk Nowitzki- Dirk does it all for this team and is the glue of the Mavs. The Bad: Jason Kidd- He isnt having a bad year but I bet they would want Devin Harris instead. Outlook: They are the most inconsistent team in the NBA; one night they win by 20 the next they lose by 20 so to me that isnt a playoff team.


10. Golden State (19-35): The Good: Andris Biedrins- This guy is a double-double machine despite his poor on-ball defense; he gets rebounds like none other. The Bad: Corey Magette- Big time disappointment for the Warriors. Hasnt done much this year only started 19 games this year. Outlook: Probably Don Nelson's last year in Golden State and just playing for a lottery ball.


11. Minnesota (17-34): The Good: Al Jefferson- Even though he is done for the year, he is a beast and needs more recognition. The Bad: Sebastian Telfair- One of the biggest disappointments in recent memory, this is why you go to college kids. Outlook: With Jefferson out, the top of the lottery will be alot easier.

12. Memphis (15-38): The Good: OJ Mayo- Despite he shoots way too much, he is still having a hell of a rookie year and look forward to the future with Mayo. The Bad: Darko Millic- Remember when he was picked over Carmelo Anthony? Yeah me too. Outlook: Will this team ever win? Memphis is the worst franchise in basketball.


13. Los Angeles Clippers (13-41): The Good: Al Thornton- Great young player and has such a bright future in the NBA. The Bad: Baron Davis- He is overweight, lazy, and hates Mike Dunlevey. Outlook: Most disappointing team out west for sure and they suck it up once again.


14. Oklahoma City (13-40)- The Good: Kevin Durant- He is a beast. Durant does everything for his team and will be a stud. The Bad: Desmond Mason- Remember when he was relevant? Just a sub-par year. Outlook: Well next year could be a good one for them; just be patient.

15. Sacramento (11-43)- The Good: Kevin Martin- Does it all for his team and doesnt get enough credit. The Bad: Beno Udrih- He got a 55 Million dollar contract last year and only averages 10 points a game, pathetic. Outlook: They are just bad and I wont be surprised if they are playing in another town.

Heres the west, now on to the East.

-Charlie.