Western Elite

1. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs were 28 seconds away from being the current NBA Champions.  The Spurs return their core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker.  The team also returns forward Kawhi Leonard who is starting to emerge as a superstar. The Spurs also return key role players such as Boris Diaw, Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Tiago Splitter. In addition to the team's returning player the Spurs added sharpshooter Marco Belinelli.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder features two superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  The Thunder also have one of the premier defensive player's in the game in Serge Ibaka. This Thunder team also feature key role players such as Ronnie Brewer, Reggie Jackson, Kendrick Perkins, and Thabo Sefolosha. This team if healthy have enough talent to make it to the finals.

3. Houston Rockets - The Rockets went from barely being a playoff team into a serious contender in the Western Conference.  In addition to upcoming superstar James Harden the Rockets managed to obtain the best big man in the game in Dwight Howard.  Like the other contenders the Rockets have plenty of good role players such as Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, Patrick Beverly, Issiah Canaan, and Jeremy Lin.  The Rockets could make some serious noise in the playoffs.

4 - Los Angles Clippers - Just the addition of head coach Doc Rivers make this team a legitimate threat to reach the NBA Finals.  The Clippers have two All Star is in Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. The team also have plenty of role players such as Matt Barnes, Reggie Bullocks, Darren Collinson, Jared Dudley, Jamal Crawford, DeAndre Jordan, and JJ Redick.

5. Golden State Warriors - The Warriors made significant progress in the winning department and will only be better.  The Warriors have their first Superstar since Chris Mullens in Stephen Curry.  This team also feature all star veterans such as Andre Bogut, Andre Iguodala, and David Lee. This Warriors team is filled with other young improving talent such as Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.  It wouldn't surprise to see this team make it to the Western Conference Finals. 

6. Memphis Grizzlies - Anyone that saw the Grizzlies play last year saw how dangerous they are.  The Grizzlies team starts with its interior presence with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.  Memphis also has a good young point guard in Mike Conly as well as a All NBA defender in Tony Allen. The bench is filled with NBA veterans such as Jerryd Bayless and Tayshaun Prince.  This is a very formidable team in the playoffs.

7. Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets are a perfect example of team by winning and not even having one all star on its roster. The team starts with it points guards Andre Miller and Ty Lawson.  The team also features Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari, JJ Hickson, Javale McGee, and Nate Robinson.  If this team can hit the three in the playoffs they can be very dangerous.

8. Portland Trail Blazers - Last season the Blazers starting 5 could play with any team in the league the problem was the bench.  The Blazers feature 2 All Star caliber players LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lilliard.  The Blazers also have two other pretty good players Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews. The Blazers help it bench through both the draft and free agency by adding Robin Lopez, CJ McCollum, and Mo Williams. The additions should be just enough for this team to make the playoffs.