It is hard to keep track of how long the Western Conference has dominated the NBA. It seems that since the end of the Jordan-Pippen era, the West has been in control. The Laker dynasty and the Spurs’ consistent championship run every season has given the West a stranglehold on the Larry O’Brien trophy. However, it’s questionable whether the West will remain on top following a trade-filled summer that saw Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis leave for East teams. Time will tell.

West Rankings:

1. San Antonio: The defending champs look as good as they have in any recent season, and with a roster full of championship veterans they are easily the favorites, not only for the West, but for the league.

2. Phoenix: Despite the trade demands of Shawn Marion, the Suns still are one of the elite in the league. The team has shown great ability in playing with adversity, including Amare’s long hiatus from his injury.

3. Dallas: The Mavs have a lot to prove this season. Following their magnificent regular season last year, Dallas bowed out in the first round and shattered championship expectations. This season they will need Dirk to be outstanding in the postseason as well as the regular season.

4. Houston: The addition of Steve Francis might finally help T-Mac win a playoff series. With the likes of Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Francis, consider the Rockets contenders in the West.

5. Denver: Two of the most explosive scorers in the game, Allen Iverson and Carmello Anthony, on the same team should continue to give Denver 45-win seasons, but the Nuggets are still missing a component to propel them into the best of the west; perhaps Kenyon Martin’s return will provide that boost.

6. Utah: A trip to the conference finals last season deserves recognition for Jerry Sloan. He turned a young inexperienced group of stars into a winning formula. Now they must find a way to remain as a team; with Andrei Kirilenko’s trade demand, things don’t look good for this not-so-tightly-knit group anymore.

7. Golden State: Baron Davis was and will continue to be one of the best point guards in the league, but this team will miss Jason Richardson, who now resides in Charlotte, and may find it just as difficult to reach the playoffs this season as it was last year.

8. Los Angeles Lakers: As a die-hard Laker fan it pains me to have to rank them on the brink of the playoffs. But with Kobe’s fate in the air and all the injuries that have plagued this storied franchise the last few years, the Lakers will have to battle to the end for a spot in the postseason. If Lamar is anything but great, the Lakers will struggle and consequently will probably lose Kobe.

9. New Orleans: This year the team will finally return to New Orleans for an entire season. Expect a run for the playoffs this season as they will challenge for the eighth seed.

10. Memphis: Pau Gasol has some help down low, but it remains to be seen whether Darko Milicic will live up to any of the expectations he brought to the NBA when he was drafted second in the 2003 draft ahead of Carmelo. The Grizzlies will definitely improve on their 60 losses from last year. However, they will come up short on another attempt at winning their first postseason game in franchise history.

11. Seattle: Kevin Durant should provide plenty of entertainment and maybe give Sonic fans something to cheer about, but with the departure of Allen and Lewis, this team will struggle.

12. Los Angeles Clippers: Whether Elton Brand and company will make any noise this season remains to be seen. This team has some talent, and if Brand stays healthy, then who knows what could happen.

13. Portland: No Greg Oden hurts all NBA fans, but mostly those in Portland. The simple fact remains: No Oden, no playoffs.

14. Sacramento: Gone are the days of Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic, as are the days of winning. Tossing coach Rick Adelmen did not help matters last season and neither will firing Eric Musselman. Their other meager offseason changes shouldn’t change the team’s bottom feeder status.

15. Minnesota: No more KG, but with Theo Ratliff the highest paid player on the team, the T-wolves have room for some action next year. Minnesota will learn quickly what it’s like without Garnett, the worst record in the West and probably the league.

West Champion: San Antonio Spurs; Phoenix will give them a run for their money, but too much experience for the defending champs will push them to finally repeat as champs. Western Conference Finals: San Antonio over Phoenix in seven.

NBA Finals: Spurs over Pistons in five. (The Celtics lack depth and this will prevent them from reaching the finals.)