Another31Days – December, Western Conference

1. San Antonio Spurs (21-8): Even dealing with injuries, the Spurs still manage the lead the West. In Ime Udoka they got a small forward for the future. Not that Bruce Bowen will ever retire. When Kobe is 78 years old, bald, has a long beard and is walking with a cane in Rome enjoying the Piazza of St. Peter’s, Bowen will still harass him every single minute. And will still look like he’s 30-something.

2. Phoenix Suns (22-9): Still no defense in the middle (not counting Skinner), but damn Grant Hill is still the man. And the other Suns are playing pretty well too.

3. Dallas Mavericks (20-11): Good coach, good shooters, good defense, superstar on the team, deep bench but not convincing anyone right now. They were unbeatable last season (well, during the regular season anyway), and this year they seem vulnerable. Dirk Nowitzki has his lowest scoring season since ’99-’00, and in only his rookie season his shooting percentage from three-point range was lower than this year. He is the reigning MVP, and must act like it to get his team back to the elite status they once had. I said once, because it seems like it was quite a while ago.

4. Denver Nuggets (18-12): It’s always easy to point out what the Nuggets don’t have, but let’s see what they do have: a proven guard capable of scoring 30 points on any given night, one of the best small forwards in the game, and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. That should add some wins in 2008.

5. New Orleans Hornets (20-11): Chris Paul was named Player of the Month. He can do it all. Had a couple of 40 point games in December, and still managed to dish out nine assists in both games. He is to the Hornets what Kidd is to the Nets, and Nash to the Suns. Impressive.

6. Los Angeles Lakers (19-11): Yes, Kobe is the greatest player in the world. Yes, Bynum is probably the most improved player in the NBA, but the Lakers are playing so good, gotta give credit to Phil Jackson. You would think this team had to battle for an eight playoff spot at the end of the season, but if they keep playing like this, they might end up in the top 4.

7. Golden State Warriors (18-11): I’ll say it again: they’re the most fun team to watch in the entire League. The interesting thing is that although Stephen Jackson isn’t shooting very well the last couple of games, he is still the best player on the team not named Baron Davis. Speaking of the latter, now with Troy Hudson out (hope he’ll recover), they need a backup point guard. Pietrus for Jason Williams?

8. Portland Trail Blazers (18-13): At the end of November I thought they were really disappointing. They were 5-12, but there were enough quality players on the roster to win a couple of games. And that’s what they did, winning 13 in a row, before losing on the final day of December. A hard-fought game against the Jazz, so it could be worse. Brandon Roy is the next star in this League, same can be said for Aldridge, and even Travis Outlaw is a beast off the bench. 2008 will be a great basketball year for Portland (and look at the left of the picture, who is that cheering and laughing with the rest of the team? Yup, their future man in the middle, gotta love that guy).

9. Utah Jazz (17-16): Just one game over .500? That’s not enough. Enter Kyle Korver, the man who will turn this franchise around. In all seriousness: if the playoffs would start right now, they wouldn’t be in it. Having Boozer, Williams and Kirilenko on your roster, with Sloan as a coach, the Jazz are capable of doing more.

10. Houston Rockers (15-16): Surprisingly enough Tracy McGrady is injured. Wow. Even more surprising is that there are rumors that he is unhappy with the Rockets. Weird. Maybe it should be the other way around. His numbers are down, he’s injured again, his team is under .500, so maybe he is missing a sense of urgency, or leadership, or confidence. Whatever he is missing, I hope he will find it soon, because things ain’t working in Houston.

11. Sacramento Kings (11-18): Brad Miller was once an all-star center, Ron Artest has a problem with his elbow, and talks a lot about playing for the Knicks, Kenny Thomas is wondering why he hardly is playing anymore, the coolest player in the League (Mikki Moore) was fined for criticizing his coaches in the media, things aren’t looking to bright in Sacramento. Good news? Yes. Reggie Miller Revisited is coming back in a few weeks, but let’s call him Kevin Martin, and Mike Bibby is practicing. Expect trades within now and a month or so.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (10-19): 2007-2008, the lost season. I hope Elton Brand will come back at 100%, because they need him more than ever. Kaman for president.

13. Seattle Supersonics (9-22): Uh-oh, their two leading scorers, Durant and Wilcox, are down with injuries. It’s time to play Where’s Wally?

14. Memphis Grizzlies (8-22): Trade deadline within a month, what will happen? I read rumors about Gasol, Miller and Stoudamire all being traded, but what will really happen? They might have a potential star in Rudy Gay though. He’s a high-flyer.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-26): It’s a cold, cold winter in Minnesota. Ice cold. I hope the young Wolves will get hot and start winning some games. Four wins out of thirty is awful.