NBA Head Trader has his say on the Western Conference

With the NBA regular season just passed the ¼ pole stage our lead NBA trader gives his thoughts on the Western Conference teams performance so far. Do you agree with our NBA odds-maker?

Western Conference: Southwest

Dallas Mavericks: Tyson Chandler has been a vital stud in his return to the Mavs. Dallas has an awesome offense, but will their defensive shortcomings have them finish 7th or even 8th in the West?

Houston Rockets: The Rockets have really improved their defence and are a team playing hard despite missing a number of key players throughout the season from injury.

Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol is benefitting well from his agro dietary shift and the Grizzlies look set to win 60+ games despite their limited opportunity to reach the Finals.

New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis is the only real positive. If any starter misses a game, their weak bench is very exposed.

San Antonio Spurs: ebbing and flowing...a little "champions' malaise" and some injury stuff to work through...keep in mind though it's only December.

Western Conference: Northwest

Denver Nuggets: Bounced quickly from their cliff-jumping phase, now they have regressed to an average performance, as expected.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Injuries have crushed this team more than the loss of star Kevin Love to the Cavaliers. The recent home loss to the 76ers was the clincher.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Durant and Westbrook are back and they are already just 1.5 games out of the 8th seed slot. Many speculated that's the best they could hope for, but the Mavs might be vulnerable to their charge or even the Spurs if injury games mount for key players. With good health, the Thunder would be the most dangerous lower seed since Olajuwon's Rockets in the 1995 playoffs.

Portland Trail Blazers: In the offseason the bench was shored up with the addition of Kaman and Blake. They are very tough most nights, and have made a great start to the season. They can get you early in games, or more than likely, late.

Utah Jazz: Coach Snyder is trying but is he good enough? His team are very young and not very deep. Hayward is stronger and better, but could be worn down the longer the season progresses.

Western Conference: Pacific

Golden State Warriors: Freaking awesome. The team have made an unbelievable start to the season, and look the team to beat so far.

Los Angeles Clippers: Shook off their early lethargy and now look like last season’s team with their relentless offense most nights.

Los Angeles Lakers: It's Kobe's world and at times not centered just his high volume, low percentage shooting or the Lakers' D, as in "What D?"  Swaggy P. keeps things fun and sometimes dangerous for opponents - just ask the Spurs.

Phoenix Suns: Last year they rode the wall of damnation, then mere doubt all the way to the brink of the playoffs. The pressure feels different this year, and their on going lack of an adequate inside presence torments them. With the Thunder poised to overtake them soon, it will be interesting how morale and energy hold up over the months, even with a solid Coach in Hornacek and a good core.

Sacramento Suns: They made a very impressive start until Cousins became ill recently. Cousins has matured massively, and the whole team seems to be buying into what Coach Malone is selling now. Another positive is youngster McLemore has stepped up.