NBA: Western Conference championship candidates

Los Angeles Lakers have been crowned the Western Conference Champions 31 times out of a possible 65. They along with the San Antonio Spurs dominated in the 2000′s winning a combined 9 times in the first decade of the new millenium.

But the purple and gold has not tasted  success in the ongoing decade and the 3 years in this decade has seen three different teams being crowned the Conference Champions.

So what can we expect this season?

Well keeping in mind the changes to the rosters in the off-season, and the health status of the rosters, my top 5 contenders to be crowned the Western Conference Champions are as follows:

5. Golden State Warriors

Key Starters: Stephen Curry (22.9 ppg this season), Andre Iguodala (46% FG %, 1.7 steals per game last season), David Lee (All-NBA 3rd team, 56 double doubles)

Key Reserves: Harrison Barnes (All-Rookie first team)

An extremely young talented team, who if healthy can make a serious challenge to be one of the Western Conference Finalists, Curry and Klay Thompson might right now be the best back court tandem in the NBA right now.

However, they lost experienced bench players like Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry while Curry, Lee and Andrew Bogut all have reoccurring injury problems. Their chances rely heavily on how healthy their roster can be.

All of you might debate regarding the absence of Oklahoma City Thunder as a candidate but let’s face it with Russell Westbrook out with injury (second surgery to right knee) and Kevin Martin traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves they lack offensive depth; Kevin Durant being the sole offensive threat.