Over the last twelve years, or basically ever since I have been watching basketball, the Western Conference has had two faces. The San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers. In the last twelve NBA Finals, the Spurs have represented the Western Conference on 4 occasions, winning the title each trip. The Lakers have made 7 appearances in the same time, winning 5 titles. As the regular season was winding down this year, it looked much of the same, but this postseason looks to be the proverbial changing of the guard. With the Spurs looking old in their round 1 match against the 8th seeded Grizzlies, most fans thought it was to be a cakewalk for the reigning NBA champs, the Lakers, for the remainder of the West postseason. The Lakers didn't exactly coast against Chris Paul and the 7th seeded Hornets, but did anyone see a 4 game sweep coming at the hands of Dirk and the Mavs? No? Me neither. The Grizzlies, while not winning in the Semi's against a young and talented Thunder team, sure turned some heads. And they did it without a Grade A Superstar. Their best player is Zach Randolph, who wouldn't be a third best player on many of these playoff teams. I wonder if their series against Oklahoma City would have gone differently with Rudy Gay in the lineup. Too bad he'll be traded in the offseason. So with the Spurs out in the first round, and the Lakers being swept out in the second, the West would finally have a new representative for the first time in 5 years.
The Dallas Mavericks, who are the highest seeded team remaining and who also knocked off the reigning champs in a 4 game sweep, are the most logical choice to bet on representing the Western Conference. Some part of me wants to see Mark Cuban's sad little face in the 7th game of the Finals after another loss. Putting my bias aside, not only are they the most logical choice, but they are the best chance the West has at bringing home a trophy. They are some sort of hot right now. Ending the regular season, they were the hottest team going into the playoffs out of the West. They had won four in a row, and while they stumbled a bit in games 3 and 4 against the Trail Blazers, sweeping the Lakers has given them the confidence, swagger, and experience to take the Western Conference Finals. Dirk Nowitzki has been the unquestionable MVP of this Mavericks squad, but the play of Jason Terry, Shaun Marion, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, and Jason Kidd has been vital. Even Jose Juan Barea has been important in these playoffs. There is no substitue for experience in the Finals. Talent can take you far, but experience, the kind that veterans like Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, and Shaun Marion have, propel you further.
The Mavericks have had 6 straight seasons of 50+ wins with nothing to show for. And for the first time since losing to the Miami Heat in the '05-'06 Finals, the Mavericks have a great shot at winning the NBA Championship.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have everything you want in a young contender. Not one, but two legitimate superstars in Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook. The in-season acquisition of Kendrick Perkins was one of the best trades of the year. I was listening to the radio, and someone (I forget who) asked if it was a coincidence that the Celtics were eliminated and the Thunder were still playing. I actually didn't even think of that until he said it, and it made great sense. With Shaq unavailable, and Jermaine O'Neal inconsequential, the Celtics really missed Perkins' presence, and the Thunder enjoyed it. While not the tallest of centers, the thick Kendrick Perkins really puts a damper on slashers plans in a game. He averages about a block a game, but his presence in the paint alone takes away higher percentage shots. Role players Serge Ibaka and James Harden are nice complementary pieces to one of the strongest offensive teams in the game. This team runs the floor, and is killer in transition. If there is one flaw about this team, it's that Westbrook takes the ball out of Durant's hands too many times. Durant is one of the most dynamic scorers in the game today, and in crunch time, either Durant or Westbrook has the ball. It just has to be Durant. All of the time. No questions.
Oklahoma City welcomed in the New Orleans Hornets when they were displaced from their home in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the city showed a great deal of passion for the game of basketball. They were rewarded with a franchise of their own, and now they might be rewarded with a Western Conference Championship. If they do advance to the Finals, I can't see them winning just yet, but this team is one of the new faces of the Western Conference.
RIP
