Same-old, same-old In The West.

The NBA season starts tomorrow and while it seems to be shaping up as an exciting season, there really isn't anything new out West.

The power players are still the same and the cellar-dwellers, well, there doesn't seem to be any breakout teams among the West's few truly mediocre teams.

In fact, the top two teams in the West remain the same, but I have a surprise pick for the third. Without further ado, the three teams to watch out for in the Wstern Conference.

Golden State Warriors - Whaaaaaaat? You mean after a second championship, they're still the favorites? The loss of the likes of Javale McGee and David West has been totally negated by the signing of DeMarcus Cousins. Yes, he's still injured but the Warriors without a traditional center is actually more dangerous than the Warriors with one.

So the Warriors will hum along, with the same Fab Four outgunning everyone else. And when Cousins finally joins them, the Warriors may just be the most unbeatable team in the NBA's history.



Houston Rockets - Houston has retooled its roster yet again, looking to be even more defensively inept by not resiging versatile wing defenders like Trevor Ariza and Luc MBah a Moute while also opting to trade ineffective stretch four Ryan Anderson for bequally ineffective Marquese Chriss.

More importantly, they're trying to reload their offensive machine in a reaaaaalllly big way, by signing Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Knight, and even Michael Carter-Williams. Being a big fan of team chemistry, I'm not sure constantly making big changes to your roster year after year when you've almost gotten over the hump is the recipe for success. Guess the Rockets will have the chance to show me if I'm wrong.

Utah Jazz - Man, oh man, oh man. Them Jazz are something else. Donovan Mitchell is a certified star, Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors are comeplementing each other, Ricky Rubio and Joe Ingles have both been magical playmakers...there is so much to like about this team.

But it all comes down to maturity and seasoning. The Jazz has a real chance of going to the Western Conference Finals. They've got the players, the talent, and the coaching to get there. Do they have the killer mentality to overcome the Warriors/Rockets? Let's find out.