NBA 2012-13: Best of the West

TIME TO GO

1. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tasted success last year, but just reaching the Finals wasn't enough for Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the redemption-driven Thunder, which is still an elite team despite the loss of James Harden.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: They added Steve Nash and Dwight Howard and held on to Pau Gasol so this team looks more stacked than any Kobe Bryant has been on during his five championship runs.

3. San Antonio Spurs: They're always near or at the top of the conference and it won't change as long as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Gregg Popovich are together.

4. Los Angeles Clippers: Mix of older veterans, including Chauncey Billups Grant Hill, Jamal Crawford and Lamar Odom, and young superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin want to win and know what it takes.

5. Denver Nuggets: They're a fun, exciting and deep team that could win 50 games but lack the star power and go-to guy late in games to beat the really elite, especially in the playoffs.

6. Memphis Grizzlies: Letting O.J. Mayo go to Dallas leaves the Grizzlies with a void off the bench, but they still have a strong frontcourt to keep them in the playoff race.

7. Dallas Mavericks: They'll miss Nowitzki a lot, but they have veterans who should be able to keep Dallas afloat until he's back from knee surgery.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves: When Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love return the Wolves, who added vets Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko, will make their playoff push.