The NBA Western Conference is as loaded as it gets.

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks barely made the playoffs at the No. 8 seed despite having an impressive 49-33 record. In the East, that would be a No. 3 seed. The Los Angeles Lakers had a busy off-season bringing in Jeremy Lin, but they still need to prove to everyone they are worthy of a playoff spot.

With the preseason beginning in less than two weeks, here's how the Western Conference looks right now:

1. San Antonio Spurs

The defending NBA Championships haven't lost a step.

The "Big Three" of Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will be coming back as well as head coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs' destruction of the Miami Heat in the Finals eventually led to a breakup in South Beach. NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is still just 23 years old and he isn't going anywhere. Even Brazilian center Tiago Splitter has given great minutes to the team in critical moments. To be the man, you got to beat the man.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have the best scorer in the league, Kevin Durant.

Durant, who stands at 6-foot-9, has led the NBA in scoring four of the last five seasons. Point guard Russell Westbrook sometimes has his injury issues and takes too many shots, but these two make a lethal combination. Forward Serge Ibaka is their best defender, but more defense is needed. Expect the Thunder to be right there in the mix as usual at season's end.

3. Los Angeles Clippers

Much of the offseason was focused on disgraced owner Donald Sterling and his ousting. Now head coach Doc Rivers can focus on basketball. Forward Blake Griffin and point guard Chris Paul highlight "Lob City" in Los Angeles with high flying alley-oops and slam dunks. The Clippers didn't have any major departures or pickups in the offseason, but they need to start delivering come postseason time. DeAndre Jordan needs to improve his atrocious 42.5 percent free throw shooting.

4. Portland Trailblazers

This Trailblazers team reminds a lot of basketball fans of the mid 2000s Phoenix Suns team with Steve Nash and Mike D'Anotoni; a lot of offense, but not much defense. The Trailblazers eliminated the Rockets in the first round last season, despite playing on the road. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard lead one of the best offenses in the league. Unfortunately, a team with Robin Lopez at center isn't expected to go very far in the playoffs.

5. Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry continues to show he's the best perimeter shooter in the game. After a disappointing loss in the first round last season, the Warriors decided to fire head coach Mark Jackson and replace him with Steve Kerr. Andre Iguodala has proven to be a great acquisition for the team. Turnovers usually cost this team games.

6. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are built for the regular season, with all due respect. The talent on this squad should be able to clinch a Top 4 seed, thus giving them home-court advantage in the first round. But, nothing is guaranteed, as the Rockets had a poor offseason. James Harden still has a lot of defensive issues, while center Dwight Howard has to work on his post game. Kevin McHale is entering his fifth season as the Rockets head coach and it's time to deliver. Without Omer Asik, Howard will have to step up his offensive game.

7. Dallas Mavericks

It should be good watching center Tyson Chandler return to Dallas, where he won the 2011 NBA Finals. Mark Cuban and the Mavericks had a busy offseason letting Jose Calderon and Jameer Nelson go, but adding Chandler Parsons. The 2014 Mavericks season comes down to one player, Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki is now 36 years old and he is still the go to guy in Dallas.

8. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph lead the best defensive front court in the NBA, but offense is very limited on this team. In a lot of ways, the Grizzlies are the Chicago Bulls of the Western Conference. This Grizzlies squad has made the postseason four consecutive seasons, a franchise record.

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