Are the current top four in the Western Conference the four best teams in the West?

If you replace LA with memphis, then yes.

 

shouldn't the rockets be considered one of the best four in the west?

 

In a regular 82-game season, maybe. In a shortened lockout season, where depth and youth are a big plus to performance, I would place Memphis over LA

 

The West is wide open this year. Other than the Thunder, you have about nine teams that are roughly at the same level right now. No clear best among them IMO.

 

This.

On paper, Clippers, Mavs, and Lakers are probably the best teams besides OKC.

 

LOL..

 

really?

 

this, do you really see Denver beating the Lakers or Mav's in 7 games? once defense crunches down on them who are they going to give the ball to for a bucket... Nene? sorry I'll still take Dirk or Kobe in 7 games.

I do think the best teams aren't the best by much anymore. We're going to see some good playoff basketball in the west if everyone can be healthy. The East on the other hand is so top heavy we might not a see a good series at all, haha... Until the bulls and heat meet of course.

 

Before the playoffs started last year, who saw the Mavs smacking down the Lakers in a 4-game sweep. Forget the past.