OKC Western Conference Champions next season? Not so fast!!

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            The Oklahoma City Thunder have a bright future and will certainly be the favorites to come out the western conference again. But we see reason to think otherwise. The Thunder have Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant under contract. The same cant be said of two of their other key pieces in the run to the finals in 6th man of the year James Harden and NBA shot blocking leader Serge Ibaka. These two players will be free agents this summer and the Thunder do not have enough money to keep both of them, specially if Harden is offered a huge contract by another team. The believe that the Thunder cannot win with Westbrook shooting so many shots should be dismissed but regardless it will be important to see how they handle their free agents. Regardless though, the biggest obstacle in the opinion of this humble blog, will be.... the Los Angeles Clippers... (yes the Clippers)
            The clippers had one of the best seasons in franchise history. After acquiring Superstar Chris Paul from the Hornets, the Clippers made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Clippers did it without a training camp and a roster that added pieces as the season went on. They added Kenyon Martin and Nick Young halfway through the season and finished as the 5th seed in the very competitive Western Conference. With the star tandem of Paul and Griffin set and pieces to surround them they are primed to make a run. They have size and length, veteran talent, offensive power and a deep bench who won them a playoff game. The Clippers also have their share of free agents they have to sign back up. Martin, Young, Billups, Foye, Evans, and Williams are all players who were key in their run to the second round. However, Billups, Young and Martin all seemed very interested in returning to the Clips and it seems to be hard fetched to believe the Clippers will let Evans go after his enormous contributions off the bench. Evans played the bulk of the minutes at center at the end of the games. With a full season now in LA, and a training camp this year along with a lot more practice time, the Clippers will no doubt make a run at the Western Conference championship.
           The Dallas Mavericks will also be in contention next year for the western conference crown. They have a willing spender in owner Marc Cuban and will have Dirk Nowitzki back, the best scoring power forward in the league. Jason Terry A.K.A "The Jet" is a free agent but the Mavs will have no trouble signing their 6th man back. The biggest reason the Dallas Mavericks have a chance at the Western Conference crown next year though, is because of Nets free agent Deron Williams. Williams is arguably a top 3 Point guard and has long battled for the title of "best point guard" with Chris Paul. Williams has said that he would either resign with the Nets or sign with the Mavericks. The Mavs have a VERY good chance of signing Williams who is a native of Dallas and who at this point in his career is starting to think more about winning than anything else. Money will obviously not be a problem when it comes to Cuban. By going to Dallas Williams will play for the first time in his career alongside a true superstar and big man in Dirk. If Dallas signs Williams then expect them to make a run back to the finals.
Tomorrow we will look at the Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs and their chances to challenge for the conference crown