As the truncated NBA 2011-2012 season seeks to commence on Christmas day, A look at the teams are necessary. For my first blog post, I look a the Western conference teams the Mavs, Thunder, Clippers, Lakers and Spurs.

Beginning with the NBA Champions of last season, the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have lost a player I consider to be one of the best defensive big men in the league in Tyson Chandler. However they have added notably to their roster the services of the experienced SG/SF Vince Carter and PG Delonte West. They have also acquired 12 year veteran Lamar Odom from the Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki, both Jason's Terry and Kidd remain. With an ageing roster it remains to be seen how the undoubtedly talented old timers will match up with some of the younger more energetic teams in the West; particularly the Clippers and the Thunder especially considering the aforementioned loss of Chandler who arguable was the source of much of the Mavs passion in their championship run last year.

Equipped with arguably the most talented scorer in the NBA in Kevin Durant and the talented but often times schizophrenic Russell Westbrook. The Thunder seek to replicate their efforts of last season and again reach the Western Conference Finals. This is not all they can hope for, as if Westbrook comes to the realization that the teams is not his to carry and improve his much maligned close range finishing they could do even better. My hope for a Westbrook epiphany is steeped in sentiment and to some a bit far fetched but hope springs eternal. Like the Mavs their roster has not changed that much and with good role players, especially the ever improving Serge Ibaka or as the Thunder fans say "Iblocka", Kendrick Perkins, Thabo Sefelosha, Nick Collison and James Harden they look set for another good season. Youth is an asset particularly in the compressed schedule.

Many fans this season are expecting something big from the Clippers in the wake of their acquisition of CP-3. I however do not share this optimism, firstly letting Chris Kaman go was a big blunder especially without getting an immediate replacement, mark you, they did get one of the leagues best point guards. The Paul trade I think was in an effort to aid the development of Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordon into consistent offensive contributors much like Paul did with David West at New Orleans. They have acquired a jewel in Caron Butler, but having sit out most of the Mavs title winning season it can mean one of two things; a hungry ball player with much to prove or a man not capable of scaling the heights he has in the recent past. The Clippers also look a bit guard heavy, with Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams, Eric Bledsoe, rookies Travis Leslie and Courtney Fortson. Considering the economic repercussions of the Paul trade, the fact that Billups just arrived I think that Mo Williams should be used as a make weight in a trade for a big man.  One thing is for sure I look forward to the many alley-oops from Paul to Griffin.

The new man at the helm of the Lakers; Mike Brown, has big boots to fill (literally) I do not foresee any problems for Brown as he had NBA coaching experience in Cleveland during the King James years. The Lakers made it clear that they wanted both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard,  the Paul trade almost went through, and the offering of Odom as part exchange was what led him to leave. The trade rumours beg to question what are the aims of the Lakers for the upcoming season? Are they now looking pass Kobe Bryant as he enters the twilight of an exceptional career or are they looking for another Shaq in Howard. Whatever the answers are, one thing for sure whoever plays in the yellow of LA will not put them to shame. They always seem to do well, having acquired Troy Murphy and sharp shooter Jason Kapono, and retaining Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) and Pau Gasol the team still looks strong. Really their is not much to say of this Lakers team. The roster might change before too soon, as they still seek Howard but let us see how things play out.

Similar to the Lakers there is not much the say about the San Antonio Spurs, there roster never jumps of the page but have good players to surround and aged nucleus which has Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Duncan was rested for much of pre-season this tells the story of a team with over the hill stars, which are still good ball players but past their prime. The compressed season should take its toll on the old legs and have added effect also on the relative inexperience outside the nucleus player.