The top nine teams in the Western Conference in the NBA are separated by five games. Quite the tight pack, to be sure. Consider this: the Golden State Warriors would be out of the playoffs if they started today, although, they are only five games behind New Orleans for the best overall mark in the West.

This all means if the Nuggets have a shot, they aren't the only ones that feel that way. A quick look at the nine teams vying for eight spots and a quick thought on each.

1) New Orleans Hornets (37-15)
How good is the Western Conference? New Orleans is sitting at the top, yet almost nobody thinks they have a chance to represent the West in the NBA Finals this June. That tells you how deep the other contending teams are. Or maybe it tells you that New Orleans needs to start playing with a chip on its shoulder.

2) Los Angeles Lakers (37-17)
Has anyone revived their reputation better than Lakers General Manger Mitch Kupchak? Criticized for not trading Andrew Bynum, not appeasing Kobe Bryant, and everything else wrong with the franchise, he made everything right with one move. He got Pau Gasol. Bryant got his second scoring option and Gasol can play without the pressure of being a primary scoring option. Plus, they gave up almost nothing, to get a player that is, a special something. When healthy (a big concern) they can reclaim their glory the way Kupchak has reclaimed his good name.

3) Phoenix Suns (37-17)
The Suns had the best record in the West when they traded for Shaquille O'Neal. To me that says, even though they were playing the best of any team of the bunch, they knew it wasn't going to be good enough. Is that a nod to the strength of other teams or an admission of hesitation on their own team? Only General Manager Steve Kerr knows.

4) Utah Jazz (35-19)
This is a team that is doing their work very quietly. They obtained Kyle Korver in a move that didn't get near the attention of the other big trades of the last week or so. You may say that Korver is a one dimensional player. Maybe so, but the Jazz are so solid, they don't need a mulitfaceted threat, they need a guy who can fill in a hole, in this case, a gaping shooting hole.

5) San Antonio Spurs (36-17)
In fifth at the moment, however, I do not know any team that wants any part of these guys in the NBA Playoffs. They have won three of the last five NBA titles. Hard to imagine that already they are being counted out. That would be a big mistake, in my opinion.

6) Dallas Mavericks (35-19)
Made a move and gave up the future for the present to make it happen. They had to, they see their window shrinking. Jason Kidd will do fine, though other than Erick Dampier, do they have anybody to battle on the interior? In addition, Dampier vs. Tim Duncan? Dampier vs. O'Neal? Damper vs. Bynum? Dampier vs. Yao Ming? You get my point.

7) Houston Rockets (34-20)
Have won ten in a row. However, neither Tracy McGrady or Ming have ever been to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Hard to imagine they might break through this year when the Conference seems deeper than it ever has been since those two have been in the pros.

8) Denver Nuggets (33-20)
Much like Allen Iverson, I was pleased they made no move at the trade deadline. The addition of a player just means having to adjust again and in the eighth spot, they have very little room for experimentation.

9) Golden State Warriors (33-21)
Had Stephen Jackson not missed the first six games of the NBA season, you get the feeling they would not be fighting it out for a spot. They can also present matchup problems, just ask Dallas.

Have a nice weekend, I hope to see you here on Monday.

-"z"