by Andrew Bohardt

Created on: March 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 20, 2009

Ever since Michael Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls, the Western Conference has been dubbed as superior to the Eastern Conference. And why not? Since the Bulls captured their sixth and final NBA Championship in 1998, Western Conference teams have been crowned champions seven times. Actually, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are the only two teams to wear the crown, but the West still has perennially had more depth. However, the Boston Celtics claimed the NBA Championship last season, and it appears that the power pendulum has swung even further in the East's direction this year.

A more in-depth look at the this season's Western Conference shows that they still have more solid teams than the East. The Suns currently sit ninth in the West, but their record is 37-31, which would place them fifth in the East. Yes, Phoenix is an aging team, but Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire still combine for a hell of a trio. There is a significant drop off after the Suns, but the top nine teams are extremely competitive.

But despite the overall balance, only one Western Conference team (the Lakers) appears to have a legitimate shot at the NBA Championship. Kobe Bryant is again a legitimate MVP candidate, and Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum headline a strong core. The Lakers currently own the second-best record in the league, just one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they very well could get Phil Jackson his tenth ring this June.

While the East can't boast the same number of quality teams as the West, they clearly have more great teams at the top. The Cavaliers, Celtics and Orlando Magic have all already clinched a playoff spot and each team has lost less than 20 games this season. All three have legitimate superstars leading the way, and whichever one survives the Eastern Conference playoffs will have a great chance of hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Again, there is a significant drop off after the Magic. Only six Eastern Conference teams are currently over .500, and the Bulls, who sit eighth in the East, are just 32-37. If there were a challenge between the two conferences, the West's depth would destroy the East. But since the NBA Finals is a one-on-one affair, it's almost a toss-up. If the Cavaliers make it to the Finals, they would have a slight advantage over the Lakers, but if any other team comes out of the East, Los Angeles will bring home the crown.

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