There is always a lot of talk around this time in the season for the NBA. The All Star game approaches, trade rumors starting are flying around and you pretty much have a good idea which teams will go the distance.

This season has been more competitive than most. Although last year the West looked as tough as ever with the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers making blockbuster deals only one of those big trades has looked to have paid off.

When Shaq went to Phoenix from Miami there was a lot of title contender talk and the same was said in Dallas with Jason Kidd going back to his former team, but the Lakers deal for Pau Gasol has been the only trade out of the three big deals that has turned the their team into a legit title contender for the next three to five seasons.

Pau has fit in just perfectly with Kobe Bryant and company! At first it looked like the paint would be crowded with two seven footer and a 6'10 forward in Lamar Odom, but after some retooling by coach Phil Jackson the Lakers have never looked better!

There is still a little less than half a season to go, but as of right now there is no one in the West that can touch the Lakers!