The Los Angeles Lakers are without a doubt the favorite to come out of the Western conference this season, but as we get closer and closer to the playoffs there are a few teams out West making a run to challenge Kobe Bryant and company.

There have only been about two other teams in the West this season besides the Lakers that have really made a impact. One is the Denver Nuggets who have done nothing, but improve after they traded Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups. The other team is the San Antonio Spurs who struggled with injuries in the beginning of the season, but once they got healthy they started to play like the same ol Spurs who dominated the West in past seasons.

Recently the Utah Jazz have come out of the depths of the West and turned into a legit contender. Deron Williams has played great all season long, but have struggled without Carlos Boozer in the lineup due to injury.

As of February 1st though, the Jazz have won 14 of their last 15 games which has made them the hottest team in the NBA right now.

It will be hard to top the Lakers in the playoffs with the way they have played all season long, but if any team can give Kobe and his boys a run for their money it is the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets and the Spurs will be in the running for challenging the Lakers, but I think the Jazz might end up surprising teams in the playoffs this season.