Matt Steinmetz, The Examiner
2008-07-30 10:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

SAN FRANCISCO -

The Warriors have been busy this summer, making transaction after transaction in recent weeks and solidifying their roster for 2008-09.

The two most significant moves by the Warriors were re-signing Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins to long-term contracts. Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin said re-signing Ellis and Biedrins was a priority, and he meant it.

It’s obvious from the six-year contract they received that Ellis and Biedrins have become the cornerstones of the franchise. Let’s rank the Western Conference in order of the best cores.

1. L.A. Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum. L.A. made it to the NBA Finals, and it was without one of the best young centers in the league in Bynum.

2. San Antonio: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker. The Spurs have another year or two as an elite team.

3. Utah: Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur. The Jazz seem content to let this unit play and grow together. And why not?

4. New Orleans: Chris Paul, David West, Tyson Chandler. Paul might be the best point guard in the NBA, West is underrated and Chandler has turned into a defensive factor.

5. Phoenix: Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal. The Suns are running out of time, but Stoudemire is the anchor. As long as he’s in Phoenix, the Suns should be fine. He’s that good.

6. Houston: Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady. The Rockets haven’t done the greatest job of surrounding this twosome with enough help, but it’s a heck of a twosome.

7. Portland: Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge. This could be the core of the future, but until we know how good Oden is, this group doesn’t move any higher on the list.

8. Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry. The Mavericks’ core seemed a lot better two years ago than it does now.

9. Warriors: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins. They both have room for growth, but neither of them has proven he can produce like most of the names on this list.

10. Denver: Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson. Anthony is an incredible talent but hasn’t yet gotten to the second round of the playoffs. Iverson isn’t what he used to be.

11. L.A. Clippers: Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Al Thornton. Davis solidifies the core here, but for how long?

12. Memphis: Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo. Gay is getting better and better, and Mayo has a chance to be a star.

13. Minnesota: Al Jefferson, Randy Foye, Kevin Love. If Love can find his NBA niche, Jefferson can become more well-rounded and Foye can stay healthy, there might be a little something here.

14. Oklahoma City: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green. Durant is a talent, but what happens when he must be reigned in?

15. Sacramento: Kevin Martin, Beno Udrih, Ron Artest. When Artest leaves at the end of the season, this core may get better through addition by subtraction.

Matt Steinmetz is the NBA insider for Warriors telecasts on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.