It is sad that such a disparity exists between conferences, but here is how I see the West:

Golden State-4 of the top 20 players on the same team from last season
San Antonio-They win 55+ games every year, this year will be no different with Leonard and Aldridge leading the way
LA Clippers-This team is still stacked with Paul, Griffin, Jordan and Redick
Portland-Lillard and McCollum are great, the supporting cast seems improved
Memphis-This team still has Gasol, Randolph, Conley and Green... now healthy
OKC-You have an upset Westbrook with pieces that fit well...Oladipo, Roberson, Adams, Sabonis...they should be great on D
Utah-Looks much improved from a year ago with a good mix of young talent and veterans
Minnesota-Wiggins, Towns, Rubio, Lavine and now Kris Dunn. This is an uber talented team (most teams would love one of Wiggins or Towns to build around) with a much better short term coach. I expect them to start winning now.

I believe those 8, not particularly in that order are the most likely to make the playoffs in the West. But looks at who is knocking on the door:
Houston-One year removed from a WCF appearance. Harden now has a supporting cast of Ariza, Nene, Anderson, E Gordon and Brewer. I expect them to be improved over a year ago.
Dallas-In the former Superstar category I believe Dallas is the winner. Nowitzki, D. Williams, Mathews, Barnes and Bogut are a formidable starting 5. Add in Devin Harris, JJ Barea and Seth Curry and this team is solid. I don't think they have the athleticism and depth inside to make the playoffs, but I certainly could be wrong.
New Orleans-Anthony Davis is a top 5 player in the league. He is that good. The team has good depth, but little star power past Davis.
Denver-Denver may be a surprise team to the NBA this year. While they were improved last year, this team is young and deep. Add in solid veterans healthy again in Faried, Gallinari and Chandler to a great rookie class led by Jamal Murray and they might sneek up on a lot of people.
LA Lakers-Russell, Randle, Ingram and Clarkson give this team a solid future. Probably at least a year away.
Sacramento-The one team in the West that seems like they have no clue what they are doing. How many head coaches have you had? There is talent in the starting lineup with Cousins, Cauley-Stein, Gay, Afflalo and Collison. Add in Lawson, Mclemore and Barnes on the bench and you have a team that should be a tough out every night (and a playoff contender out East). Sadly for Sacramento, I am guessing they will be towards the bottom of the standings yet again.

Anyway, the West is stacked. The sad part is not only is it stacked, but look at all of the young talent on teams like Portland, Utah, Minnesota, Denver, New Orleans (mostly Davis) and the Lakers. I don't see the East catching up anytime soon. Lebron made a good decision to stay out East where he will make the finals yet again (without much trouble...seriously the Toronto Raptors led by Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan were the #2 seed last year...pathetic).