With the playoffs nearing and several Western Conference teams hoping to boost their title credentials, Yahoo! US expert and former Houston Rockets point guard Kenny Smith explains why no one team in the West is unstoppable.

"Everyone knows the Western Conference is loaded. Every team currently sitting first through ninth can claim it has a shot at winning the championship. Barring injury (sorry Houston) they all have a legitimate chance.

But while all of them have superior strengths to flaunt, each also has its own flaws. Here are the potential trouble spots each contender has to guard against.

San Antonio Spurs: Fatigue, both mental and physical. Going through the wars last year to win it all and then enduring the grind of trying to repeat can drain the Spurs enough to suffer an early exit.

Somehow coach Gregg Popovich will need to rest his aging veterans as he goes for a top-four seed and home-court advantage. The Spurs do have a deep bench, so that should help.

Los Angeles Lakers: Their bench. As great as the Lakers have played this year, one question persists: Can they continue to perform at a high level under playoff pressure?

For a team to win a championship, it usually has to have an effective second unit. Regardless of how great Kobe Bryant and the rest of the starting five are, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf and the rest of the bench brigade better be ready.

New Orleans Hornets: Lack of experience. These guys have never played together on the biggest of stages. They have made a name for themselves but the playoffs is where you make your fame.

Coach Byron Scott can only hope his championship pedigree rubs off on his team. They're talented but they've never stood under the bright lights together.

Utah Jazz: Easy baskets. Few teams execute better in the halfcourt than Jerry Sloan's Jazz, but Utah can still afford to get more transition opportunities.

Houston Rockets: No Yao Ming. The Rockets have not lost since Yao's season-ending foot injury, but eventually they're going to miss his inside presence. It's too much to expect a team to challenge for the championship without its best player.

Phoenix Suns: Defense, or lack of it. The Suns have improved their halfcourt offense with Shaquille O'Neal, but he hasn't made an impact on the area they need most: defense.

Until they figure out how to make key stops, they're not going to make a serious run in the West.

Dallas Mavericks: Their bench. Jason Kidd has made them a better overall team, but at what cost? Losing backup center DeSagana Diop could hurt them when it comes time to match up with Tim Duncan and the West's other talented big men.

Golden State Warriors: Lack of size. This is the same problem the Warriors had last season. The West is loaded with big, agile forwards and centers that can defend the perimeter, limiting the impact of the small-ball system coach Don Nelson loves.

Denver Nuggets: Sticky fingers. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are great scorers, but they can also be 'ball stoppers.' The ball gets in their hands and stops while their teammates stand and watch."

Kenny Smith, Yahoo! Sports / Eurosport