COMING ATTRACTIONS

Before the season, it looked as if the Western Conference would really be deep. Winding up Week 4, let’s see how it’s going:

Dallas -- As expected.

San Antonio -- As expected.

Utah -- Way better, even if you assumed they’d be way better.

Lakers -- Way better. Off the charts for some of us.

Houston -- Better, despite Tracy McGrady’s struggle to get back to being Tracy McGrady and out-of-shape Bonzi Wells disappearing into Coach Jeff Van Gundy’s doghouse.

Phoenix -- Digging out from 1-5, trying to get Amare Stoudemire back and (shudder) gaining on it.

Denver -- Way better, after last spring’s playoff implosion.

New Orleans -- Better, even if you already loved Chris Paul.

Golden State -- Better. Don Nelson rides again.

Clippers -- Need a lot of work.

Sacramento -- Better, with Coach Eric Musselman teaching the asylum choir defense.

Minnesota -- About what everyone expected, except them.

Seattle -- Better.

Portland -- Better.

Memphis -- Even worse.

Bottom line -- Oy vey.

The Clippers have a week full of West opponents (at Denver, at Sacramento, Memphis) and the Lakers face the Jazz again here Thursday.

Then of course, comes Saturday’s Lakers-Clippers II, the Non-Rivalry Continues.

--MARK HEISLER