RealGM

1- Los Angeles Lakers: Still the team to beat, plus they have arguably the best frontcourt (Gasol+Bynum), reigning MVP and coaching master in Phil.

2- Utah Jazz: Have improved every year since Williams became starting PG, should find a way to win on the road, another healthy season should grant the Jazz HCA advantage in the playoffs.

3- New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul should continue to put up MVP like stats, David west should become a 20/10 a night producer, only thing I question is their depth and staying healthy.

4- San Antonio Spurs: Year older however they seem to get it done and turn it on in April, May, and June. Have a history as being the every other year champions but like New Orleans I question whether they can stay healthy, especially Ginobili.

5- Houston Rockets: Same story as above, should be a top team in the West but can't avoid the injury bug. Yao and McGrady are arguably the best 1-2 scoring punch in the west but they need that 3rd scoring option. However, their stellar defense will get them a spot in the playoffs.

6- Phoenix Suns: Still a solid team, Amare should be in the race for MVP, they helped their big man depth in the draft plus they have a locker room leader in Shaq. Could be a dark horse team if they get the right matchups in the playoffs.

7- Portland Trailblazers: Youngest up and coming team in the West behind Utah and LA. Oden should improve the defense down low and Roy should continue to amaze. They will take over Denver as 2nd best team in the NW divison, great coach and should have good team chemistry. Downside is lack of experience which could be a factor in close games, especially in the playoffs; however we saw plenty of clutch moments last year from this team.

8- Golden State Warriors: Too much talent here to think they won't beat out Dallas and Denver for the last playoff spot. Ellis should/probably will become the main scoring option. If they can get a solid big man to work down low their postseason birth is almost a lock. Defense is a liability as well as rebounding.

On the outside looking in:

Dallas- Starting PG is too old, no depth, Howard will smoke away his motivation.

Denver- Carmello misses first two games and they never recover. Best team in the NBA on paper, no team chemistry. Me, me, me, it's too bad George Karl will be the one without a job after this season.

Rebuilding:

Clippers, Kings, Wolves, Sonics, Grizzlies: Enough Said

1. LA Lakers - They are going to have Bynum, baring any injury.

2. Utah - Besides an astrocious December, the Jazz were as good as anyone. 2nd best record in the west in the 2008 calender year.

3. New Orleans - I wasn't shocked they were a top 6 team last season, but I was shocked how high up there they were. If the team can stay healthy they can be anywhere in the 1-3 range. BIG IF

4. San Antonio - They never seem to get the first seed, or atleast not very often, but I can't seem them dropping any further

5. Houston - This team will be better than last year, but I really don't see them going higher than 5, unless San Antonio suffers big injuries.

6. Portland - They will be the Hornets story of this year, minus the superstar, unless Roy takes his game to the next level, and if he does, they could even climb a spot or two. This team is full of talent!

7. Phoenix - Shaq/Marion trade has proven disastrous. The team was the #1 seed when they traded Marion, now they are fighting for their playoff lives.

8. Dallas - I feel that PG experiments take longer to become a reality than all others, and I think that Kidd will be fine next season. Depending how fine he does, they might climb up the rankings from here, but I can't see a team led all season by Kidd, Dirk and Howard failing to make the playoffs.

1. Lakers (64-18) - If they came out of the West this year after being hampered with injury, then I fully expect them to do it again next season. Barring injury, I expect them to win well over 60 games.

2. Hornets (60-22) - Another year of experience gives them a few more wins, and next season I see them cracking 60 with CP3 taking MVP honors.

3. San Antonio (57-25) - They are still in the hunt as the big 3 will be back. While they will lose a few guys (some of the older farts), they have a knack for finding great young talent, and I do think they will make some nice signings this offseason.

4. Utah (56-26) - The only thing preventing them from being higher up in the rankings is that they haven't shown the ability to consistently win on the road. I like the team that they have, and if they can learn how to win on the road they will be set up for a very long playoff run.

5. Houston (53-29) - Something has got to give with this team. I can't imagine that they will yet again be hampered by so much injury, so I think they will get to 53 wins but fall just short of grabbing a top 4 seed. While they won 55 this season, I don't see them going on a long winning streak like they did, primarily because the talent is the West is too good to allow it again.

6. Dallas (53-29) - This team did not have very long to gel with the addition of Kidd, so I think they will be in the hunt when it's all said and done. Kidd is still very effective, and once the team gets in sync I think they will be a team that can make some noise in the 1st round.

7. Golden State (50-32) - The only thing that would keep them out of the playoffs are injuries to Davis and/or Jackson.

8. Phoenix (48-34) - They haven't done anything to improve and are 1 year older. I expect Shaq and Hill to miss a considerable amount of games, and that will take its toll. If Nash misses any kind of considerable time they may just miss the playoffs altogether.

semi-sentient wrote:1. Lakers (64-18) - If they came out of the West this year after being hampered with injury, then I fully expect them to do it again next season. Barring injury, I expect them to win well over 60 games.

2. Hornets (60-22) - Another year of experience gives them a few more wins, and next season I see them cracking 60 with CP3 taking MVP honors.

3. San Antonio (57-25) - They are still in the hunt as the big 3 will be back. While they will lose a few guys (some of the older farts), they have a knack for finding great young talent, and I do think they will make some nice signings this offseason.

4. Utah (56-26) - The only thing preventing them from being higher up in the rankings is that they haven't shown the ability to consistently win on the road. I like the team that they have, and if they can learn how to win on the road they will be set up for a very long playoff run.

5. Houston (53-29) - Something has got to give with this team. I can't imagine that they will yet again be hampered by so much injury, so I think they will get to 53 wins but fall just short of grabbing a top 4 seed. While they won 55 this season, I don't see them going on a long winning streak like they did, primarily because the talent is the West is too good to allow it again.

6. Dallas (53-29) - This team did not have very long to gel with the addition of Kidd, so I think they will be in the hunt when it's all said and done. Kidd is still very effective, and once the team gets in sync I think they will be a team that can make some noise in the 1st round.

7. Golden State (50-32) - The only thing that would keep them out of the playoffs are injuries to Davis and/or Jackson.

8. Phoenix (48-34) - They haven't done anything to improve and are 1 year older. I expect Shaq and Hill to miss a considerable amount of games, and that will take its toll. If Nash misses any kind of considerable time they may just miss the playoffs altogether.

General Board blasphemy to not mention the blazers at least once in your post!!!!!

I simply don't see the Mavericks missing the playoffs.