WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dallas Mavericks - depth to go with length with Haywood and Chandler (via trade) Don't sleep on Butler playing for a contract and these guys care about the regular season

LA Lakers - I think (and hope) Phil cuts minutes this year even if it sacrifices wins. They are at the age and mileage where this could easily be 2003 all over again. That team also was looking to go to the finals a fourth straight year. Barnes and Ratliff will help and Blake will be huge.

OkC Thunder - I hesitate to put them this high because the league knows about them now. They can't sneak up on teams. That said, Durant is a beast and won't let them lose most nights.

San Antonio Spurs - Their foreign pickup Splitter will form a great down low combo with Timmy. Tony Parker is playing for a contract. And don't sleep on their rookie James Anderson.

Utah Jazz - Sub in Al Jefferson for Boozer and rookie Gordan Hayward for Ronnie Brewer and the Jazz will still be heard from

Phoenix Suns - this will be run and gun all over again...with no inside game. Amare's gone, but offseason pickups Hedu and Warrick will pay dividends.

Portland Blazers - Will Greg Oden ever play? Brandon Roy and Aldridge could use some help.

Houston Rockets- Yao already left a preseason game early. But their depth and attention to defense get them the #8 seed.

Lotto time

Denver Nuggets- too many players with too much uncertainty in their future.

LA Clippers - if things go right (do they ever?) they could sneak up on the #8 seed.

Memphis Grizz - see : Clips. They have a young up and coming team, but it's the west...

New Orleans Hornets - How long before CP3 asks to be dealt?

Sacramento Kings - lethal combo for the next 10 years : Tyreke Evans and Demarcus Cousins

Golden State Warriors - can never stay healthy, can never play defense

Minnesota Twolves - have a lot of talented 1st, 2nd and 3rd year players, but are still a few years from competing for a playoff spot