Lakers – 66-16  (+9)  They have the best #1 star, #2 star and #3 star on a team in the NBA.  Bynum makes them stronger.  The return of Trevor Ariza and Chris Mihm gives them unmatched depth.  They can play any style and they are without a weakness.  Not much else to say, they are loaded.  A top 10 offensive and defensive team in the NBA, and they could be the #1 offense and a top 5 defense. 

Jazz – 58-24 (+3)  - The Jazz finished the year 38-12.  That was accomplished while Carlos Boozer struggled for the final 25 games.  During that stretch the Jazz went 11-11 on the road.   This would project to 62 wins.  No one had a breakout year that can be unequalled.  They were the #1 offensive team in the NBA and with Sloan’s system there is no reason to believe they will be anything else.  Ronnie Brewer could improve and Kirlenko off the bench may make him a more valuable player.  The diminishing skills of Harpring makes this a soft team.  The idea they will improve defensively is far fethce. With an early injury to Deron and healthy team last year it is fair to expect some slippage from the second half pace. 

Rockets – 55-27 (--)           -  Winning 22 in a row will be hard to replicate.  The addition of Ron Artest will less then burden on Tracy McGrady.  The pick up of Brent Barry was the best off the radar move of the off-season.   The addition of Artest doesn’t help them where they need it.  They will still be the best defensive team in the NBA and will still be below average offensively.  Losing Bobby Jackson leaves them without a back-up point other than Barry.  Artest will take Scola and Battier’s minutes and those are two of their most efficient players.   Less injuries and more depth gives them the same 55 wins.

Phoenix Suns (54-28) --   How much was D’Antonio and how much was Nash.  Terry Porter will change how this team plays with Shaq and Amare on the front line.  The focus is to improve defensively but the Suns were 16^th in the NBA in defense.  A great offense can help a bad defense.   There is a chance that if the offense moves off the #2 spot in the NBA the defense will be further exposed.   Talent still wins.  The depth is lacking, but Nash and Amare are still unstoppable.  They were 20-12 with Shaq or a 51 win team.  Subtle improvements to depth and a little less drama and the Suns take a small step forward.

Hornets – 52-30 (-4)  -- The bull’s-eye is on their back.  Often teams in this circumstance forget how hard they worked to get to the level they were the previous year and drop games you wouldn’t expect.   Last year, Paul, West, Peja and Chandler all played 76 or more games.  None of them have a track record that says they can do that again.  The addition of James Posey gives them some depth but the loss of Pargo is significant on the defensive end.   The lack of bench, injuries and the bull’s-eye means a slight step back

San Antonio Spurs  (51-31  -3) -- They won 56 games last year.  They played in the conference finals.  They have two of the ten best players in the league and one of the top coaches.  It is not over yet.   They do have 8 rotation players over the age of 30.  They will have some ugly nights.  Ginobili’s injury is an issue as his age with his style of play.  Recall Manu only played 74 games last year.  The lose of Barry is a big deal he was on the floor to close games for the Spurs.   Age costs them two games and Manu a few more.

Dallas Mavericks (49-33) (-2)– The Mavs were 16-13 with Jason Kidd.   Avery Johnson had made this team a defensive unit but that is going to be impossible to emulate with Jason Kidd at the point guard.  The Mavs are starting 35 year old guards in Jason Kidd and Jerry Stackhouse that is a tough call in the West.  Furthermore, the defensive keys Dampier and Diop are both offensive liabilities and with Kidd on the floor you end up with two non-shootes.  Last year Dallas was 8^th in the NBA offensively and 9^th defensively.  Hard to believe they can maintain both of those standards.  Carlisle will have them more focus but you are only as good as the parts.  Dirk is great and he will carry them to 49 wins. 

Portland Trailblazers (48-34) (+7) ---  Last year the Blazers ranked 17^th in the NBA defensively allowing 108.4 points per 100 possessions.   Oden’s presence showed move the Blazers into the top 10 defensively.  They will be one of the few teams who are able to play 48 minutes of 7 footers.   They are no very good offensively and this will still be an issue.  James Jones was vital to them last season and they will need someone to replicate the three point shooting off the bench.   Last year their 41-41 record was a fluke considering their differential they should have only won 38.  Put them up 10 to 48 not to 51.

Los Angeles Clippers (45-37) (  ) --  This is the team I project to have the biggest improvement of any team in the NBA.  They added Baron Davis and Marcus Camby without losing anyone, remember Brand did not play last year.