Rank the West- as of right now

[Walton Buys Off Me]

Just based on record alone- forget the divisional bracketing.

1. San Antonio- despite the loss of Devin Brown and Peter Holt only dishing out some 200 million in the last three summers, I think we're gonna be ok.

2. Houston- Another year together for McGrady and Ming means more pressure and in my opinion, more wins. Nice offseason for the Rockets.

3. Phoenix- won't be as exciting as last year but will still win between 55-60 games.

4. Sacramento- Stellar offseason for the Kings but why did they pick up Bonzi?

5. Denver- As annoying as he is, George Karl has proven to be ther right man in Denver. If they can stay healthy, The Nuggets should win the Northwest Division.

6. Dallas- Mavs will win a lot, but won't beat anyone worth a damn.

7. Minnesota- no way KG misses the playoffs two straight years. Monster year on deck for Garnett- the consensus number 1 pick in any fantasy league.

8. Oakland- this might surprise some but if Baron Davis can stay healthy, the Warriors will make the playoffs- you heard it here first.

On the outside looking in; Seattle, Memphis, Lakers.

[The Artest Factor]

1. Houston Rockets - Two top-10 players, a fantastic supporting cast, great coaching.

2. Phoenix Suns - The MVP + 2 amazing players in Marion and Stoudemire. Theyve also got some oslid role players.

3. San Antonio Spurs - Duncan's production is dropping a bit but he's still a top-5 player I.M.O. Manu is one of the better role players in the league, and there's a few more solid players but their age is a big concern.

4. Dallas Mavericks - They're not what they use to be, but neither is the rest of the West either. Still, a team lead by Dirk and a strong supporting cast should do well in the West.

5. Sacramento Kings - Underrated. Peja, Brad Miller, and Bibby are all top-10 at their position, and Wells and Shareef are above average overall players.

6. Denver Nuggets - They finished hot last year but they'll be back to playoff form come begining of the season. Good, but not real good team.

7. Los Angeles Lakers - Surprise! A team with a top-5 player, a great #2, and Phil Jackson coaching can't not make the playoffs. Also look for Kwame to blow up.

8. Utah Jazz - A bounce back year for the Jazz. AK-47, Boozer, Deron Williams is a nice trio and there's a solid supporting cast and coaching.

[Kori Ellis]

3. San Antonio Spurs - Duncan's production is dropping a bit but he's still a top-5 player I.M.O. Manu is one of the better role players in the league, and there's a few more solid players but their age is a big concern.

How did a le team who has 10 returning players and added Finley and Van Exel become worse?

[Walton Buys Off Me]

Duncan a top five player? Where do you get that from? I'm not too sure- he only has three Finals MVP trophies- he might not be up there with Jermaine O'Neal.....(you hear the crickets bag)??

I love these fairweather idiots that root for teams that are best known for behaving like ass clowns on national tv and doing NOTHING come playoff time. Any moron that would rank the Suns ahead of the Spurs is a few s short of a gangbang.

[Spurminator]

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Mavs
4. Rockets
5. Nuggets
6. Lakers
7. Kings
8. Jazz

[Walton Buys Off Me]

The again, The ArtestFactor actually typed the words "Look for Kwame to blow up"- 'nuff said.

[MiNuS]

How did a le team who has 10 returning players and added Finley and Van Exel become worse?

What do you expect from a Pacer fan?

[The Artest Factor]

They didn't become worse really. Houston and Phoenix just got better.
Houston picked up a great young PF who has fantastic per-minute production in Stromile Swift. He'll be dynamic next to Yao. They've also picked up a great point guard, and no more of the human point guard by commite known as Mike James. As for Phoenix, there's no reason to believe Nash won't be his same MVP-calibre self, Marion will just now be enterting his prime, and Stoudemire will be a year further into his potentially dominating career. And to top it off, they picked up a legit PF, and got rid of the shot chucking Q Richardson. Not even Joe Johnson will be that missed, as he was so overrated, the veteran Jim Jackson will be able to fill his role easily.

[Banks91]

1. Spurs
2. Rockets
3. Wolves
4. Suns

That is as far as i'll go
(not in order of seeding, but record)

[Walton Buys Off Me]

"Phoenix got better"- another classic from TheImbecileFactor

This idiot's probably part of the Flat Earth Society.

[Kori Ellis]

They didn't become worse really. Houston and Phoenix just got better.
Houston picked up a great young PF who has fantastic per-minute production in Stromile Swift. He'll be dynamic next to Yao. They've also picked up a great point guard, and no more of the human point guard by commite known as Mike James. As for Phoenix, there's no reason to believe Nash won't be his same MVP-calibre self, Marion will just now be enterting his prime, and Stoudemire will be a year further into his potentially dominating career. And to top it off, they picked up a legit PF, and got rid of the shot chucking Q Richardson. Not even Joe Johnson will be that missed, as he was so overrated, the veteran Jim Jackson will be able to fill his role easily.

Umm.. They traded away Mike James for Rafer. That's not exactly a big upgrade.

Houston and Phoenix will both be good but you are acting like the Spurs stood pat. You do realize that they picked up Finley and Van Exel? If anything, they've widened their gap from the rest of the league.

[Taking it to the Hole]

Houston hasn't won jack, either has Phoenix, either has your precious choke-artist Pacers, therefore the nod for the best should go to the Spurs, because until they are beaten, they are the best.

[nkdlunch]

You guys realize it's the Artest gtor you're arguing with right?

[Kori Ellis]

You guys realize it's the Artest gtor you're arguing with right?

I'm actually not arguing; I'm having a discussion. But thanks for your contribution.

And the sexual slurs need to stop on this board.

[samikeyp]

1. Spurs
2-8. fighting for second.

[nkdlunch]

just checking. discuss on..

[Marcus Bryant]

1. Houston Rockets - Between DA's loyalty gear and T-Mac's game being phat they are clearly the team to beat among Dime Mag's readership.

2. Phoenix Suns - Amare. Need I say more, yo?

3. San Antonio Spurs - They would rank lower but they did pick up Nick Da Quick in the offseason. Still, they have yet to win a real championship, unlike da Kings and da Suns.

Just go.

[remingtonbo2001]

3. San Antonio Spurs - Duncan's production is dropping a bit but he's still a top-5 player I.M.O. Manu is one of the better role players in the league, and there's a few more solid players but their age is a big concern.

Yeah, that's about as absurd as players jumping into the stands, beating up opposing fans. Oh, wait, already happened, didn't it?

Hmmm...Let me re-phrase that: Yeah, that is about as absurd as Spurs' players jumping into the stands, beating up opposing fans.

Much better, don't you think?

[BigVee]

Artest Factor is laughable. Manu is "one of the better role players", yet Odom is a "great #2"? You cannot be serious.

[Ishta]

Artest Factor is laughable. Manu is "one of the better role players", yet Odom is a "great #2"? You cannot be serious.

llo he just says this stuff cause he knows we will react...at least I hope that's the case,cause if it's not he's truly delusional

[remingtonbo2001]

Honestly, I think A.F. is scared of the fact that Indiana has to pass through S.A. to win a championship. I don't blame him. I would be worried too if my team had to defeat a team with the best active, possibly all-time, PF to play the game. But wait, that's not all. What about that guy with long hair? The man who has more flops in his arsenal than Malone and Stockton put together? Oh, what's his name? Ginobili, the next best thing to Gumbi. I think there related. Oh, yeah, and that other guy. Eva's boyfriend. Yeah, he's quick, just a hair below A.I...Did I mention our bench. Michael Finely, Nick Van Exel. Oh I would trade Nick in a heartbeat for Rafer. Pff...Right. Then there is the Anti-Artest, formally known as Bruce Bowen. A man, who, many say play dirty, but yet it would be difficult to find a more selfless and proactive individual in this league. Yeah, the Spurs are in serious trouble. Could you send me down some of that Indy Swag, It sounds like a real trip.

[Kori Ellis]

Based on Record alone:

1. San Antonio
2. Houston
3. Phoenix
4. Dallas
5. Denver
6. Sacramento
7 - 11 Wolves, Lakers, Memphis, Utah, Golden State (very close -- order depending on injuries)

[GINNNNNNNNNNNNOBILI]

I said in another thread, that I could see the Warriors snatching the 6th spot, as long as everyone stays healthy.

[CosmicCowboy]

1) Spurs...returning all starters kicks them out of the blocks fast while other contenders are still trying to mesh. If Pop is comfortable that they have 1 seed sewn up in the last month expect to see just tune-up minutes for starters and we may drop a few games to teams still giving 100% fighting for seeding.

2) Phoenix...they know what their weaknesses were last year and will work to improve. Huge amount of talent in the starting five and they aren't afraid to play them big minutes in the regular season.

3) Houston gets better every year. They coach and stress good defense and have one of the best frontcourts in the league. Yao gets a little better every year and he's still 7'6".

4) Dallas. Avery will make them play defense or make them sit. Lots of depth and they can score the ball in a lot of ways.

5)Denver. Barring injuries this is one tough physical team that can run. I may not like them but I have to respect them. They believe in their coach and they believe they can win.

6) Sacramento. May start slow but they have a lot of talent and should rack up some wins...they will get back to their run and gun ball movement offense after they get all the new guys integrated.

7)Lakers.. A determined Kobe coming off the '04-'05 slapping and Phil Jackson. If Kobe truly has grown up and buys into PJ's game plan in order to win they might even finish higher.

8) TWolves. Maybe a new coach will change the mood in Minnesota. If not, Garnett is gonna choke someone. Maybe Spreewell. God I hope there are photographers there when he does.

[CosmicCowboy]

I said in another thread, that I could see the Warriors snatching the 6th spot, as long as everyone stays healthy.

Thats a big if and why I left them out of my top 8. They are too dependent on Baron Davis staying healthy and smart money says he misses 30 games.