Southeast Division

The Washington Wizards (2) will trump the Heat during the regular season, since there is zero chance Miami will find their superstar tandem healthy for anything even approaching the grueling 82-game campaign.  The Wizards are fairly deep, and led by a superstar guard in Gilbert Arenas who is nearly as dynamic as Dwayne Wade.  The Miami Heat (6) remain the defending champions, however, and will likely stumble through another season half heartedly until dialing up their intensity come playoff time.  Wade is as special a player and personality as the NBA has seen in decades, accomplishing both on his own merits . . . which makes it that much more of a shame that the officials continue to give him such an advantage late in games.  The Orlando Magic (7) might have a brighter long term future than any of their peers in the division, thanks to the sensational talent of Dwight Howard.  The Atlanta Hawks (12) are such a mess that it took court intervention to determine their ownership structure.  High flyer Josh Smith is a better prospect than last year's number two overall selection Marvin Williams, making it extra puzzling that the club skipped over future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul with the pick.  Shooting guard Joe Johnson might be the most underrated All-Star in all of sports.  Charlotte Bobcats (13) owner Bob Johnson lured Michael Jordan back in to management after years of effort, and Jordan has done nothing since to better the franchise.  The community has not embraced the team as anticipated, despite the presence of Jordan and a few building block type players.  The long term success of both Jordan and the Bobcats may hinge on rookie Adam Morrison's ability to draw fans and elevate the team from lottery mainstay to playoff contender.     

Western Conference

Northwest Division

The Denver Nuggets (7) have one of the deepest frontcourts in the league, albeit the most overpaid and injury prone.  Management ignored the need to bring in some outside shooters, and Kenyon Martin is not the only high priced Nugget player to have lingering differences with Coach George Karl.  The Utah Jazz (8) finally have enough talent to reestablish themselves as a playoff regular, but it is hard to anticipate both Andrei Kirilenko and Carlos Boozer staying healthy.  The Minnesota Timberwolves (9) will struggle early working two new guards in to their rotation (Mike James and Randy Foye).  But the duo also has the potential to grow in to the best backcourt Kevin Garnett has played with since Sam and Spree left town.  The early play of last year's midseason acquisitions (Mark Blount and Ricky Davis) will determine the fate of GM Kevin McHale.  The Portland Trail Blazers (14) are years away from contending, so you have to wonder why they keep guys like Zach Randolph and Darius Miles around with so many young and impressionable players.  The Seattle Supersonics (15) have the least talent of any team in the conference, and unresolved stadium issues are sure to extinguish the little community support the franchise still had.