Western conference

Safely in the playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers: Adding Ron Artest and re-signing Lamar Odom gives this team so many choices. They can go huge on the front line ( Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Odom) or small and quick with Artest at power forward and Kobe Bryant at small forward.

San Antonio Spurs: They're the Celtics West - an aging, talented team trying to extend its championship window. Adding Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess takes some pressure off the big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Denver Nuggets: Chauncey Billups-for- Allen Iverson was such a steal. Billups quickly changed this team's approach to a more structured offense and a tougher defense. The X factor is Carmelo Anthony, as hard to guard as most anyone in the NBA.

Portland Trail Blazers: No doubt this team has talent and depth. Who wouldn't want a core of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden? The trick is developing a collective maturity and experience. Oden's preseason suggests he's starting to realize his potential.

Utah Jazz: This team has issues, such as how to distribute minutes between Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap, but point guard Deron Williams' penetration makes everything easier. Combine that with the continuity coach Jerry Sloan represents, and it's a nice package.

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul will make Emeka Okafor a better offensive player, simply for the attention Paul draws and his ability to find teammates where and when they want the ball. David West's jump-shooting nicely spaces the floor.

Contending for the postseason

Dallas Mavericks: They're in that odd place of being beyond title contention but still good enough not to break up. I wonder what Dirk Nowitzki might bring in trade, particularly a year from now when he'd represent a large, expiring contract.

Phoenix Suns: The Shaquille O'Neal experiment didn't last long. He took them out of what they do best - speeding up the game. The Suns will save money via the trade they made with Cleveland, but it's clear their aspirations are lower.

Los Angeles Clippers: It's too easy to write off the Clippers from their history. But the collective talent - Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman and top pick Blake Griffith - is impressive. Griffith is a big man with a guard's handle. He'll be versatile and productive.

Lottery-bound

Houston Rockets: Yao Ming seems to get hurt so often that "when healthy" should be part of his name. With Yao out, the Rockets have much lower expectations. Perhaps they'll surprise with a smaller, quicker lineup. But don't bet on it.

Golden State Warriors: You have Monta Ellis saying he can't play with Steph Curry and Stephen Jackson pleading for a trade. There always seems to be tension around a Don Nelson team - creative or otherwise.

Memphis Grizzlies: Signing Allen Iverson might not get the Grizzlies closer to the playoffs, but he'll sell some tickets. Hopefully the Answer's presence doesn't screw up the development of O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay.

Oklahoma City Thunder: They've assembled some interesting pieces in Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, but this team is still several moves short of chasing a playoff spot. The plus is they have the financial flexibility to make changes.

Sacramento Kings: They're slowly digging out of a mess. Tyreke Evans belongs in the rookie-of-the-year discussion; he's a skilled and brawny combo guard who should help Kevin Martin, a proven scorer.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio is staying overseas and Kevin Love is hurt. Point guard Jonny Flynn looks like the real deal - he'll get to the rim, just the way he did at Syracuse - but he doesn't have much help.

How the playoffs might go

1^st round: Lakers over Phoenix in five. San Antonio over Dallas in seven; Denver over New Orleans in seven; Utah over Portland in six.

2^nd round: Lakers over Utah in five; San Antonio over Denver in seven.

Conference championship: Lakers over San Antonio in seven.

NBA Finals: Lakers over Cleveland Cavaliers in six.

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