Back again, this time with the results of that other conference in the NBA. You know, the West. The past 10 years the West has more often than not proved superior to its Eastern neighbors. That will be true once again this year, but not by as much. Look out for some great teams, some great games, and some big surprises from the left side of the country.

And remember everyone, I come from the future. These aren’t predictions that I’m giving you; this is actually what will happen in the 07/08 season. I beckon you not to use this information for evil, only for good. And to impress your friends.

Let’s get started.

Southwest Division

Winner: Dallas Mavericks
The Southwest will prove again this year why it’s the biggest, meanest, and toughest division to take. In the end it will of course come down to the Mavericks and Spurs. And both will be just as tough as they were last year, and the year before, and the year before, etc. Dirk will continue to be Dirk. Josh Howard will still be Josh Howard. But the random backcourt pairings of Devin Harris, Jason Terry, and second-year man Jose Juan Barea will return the Mavericks’ play to the NBA Finals level we saw two years ago. (Note: this doesn’t mean they will be in the Finals.) The Spurs/Mavericks duel will be tough. Ultimately, Dallas will win the games they have to win down the stretch to take first place. Most notable is their April 10th come-from-behind win against Utah.
Record: 61-21

#2 San Antonio Spurs
The defending champs aren’t about to fix what so obviously isn’t broken. Their textbook, gritty style throughout the first 82 games will take them as far as everyone, including themselves, would predict.
Record: 59-23

#3 Houston Rockets
On paper, it’ll be a good year for the Rockets. They’ll have the kind of season that could win them the Atlantic Division or even the Northwest. But in the Southwest it just won’t be good enough to turn heads. Even the Rockets faithful won’t find themselves cheering about too many of their team’s 47 wins. Because in the Southwest, that’s still 14 games out of first place.
Record: 47-35

#4 New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets will make a lot of steps in the right direction this year. Chris Paul will cement his status as one of the league’s premiere point guards. Get your TiVo ready for their New Year’s Eve game against Toronto when Paul will put up the elusive quadruple-double. That’s right, quadruple: 16 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals.

Julian Wright will also make a splash in the small forward position, giving crowds a new face to cheer for and taking a lot of pressure off Peja Stojakovic’s back. With the Rockets in decline, the Hornets will be poised to do even bigger things in 08/09.
Record: 40-42

#5 Memphis Grizzlies
Yes, the Grizzlies will again finish in last place in their division. No, they won’t be at the bottom of the conference or the league. The Grizzlies will actually co-star in what will arguably be the year’s two best games. One, the aforementioned November 28 game against Toronto where the Raptors will scrap and claw to get their first win of the year. The other, a double-overtime shootout on January 21 against Chicago. The Grizzlies may drop the Toronto contest, but Mike Miller’s final rainbow against the Bulls will be one to remember.
Also, get ready for Mike Conley Jr. as Rookie of the Year.
Record: 38-44

Northwest Division

Winner: Denver Nuggets
It’s not that Denver will be the real winners of the Northwest Division, they just won’t be the losers. The Rocky division will be looking especially rough this year, almost like it’s the Atlantic of the West. AI and Carmelo will do well, yes, but it won’t be anything spectacular. They still won’t be the Batman and Robin that the fans had dreamed.
Record: 44-38

#2 Utah Jazz
Jazz fans won’t be able to forget this season soon enough. After an impressive showing last year, things will slide off quickly in Utah. Part of the problem will be just plain bad luck. Watch the Jazz on the week of Dec 10 lose three straight games to Portland, Phoenix, and then Portland again, all on last second plays. The other part of the equation will be Deron Williams not getting the support he needs on the floor. There’s only so much one guy can do.

Despite this, the Jazz will turn in a .500 season. But if you think number one seed Dallas is about to lose again in the first round of the playoffs, you just wait.
Record: 41-41

#3 Seattle Supersonics
Things were looking very sunny in Seattle when that number two lotto ball popped up over the summer. You know the story, though. Kevin Durant got drafted, only it wasn’t to the Sonics team he or anybody else had been watching. With Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis gone, the Sonics will actually do just about as good as anyone could hope for. Durant will put up sturdy numbers, yes, but it’s guys like Nick Collison and Earl Watson that will be the glue.

This will be a growing and learning year for the Sonics, but good things are on the horizon. I know I’m only supposed to give you a preview of the upcoming season, but look for the Sonics to score a little ping-pong ball magic come the next lotto as well.
Record: 37-45

#4 Minnesota Timberwolves
After a couple of years of decay, many pronounced the Timberwolves officially deceased as soon as Garnett hit the road. Those people will pretty much prove to be right. This is a Timberwolves season to miss. For those interested, the big highlight will again be the play of Randy Foye, who will controversially come up short when the All Star ballots are counted.
Record: 31-51

#5 Portland Trailblazers
I don’t know any Blazers fans, so I didn’t get to see the look on anyone’s face when the news about Oden missing the season came out. I imagine, though, it was a look of hope having to once again be put off for another year. See you in 08/09, Portland. Get well soon.
Record: 30-52

Pacific Division

Winner: Phoenix Suns
The Southwest Division may be the toughest in the league, but the Pacific this year will prove far and away to be the most fun. With a week left in the season the Division crown will still be up for grabs between three playoff-bound teams. Thanks to the determined resolve of Nash, it’ll be the Suns that edge out the Warriors for the top spot.
Overall, Phoenix will not play on the same high-octane level that we saw last season, especially during their amazing streak in the middle of the year. Amare won’t quite be Amare down-low, and the Magic will show why they split with Grant Hill at the right time. They’re a strong team, though, and still one of the best in the West.
Record: 51-31

#2 Golden State Warriors
Coming off last year’s rollercoaster, the Warriors will remain everyone’s favorite team to watch in 07/08. B-Diddy, Stephen Jackson, and Michael Pietrus will make you question if any void was left behind from Jason Richardson. Look also for some true thrills from Rookie-of-the-Year runner-up Marco Belinelli who will nail any open-look three that comes his way. The Warriors proved they were playoff material last year—this year they will only look better.
Record: 50-32

#3 Los Angeles Lakers
Surprises. Surprises. Even I can’t spoil these.
Record: 49-33

#4 Los Angeles Clippers
If you’ve been in a coma the past five years or so, and just so happen to be a Clippers fan, nothing will seem out of the ordinary to you this year. Matter of fact, they may seem a little better than what you remember. The Clips’ front line will be able to hang with anyone on the Boards, but the lack of help at the guard position will leave their full-court game struggling. This is your last year to get to meet Sam Cassell the NBA player, not Sam Cassell the NBA coach. Doh! There I go again getting ahead of myself.
Record: 37-45

#5 Sacramento Kings
Aside from Kevin Martin’s weekly facial dunks, this isn’t going to be pretty. Watch for Martin’s—or anybody else’s for that matter—dunk of the year on top of Udonis Haslem on February 26 in Miami. Even the Heat fans won’t be able to contain themselves.
Record: 29-53

And that’s that!