1. Los Angeles Lakers - The division will once again go to the Lakers now that Steve Nash will be setting up plays. Nash is easily the best point guard Kobe Bryant will have played with during his career. With a starting lineup of Nash, Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum, the Lakers will be a difficult team to deal with, especially in the playoffs. This team is a contender and it might be the last time both Nash and Bryant will be able to chase a championship. Record: 52-30
2. Los Angeles Clippers - Superstar Blake Griffin hurt his knee during team USA practice and now has to have surgery. He'll be out about eight weeks and will have to miss the Olympics, but should be back for the regular season. But that shouldn't worry Clipper fans too much because of the additions of Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford and the return of Chauncey Billups from an achilles injury. Along with Chris Paul, one of the best point guards in the game, this team should challenge the Lakers for the division. Record: 45-37
3. Sacramento Kings - Much like the Warriors, the questions about the Kings will be on the defensive end. Offense won't be a problem, as Sacramento can score with the best of them. The addition of Thomas Robinson through the draft is a huge addition because his ability to rebound is impressive. He'll likely forge a fearsome combination with DeMarcus Cousins, who had a reality check at team USA tryouts recently when he was told he wasn't mature enough to be selected. Hopefully, that comment by Jerry Colangelo will have lit a fire under Cousins. Record: 35-47
4. Golden State Warriors - The Kings and Warriors could easily switch positions here by season's end. This is because, with the summer off, the Warriors will have had plenty of time to get healthy. Stephen Curry's ankle will be much better, David Lee will be healthy and center Andrew Bogut will be healthy enough to play his first games for Golden State. Along with Harrison Barnes, the seventh overall pick in the draft, the Warriors will have a nice starting lineup. The only question will be how much better the team will be defensively now that Bogut is on the team. If the defense does improve, the Dubs could be a dangerous team. Record: 35-47
5. Phoenix Suns - The Steve Nash era in Phoenix is over. Since 2004 Nash made the Suns go. He gave them firepower. He was the reason the team just missed the playoffs. Now that he's gone, the time is now for rookie Kendall Marshall. Even though the team does have a promising young point guard, the problem of not having a guy who can consistently create his own shot still remains. This will be a difficult season for the Suns. Record: 23-59
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