Since the Mavs are proving to be non-contenders, as suspected, here are the teams I wish to be successful in the 2008 - 09' season:

1)  The New York Knicks:  Mike D'Antoni has an opprotunity to be the Bill Belicheck of the NBA.  Leaving one of the more powerful teams in the Western conference for a doppy, no show of a team last year in the New York Knicks will solidify as him as one of the premiere coaches in the league.  When Tom Brady went down for the year with a knee injury, Belicheick didnt fret, and when Harrison went out for the season, Bellichick just replaced him.  With numerous other injuries on the team, the Patriots are still 6- 3 leading their division all due to, as much as I hate to say it, a great coaching style from the biggest ass holes of a coach around.  If Mike D'Antoni can take this fecies filled team, and make them contenders, he would be doing the same thing for New York as Bellichick is doing with the Pats.

The knicks have gotten off to an unexpectedly good start.  They're 4 - 2 with victories over the new look Heat and a pretty good western conference foe, the Utah Jazz.  All of this being done while Stephan Marbury and the other guy being benched.  I know, great writting huh?  Anyways, its apparent that D'Antoni isnt going to tolerate the selfish play, and egotistical attitudes of these one dimensional players.  He's establishing a new attitude, and creating a new team that wants to win in New York.  It's going to be difficult for the Knicks to win their division this year, if not impossible, with the Raptors, 76'ers and the defending world champions Boston Celtics competing for it, but hopes for the playoffs isnt that un-reasonable.  If I was D'antoni and the New York Knickerbockers, I would aim for a 7th or 8th sead in the Eastern conference.  Be realistic with what your team has to offer, but let the other teams know you're on the rise.  Who knows, maybe with a couple of playoff berths before 2010, you might actually get LeBron - now wouldnt that be something?  I definatly think, with the way things are going now, that the Knicks, like the Miami Dolphins and the Celtics for that matter, have a chance at going worst to first.  Maybe not in ONE season, but they're definatly on the rise.

2)  Another team from the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division - The Philiadelphia 76'ers.  This has got to be one of my favorite teams now.  I watched very little of these guys up untill the playoffs of last year.  They gave their opponents a damn good run for their money in 07' - 08' as Andre Iguodala proved to be a game changing player.  Perhaps following in the sutble foot steps, that many 76'ers fans still hear, of Allen Iverson is there hope that Andre Iguodala can be their premeire player.  With the aquisition of Elton Brand - leaving Baron Davis in the dust in LA - this team has the potential to compete for the division this year!  Imagine this:  Baron Davis is traded to the Clippers in hopes of playing with another big time superstar in Elton Brand, however Elton signs as a free agent with the 76'ers in hopes of competing for a championship right NOW.  What if, somehow, some way, the 76'ers could get their hands on Baron Davis too?!  All would be good, and Davis wouldnt have a center with down syndrom (Chris Kayman) while being stuck as a Clipper.  There would be a new power trio in the Atlantic division, and they would seriously give the Celtics a run for their money.  LISTEN TO ME MR. SNIDER - GET BARON DAVIS, GET HIM NOW!  I look foward to seeing the 76'ers in the playoffs once again in 09' and many times in the near future, and maybe, JUST MAYBE they'll win a championship - following the footsteps of the Phillies of course.

3)  The Miami Heat - After watching the olympics, quite an understatement I was freaking glued to it, Dwayne Wade showed the world that he is one of the best, in the world.  On a team of high flyers, slam dunkers, 3 ballers and fade awayers, D-Wade led them all.  Once upon a time, D-Wade was considered one of the best in the league, being included in conversations of Jordan-esque type players along with Kobe and LeBron.  Something happened, probably along the lines of always being injured, he lost these comparisons.  However, the Olypics brought D-Wade's dominance to a new level.  As a Mavericks fan, I have seen D-Wade control the game when it matters most.  Shaq didnt win that Championship, D-Wade did.  Now with the help of Rookie sensation Michael Beasly, and a damn good player in Shawn Merion, the Heat are finally contenders again. 

The Miami heat have also gotten off to a slow start.  One thing they could be missing is the presence of a true point guard.  My fantasy point guard for this team would have to be Steve Nash.  He's getting older, but if he was on a team with D-Wade, Beasly and former team-mate Shawn Merion, things would be getting DONE in Miami.  It wouldnt be another trio to compete with Boston, it would be a quartet.  Almost a full starting roster of superstars, past and present, but still capable of getting the job done.  I'm not too sure how dominant Beasly will be this year, or for the rest of career for that matter, but I'm sure wherever he goes, he'll be a nice contributor to say the least.  Should he meet his actual potential, and be a superstar in a star driven league, things will definatly be looking up in Miami for a long time comming. Get Steve Nash, win another championship :)

4)  Probably the last team Im really excited about, and I think alot of people are for that matter, is a team who put up a great effort at the end of the 07' - 08' season and went into the playoffs riding great confidence.  Too bad they were put up against the Boston Celtics in the first round.  Yea, I'm talking about that team, who has been the laughing stock of the NBA for almost as long as the Browns have been for the NFL.  The Atlanta Hawks.  First and foremost, the Hawks gave the Celtics a damn good run in the first round.  If they had won, it would have been just as bad, if not worse than when the Mavericks lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.  This team has alot of talent, along with potential.  led by veteran point guard Mike Bibby, and one of the best and most under-rated players in the league Joe Johnson.  I wasnt much of a fan of Childress but I thought he wouldnt fit the role of a team player anyways.  Another Marbury type in my opinion, but the Hawks have started this long season off undefeated!  There is only one other team (I think) that is undefeated at this point, and they are the Western Conference Champs, LA Lakers.

This team, and city, finally have something to root for.  Not only are the Falcons kicking some ass - with a rookie QB mind you - but the Hawks who are definatly on the rise.  With a strong center in Josh Smith, an amazingly consistent shooting guard/small foward in Joe Johnson and veteran point guard Mike Bibby, a good foudation has been set, and now post-season expectations are higher.  Things will be tough for the Hawks, as they play divisional foes Orlando and Miami numerous times this year.  Although they may not win their division, they definatly can make a strong push for the playoffs later on in the season.  Dont be suprised, as you were last season to see the Hawks push for divisional bragging rights, and continue moving in the right direction for an eventual Championship.

Like I said, with the Mavs giving me nearly nothing to cheer for, other teams potential is enough to grab my attention.  Along with the fore-mentioned teams, here are some others that should still be fun to watch.  The new look Detroit Pistons (thanks to Allen Iverson - brings big hype wherever hegoes, just dont expect him to PRACTICE).  The Phoenix Suns, Shaqs first full season in purple and orange, not to mention Steve Nash whos dying for a ring.  Boston, and the Lakers of course. 

The teams I think are over-hyped and over-rated yet again are:  Houston, Toronto (although I like the offseason moves), Utah (god I hate Utah, except for Deron, theyre nothing), Dallas, San Antonio, and many others who dont even desever to be listed.  Hope you enjoyed :)