The Good: Phoenix has back-to-back MVP Steve Nash running the show. Shawn Marion is the most underrated player in the NBA. Amare is back. Boris Diaw is for real.
The Bad: Amare Stoudamire’s health. If the big man can play healthy and be as effective as he was pre-injury, the Suns are going to win it all. That’s a big if.
The Ugly: Kurt Thomas is their center.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Good: Re-signed Sam Cassell. Elton Brand is a monster. Expect big things from Shaun Livingston.
The Bad: Coach of the Year candidate Mike Dunleavy did a fantastic job turning the once woeful franchise into a contender, but he still remains distraught that his contract has not been extended.
The Ugly: Chris Kaman’s hair or whatever that is sitting a top his head.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The Good: With Kobe and Phil on the same page, the Lakers have the ability to get out of the first round .
The Bad: Is Bryant fully recovered from off-season knee surgery? Even the Zen-Master can’t win if #24 is not on the floor.
The Ugly: Aside from Lamar Odom, the supporting cast around Bryant leaves a lot to be desired.
4. Sacramento Kings
The Good: Expect defense to improve under new coach Eric Musselman
The Bad: Mike Bibby is wearing down, Brad Miller has little inside presence and a bench of Salmons, Thomas and Garcia isn’t very good.
The Ugly: How long before Artest snaps if the Kings start out poorly?
5. Golden State Warriors
The Good: Don Nelson is back and has given the Warriors their first true leader since, well, Don Nelson. With “Nellieball” back in the Bay Area, at least the Warriors won’t be boring. Oh yeah, Adonal Foyle will not see the court this year.
The Bad: Troy Murphy is undersized a center, Mike Dunleavy is undersized at power forward, and the Warriors are going to have to score about 150 points a night to have a shot to win. Expect record numbers for futility on the defensive side of the ball.
The Ugly: The Warriors haven’t made the playoffs in 12 years. Chris Cohan is the world’s worst owner.
Southwest Division
1. Dallas Mavericks
The Good: The defending Western Conference Champions have a great owner, great coach, great starting lineup and great bench.
The Bad: I guess the fact that Erick Dampier is still around is bad, very bad.
The Ugly: Other than Mark Cuban’s tirades on the floor, not much.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The Good: They are the class of the NBA. Tim Duncan is a quiet superstar who can put a team on his shoulders. Tony Parker is still only 23 years old- that’s scary.
The Bad: The Spurs will need Manu Ginobili to be healthy and effective in order to compete with Phoenix or Dallas. Popovich would like to see Parker dish out more assists.
The Ugly: How much longer can Barry, Finley and Horry be productive off the bench?
3. New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornets
The Good: The only point guard better than 21-year-old Chris Paul is Steve Nash. Add Peja Stojakovic, and that’s one heck of a backcourt. David West and Tyson Chandler provide a solid frontcourt for coach Byron Scott.
The Bad: The bench is too young and raw to be a huge factor…for now. Bobby Jackson is the only dependable veteran Scott can count on.
The Ugly: Desmond Mason’s jumper. It’s hard to rely on a SF that has little to no outside game.
4. Houston Rockets
The Good: T-Mac and Yao are healthy and provide a great one-two punch. Can they stay healthy???
The Bad: They're in a very tough division and if they get into the playoffs, it will most likely be a 7 or 8 seed. They lack depth and a true point guard (see: below.)
The Ugly: Anytime Rafer Alston is your point guard, you have to believe ugliness will follow.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
The Good: Well, if it was 1998, the Grizzlies would have a dynamic backcourt with Eddie Jones and Damon Stoudamire. But it’s not, and I can’t find any good here with Pau Gasol out with a broken foot.
The Bad: Gasol is hurt. Mike Miller is ####ed up. So is Rudy ####. Stromile Swift is out. Poor Mike Fratello.
The Ugly: Jake Tsakalidis is the starting center. EEEWWWWWWW.
Northwest Division
1. Denver Nuggets
The Good: Carmelo Anthony has a new passion for the game and is ready to be the leader George Karl needs. Andre Miller and Earl Boykins are a good point guard tandem.
The Bad: Kenyon Martin is still in Denver, and he still doesn’t get along with Karl.
The Ugly: If Denver gets off to a bad start and Martin isn’t happy, look for Sprewell-Carlesimo part deux.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Good: Kevin Garnett is still here and will like what new point guard Mike James brings to the table. Many are predicting Randy Foye to be the ROY.
The Bad: Coming off two lackluster seasons, the Wolves need to improve offensively (Mike James will help) and KG needs to improve his low post game and stop relying on the outside shot.
The Ugly: Vin Baker is on this team!!!
3. Utah Jazz
The Good: Andre Kirilenko is the best shot blocking small forward in the league. Okur has a great touch for a big man and second-year point guard Deron Williams is improving nicely .
The Bad: Gordon Giricek needs to find a way to create more shots for himself. He is not quick for a two guard and Jerry Sloan needs him to get open as he is the Jazz best shooter.
The Ugly: The way Carlos Boozer tries to knock down the jump shot off a pick and roll that made the Mail Man famous is quite atrocious.
4. Seattle Supersonics
The Good: Chris Wilcox is back after averaging 14 points a game in a Sonics uniform. Ray Allen just keeps on ticking and is a proven leader. Luke Ridnour is ready to take his game to the next level, and if he doesn’t, Earl Watson will.
The Bad: Bob Hill did his best to fix a sinking ship created by Bob Weiss, but it was already too late. Danny Fortson has already been suspended and Johan Petro needs to toughen up in the middle.
The Ugly: The state of the franchise. Can you say Oklahoma City Sonics?
5. Portland Trail Blazers
The Good: With an average age of 25.1, at least they won’t get tired. Brandon Roy and Jarrett Jack have the potential to be a good backcourt for a long time.
The Bad: Joel Pryzbilla and Jamaal Magloire are both overpaid and will platoon at center.
The Ugly: A once promising prospect, Zach Randolph’s numbers are dropping and his bad attitude is rising.
what!!! the mavs over the GO SPURS GO??!! once again it will come down to either team for the west...the rockets have some hope but thats all it is....laker's yeah right.
NBA Western Conference preview (in predicted order of finish): 
