Western Conference Standings:

1. Dallas Mavericks - The Mavs are still stinging from their embarrassing loss in the first round of the playoffs to Golden State. The regular season will prove nothing to the critics as Dallas will have to win in the playoffs to erase that memory. They still win 64 games this year.

2. Phoenix Suns - Tim Donaghy you piece of *%$@. OK, maybe it’s not all his fault. David Stern you piece - you get the idea. The Suns got jobbed last year and look for redemption this year. The addition of Grant Hill was nice, now let’s hope coach D’Antoni doesn’t forget about his bench during the regular season. Suns win 60.

3. San Antonio Sterns – Err…the Spurs. I can’t even write anything nice about them, so if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Thanks Mom.

4. Denver Nuggets - A full year of A.I. and ‘Melo together and Kenyon Martin coming back into the mix. That’s nice and won’t be so nice for some of the teams in the West. Hey, it happened for the Rockies, why not the Nuggets?

5. Utah Jazz - Tough, physical team who made it to the Western Conference Finals last year. They need to keep a pacifier close for Kirilenko and everything should be fine.

6. Houston Rockets - If T-Mac stays healthy, this spot could be as high as No. 3 in the West, but I’m thinking that won’t happen. Is this finally Yao’s team?

7. Golden State Warriors - What a great run they gave us last year. Getting rid of Jason Richardson was not smart. Nellie’s back and so is the run and gun in the Bay area.

8. Memphis Grizzlies - There’s my shocker. I think Marc Iavoroni brings a fun style to a fun city and gets the Grizz back into the playoffs. Oh yeah, a healthy Pau Gasol will help.

9. New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets spent a lot of money last season and it didn’t work. I think this could be a playoff team this year if some of those busts turn into even decent players once again. Chris Paul is a star on the rise.

10. Los Angeles Lakers - I don’t think they make the playoffs with or without Kobe. I’m still guessing that he gets traded and it gets even worse in La La Land. How does Mitch Kupcake have a job?

11. Portland Trail Blazers - It’s too bad the Blazers made the wrong pick at No. 1. I said all along that Durant was the pick, but no one listens to me. The Blazers will still be improved as Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge lead this young team back to respectability.

12. Seattle Sonics - Sonics are on their way out of the Pacific Northwest, but they are on their way up with the addition of Kevin Durant. Too bad Oklahoma City will be reaping the benefits in a year!

13. Sacramento Kings - Ron Artest will punch something this season – it just might be his ticket out of Sac-Town.

14. Los Angeles Clippers - Welcome back to the Lottery Clips. We all missed Elgin Baylor on Lottery night.

15. Minnesota T-Wolves - Do I really need to explain this one?

Eastern Conference Standings:

1. Chicago Bulls - I think the Bulls are legit whether they get Kobe or not. They got off to a rough start last year and that hurt them in the long run.

2. Boston Celtics - The big winner in the off-season moves. KG and Ray Allen give the Celtics their best chance to be relevant again since Larry the Legend was lighting it up!

3. Detroit Pistons - They really didn’t do much to improve, but they have played in five straight Eastern Conference Finals. I think that streak ends this year.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - They sure didn’t do much to build off last seasons success. LBJ might win the MVP, but the team will be hard pressed to repeat last season’s run.

5. Orlando Magic - That’s right, I said Orlando. I think Dwight Howard will be an MVP candidate and the addition of Rashard Lewis gives them a great 1-2 punch.

6. New Jersey Nets - This could be the last hoorah for Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. The star power is there, but a deep run in the playoffs isn’t.

7. Toronto Raptors - Chris Bosh is really starting to come into his own as a star. The Raptors will be good, but the East got better and that will knock them down a bit.

8. Washington Wizards - Agent Zero will score 60 points in a game this year – guaranteed.

9. Miami Heat - The end is here for the Heat. They won’t make the playoffs this year.

10. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats picked up a pure scorer in Jason Richardson and re-signed Gerald Wallace. Unfortunately Adam Morrisson is out for the year with a sprained mustache.

NBA Finals & Awards

* Rookie of the Year - Kevin Durant

* Coach of the Year - Stan Van Gundy

* MVP - LeBron James

* NBA Finals - Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns

* This time the right team wins - Suns in 6.

1. Chicago Bulls - I think the Bulls are legit whether they get Kobe or not. They got off to a rough start last year and that hurt them in the long run.

2. Boston Celtics - The big winner in the off-season moves. KG and Ray Allen give the Celtics their best chance to be relevant again since Larry the Legend was lighting it up!

3. Detroit Pistons - They really didn’t do much to improve, but they have played in five straight Eastern Conference Finals. I think that streak ends this year.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - They sure didn’t do much to build off last seasons success. LBJ might win the MVP, but the team will be hard pressed to repeat last season’s run.

5. Orlando Magic - That’s right, I said Orlando. I think Dwight Howard will be an MVP candidate and the addition of Rashard Lewis gives them a great 1-2 punch.

6. New Jersey Nets - This could be the last hoorah for Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. The star power is there, but a deep run in the playoffs isn’t.

7. Toronto Raptors - Chris Bosh is really starting to come into his own as a star. The Raptors will be good, but the East got better and that will knock them down a bit.

8. Washington Wizards - Agent Zero will score 60 points in a game this year – guaranteed.

9. Miami Heat - The end is here for the Heat. They won’t make the playoffs this year.

10. Charlotte Bobcats - The Bobcats picked up a pure scorer in Jason Richardson and re-signed Gerald Wallace. Unfortunately Adam Morrisson is out for the year with a sprained mustache.