My last team that I like in the West is Oklahoma City Supersonics. Yes that's right... Oklahoma City, formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics. Kevin Durant can score from any spot on the floor, and Jeff Green will continue to develop as one of the better young players in the league. Although the Sonics will probably finish close to the cellar this season, a lottery pick next year could bring in Brandon Jennings? It's possible, and I think that's the direction the Sonics will go if they do miss out on the play-offs this season.

The rest of the Western Conference teams are in trouble.... Unfortunately for the Kings, there is only 1 team left in the West that I have not mentioned... That is the Sacramento Kings. They have some talent, with Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, and Brad Miller. I just don't see enough talent to make a serious run. They are in the same position as the Boston Celtics without KG or the New York Knicks. The talent is there, but the Kings do not have a face for their franchise. Martin is a great player, but the supporting cast is not good enough to get the Kings to the play-offs for a few years. If they can unload Artest or find a way to get a few more draft picks in 2010 and 2011, they could be on the verge of the play-offs, but where they are now... I just don't see much hope. The only good news for the Kings is the Maloof brothers, and I'm sure they will not let their team be in the cellar of the West for too long. 

1. Boston- They still have the "Big 3" and no one will stop them in the East. Rajon Rondo was impressive in the NBA finals, and he will be able to run the team again to another play-off berth as the #1 seed.

2. Chicago- The Bulls were good last year, just not good enough. The Ben Wallace trade may not have looked great at the time, but now? It looks like the greatest trade in NBA history. You bring in Larry Hughes, and Drew Gooden, to a team that already has Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, and Joakim Noah. But then the final piece comes in, bringing with him Michael Jordan like expectations, Derrick Rose. Watch out for the Bulls

3. Orlando- No one can stop Dwight Howard, no one... he is a more athletic Shaq, when he gets the ball it's almost guaranteed 2 points and a foul. He is the most dominant player in the East, and will put up MVP numbers this season. The supporting cast is lacking though, although bringing in Rashard Lewis was a great move. I think with Howard, and Lewis, not to mention an improving Jameer Nelson, the Magic can make a deep play-off run this year.

4. Cleveland- LeBron James is the best player in the NBA

5. Atlanta- I've already said enough about the Hawks, but just to re-iterate it... They have Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia, and looking for a big sophomore year Acie Law IV.

6. Washington- Mr. $111,000,000 man aka Agent Zero (or Gilbert Arenas as some call him) is back and healthy with Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. I also think that Javale McGee was a great pick for the Wizards as it gives them more depth down low. The East has gotten a lot better, because if I had seen this Wizards team a year ago, I would have put them in the top 3.

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