The NBA is in the air, and before you know it we’ll be starting training camp. As we speak, NBA players are leaving their summer havens, and reporting to their respective cities to embark on yet another NBA season. Some players have found new homes, and are expected to lead their teams to the promised land: Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenyon Martinand Tom Gugliotta. Others, are coming back and looking to win the old-fashioned way, the way that would make NBA pioneers proud, by abandoning their teams and demanding a trade (Vince Carter, Jason Kiddand Shareef Abdur-Rahim). This really is an embarrassment, if you sign a contract with a team then HONOR IT. I didn’t demand a trade last year when the Magic lost their 37th game in a row, so neither should these guys. You sign a contract, a commitment to one team, then you fulfill it to the best of your ability, and when the contract is OVER you consider playing elsewhere!! Enough about that, it’s time to give you my preseason favorites as I see them. Remember there are new divisions this year to accommodate the expansion Charlotte Bobcats. I’ll start this week with the Western Conference and next week we’ll preview the East.

PACIFIC DIVISION
TEAMS: Golden State, LA, Lakers, LA, Clippers, Phoenix and Sacramento
LAST: Golden State. The Warriors will lock up last place in the Pacific AND the entire Western Conference. They were only slightly competitive because of Dampier and Musselman, now they’re both gone and so are the Warriors hopes. FOURTH: L.A. Clippers. They lose Quentin Richardson and gain Kittles and Shaun Livingston. They’re ONLY fourth because the Warriors are in their division. THIRD: L.A. Lakers. Without Shaq or a big man of ANY kind, they’ll get abused in the West. Happy now Kobe? You got your own team. Say “Hi” to Chris Mihm for me. SECOND: Phoenix. ONLY because they have Steve Nash do I pick them here. With Nash distributing the rock to Marion, Amare and “Q”, they’ll be a fun, fast-paced team. FIRST: Sacramento. They didn’t get any better, but they’re not that much worse, AND they’ll have Webber for the entire season. That’s enough to win the Pacific.

NORTHWEST DIVISION
TEAMS: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, and Utah
LAST: Seattle. The only additions to this bad team are Nick Collison (out all last year with bad shoulders) and Robert Swift (just write “bust” on the back of his jersey). BUT, they lost Brent Barry, so 35 wins would be good for this team. FOURTH: Portland. They have the potential to make noise in this division, but Shareef is unhappy, Nick Van Exel is never happy, and Darius Miles SHOULD be happy to still be in the league. THIRD: Utah. The Jazz now have all Jerry Sloan type players: Harpring, Boozer, Kirilenko, and NO Ostertag. Carolos Arroyo came into his own during the Olympics, and if Okur gives them anything they take third. SECOND: Denver. The nucleus in Denver is all intact, Carmelo, Nene, Andre Miller and Marcus Camby. NOW, they add Kenyon Martin to the mix, and this becomes the most electrifying and least predictable team in the league. FIRST: Minnesota. Kevin Garnett is the best player in this league and he has been for a few years. Troy Hudson is back so that means even MORE rebounds for KG, and Wally and Cassell will both be healthy. The T’Wolves should again win the Western Conference.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
TEAMS: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, and San Antonio
LAST: New Orleans. This speaks to the depth of this Division, which is hands down the toughest in basketball. The Hornets are a good team, and should have been a GREAT team in the East. However, injuries and their commitment to underachieve, have buried this team and will again this year. FOURTH: Houston. Welcome to the West T-Mac. McGrady will score his points, but Yao will be less involved. After those two who is even on that team? Kenny Smith? Vernon Maxwell? Who? THIRD: Memphis. FIFTY wins last year for the Grizzlies, an incredible run. They’ll have Bonzi for the whole year and Hubie has added some role players, they’ll only be better. SECOND: Dallas. I LOVE the addition of Dampier at center. He doesn’t need touches, in fact he hates having the ball which his perfect for Dirk and Finley, however, they lose Nash and don’t have enough to win the Division. FIRST: San Antonio. Two words “MA-NU”!! Ginobili is ready to explode on the NBA, expect a huge breakout season, add that with MVP candidate Tim Duncan and they COULD BE the best one/two punch this season. With Tony Parker and newcomer Brent Barry, they could win with a cardboard cut-out of David Robinson at center (which I argue would be more productive than Rasho Nesterovic, AND would outscore any Phoenix Sun center).

Dante welcomes your comments, questions and alternative opinions. E-mail him here.

Dante’s Speak is solely the opinion of Dante Marchitelli and does not reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA. Marchitelli has served as radio producer in the Orlando Magic's Broadcast department for six seasons.