Pacific wide open
The Kings may be about the same, about 50+-5 wins. To get some heightened energy we need some youngster playing time ... and another couple of big guys or at least a breakout season by Darius.
Phoenix is weaker, and if Steve goes down, as he often does, they become weak from outside. I predict they have just about as many wins as Sacramento. But they could fall off badly.
The Lakers, if they get Jason Williams in a learning mode, could improve greatly. If Kobe's work ethic rubs off on JAson, not only will the Lakers play very tight ball, but everybody has a chance to break through: Kobe, Jason Kwame, Mihm, Odum and even Phil. I worry the most about LA next year. Or maybe, Jackson will seem like he is ready to retire, Kobe may get pissed off at everybody, Jason and Kwame may dumb up when asked to play the triangle. Mihm and Odum may already have shown their best.
Golden State seems ready to roll, and God knows what the Clippers are thinking. Cuttino seems like a bad move for them.