(Note: Each team is scored from 1-10 based on their projected starting lineup, bench, head coach and general manager. 11s are reserved for extraordinary talent(s). The maximum score is 80.

Overall scores, brief summaries and franchise outlooks will predict how well a team will perform in the upcoming season.)

Dallas Mavericks
C: Eric Dampier (7.5)
PF: Dirk Nowitzki (9)
SF: Josh Howard (8)
SG: Jerry Stackhouse (8)
PG: Jason Terry (9)
Bench: Marquis Daniels, Keith Van Horn, Devin Harris, Doug Christie (7.5)
Coach: Avery Johnson (7.5)
GM: Don Nelson (8.5)
Overall: 65
Summary: Everyone knows what this team can do offensively. Coach Johnson’s defensive mentality will bode well for Mavericks in the playoffs. Terry is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Outlook: Dallas will need Nowitzki to be clutch to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Houston Rockets
C: Yao Ming (9.5)
PF: Stromile Swift (8)
SF: Tracy McGrady (10)
SG: David Wesley (6.5)
PG: Bob Sura (7)
Bench: Mike James, Jon Barry, Dikembe Mutombo, Derek Anderson, Lonny Baxter (7.5)
Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (8.5)
GM: Carroll Dawson (8.5)
Overall: 65.5
Summary: T-Mac, Ming and Swift are a devastating trio, possessing finesse and explosiveness. The backcourt, which was torched in the playoffs last season, wasn’t addressed in the off-season.
Outlook: This is T-Mac’s best chance to advance past the first round.

Memphis Grizzlies
C: Lorenzen Wright (6.5)
PF: Paul Gasol (8)
SF: Eddie Jones (8)
SG: Mike Miller (7.5)
PG: Bobby Jackson (8)
Bench: Shane Battier, Damon Stoudamire, Brian Cardinal, Hakim Warrick (8)
Coach: Mike Fratello (8)
GM: Jerry West (9)
Overall: 63
Summary: GM West continues to stockpile quality players. Everyone on the team is solid, albeit not spectacular. Warrick is a future stud.
Outlook: Scratching for a playoff spot in the Wild West

New Orleans Hornets
C: Jamaal Magloire (7.5)
PF: P.J Brown (8)
SF: George Lynch (5.5)
SG: J.R. Smith (7.5)
PG: Chris Paul (9)
Bench: Speedy Claxton, Rasual Butler, Chris Andersen, Kirk Snyder (6)
Coach: Byron Scott (8)
GM: Allan Bristow (7)
Overall: 58.5
Summary: It’s impossible to guess how much Hurricane Katrina’s destruction will affect the team. At least Paul and Smith will give Hornets fans something to enjoy. They’re a dynamic duo for years to come. Scott may find himself on the hot seat in only his second year for the Hornets.
Outlook: A daunting season that offers hope, on and off the court.

San Antonio Spurs
C: Nazr Mohammad (8)
PF: Tim Duncan (10)
SF: Bruce Bowen (8)
SG: Manu Ginobli (9.5)
PG: Tony Parker (9)
Bench: Michael Finley, Robert Horry, Brent Barry, Nick Van Exel, Ben Udrih, Fabricio Oberto (11)
Coach: Gregg Popovich (10)
GM: RC Buford (10)
Overall: 75.5
Outlook: The 2005 NBA champs are primed for another banner season. All the key components will return. Although heralded Argentinean and Olympic gold medalist Luis Scola will not join the team, Oberto should provide adequate backup for Duncan. The bench is one of the finest ever assembled.
Prediction: Championship or bust.

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets
C: Marcus Camby (8)
PF: Kenyon Martin (8.5)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (8.5)
SG: Voshon Lenard (7.5)
PG: Andre Miller (8)
Bench: Earl Boykins, Nene Hilario, Eduardo Najera, Julius Hodge, Earl Watson (8.5)
Coach: George Karl (9)
GM: Kiki Vandeweghe (9)
Rating: 67
Summary: The Nuggets are supposedly interested in trading for Paul Pierce (like half the teams in the league). Lenard is an outstanding shooter, but Pierce would open the interior for the bruisers and elevate Denver (yes, Denver) into elite status.
Outlook: Karl is capable of leading this organization to its first NBA title.

Minnesota Timberwolves
C: Michael Olowokandi (5.5)
PF: Kevin Garnett (10)
SF: Wally Szczerbiak (8)
SG: Trent Hassell (6.5)
PG: Troy Hudson (7)
Bench: Marko Jaric, Eddie Griffin, Mark Madsen, Rashad McCants, Nikoloz Tskitishvili (7.5)
Coach: Dwane Casey (6)
GM: Kevin McHale (7.5)
Overall: 58
Summary: Minnesota has potential for breakout players (McCants and Tskitishvili), but there are too many deficiencies to patch up. Even the cleansing of malcontents Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell won’t be enough.
Outlook: KG will try to carry this team to the playoffs, but Minnesota will fall short.

Portland Trailblazers
C: Joe Pryzbilla (7)
PF: Zach Randolph (8.5)
SF: Darius Miles (7)
SG: Martell Webster (7.5)
PG: Sebastian Telfair (8)
Bench: Juan Dixon, Ruben Patterson, Theo Ratliff, Jarrett Jack (7)
Coach: Nate McMillan (8.5)
GM: John Nash (8)
Overall: 61.5
Summary: GM Nash has done a great job ridding the franchise of overpriced veterans. New coach McMillan has two budding superstars in Randolph and Telfair to build around the youth movement.
Outlook: Will likely miss the playoffs, but reinvigorate its fan base.

Seattle Supersonics
C: Vitaly Potapenko (7)
PF: Nick Collison (6.5)
SF: Rashard Lewis (8.5)
SG: Ray Allen (9.5)
PG: Luke Ridnour (7.5)
Bench: Danny Fortson, Robert Swift, Rick Brunson, Johan Petro, Lawrence Roberts (6)
Coach: Bob Weiss (6)
GM: Rick Sund (8)
Overall: 59
Summary: Vladimir Radmanovic will likely resign, which improves Seattle’s already lethal long-range shooting. The bench is thin but has lots of upside. First-year coach Weiss will struggle to avoid the division basement.
Outlook: Seattle may take the biggest step back in the league, going from third in the conference to missing the playoffs.

Utah Jazz
C: Mehment Okur (8)
PF: Carlos Boozer (8.5)
SF: Andrei Kirilenko (9)
SG: Gordon Giricek (7.5)
PG: Deron Williams (8)
Bench: Matt Harpring, Devin Brown, Kris Humphries, Jarrod Collins (8)
Coach: Jerry Sloan (9)
GM: Kevin O’Connor (8.5)
Overall: 66.5
Summary: If everyone stays healthy this squad will prove that last season was an aberration. Utah is the most improved team from a year ago. Recent addition Brown is a versatile guard with playoff experience. Kirilenko has All-NBA ability.
Outlook: A dangerous playoff team with hard-nosed players and a savvy coach.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors
C: Adonal Foyle (6)
PF: Troy Murphy (7)
SF: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (7.5)
SG: Jason Richardson (8)
PG: Baron Davis (8.5)
Bench: Derek Fisher, Ike Diogu, Mickael Pietrus, Chris Taft, Monta Ellis (6.5)
Coach: Mike Montgomery (6.5)
GM: Chris Mullin (7)
Overall: 57
Summary: Davis, Richardson and Dunleavy are one of the most talented threesomes in the league. Warrior fans will see shades of RUN TMC. The front-court is mediocre and help (Diogu and Taft) is years away. The defense will give up a hundred points a night.
Outlook: Cellar dwellers in the fierce Western Conference.

Los Angeles Clippers
C: Chris Kaman (7)
PF: Elton Brand (8.5)
SF: Corey Maggette (8.5)
SG: Cuttino Mobley (8)
PG: Shaun Livingston (7.5)
Bench: Sam Cassell, Chris Wilcox, Zeljko Rebraca, Daniel Ewing (6)
Coach: Mike Dunleavy (7.5)
GM: Elgin Baylor (4)
Overall: 57
Summary: The starting five may be the franchise’s best ever. A talented mix of veterans and youth. Wilcox is the only proven player on the bench. Baylor, the so-called "veteran of the lottery process," is renowned for his bunglings, but he’s had moments in the sun (fleecing Brand from the Bulls, drafting Livningston, letting Quentin Richardson go).
Outlook: A year away from the playoffs, but how many times have prognosticators said that about the Clippers?

Los Angeles Lakers
C: Chris Mihm (6.5)
PF: Kwame Brown (6.5)
SF: Lamar Odom (8)
SG: Kobe Bryant (10)
PG: Sasha Vujacic (5.5)
Bench: Devean George, Brian Cook, Aaron McKie, Slava Medvedenko, Andrew Bynum (7.5)
Coach: Phil Jackson (10)
GM: Mitch Kupchak (7.5)
Overall: 61.5
Summary: Tinseltown’s team has many subplots to resolve if the script calls for a playoff appearance. Will Brown play to his potential? Is Odom at legitimate number two scoring option? How will Kobe and Phil co-exist in part 2? Who will they develop/acquire at PG?
Outlook: Too many questions to punch their playoff ticket.

Phoenix Suns
C: Kurt Thomas (7.5)
PF: Amare Stoudemire (9.5)
SF: Shawn Marion (8.5)
SG: Raja Bell (7.5)
PG: Steve Nash (10)
Bench: Jim Jackson, Eddie House, Leandro Barbosa, Zeljko Rebraca, (7.5)
Coach: Mike D’Antoni (8.5)
GM: Bryan Colangelo (8)
Overall: 67
Summary: Acquiring Thomas and Bell gives Phoenix the defensive toughness they lacked during the Western Conference Finals. It remains to be seen how much they will miss Joe Johnson’s services. If Amare develops a consistent jumper, the Stoudemire/Nash could be even better this season.
Outlook: A legitimate threat to San Antonio’s reign.

Sacramento Kings
C: Brad Miller (9)
PF: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (8.5)
SF: Peja Stojakovic (8.5)
SG: Bonzi Wells(8)
PG: Mike Bibby (9.5)
Bench: Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner, Jason Hart, Francisco Garcia (7.5)
Coach: Rick Adelman (8.5)
GM: Geoff Petrie (8.5)
Overall: 68
Summary: Arguably the best starting five in the NBA. The bench is no slouch either. This is the best Kings team of the Maloofs era, which is saying something. Sacramento may cut their ties with coach Adelman if he doesn’t deliver this year.
Outlook: They have the talent to win it all, but maybe not the chemistry.

Next Up: Some predictions for the playoffs and post-season awards.