2010 Western Conference capsules

(In predicted order of finish)

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Coach: Phil Jackson (11th season)

Last year: 57-25 (Won NBA title)

Newcomers: PG Steve Blake, SF Matt Barnes, C Theo Ratliff

Outlook: The Lakers won another title with an embarrassment of riches. They have one of the league’s premier players in SG Kobe Bryant, a top defender in SF Ron Artest, plus a huge front line (PF Pau Gasol, C Andrew Bynum, PF Lamar Odom) that no opponent can match. Age isn’t much of a factor beyond PG Derek Fisher, 36. Bryant turned 32 in August.

2. Dallas Mavericks

Coach: Rick Carlisle (3rd season)

Last year: 55-27

Newcomers: C Tyson Chandler, C Ian Mahinmi, SG Dominique Jones

Outlook: The Mavericks have built some nice depth and could bring Chandler, SF Shawn Marion and SG Jason Terry off the bench. Age could be an issue, with PG Jason Kidd turning 38 in March. Terry is 33, while PF Dirk Nowitzki and Marion are 32.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Coach: Scott Brooks (3rd season)

Last year: 50-32

Newcomers: C Cole Aldrich, SF Morris Peterson, SG Daequan Cook

Outlook: Thanks to PF Kevin Durant, who averaged 30.1 points at age 21, the Thunder is a popular pick for team on the rise. Whether OKC has the strength inside to keep up with the Lakers or PG Russell Westbrook can keep his turnovers under control remains to be seen.

4. Utah Jazz

Coach: Jerry Sloan (23rd season)

Last year: 53-29

Newcomers: PF Al Jefferson, SG Raja Bell, PG Earl Watson, SF Gordon Hayward

Outlook: The Jazz suffered heavy losses during the summer, mostly from players joining the Bulls, but caught a break by picking up ex-Minnesota rising star Jefferson for practically nothing. SG C.J. Miles maybe ready to step into starting role, but C Mehmet Okur (torn Achilles) will miss the start of the season. While going undefeated in the preseason, the Jazz beat the Lakers, Portland and Phoenix twice each.

5. Portland Trail Blazers

Coach: Nate McMillan (6th season)

Last year: 50-32

Newcomers: SF Wesley Matthews, SF Luke Babbitt, SG Elliot Williams

Outlook: C Greg Oden still is recovering from a knee injury, so the Blazers’ master plan remains focused on SG Brandon Roy and PF LaMarcus Aldridge. Portland picked up ex-Bulls assistant coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Bob Ociepka.

6. San Antonio Spurs

Coach: Gregg Popovich (15th season)

Last year: 50-32

Newcomers: C Tiago Splitter, SF Bobby Simmons, SG James Anderson

Outlook: The Spurs had another good season, but the lineup didn’t seem to click until a first-round upset of Dallas in the playoffs. SF Richard Jefferson averaged just 12.3 points, lowest since his rookie season. As usual, the Spurs will follow Tim Duncan, 34, but this could be the final year with the longtime nucleus, since PG Tony Parker can become a free agent.

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Coach: Lionel Hollins (3rd season)

Last year: 40-42

Newcomers: SG Tony Allen, PG Acie Law, SG Xavier Henry

Outlook: Should we believe in the Grizzlies, who were perfect in preseason? Balance was an asset during exhibitions, with 10 players averaging between 18 and 26 minutes, including rookie Henry and ex-Bull Law. Six of those players shot better than 50 percent from the field, including PG Mike Conley at an eye-opening .554.

8. Los Angeles Clippers

Coach: Vinny Del Negro (1st season)

Last year: 29-53

Newcomers: SG Randy Foye, SF Ryan Gomes, SF Al-Farouq Aminu, PG Eric Bledsoe

Outlook: After missing all of his rookie season with a knee injury, PF Blake Griffin was impressive in the preseason. He averaged 17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and shot 60 percent. Del Negro can surround Griffin with solid pieces in C Chris Kaman, PG Baron Davis and SG Eric Gordon.

9. Houston Rockets

Coach: Rick Adelman (4th season)

Last year: 42-40

Newcomers: C Brad Miller, SG Courtney Lee, PF Patrick Patterson

Outlook: C Yao Ming is trying to come back after a year off with a foot injury, but it’s possible his feet and legs can’t put up with the pounding from his big body running up and down the court. Ex-Kings SG Kevin Martin has been oddly fragile, missing 88 games the last three seasons.

10. Denver Nuggets

Coach: George Karl (7th season)

Last year: 53-29

Newcomers: SF Al Harrington, PF Shelden Williams

Outlook: Can the Nuggets stay competitive while the Carmelo Anthony trade watch drags on? After getting a boost from PG Chauncey Billups two years ago, this team seems to have run its course. PF Kenyon Martin didn’t play in the preseason and is still recovering from knee surgery. SG Arron Afflalo, meanwhile, averaged early 20 points.

11. Phoenix Suns

Coach: Alvin Gentry (3rd season)

Last year: 54-28

Newcomers: SF Josh Childress, SF Hedo Turkoglu, PF Hakim Warrick

Outlook: After a surprising run to the Western Conference finals a year ago, the Suns will try to survive without Amare Stoudemire. They added a few nonpower forwards during the summer, but the playoffs could be lofty goal, considering Grant Hill is 38 and Steve Nash turns 37 in February.

12. New Orleans Hornets

Coach: Monty Williams (1st season)

Last year: 37-45

Newcomers: PG Jerryd Bayless, SF Trevor Ariza, SG Willie Green, SG Marco Belinelli, SF Joe Alexander

Outlook: PG Chris Paul can’t be happy with the Hornets’ slide, but he’s stuck there for two more years unless traded. The team added some minor pieces, while hoping Paul, PF David West and C Emeka Okafor stay healthy and start to mesh.

13. Golden State Warriors

Coach: Keith Smart (1st season)

Last year: 26-56

Newcomers: PF David Lee, SG Charlie Bell, SG Rodney Carney, SF Dorell Wright, PF Ekpe Udoh.

Outlook: Adding Lee from New York should give the Warriors’ front line a boost, while the guard tandem of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry was already potent. Rookie Udoh will miss the start of the season with a wrist injury.

14. Sacramento Kings

Coach: Paul Westphal (2nd season)

Last year: 25-57

Newcomers: C DeMarcus Cousins, C Samuel Dalembert, C Hassan Whiteside, SG Antoine Wright.

Outlook: There are plenty of questions about Cousins’ character and acceptance of coaching, but the Kings are enthused about the 16 points and 8.7 rebounds he averaged in part-time minutes during the preseason. The other concern is who plays next to rookie of the year Tyreke Evans in the backcourt.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves

Coach: Kurt Rambis (2nd season)

Last year: 15-67

Newcomers: SF Michael Beasley, PG Luke Ridnour, SG Martell Webster, PG Sebastian Telfair, SF Wesley Johnson

Outlook: There may be nights when the Wolves resemble a promising young team, but they’re very young. The oldest player on the roster is Ridnour (29), while the other longest-tenured veteran is C Darko Milicic. A focused Beasley, who averaged nearly 15 points in Miami last year, will be vital.