First Prediction

All 5 teams from the Southwest division will make the playoffs.

Phoenix will win the Pacific. Denver will win the MidWest.

The 8th team will be the Clippers.

Of course, I won't predict the order yet until the season starts. There's still plenty of trades to be completed. And this can change if there is a major injury.

Dallas, San Antonio, and Phoenix are locks for the playoffs next year. Denver is in by default. Houston is a playoff team as long as T-Mac and Yao are healthy. New Orleans is going to be really good this season. Chris Paul can run an offense and score. He'll have Peja spotting up at the 3-pt line and Chandler down low to rebound. If they need some low post scoring, they can dump it into David West's hands. The only questionable team from the Southwest is Memphis, but they haven't lost much from last year.

The only reason I'm picking the Clippers over the Lakers is because Elton Brand has more support around him. The Lakers will most likely be right outside the playoffs in the 9th spot.