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Monday, October 23
Updated: October 31, 12:39 PM ET
 
West is best, don't ask about the rest

Steve Francis
Steve Francis plays in the tough West.
Lakers. Blazers. Spurs. That's not all for the powerful Western Conference. Suns. Sonics. Jazz. Wait, there's also the Wolves, Kings and Mavs. Anyway, ESPN's David Aldridge breaks down the two conferences and says it's no contest which one is better. Marc Stein offers his road map through the new season, checking in on all the key games, while Mitch Lawrence examines 10 players who really have something to prove, leading off with Miami's Brian Grant.


  • Shaq: Compared to the greats | Can he be stopped?
  • Offseason: What really mattered | Moves Map
  • Experts' predictions | Stein on Laker dynasty

    TEAM CAPSULES
    EASTERN CONFERENCE
      WESTERN CONFERENCE
    With projected records, conf. rank
    1. Orlando Magic: 52-30
    2. Charlotte Hornets: 52-30
    3. Philadelphia 76ers: 49-33
    4. Miami Heat: 48-34
    5. Milwaukee Bucks: 47-35
    6. New York Knicks: 45-37
    7. Toronto Raptors: 45-37
    8. Indiana Pacers: 44-38
    9. New Jersey Nets: 36-46
    10. Cleveland Cavaliers: 34-48
    11. Detroit Pistons: 32-50
    12. Boston Celtics: 32-50
    13. Atlanta Hawks: 27-55
    14. Washington Wizards: 25-57
    15. Chicago Bulls: 23-59

      With projected records, conf. rank
    1. Portland Trail Blazers: 63-19
    2. Los Angeles Lakers: 62-20
    3. San Antonio Spurs: 56-26
    4. Seattle Sonics: 50-32
    5. Utah Jazz: 50-32
    6. Phoenix Suns: 50-32
    7. Sacramento Kings: 44-38
    8. Dallas Mavericks: 43-39
    9. Minnesota Timberwolves: 43-39
    10. Houston Rockets: 37-45
    11. Golden State Warriors: 33-49
    12. Denver Nuggets: 25-57
    13. Vancouver Grizzlies: 22-60
    14. Los Angeles Clippers: 20-62


    Preview week schedule

    Monday, Oct. 23

  • Marc Stein: Stein: Laker dynasty just starting
  • ESPN experts: Read their staff predictions

    Tuesday, Oct. 24
  • Jeffrey Denberg: Everyone loves Florida, so when will they win?
  • Mitch Lawrence: Hill's good, McGrady looks great

    Wednesday, Oct. 25
  • Offseason Moves Map
  • Peter May: What moves mattered this offseason?

    Thursday, Oct. 26
  • Frank Hughes: European big men find a home in NBA

    Friday, Oct. 27
  • How do you stop Shaq?
  • Mitch Lawrence: Where does Shaq rank with the all-time greats?

    Monday, Oct. 30
  • David Aldridge: West vs. East? It's no contest
  • Chat wrap: ESPN NBA analyst Dr. Jack Ramsay
  • Mitch Lawrence: 10 guys with something to prove

    Tuesday, Oct. 31 (Opening day)
  • Marc Stein: Road map through 2000-01
  • First Power Rankings of the season


    More coverage

    Time for NBA training camps
    ESPN.com took a look at all the teams in the Association as they prepared to end their summers.

    HOOPSTV.com's NBA preview
    Want to check out a different kind of NBA preview section, one with a different flava? Then check out what HOOPSTV.com is up to.

    ESPN.com's Fantasy Hoops Coverage
    Got a fantasy basketball fix? Well, we can fix it. Check out the experts' top 30 overall players and then read the latest columns and news.

    ESPN.com's Offseason Spotlight Index
    Which teams look good? Which look bad? From the Hawks to the Wizards, we analyzed every NBA team and welcomed comments.

    2000 NBA daily schedule
    Check out the entire NBA schedule for the upcoming season, from Halloween night all the way until April 18.









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