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By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

MIDWEST DIVISION PREVIEW

Teams listed in predicted order of finish; r-denotes rookie.

1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Coach: Gregg Popovich (339-185)

Last season: 60-22, won NBA championship.

Starters: C Rasho Nesterovic, F Tim Duncan, F Bruce Bowen, G Manu Ginobili, G Tony Parker.

Key subs: F Robert Horry, F Malik Rose, F/G Hedo Turkoglu, F/G Ron Mercer, C Kevin Willis, G Anthony Carter.

New faces: Nesterovic, Horry, Turkoglu, Mercer, Carter, G Shane Heal.

Strengths: Duncan is the game’s most complete player, period. He never complains that his supporting cast is lacking, he never points the finger after a loss. Instead, he just places the team on his fundamentally-sound shoulders and shows it how to win a championship. Popovich is one the game’s all-time underrated coaches, as his guys always respond to motivation by playing hard every night. Parker, also often unappreciated, was arguably the best point guard in the postseason, and has learned when to shoot and when to pass. Bowen is an outstanding position defender, and the athletic Ginobili is ready for a breakout year. The revamped bench is also strong.

Weaknesses: The Spurs will miss David Robinson (retired) more than you might think. He was one of the league’s best leaders by example, and although not as powerful as he once was, always seemed to hit the big shot last season. The Spurs could have done worse than acquiring Netserovic, but it will take him some time to adjust to playing alongside Duncan. Also, other than Parker, there’s no experienced point guard on the roster.

Outlook: Pro sports needs more athletes like Duncan. He’s a master at his craft, yet manages to avoid getting caught up in the marketing glitz that occasionally rules the NBA. Most of all, he’s a winner. Combine that with the fact Parker and Ginobili continue to improve, and veterans such as Horry, Mercer, Turkoglu will provide solid bench play, and it’s easy to believe the Spurs won’t skip a beat. Prediction: 62-20.

2. DALLAS MAVERICKS

Coach: Don Nelson (1,096-828).

Last season: 60-22, lost to San Antonio in Western Conference finals.

Starters: C Danny Fortson, F Dirk Nowitzki, F Antoine Walker, G Michael Finley, G Steve Nash.

Key subs: F Antawn Jamison, C Shawn Bradley, G Travis Best, F Eduardo Najera, G Tony Delk.

New faces: Fortson, Walker, Jamison, Best, Delk, G Josh Howard-r.

Strengths: The Mavericks have five guys who could lead any team in the league in scoring. How’s that for firepower? Nowitzki only needs to become a slightly better passer -- and much better defender -- to be considered one the game‘s all-time greats. But even if Nowitzki stays the same, which is still very good, the Mavericks have added Walker as their resident Big Man Who Can Really Pass. Nash and Finley form the league’s second-best backcourt (behind the Lakers), and Jamison, if Nelson chooses to bring him off the bench, its top sixth man. Fortson should provide the tough interior presence Dallas has needed for some time.

Weaknesses: There’s still no true defensive stopper on the roster -- although Najera is slowly becoming that guy. Even so, one is not enough, especially come playoff time. And with so many weapons, a lot of guys who have the ability to score 20 points a night will have to accept scoring less than 10 once in a while. That’s not always easy.

Outlook: There’s little doubt that Dallas will lead the league in scoring, and with Nowitzki, Finley, Nash, Jamison and Walker, it wouldn’t be surprising to see five Mavericks score 25 or more points in the same game. The question is, can Dallas make the big defensive stands when it matters most (read: the playoffs)? If the answer is yes, the Mavs have as good of a shot at winning the title as anyone. Prediction: 58-24.

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Coach: Flip Saunders (328-276).

Last season: 51-31, lost to L.A. Lakers in first round of playoffs.

Starters: C Michael Olowokandi, F Kevin Garnett, F Wally Szczerbiak (when healthy), G Latrell Sprewell, G Sam Cassell.

Key subs: G Troy Hudson, F Gary Trent, G Fred Hoiberg, C Ervin Johnson, G/F Quincy Lewis.

New faces: Olowokandi, Sprewell, Cassell, Hoiberg, Johnson, Lewis, F Ndudi Ebi-r.

Strengths: It would be hard to find a big man who plays with more energy, and productivity, than Garnett. He’s never had enough help, but he’s never grumbled about it, either. And now, Garnett will get plenty of assistance from an aggressive and proven backcourt featuring newcomers Sprewell and Cassell. Hudson, Trent, and Hoiberg will never be All-Stars, but they make a very nice bench, adding ball handling, interior toughness, and shooting, respectively. Finally, let’s not forget Saunders, a straight-shooter who has a great relationship with his players. That counts for a lot.

Weaknesses: Olowokandi was maddeningly inconsistent with the Clippers, and displayed poor work habits. He has tons of potential, but if his effort doesn’t improve, the Timberwolves still might not have enough to get out of the first round. Also, the bench only goes about eight deep, meaning once again, Minnesota really can’t afford any major injuries to its starters.

Outlook: The Timberwolves did an excellent job of adding perimeter shooting and scoring punch during the off-season. Still, Cassell and Sprewell have yet to prove they are winners -- and more than just guys who put up lots of points for average teams. Then again, with a talent like Garnett on the floor and a coach like Saunders on the sidelines, there’s no reason Minnesota won’t play like a team in the truest sense. If that happens, watch out. Prediction: 54-28.

4. HOUSTON ROCKETS

Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (248-172).

Last season: 43-39, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Yao Ming, F Maurice Taylor, F Jimmy Jackson, G Cuttino Mobley, G Steve Francis.

Key subs: F Eddie Griffin, C Kelvin Cato, G Eric Piatkowski, G Moochie Norris, F Boston Nachbar, G/F Adrian Griffin

New faces: Jackson, Piatkowski, A. Griffin, G Torraye Braggs-r, C John Amaechi.

Strengths: Ming has become a true force in the low post, and unlike most other teams in today’s NBA, the Rockets’ success will be determined by the play of their center. Francis and Mobley are ultra-athletic, and although they both tend to think too much about shooting, they create matchup problems for any backcourt in the league. Van Gundy’s coaching has never been questioned, and Jackson was an underrated addition, as he’ll provide hustle and scoring in the event everyone else is off.

Weaknesses: Other than Ming, the Rockets still don’t have a reliable big man. And even Ming needs work in the consistency department. Piatkowski is the lone dependable shooter with range on the roster -- which also lacks a true playmaker.

Outlook: Francis is still too image conscious, something the no-nonsense Van Gundy will need to change. Mostly, the Rockets need to focus on running the offense through Yao, and not one of their guards. It’s a strategy that will turn Houston from an also-ran to a Western Conference darkhorse. Either way, the Rockets are deep and talented enough to make the playoffs. Prediction: 47-35.

5. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Coach: Hubie Brown (369-456).

Last season: 28-54, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Jake Tsakalidis, F Pau Gasol, F Mike Miller, G James Posey, G Jason Williams.

Key subs: F Shane Battier, C Lorenzen Wright, G Earl Watson, F/C Stromile Swift, G/F Wesley Person, F Bo Outlaw.

New faces: Tsakalidis, Posey, Outlaw, G/F Dahntay Jones-r, G Troy Bell-r, F Theron Smith-r.

Strengths: There’s plenty of athleticism, depth, and a coach who knows the pro game as well as anyone in Brown. Gasol and Miller can each average 20-plus points per game, and Posey isn’t far behind. Battier is younger, more athletic version of Rick Fox, in that Battier offers a little bit of everything and doesn’t care about the numbers next to his name on the stat sheet.

Weaknesses: The Grizzlies still lack a true go-to guy -- both offensively and defensively. Questions remain as to who will make the important shot or big stop. Also, Tsakalidis and Wright are usually productive, but too often unpredictable. There are too many swingmen on the roster and not enough power players.

Outlook: With Brown at the helm, you can be certain the Grizzlies will scratch, claw, and basically play their hearts out from start to finish. Team president Jerry West also has plenty to do with that mentality. But Williams is still proving himself as a floor leader, and the key contributors are still extremely inexperienced. The good news is, Memphis won’t start as slowly as it did last season, and it will finish even stronger. In another words, the Griz will be much-improved -- and playoff regulars in a season or two. Prediction: 39-43.

6. DENVER NUGGETS

Coach: Jeff Bzdelik (17-65)

Last season: 17-65, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Marcus Camby, F Nene, F Carmelo Anthony-r, G Voshon Lenard, G Andre Miller.

Key subs: G/F Rodney White, G Earl Boykins, G Jon Barry, F Nikoloz Tskitishivili, F Vincent Yarbrough.

New faces: Anthony, Lenard, Miller, Boykins, Barry, C Chris Marcus-r.

Strengths: Anthony has all the tools the Nuggets hoped for when they selected him with the third overall pick -- he can score, defend, and knows how to keep his teammates involved. He’ll be just as valuable to Denver as LeBron James is to Cleveland. As for Miller, even at his worst last season with the Clippers, he still displayed an ability to run the team and keep things under control. Nene, meanwhile, is developing into Ben Wallace with a shooting touch.

Weaknesses: Camby has been able to stay healthy for an extended period, and even with him, the Nuggets don’t have a true center. If he gets injured this season, Denver is in big trouble, Anthony or not.

Outlook: It will take some time for everyone to get used to their new teammates, and mostly, Bzdelik’s new philosophy stressing ball movement and good shots. Anthony and Miller are two good places to start, as is the revamped bench featuring energetic guards such as Barry and 5-foot-5 Boykins. The Nuggets will be better, particularly after the All-Star break. But they still need one more consistent scorer and someone who can shut down opposing perimeter players. Prediction: 35-47.

7. UTAH JAZZ

Coach: Jerry Sloan (875-521).

Last season: 47-35, lost to Sacramento in first round of playoffs.

Starters: C Greg Ostertag, F Keon Clark, F Andrei Kirilenko, G Matt Harpring, G Carlos Arroyo.

Key subs: F Raja Bell, C Jarron Collins, G DeShawn Stevenson, G/F Aleksander Pavlovic-r, Raul Lopez, C Curtis Borchardt.

New faces: Clark, Bell, G Maurice Williams-r.

Strengths: Well, it sure isn’t the combination of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Instead, it’s the coaching of Sloan, who decided to stick around even after his future Hall of Famers moved on. As it stands, Kirilenko is an up-and-coming scorer, and Harpring moves extremely well without the ball. And once he gets the ball, Harpring usually finds a way to put it in the basket.

Weaknesses: Other than Harpring and Kirilenko, everyone on the roster is unproven (although some players have proven that they’re not very good). The starting five would make a great bench, and the bench a great starting five -- in the NBDL.

Outlook: No John Stockton, no Karl Malone, no one who can consistently score, rebound, or defend. Other than that, Utah is in great shape. The saving grace, though, is Sloan. Because of him, the Jazz will play their guts out, taking only the best of shots and chasing after every loose ball. Still, Harpring, Kirilenko and Arroyo aren’t yet ready for starring roles. Prediction: 30-52.

Today: Midwest Division

Tomorrow: Pacific Division.

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