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By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

PACIFIC DIVISION PREVIEW

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

1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Coach: Phil Jackson (776-290).

Last season: 50-32, lost to San Antonio in second round of playoffs.

Starters: C Shaquille O‘Neal, F Karl Malone, F Devean George, G Kobe Bryant, G Gary Payton.

Key subs: G Derek Fisher, F Horace Grant, F Rick Fox, G/F Byron Russell, F Luke Walton-r, G Kareem Rush, C Slava Medvedenko.

New faces: Malone, Payton, Grant, Russell, Walton, F Brian Cook-r, C Jamal Sampson.

Strengths: Where to begin? The starting five is the league’s best, and the same case could be made for the bench. O’Neal, Bryant and Jackson have already won three titles together, and anyone who thinks adding Malone and Payton will hurt the team is fooling themselves. Suddenly, Fisher and Fox (when healthy) have become two of the league’s premier players off the bench. And, oh yeah, we hear this Jackson guy knows a little something about how to motivate and keep his superstars happy.

Weaknesses: Go ahead, try to think of something. OK, Shaq still can’t make free throws, and he doesn’t have a consistent backup. There’s also Bryant’s impending trial, and the negative effect it might have on his team … blah, blah, blah. That’s not to downplay the seriousness of the Kobe Situation, but opponents who sit back and wait for the Lakers to implode will be in for a long night.

Outlook: The Lakers own the conference’s best center, shooting guard, point guard, coach, and one of its top two or three power forwards. They aren’t exactly desperate at small forward, either, as George is a fine athlete who only needs to adapt to his role. All of it means the Lakers should run away with things -- but they won’t. There’s just too much talent in the West. Then again, they have more talent than anyone else, and anything less than a championship will be unacceptable. In other words, it ought to be a great year in L.A. Prediction: 64-17.

2. SACRAMENTO KINGS

Coach: Rick Adelman (603-384).

Last season: 59-23, lost to Dallas in second round of playoffs.

Starters: C Vlade Divac, F Chris Webber (when healthy), F Peja Stojakovic, G Doug Christie, G Mike Bibby.

Key subs: G Bobby Jackson, C Brad Miller, F Gerald Wallace, G Anthony Peeler, F/C Tony Massenburg.

New faces: Miller, Peeler, Massenburg, F Darius Songaila-r, F Rodney Buford.

Strengths: The Kings have all the necessary pieces to shoot, pass, and defend as well as any other team in the league. And the addition of Miller means they’ll also be able to scrap underneath the basket. Webber isn’t the kind of guy to take over a game, but he is an All-Star who can score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds with his eyes shut -- and there’s a lot to be said for that. Stojakovic is arguably the game’s most lethal shooter.

Weaknesses: Bibby stopped making big shots last season, and that hurt the Kings in the playoffs. Also, without Webber, the Kings have shown a propensity to be slightly better than average. Other than Stojakovic, no one on the team can consistently knock down the 20-foot jumper.

Outlook: On paper, the Kings are improved, having replaced Scot Pollard with Miller, and adding the veteran Peeler to replace Jim Jackson. But it all depends on the health of Webber -- something that’s been iffy the past few seasons. Sacramento will still move the ball well via the Princeton offense, and will continue to hustle and play with loads of confidence. If Webber is along for the ride, there’s no reason the Kings can’t win a title -- this season. Prediction: 59-23.

3. PHOENIX SUNS

Coach: Frank Johnson (55-58).

Last season: 44-38, lost to San Antonio in second round of playoffs.

Starters: C Jake Voskuhl, F Amare Stoudemire, F Shawn Marion, G Joe Johnson, G Stephon Marbury.

Key subs: G Penny Hardaway, G Casey Jacobsen, C Scott Williams, F Tom Gugliotta, G Leandro Barbosa-r, G Brevin Knight.

New faces: Barbosa, Knight, F Zarko Cabarkapa-r, F Robert Archibald.

Strengths: Marbury has become a team leader in the truest sense, a point guard who can create his own shot and, yes, is willing to pass. His continued maturity is a big factor, as he has a couple of good ones to pass to in the high-flying Marion and powerful Stoudemire. Hardaway adds even more veteran leadership, while Johnson and Jacobsen are turning into two of the West’s best deep threats.

Weaknesses: Let’s face it, the Suns don’t exactly have Bill Russell in the middle -- although they could do worse than always hustling Voskuhl and Williams. The bench, while better, remains shaky.

Outlook: Even without any major changes, the Suns should be at least as good as last season -- perhaps better, especially you consider the continued growth of Marion and Stoudemire, last season’s rookie of the year. Also, Johnson is one of the game’s most underrated minds, and motivators. If the Suns were in the East, a lot of experts would be labeling them a possible finalist. Problem is, they’re in the West. Prediction: 46-36.

4. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Coach: Maurice Cheeks (99-65).

Last season: 50-32, lost to Dallas in first round of playoffs.

Starters: C Dale Davis, F Zach Randolph, F Rasheed Wallace, G Bonzi Wells, G Damon Stoudemire.

Key subs: G Derek Anderson, G Ruben Patterson, G Jeff McInnis, F Qyntel Woods, C Vladimir Stepania, C Ruben Boumtje Boumtje.

New faces: Stepania, F Travis Outlaw-r, F Tracy Murray, G David Jackson-r.

Strengths: Wallace is a good shooter for any size, a remarkable one for a guy who stands 6-foot-11. When motivated and playing under control, he‘s also a heck of defender, and the only thing keeping him from All-Star status is consistency. Wells, on the other hand, is not a great shooter, but is great at slashing to the basket and finding ways to score. Randolph is a pure power forward and true up-and-comer who exudes toughness and desire.

Weaknesses: Now that Scottie Pippen (Chicago) and Arvydas Sabonis (retired) are gone, who will provide leadership on the floor? Also, there isn’t much to turn to in the way of help off the bench in the frontcourt. That’s a sure sign of trouble should Davis get injured or need an extended breather.

Outlook: The Blazers actually have less talent than last season, but that may be a good thing. The good news is, Wells and Wallace seem to have stepped forward as the guys in charge of this team. The bad news is, neither has performed overly well in the clutch in the past. If that changes, expect the Blazers to finally live up to their potential. If not, they may not even make the playoffs. Prediction: 43-39.

5. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Coach: Eric Musselman (38-44).

Last season: 38-44, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Erick Dampier, F Troy Murphy (when healthy), F Mike Dunleavy, G Jason Richardson, G Nick Van Exel.

Key subs: G Speedy Claxton, G/F Mickael Pietrus-r, C/F Clifford Robinson, G Avery Johnson, G/F Calbert Cheaney, C Adonal Foyle

New faces: Van Exel, Claxton, Pietrus, Robinson, Johnson, Cheaney, F Popeye Jones, F George McCloud, F Brian Cardinal.

Strengths: It didn’t Musselman long to prove he’s the best young coach in the league (of course, anyone who followed him in the CBA already knew that). His feistiness and smarts alone will keep the Warriors competitive. Richardson is an extraordinary athlete who only needs to improve his shot selection to become this team’s top gun. Murphy is coming off a very nice season in which he was one of just four players to average a double-double. Van Exel, meanwhile, can light up the scoreboard, and with proper handling, just might emerge as a team leader.

Weaknesses: Relying on Van Exel and Claxton to run the offense is an iffy proposition, as each is an energy type player not known for strong passing or keeping things under control. Also, the starting five will score points and scrap, but there isn’t much in the way of depth.

Outlook: The top two leading scorers from last season are gone (Antwan Jamison was traded to Dallas, and Gilbert Arenas signed with Washington). In other words, it’s up to guys like Van Exel, Murphy, Richardson, and especially, Dunleavy, to pick up the slack. It will probably take time for all the new guys to adjust to their new roles, and the Warriors might struggle early. But they also have tons of potential, and by season’s end, should be in the thick of the playoff race. Prediction: 43-39.

6. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

Coach: Nate McMillan (123-108).

Last season: 40-42, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Jerome James, F Vladimir Radmanovic, F Rashard Lewis, G Ray Allen, G Brent Barry.

Key subs: G Luke Ridnour-r, G Antonio Daniels, C Calvin Booth, C/F Vitaly Potapenko, F Reggie Evans, G Ronald Murray

New faces: Ridnour, Daniels, G Richie Frahm-r, F Nick Collison (out for season, shoulder).

Strengths: Allen and Lewis are the most explosive shooting guard-small forward combination in the conference, as Allen provides a deadly jumper and Lewis an amazing ability to get to the basket and throw it down. Barry is another outstanding athlete who can drill the perimeter shot, even if he’s not a point guard by trade. Radmanovic is solid offensively, occasionally outstanding.

Weaknesses: It’s hard to find a guy who has even a passing interest in defense -- and one who could stop an opponent even if he was interested. James and Booth are solid, but neither can be relied upon on a regular basis. The bench is weak.

Outlook: Seattle will be a lot of fun to watch, thanks mostly to its overall athleticism. But until Ridnour develops, the Sonics will lack a true playmaker, a guy who can tear out opponent’s hearts via the pass. Allen and Lewis, and to a lesser degree, Barry and Radmanovic, will keep the Sonics playing an aggressive and intelligent brand of basketball. With the underestimated McMillan at the helm, there’s no reason the Sonics can’t finish as high as third in the division. Prediction: 40-42.

7. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Coach: Mike Dunleavy (398-390).

Last season: 27-55, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Olden Polynice, F Elton Brand, F Corey Maggette, G Quentin Richardson, G Marko Jaric.

Key subs: C Chris Kaman-r, C Predrag Drobnjak, G Eddie House, F Bobby Simmons, G/F Glen Rice, F Melvin Ely, F Chris Wilcox.

New faces: Polynice, Kaman, Drobjnak, House, Simmons, Rice.

Strengths: Brand and Maggette are awesome, true talents who play with tons of heart. House is a nice addition, and will add scoring and spunk off the bench. Ely and Wilcox are the same type of player, as both should help in the rebounding department.

Weaknesses: Other than Brand and Maggette, this team has no consistent scorers. And speaking of stuff that’s missing, it’s tough to look at the roster and find anyone who’s a serviceable center or point guard.

Outlook: Everybody else added players, and the Clippers just lost theirs (namely, Andre Miller and Lamar Odom). Granted, Brand and Maggette are two players who can excite the fans -- but they have absolutely no help. And we thought Dunleavy was going bald when he took the job. Prediction: 25-57.

NEWSLETTER NOTES

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