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The 2004-05 NBA Pacific division preview, with teams listed in predicted order of regular season finish.

1. SACRAMENTO KINGS

Coach: Rick Adelman (301-159 in six years with Kings, 658-411 in 14 years overall).

Last Season: 55-27, lost to Minnesota in Western Conference semifinals.

Projected Starters: G Mike Bibby, G Doug Christie, F Peja Stojakovic, F Chris Webber, C Brad Miller.

Top Reserves: G Bobby Jackson, F Darius Songaila, G Kevin Martin-r, C Greg Ostertag, F Matt Barnes.

New Faces: Martin, Ostertag, Barnes.

Strengths: The Kings move the ball and shoot as well as anyone in the league, probably better. Webber has exceptional hands, and is capable of playing the power or finesse game. Miller and Christie are tough and smart, and Bibby is a clutch shooter and good decision-maker. Everyone knows about Stojakovic‘s unstoppable -- and still improving -- offense. The question is, can he start getting it done when it really counts?

Weaknesses: When healthy, Jackson is one of the most explosive sixth men in the league -- but beyond him, there won‘t be much in the way of scoring off the bench. Mostly, the Kings have yet to prove they have the mental toughness to win the big playoff series and get to the Finals.

Outlook: Some of Sacramento’s key players (read: Christie and Webber) may have lost a step, but the Kings remain a talented, cohesive unit. Perhaps their biggest strength is the us-against-the-world mentality shared by everyone from Webber to the guy at the end of the bench. With all that in mind, they could slip a little record-wise, but there‘s really no reason to believe the Kings can‘t take that next, previously elusive step in the playoffs.

Prediction: 53-29.

2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich (first year with Lakers, 503-397 in 12 years overall).

Last Season: 56-26, lost to Detroit in NBA Finals.

Projected Starters: G Chucky Atkins, G Kobe Bryant, F Lamar Odom, F Brian Grant, C Chris Mihm.

Top Reserves: G/F Caron Butler, C Vlade Divac, F Slava Medvedenko, F Devean George, G Kareem Rush, F Luke Walton, F Brian Cook.

New Faces: Atkins, Odom, Grant, Mihm, Butler, Divac, G Sasha Vujacic-r, F Jumaine Jones.

Strengths: Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant, and Kobe Bryant. Actually, this team has a little more than Bryant -- but it all begins and ends with Kobe, arguably the best non-center in the league. Odom is an outstanding passer for a big man, and should be Scottie Pippen to Kobe’s Michael Jordan. Grant is the rare banger who can also produce offense when necessary. Atkins carries a winning attitude and is one of the league’s most underrated players. Mihm seems to be improving with each season.

Weaknesses: With the exception of the 412-year old Divac, the bench is awfully young. Vujacic is an up-and-comer with tons of raw ability, but he’s not ready to run his own team. That makes the Lakers especially thin at point guard. Also, somebody will have to help Grant on the boards.

Outlook: Bryant’s been waiting a long time to get out of the shadow of Shaquille O’Neal and lead L.A. to a title all by himself. Well, here’s his chance. The good news for Laker fans is Bryant possesses all the qualities of a winner -- he’s ultra-talented, he’s driven with an exceptional work ethic, he’s extremely confident. The bad news is, it’ll take these guys at least a season to get adjusted to Tomjanovich, and mostly, to each other.

Prediction: 48-34.

3. PHOENIX SUNS

Coach: Mike D’Antoni (21-40 in one year with Suns, 35-76 in two years overall).

Last Season: 29-53, did not make playoffs.

Projected Starters: G Steve Nash, G Quentin Richardson, F Shawn Marion, F Amare Stoudemire, C Jake Voskuhl.

Top Reserves: G Joe Johnson, G Leandro Barbosa, G/F Casey Jacobsen, C Steven Hunter, F Zarko Cabarkapa, F Maciej Lampe.

New Faces: Nash, Richardson, Hunter, F Jackson Vroman-r, G Yuta Tabuse-r.

Strengths: The Suns are fast and athletic, and the new starting backcourt of Nash and Richardson is a perfect fit in D’Antoni’s push-the-ball system. The powerful Stoudemire has developed a nice baby hook to go with his rim-rattling dunks. Marion isn’t the best shooter in the league (far from it), but he’ll just jump over you if he has to. Johnson could start for a lot of teams, and his all-around ability makes him a candidate for best sixth man honors. That is, assuming he doesn’t beat out Richardson for the starting spot.

Weaknesses: Voskuhl works hard, but would be better suited in a backup role in which he played 20-25 minutes a night. Then again, he’s the best the Suns have to offer at center -- which should really tell you something. Besides Johnson, all the bench players are young, fairly soft, and unproven.

Outlook: The additions of Nash and Richardson should be worth at least 10-15 more wins -- maybe more if the reserves can play consistently. No matter, Phoenix’s starting lineup has loads of energy and will be extremely difficult to slow down. The question is, will the Suns be able to stop anyone else? If so, the playoffs are a distinct possibility.

Prediction: 41-41.

4. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Coach: Mike Montgomery (first year in NBA).

Last Season: 37-45, did not make playoffs.

Projected Starters: G Derek Fisher, G Jason Richardson, F Mike Dunleavy Jr., F Troy Murphy, C Adonal Foyle.

Top Reserves: G Speedy Claxton, C Dale Davis, F Clifford Robinson, F Eduardo Najera, G Mikael Pietrus, G Calbert Cheaney.

New Faces: Fisher, Davis, Najera, F/C Andris Biedrins.

Strengths: The Warriors could have been right up there with Utah and Memphis as surprises of the West had Murphy remained relatively healthy. He’s not necessarily an All-Star (yet), but it seemed like the only thing Golden State lacked was another big, capable body. Ex-Laker Fisher brings a winning attitude and top-flight defensive play, while Richardson and Dunleavy form an extremely athletic combo on the wings. Richardson only needs to be more consistent to become a regular All-Star.

Weaknesses: Davis and Robinson are still effective big men, but they’re getting to the age where their minutes will have to be limited (Davis is 35, Robinson 37). And unless Foyle has a breakout season, that leaves the Warriors little in the way of low-post play. Also, there isn’t a player on the entire team who was reliable night-in and night-out last year.

Outlook: New head basketball man Chris Mullin didn’t land any all-pros during the summer, but he did do a nice job of picking up some veterans who can teach youngsters like Richardson, Murphy and Dunleavy how to win. But look for the Warriors to take a step back before they get better, especially with a first-time pro coach in Montgomery.

Prediction: 34-48.

5. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Coach: Mike Dunleavy (28-54 in one year with Clippers, 426-444 in 11 years overall).

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

Projected Starters: G Marko Jaric, G Kerry Kittles, F Corey Maggette, F Elton Brand, C Chris Kaman.

Top Reserves: G Shaun Livingston-r, F Chris Wilcox, F Bobby Simmons, C Zeljko Rebraca.

New Faces: Kittles, Livingston, G Quinton Ross-r, G Lionel Chalmers-r.

Strengths: Brand is one 20-point, 10-rebound guy most people don’t know much about, as he’s spent his entire pro career playing for bad teams. And while he’s more of a strong, fundamentally-sound player than a leaper, he did manage to finish 10th in the league in blocked shots last season. Maggette is one of those guys who does everything well -- just not well enough to merit All-Star consideration. But like Brand, he has a great attitude and works hard. Kittles has played in two Finals and can bury the jumper on a regular basis.

Weaknesses: Believe it or not, the Clippers actually have a nice starting five (even if Jaric shouldn’t be a starting point guard). It’s just that the bench is extremely weak -- as it is filled with nothing but unpredictable and unproven role players. Livingston could be good, but came straight out of high school and possesses no outside shot. So expect the point guard problems to continue.

Outlook: Dunleavy did a masterful job with this group last season, keeping it competitive when it rarely should have been. But his job will be that much harder now that Quentin Richardson left for Phoenix. In the past 25 years, the Clippers have had one winning season. Donald Sterling has owned the team for 23 of them. Unless he suddenly decides to up and sell the team, things aren’t about to change.

Prediction: 21-61.