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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Coach: Nate McMillan
Projected Starting Five:
PG: Andre Miller
SG: Brandon Roy
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Greg Oden

Key Additions: Andre Miller, Jeff Pendergraph (R), Dante Cunningham (R), Ime Udoka
Key Losses: Channing Frye, Sergio Rodriguez 

The Portland Trail Blazers are ready to again make a big splash in the NBA this season. Core players Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge are a year wiser and have Playoff experience tucked in their belts. Greg Oden, who missed his entire rookie season in 2007, has re-invented himself both physically and mentally this off-season. He lost 15 pounds to improve on his mobility and endurance. He was also personally guided and coached over the summer by former Blazers PF Brian Grant.

Portland acquired the much coveted free agent point guard Andre Miller over the off-season to help orchestrate their offense. However, there have been talks that incumbent starter Steve Blake may reprise his role. It will only be a matter of time until the Trail Blazers see the light and start the Miller in his stead. Watch out Western Conference teams. The Trail Blazers are a team to be feared and respected this season.

UTAH JAZZ
Coach: Jerry Sloan
Projected Starting Five:
PG: Deron Williams
SG: Ronnie Brewer
SF: Paul Millsap
PF: Carlos Boozer
C: Mehmet Okur

Key Additions: Eric Maynor (R)
Key Losses: Morris Almond, Brevin Knight, Jarron Collins, Matt Harping

THe Utah Jazz have committed to Paul Millsap being their "power forward of the future" by signing him to a long-term deal. Carlos Boozer has asked to be traded but the Jazz have yet to find a reasonable exchange partner to consummate a deal for his departure. The team just wants to get the most value out of Boozer's expiring contract and a deal appears to be imminent. It is just a matter of when and with which team. Boozer will likely reprise his role as the team's starting power forward at the start of the regular season.

Andrei Kirilenko and Paul Millsap will share the time at the small forward position. Now that Deron Williams' bout with a bad ankle sprain last season is a thing of the past, expect him to guide and lead this team back into serious Playoff contention.