NBA by division: Southwest

Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Co. had a longer offseason than they are used to. The San Antonio Spurs lost last spring in the opening round of the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. While the extended summer was probably a good thing physically for Duncan and especially the injury-riddled Ginobili, the Spurs' management spent the downtime trying to ensure another early playoff exit won't happen again.

To that end, the Spurs acquired Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess and Keith Bogans.

Suddenly, the Spurs look like a team that can compete with the Lakers for the Western Conference title again.

Of course, just winning a Southwest Division crown is nothing to scoff at. With four of its five teams capable of winning 50 games, it's still the toughest division.

Here's a team-by-team look in predicted order of finish:

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Last season: 54-28, lost to Dallas in the first round of the playoffs

Top player: F/C Tim Duncan (19.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.7 bpg)

Supporting cast: PG Tony Parker (22.0 ppg, 6.9 apg), F Richard Jefferson (19.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G Manu Ginobili (15.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), C/F Antonio McDyess (9.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg)

Bottom line: Ginobili, the best sixth man in the NBA, is healthier than he's been in years. Jefferson will take some of the scoring load off of Duncan's shoulders. Parker is still among the best point guards in the association. And Gregg Popovich is an outstanding coach. It all adds up to another successful year for the Spurs. Sixty wins and the best record in the West isn't out of the question.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Last season: 50-32, lost to Denver in the second round of the playoffs

Top player: F Dirk Nowitzki (25.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.4 apg)

Supporting cast: G Josh Howard (18.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg), F Shawn Marion (12.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg), PG Jason Kidd (9.0 ppg, 8.7 apg)

Bottom line: The addition of Marion is intriguing. The former star in Phoenix didn't fare as well in Miami and Toronto, but he may be rejuvenated by his return to the West. Kidd isn't nearly the player he used to be, but he's still a good passer and leader. Besides, any team that has Nowitzki on it is a threat to win 50 games. That's about the number of games the Mavs win, but they won't enough to catch the Spurs in the divisional race.

HOUSTON ROCKETS