By Kara Lawson

Starting out with some predictions, let me first say that I am so conservative in my picks and while I'd love to be able to go out on a limb, I think the San Antonio Spurs will win the Western Conference once again. In the Eastern Conference, I really want to pick the Indiana Pacers for a few reason. I really like the composition of their team, especially with getting Ron Artest back this season. But, they have also added a top European player, Sarunas Jasikevicius. In addition to all the talent they already have, the Pacers' new rookie, Danny Granger, will make them a very good team. So I really like the Pacers, but I also like the Pistons to contend in the East as well.

Lawson says this could be Lebron's year. Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE/Getty Images

For my surprise team that not everyone will be picking, I like the Golden State Warriors. I think they will do well this season. I'm not sure they will go to first place in the West like Phoenix did last season, but I think they will make the playoffs this year. With the Suns having Amare Stoudemire out for a long period of time, that will change the entire Pacific Division. I think the Lakers will be better, probably a playoff team just with Phil Jackson back. I think he can get a lot out of Lamar Odom.

Not that they are a surprise team, but my most improved team this season will be the Cleveland Cavaliers. I expect them to make the playoffs because of the talent that Lebron James now has around him. People question why they did not get a shooter in the offseason, but I really like Larry Hughes and like his game. Plus, they added Damon Jones from Miami who can knock down the open 3-pointer. Drew Gooden had a good year even though his career has been marked by inconsistency. And Z (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) is Z. He does good things as does Donyell Marshall. I definitely think they are a playoff team. That Central Division, with the Pistons, Cavs and Pacers, not to mention an improved Bulls team, will be much improved. Poor Milwaukee Bucks, though. It will not be easy being Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut this season.

So I'd like to have the guts to go with Indiana in the East and San Antonio in the West. It is so hard to go against them with all the firepower that they posses.

Finally, for Most Valuable Player, I think there are some interesting choices. I think what happened to Shaquille O'Neal last year, with his numbers dropping a bit on an improved Miami team, could happen with Tim Duncan on San Antonio this season. Neither really cares about the individual stats or accolades at this point in their career because they both want to win so badly and are willing to share. So I do not think it will be a Duncan or Shaq winning the award this year. For the record, I also did not agree with Steve Nash being selected last season, but that's okay. So for 2005-06, I'm going to go with Lebron James. He is ready to make the leap in his career.

Some other WNBA players thoughts:

The WNBA's best call out the best in the NBA. Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE/Getty Images

Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets
"Houston's going to be good, that's all I'll say. I think they will. If they all stay healthy. I'm going to go with Houston and Miami."

Deanna Nolan, Detroit Shock
"I'm going Detroit in the East of course. And in the West, I don't know. There's San Antonio, but I like Phoenix, too. For Champs, I like the Pistons. For MVP, II say either (Chauncey) Billups or maybe Rip Hamilton."

Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks
"I'm going to go with the Miami Heat this year. They got the chance to make some adjustments to last year's Eastern Conference Finals runner-up team and will come up with the title this season. As for MVP, I think it will be Shaq. I think he's still an L.A. guy. Unfortunately, he's just not there anymore."

Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
"Well I was right last season when I told everyone not to sleep on the Sonics. In the East, I'm going to say the New York Knicks or the Miami Heat, in the West it will be the Sonics this time. The Sonics will win it all and this season's MVP will be Ray Allen."

Becky Hammon, New York Liberty
"In the West, I have to go with the San Antonio Spurs. In the East, I will pick the Miami Heat. I think Shaquille O'Neal will be the Most Valuable Player and the Heat will win it all."

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
"In the East, I like the Miami Heat. In the West, I'm going with the Valley of the Sun, the Phoenix Suns. I think Phoenix will win in six and Amare Stoudamire is going to come back like an animal. I think this year's surprise team will be the Lakers, my home team. Kobe and Phil… the sparks will fly."

Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm
"I don't really watch the NBA all that much. I'm in Australia all winter!"

Nykesha Sales, Connecticut Sun
"I think Cleveland has a chance to surprise some people coming out of the East. I think they have an opportunity to do something special as the year that Lebron James takes the next step in his career. They have a new coach and can hopefully do some great things. I'll also throw Miami in the mix. In the West, I would say it's between San Antonio, who did not get any worse in the offseason, and maybe Houston. I want to see Shaq get the MVP award."