We interrupt your regularly scheduled Cubs Love-In to bring you the last and final installment of NBA Season Previews – The Midwest Division.

And for those of you who somehow hadn’t noticed, the NBA pre-season has started, and last year’s cellar-dwellers Cleveland and Memphis are on top of their Conferences. Yes, it’s about time you started paying attention.

San Antonio Spurs

Offseason Mark = B+
It’s rare a Championship team goes through an offseason and actually gets better, but it can be argued the Spurs have done exactly that. Despite the loss of class, not to mention points and rebounds, caused by David Robinson’s farewell, San Antonio have upgraded their depth at guard (Anthony Carter and Ron Mercer), forward (Hedo Turkoglu and Robert Horry) and center (Radoslav Nesterovic and Sean Marks) over the summer. That’s impressive.

Question Mark = Support
The last time the Spurs went through a season without Robinson, they got Tim Duncan. This time, they have Tim Duncan. But without his mentor alongside him in the trenches this season, TD will see more double-teams than an x-rated video catalogue. He’ll need not just muscle, but productive muscle, to go into battle with him every day.

Exclamation Mark = Backcourt
On opening night, San Antonio will have the best starting foreign backcourt the league has ever seen. Tony Parker is a brilliant young quarterback who rarely plays out of control, and Manu Ginobili is an athletic shooter who may one day lead the league in steals. And to think they were drafted with the 28th and 57th picks, respectively.

2003/04 Mark = 55 wins ? 3

Dallas Mavericks

Offseason Mark = C+
The Mavs had a superb 2002/03, being the team to beat until the season’s final month, and were only a Dirk Nowitski injury away from the NBA Finals. So why did they initiate that massive 9-player trade with the Warriors? Antawn Jamison gives them another frontline rock, and Fortson and Welsch may be factors, but to voluntarily relinquish Nick Van Exel, especially after he patently carried them during the playoffs, is a questionable decision.

Question Mark = Cuban
Perhaps Cuban is right, perhaps the Mavs did need to make a move, even if it is solely for the pretext of keeping up with the offseason improvements of the Spurs, Lakers, Kings and TWolves. But from a man whose raison d’etre has always been to maximise talent, he may find that, with hindsight, his franchise actually peaked last season.

Exclamation Mark = Scoring
Dallas are fun to watch, with all their playoff games last season must-see-TV. They win games by playing basketball the way it is meant to be played, and the Ring Gods shine on them accordingly. With everyone healthy, the Mavs will give it a shake again this season, simply because they refuse to deny their bountiful offensive abilities.

2003/04 Mark = 54 wins ? 2

Minnesota TWolves

Offseason Mark = A
Kevin McHale knew what he had to do. With Kevin Garnett due to come off contract at the end of the upcoming season, the only way to keep the big guy in town was to convince him that he was surrounded by teammates that finally are capable of being lead out of the first round. Sprewell, Cassell and Olowokandi have already done the convincing, with KG inking a new 5 year deal last week. Now all they have to do is the winning.

Question Mark = Szczerbiak
If you were told Minnesota would retain only 4 players from last season over a hectic summer of wheeling and dealing, you would have been almost certain Wally Szczerbiak wouldn’t be one of them. But he is. And it’s high time he started living up to his undisputed basketball talents, or he won’t be part of this dynasty-in-the-making for long.

Exclamation Mark = Legitimacy
ESPN’s Power Wankings actually have the TWolves rated as the 3rd best team in the league, but it’s October, not April, and there’s a long way to go before the TWolves can be declared legit title heavyweights. Still, it marks the first time in their history that Minnesota are being treated like a real contender instead of a former expansion team.

2003/04 Mark = 51 wins ? 3

Houston Rockets

Offseason Mark = B+
When you already have one of the best guard duos in the game, you shouldn’t need the L’s 2nd best center to make the playoffs – unless of course you play in the West. It’s almost criminal the Rockets missed the postseason last year, considering they would probably have been champions had they been in the Central Division. Hiring Jeff Van Gundy was a great move and their uniform changes are nice, but what’s the story with that pathetic new logo?

Question Mark = Small Forward
Last season, Houston tried Glen Rice, Kenny Thomas and James Posey at the 3, none of whom are now on the roster. In comes Eric Piatkowski (offense), Adrian Griffin (defense) and Jim Jackson (everything) in an attempt to re-vamp the position. Jackson, now on his 10th NBA team, will make a difference whether starting or off the bench.

Exclamation Mark = Felicity
The Rockets of last season were nice guys, but possibly too nice. They didn’t intimidate anyone in the paint, and as a result they didn’t defend their home court staunchly enough. JVG will ensure that changes (count on more than 2 flagrant fouls this season), while at the same time retaining the players’ sense of unity and commitment.

2003/04 Mark = 47 wins ? 2

Memphis Grizzlies

Offseason Mark = B-
There’s a lot of optimism coming out of Memphis for the first time since they moved in 2001, and some of it’s even justified. The Grizzlies are a bigger, deeper, smarter ballclub than at any time in their history, although even they realise that’s not actually saying much. Jerry West added a nice mix of frontcourt veterans and backcourt spark over the summer, which should result in another season of modest but tangible improvement.

Question Mark = D
Last season, Memphis were a more efficient shooting team than Phoenix, Philly, Indiana, Jersey and the Lakers. So why did they have another 50-loss season? Down the other end, where they allowed their opponents over 100 points a game, and were 2nd last in defensive FG percentage. Size has something to do with it, but so does effort.

Exclamation Mark = Youth
Hubie Brown is one of the best teachers in league history, and he has to be, as Memphis are an inexperienced outfit with 5 players born in 1980 or earlier. The Grizz will run, rebound, run, defend, and run some more. They’ll make youthful mistakes, sure, but they’ll grow together around star-on-the-rise Pau Gasol.

2003/04 Mark = 31 wins ? 2

Denver Nuggets

Offseason Mark = A
After a rocky start, pun intended, to his first and only General Manager stint, Kiki Vandeweghe’s master plan is working. When you’re coming off the league’s worst record yet are a more desirable free agent destination than a franchise that’s been in the playoffs the past 20 years, you’re doing something right. Even if it is Utah. Carmelo Anthony will step in right away, whilst Andre Miller and Earl Boykins are excellent additions at the point.

Question Mark = Inexperience
The new Nuggs will be fun, but they’ll also be more clueless than a mind-reader at an ‘American Pie’ marathon. Juwon Howard’s leadership will be missed, as Anthony, Hilario and Skita all have a lot to learn from a savvy veteran, which rules out Marcus Camby, even though he’s the oldest guy on the roster. The kids will play, and learn, on the job.

Exclamation Mark = Upside
Jeff Bzdelik did a great job with an abjectly under-strength team last season, and he will be around to grow with them long term. But no matter how much they improve, Denver won’t be a playoff contender this season, and probably not the next, either. By the time Shaq and Duncan have retired, however, the NBA limelight may well have a golden glow.

2003/04 Mark = 28 wins ? 1