Considering they won the NBA championship last season and return every key member from that team, it's no surprise that the Spurs are again the favorites to win the title this season. However, there are some other teams — most of which reside in the Western Conference — that many consider threats to the Spurs' bid of a repeat.

Clint Hale

BOSTON CELTICS
2006-2007 RECORD: 24-58 (missed the playoffs)
KEY ADDITIONS: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen
WHY THEY'RE A THREAT: The Celtics have Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce in the starting lineup.
WHY THEY'RE NOT: Aside from those three, they don't have% much else.

DALLAS MAVERICKS
2006-2007 RECORD: 69-19 (eliminated in the first round)
KEY ADDITIONS: Nick Fazekas, Trenton Hassell
WHY THEY'RE A THREAT: The Mavericks essentially return every important piece from a team that claimed the best record in the league last season.
WHY THEY'RE NOT: Dallas still doesn't play much defense and its star player, Dirk Nowitzki, isn't exactly known for his playoff prowess.

DENVER NUGGETS
2006-2007 RECORD: 46-41 (eliminated in the first round)
KEY ADDITIONS: Chucky Atkins, Steven Hunter
WHY THEY'RE A THREAT: Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony form arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league.
WHY THEY'RE NOT: The Nuggets' two most efficient big men, Kenyon Martin and Nené, are prone to injury.

PHOENIX SUNS
2006-2007 RECORD: 67-26 (eliminated in the second round)
KEY ADDITIONS: Grant Hill, Alando Tucker
WHY THEY'RE A THREAT: The Suns, led by MVP point guard Steve Nash, boast one of the best offenses in NBA history.
WHY THEY'RE NOT: Phoenix is a bit soft defensively, and Nash — at age 33 with a history of back problems — isn't getting any younger.

UTAH JAZZ
2006-2007 RECORD: 60-39 (eliminated in the Western Conference finals)
KEY ADDITIONS: None
WHY THEY'RE A THREAT: Point guard Deron Williams emerged as a legitimate star during the playoffs last season.
WHY THEY'RE NOT: Forward Andrei Kirilenko, once the cornerstone of the franchise, is a disgruntled shell of his former self.