Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 4-1
Grade: A

Sometimes people forget just how important Pau Gasol is to the Lakers' success. The fact the team has lost only one game without him is impressive. Yes, the Lakers did drop a disappointing game to an improved Dallas Mavericks team at home and had to fight hard to win in both Oklahoma City and Houston, but how many other teams would be 4-1 with their second best player out for the first five games of the season? And that's without even mentioning the fact Los Angeles is still trying to integrate Ron Artest into the team's offensive system.

Link has the rest of the West.

Link: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14248