UPDATE! supplies you with everything you need to know about the most important Western Conference storylines out there. Pay attention. This is where off-season speculation and conjecture end, and basketball begins:

SETTING SUN
The run and gun Phoenix Suns offense has developed into one of the most well executed and entertaining attacks in the NBA under coach Mike D'Antoni and Steve Nash. Built on unselfish play and precision passes, it is impossible to defend and dictates the flow of the game. But is the sun finally setting on Nash's offense? Shawn Marion, the teams' offensive fulcrum, was the focal point of trade rumors and off-season grumbling. Amare Stoudemire underwent yet another knee surgery and the team still lacks the big defensive bruiser necessary to keep opponent's out of the paint. And at 34, Nash isn't getting younger. The Suns will win 50-plus games again this season, but that won't be enough to earn them a ticket to the finals. The fantasy X-factor might be Grant Hill, who has shown in flashes that he can still produce. His numbers could soar under Mike D'Antoni's wide out offense.

PAU MEMPHIS
Pau Gasol played like a madman when he was on the court. Unfortunately injuries limited him to just 59 games in 2006. Memphis did little to appease the Spanish star during the off-season, and Gasol still wants a trade. And though there's little chance of that happening to start the season, by years end he could be with another team. While he's versatile enough to produce anywhere he plays, a change in setting might have a dramatic effect on the type of numbers he puts up. Consider this and his injury prone physique when drafting him.

THE KOBE BRYANT SHOW
What's new in LA? Kobe Bryant is still griping about his team's lackluster roster, demanding trades and stirring up controversy. He practically begged the front office to trade Adrew Bynum and Lamar Odom during the off-season. How will this friction translate on the court? Odom has long been established as one of the leagues most unselfish players and should be ready to produce again under Phil Jackson. But the team still lacks a disciplined point guard and, other than these three players, the Lakers' squad has little fantasy value. Is anybody really expecting Chris Mihm to step up and dominate in the paint? Kobe's numbers might be off the charts, but the best pickup of all might be Luke Walton. Grab him the later rounds, he fills up the box scores nicely.

DYNAMIC DUO
Stockton and Malone they are not. But Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams are good enough to turn Utah into a legitimate contender in the West. Williams out-performed fellow point guard Chris Paul last season, despite being drafted several rounds later. Can they repeat last season's success while keeping everyone happy? Nothing turns a players fantasy game south faster than the words 'trade demand', and that's exactly what we've been hearing from Andrei Kirilenko's camp during the off-season. And will Gordon Giricek and Matt Harpring be happy in reduced roles?

THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER
The honeymoon is over in Denver and now we get a chance to see if this unlikely pairing is likely to work. Allen Iverson silenced his critics when he kept up his gaudy stat-line in Denver, other than a slight dip in scoring. But by the end of the season coach George Karl was frustrated with Carmelo Anthony's seemingly selfish play. And with Kenyon Martin returning from knee surgery along with a resurgent Nene Hilario, will there be enough looks to go around? No doubt about it, the Nuggets are one of the most talented team in the West. Let's see if they can put it all together now.

Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.