GET READY TO REAP THE WHIRLWIND.
It’s been a long time coming to see the Larry O’Brien trophy back in the city of Los Angeles, home of my beloved Lakers. As with any newly-crowned champion comes the daunting task of defending the title. And it’s gonna be a real battle. This summer of 2009 had so many teams making upgrades, the most wheeling and dealing I’ve ever seen in any offseason. Fortunately the champs made a move of their own, possibly trumping all other deals made by the rest of the field. Barring injuries, teams are locked and loaded, and I anticipate a heavyweight fight to the finish. Here is my analysis of which teams will make the most noise for the upcoming 2009-2010 NBA season.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Probable starters: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum.
Key reserves: Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton.
Player to watch: Andrew Bynum 
24-second analysis: Trevor Ariza will be missed, but the Lakers got an upgrade in Ron Artest. Ariza was a gazelle on the wing, but Artest is the grizzly that LA needs to help defend the Carmelos and Lebrons of the league. This will help Kobe conserve energy throughout the season by not being solely relied on to stop the other team’s best player. At 31, Kobe needs to pace himself and rely on his teammates, particularly Pau Gasol, who is too talented to not average 20/10 numbers. The team must also get more consistent 3-point shooting to help open up the middle for the Laker bigs. If Andrew Bynum can stay healthy for the entire year and return to the potential he showed last season, the Lakers, already favored, will be a lock to win it all.
Probable starters: Tony Parker, Michael Finley, Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Tim Duncan.
Key reserves: Manu Ginobli, Roger Mason, Jr., George Hill, Matt Bonner, Dejuan Blair, Theo Ratliff.
Player to watch: Richard Jefferson.
24-second analysis: Consistently favored to battle for the West’s top spot, the Spurs find themselves back in contention despite an injury plagued season that contributed to last year’s first round exit. The team made headlines early this summer by completing three monster deals. 1. Stealing college All-American Dejuan Blair with the 37th pick in the 2nd round of the draft. 2. Free agent signing of Antonio McDyess. 3. Last but not least, the trade for swingman Richard Jefferson. Jefferson gives them not only insurance for Ginobli, should he be injured again, but a stud at the 3 spot to create offensively and be a nice wing defender. The triple threat of their core, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli is a nightmare for any team, and with their offseason acquisitions, if healthy, they are primed to make a run to dethrone L.A.
Probable starters: Chauncey Billups, Joey Graham, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, Nene Hilario.
Key reserves: JR Smith, Aaron Afflalo, Chris Andersen, Anthony Carter, Ty Lawson.
Player to watch: JR Smith.
24-second analysis: It was a banner year for the Denver organization, surpassing even their own expectations, who were two games away from advancing to the NBA Finals. It’s hard to weigh a team’s fortunes on one particular player, but that’s what happened when they traded away Allen Iverson (failure) for Chauncey Billups (success). Billups brought undervalued veteran leadership to a hot-headed Nuggets team. Age is not on his side though as he failed to live up to his “Mr. Big Shot” nickname. JR Smith (suspended for the first seven games due to a reckless driving conviction) is the one player who is so explosive offensively, that if he can somehow harness his talent and keep his cool, he could help propel the Nuggets to a return trip to the Western Conference Finals.
Probable starters: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Eric Dampier.
Key reserves: Jason Terry, Jose Barea, Drew Gooden, Matt Carroll, Quinton Ross, James Singleton.
Player to watch: Shawn Marion.
24-second analysis: The window is closing on Dallas fast. After blowing their opportunity for a title years ago against Miami, they’ve been hanging around the West, not really making any noise. Well, the chatter has resurfaced now that they acquired Shawn Marion to their frontcourt, and added depth to their bench with Drew Gooden and Matt Carroll. If Marion can give them added defense and outside shooting, the Mavs are the dark horse to overtake the Nuggets and Spurs.
Probable starters: Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden.
Key reserves: Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, Joel Pryzbilla.
Player to watch: Martell Webster.
24-second analysis: I don’t know if Martell Webster is THE player to watch, but he is the player I’M going to keep an eye on. Before he went down with a foot injury, he was a steady wing, who showed flashes of becoming a solid role player. I was drawn to his game, reminded me of a new school Sidney Moncrief. The Blazers bombed in the free agent market this summer but did come away with veteran point guard, Andre Miller. The team is loaded with youth and raw talent. Their time is coming.
Probable starters: Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur.
Key reserves: Paul Millsap, Brevin Knight, Ronnie Price, Kyle Korver.
Player to watch: Carlos Boozer 
24-second analysis: When and to where will Carlos Boozer be traded are the burning questions that will swirl the Utah Jazz this season. There’s no doubt he is a talent, but with teams holding on to their wallets, Boozer might be with the team till the trading deadline in February. This could be a distraction to a team that could compete with the West’s upper echelon. A full season from Deron Williams is needed for the Jazz to stay in the middle of the playoff hunt.
Probable starters: Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, Emeka Okafor.
Key reserves: James Posey, Antonio Daniels, Darren Collison, Melvin Ely.
Player to watch: Emeka Okafor.
24-second analysis: The Hornets were supposed to be the rising power in the West behind arguably the best point guard in the league, Chris Paul. But injuries and poor personnel decisions have sunk this team to the bottom of the playoff pool. Their off season trade of their center, Tyson Chandler, in exchange for Emeka Okafor will give them more offensive firepower up front, but no doubt they will miss Chandler’s defensive presence. They will compete if healthy, but it’s hard to envision them toppling any of the West’s elite teams.
Probable starters: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Rasual Butler, Blake Griffin, Marcus Camby.
Key reserves: Al Thornton, Ricky Davis, Sebastian Telfair, DeAndre Jordan, Craig Smith.
Player to watch: Blake Griffin. 
24-second analysis: Another team plagued by injuries last year, the Clippers return with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, Blake Griffin. For those unfamiliar with Griffin, he is a beast. Homeboy has no fear attacking the rim or hustling at both ends. He’s not a single-handed-franchise-changing-type-player, but surround him with a nice veteran cast, and you have a dark horse team in the making. The Clips also added depth to their bench by trading for point guard Sebastian Telfair, swingman Rasual Butler, and a wide body in Craig Smith. If Baron Davis can play up to his talent level and stay injury-free, along with Marcus Camby, the Clips are in.
Team on the bubble:
Last season, Houston showed grit and toughness, taking the Lakers to seven games in the playoffs. They obtained Trevor Ariza from the world champs but he is more of a complimentary player as opposed to his counterpart, Ron Artest. The Rockets will play most of the season without their cornerstones, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Both are expected to make comebacks this year. If the Rockets can stay competitive in the West, I look for them to make a late playoff push if their leaders return.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Probable starters: Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, LeBron James, Anderson Varejao, Shaquille O’Neal.
Key reserves: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon, Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Leon Powe.
Player to watch: LeBron James. 
24-second analysis: Touted as the best player in the league (whatever!), Lebron James will have all eyes on him as he not only tries to redeem his team’s embarrassing loss to Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals, but also to see if this will be his last season in Cleveland, opting for free agency. The team landed Shaquille O’Neal, so expectation is high, failure not being an option. Shaq will definitely help bolster their frontline. They added depth to their bench by signing swingmen, Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. The status of Delonte West is undetermined but the team is talented enough to win the East again.
Probable starters: Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Ryan Anderson, Dwight Howard.
Key reserves: Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, Anthony Johnson, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams.
Player to watch: Ryan Anderson.
24-second analysis: Although Orlando lost to the Lakers in the Finals last year, the team was considered a rising contender for years to come, so it came as a surprise when they opted to not resign their top playmaker, Hedo Turkoglu. That created a domino effect as they also traded their outstanding rookie, Courtney Lee, for Vince Carter. Although a little past his prime, Carter is still a potent offensive player, but Orlando will miss Turkoglu’s creativity. Still the Magic were able to retain their backup center, Marcin Gortat, who provided excellent relief for Dwight Howard. Signing Brandon Bass will help Howard defensively. Also, Coach Van Gundy is warning anyone who’ll listen to not sleep on the “throw-in” player from the Carter trade, Ryan Anderson. Coach is high on him. I look for Orlando to compete with Cleveland and Boston for the top spot in the East.
Probable starters: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins.
Key reserves: Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels, Eddie House, Tony Allen.
Player to watch: Rasheed Wallace. 
24-second analysis: The “win-now” gamble of a window the Celtics took by adding veteran superstars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen is closing fast. Father time is not on their side as Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce are all nearing their mid-30′s. The front office recognized this and reacted by signing Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels to help bolster their bench and provide relief minutes for their Big 3. This team feeds off of Garnett, so he needs to be 100% healthy for the team to return to the Finals, which they are capable of. If Wallace can successfully irritate Shaq and Dwight, and stretch the opposing team’s defense with his outside shooting, the Celtics will be hard to beat.
Probable starters: Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Al Horford.
Key reserves: Jamal Crawford, Maurice Evans, Zaza Pachulia. Jason Collins.
Player to watch: Marvin Williams. 
24-second analysis: Each year, the Hawks have been rising in the East but always coming up short in the playoffs. The team remains intact but have added prolific shooting guard, Jamal Crawford. This definitely gives them more offensive firepower, but they need help from their two recent draft picks, Al Horford and Marvin Williams. Hampered by injuries, Williams still has yet to perform at the level many think he is capable of playing at.
Probable starters: Gilbert Arenas, Mike Miller, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood.
Key reserves: Randy Foye, Fabricio Oberto, JaVale McGee, DeShawn Stevenson.
Player to watch: Gilbert Arenas. 
24-second analysis: Crippled with injuries to their key players, Washington returns healthy and with added firepower getting Mike Miller and Randy Foye from Minnesota. They also added veteran big man, Fabricio Oberto, to their young front court. Their leader Gilbert Arenas seems to have fully recovered from his knee injury and is eager to prove to the rest of the league he’s back. Arenas has already started his notorious trash talking, boasting that he and his team are coming back with a vengeance. Offensively, the Wizards are loaded.
Probable starters: Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani.
Key reserves: Jarret Jack, Marco Belinelli, Rasho Nesterovic, Reggie Evans, Amir Johnson.
Player to watch: Hedo Turkoglu. 
24-second analysis: Toronto was very active this offseason, but made headlines when they lured Hedo Turkoglu away from the defending Eastern Conference Champion, Orlando Magic. Turkoglu really established himself with Orlando, showcasing his play-making abilities and clutch-shooting. He joins another dominant big man in Chris Bosh, and a talented, international group of players. I look for the Raptors to play a run-and-gun style, and perhaps be a dark horse in the East.
Probable starters: Derrick Rose, John Salmons, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah.
Key reserves: Brad Miller, Kirk Hinrich, Jannero Pargo, Jerome James, Lindsey Hunter.
Player to watch: Luol Deng. 
24-second analysis: Who can forget the 1st round of the playoffs last year when the young Bulls took the then-defending champion, Boston Celtics, to seven games before being ousted? Rookie of the year, Derrick Rose, really made an impression with his explosive crossovers and strength to the basket. They did lose their super-sub, Ben Gordon, to free agency, but are getting back their versatile forward, Luol Deng, and did pick up quality back-up, Jannero Pargo. Those two should make up for Gordon’s departure.
Probable starters: Mario Chalmers, Dwayne Wade, Michael Beasley, Udonis Haslem, Jermaine O’Neal.
Key reserves: Daequan Cook, Dorell Wright, Jamaal Magloire, James Jones, Quentin RIchardson, Carlos Arroyo.
Player to watch: Dwayne Wade. 
24-second analysis: With so many teams in the East improving their roster via free agency or by getting healthy again, it’s hard to envision Miami being a major contender, especially when they’ve made no moves this summer. Dwayne Wade is a force to be reckoned with but he can’t be expected to carry the team through 82 games and the playoffs. 2nd year player, Michael Beasley needs to assert himself offensively to give Wade some help. If GM Pat Riley doesn’t make a significant trade and/or the Heat do not make the playoffs, this could be Wade’s final season in Miami.
Team on the bubble: 
The Sixers always play tough and give stiff competition to whomever they face in the playoffs. Their big free agent acquisition last year, Elton Brand, was a disappointment due to injury. They also lost veteran leadership with Andre Miller signing with Portland. Their thoroughbred players, Andre Igoudala and Thaddeus Young give them youth and explosiveness. If Brand can give them the low post presence they paid for, the Sixers could be a surprise once again.
Personally, I am really praying that there are no injuries because I want to see the best of the best battle to the bitter end. So many teams have restocked and reloaded for a shot at the reigning champs. I think the Lakers will battle the Spurs in the West Finals. In the East, I think Orlando retooled better than expected after giving up three key members from last year’s team. They squeak by Cleveland and Boston.
My preseason pick of the final two that will be standing in June:
And the winner is…
Fans of the 80′s, who can forget V, the television event that captivated the nation, depicting an impending invasion by *gasp* alien lizards. Cluttered with bad acting, archaic special effects, and cheesy dialogue, V kept the nation fascinated with aliens long before Will Smith was chosen to save us on Independence Day.
“POISON, DROWNING, CLAW, OR KNIFE. SO MANY WAYS TO TAKE A LIFE.”
REASONS: One of the best, “OMG-we’re-stuck-in-the-woods-trapped-by-an-evil-force-and-can’t-escape plots.” So creepy, extremely gory, heinously hilarious. Plus, Sam Raimi directed it and Bruce Campbell starred in it.
