For the decade after Michael Jordan’s last game in a Bulls jersey, the NBA went through constantly declining ratings, a lack of stars, boring playoff games, a referee fixing scandal and a number of other problems. However, the last few years have seen a return to form for the NBA.
Some experts are even claiming that the NBA is now on par with the golden age of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s (or at least getting close). This season looks to be a continuation of that trend with more interesting storylines, competitive teams and talented players than the league has seen since that golden era.
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat: Who else? After LeBron James finally played to his full potential and figured out how to effectively balance the main scorer and facilitator roles, the results were devastating. They added sharpshooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to the offense in the off-season to bolster their star-studded roster. Also, a healthy Dwyane Wade will be key.
2. Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are not getting any younger, but luckily for the Celtics, Rajon Rondo went into full superstar mode during last year’s conference finals against the Heat. The Celtics will need more of that if they want to get past the Heat this year.
3. Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are just about as deep as anyone in the league, but the NBA is a league of stars, and who is going to take that role on this team? Danny Granger? Roy Hibbert? Somebody has to.
4. New York Knicks: They have possibly the best pure scorer in Carmelo Anthony and the best pure defender in Tyson Chandler.
5. Philadelphia 76ers: They finally got their big man in Andrew Bynum. Hopefully they did not have to give away too much talent to get him.
6. Brooklyn Nets: The new stadium, new city and impressive starting lineup do not make up for the non-existent bench.
7. Chicago Bulls: They will have to get by on stifling defense until Derrick Rose comes back from his knee injury.
8. Atlanta Hawks: The return of Al Horford combined with Josh Smith in a contract year should get this team in the playoffs.
9. Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani never quite lived up to the status of being the number one pick, but he has turned into a pretty solid player.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: The backcourt paring of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis will carry this team, for better or worse.
11. Washington Wizards: This will be an exciting and athletic young team. John Wall has his work cut out for him.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers: If only they had not wasted their two recent lottery picks. Kyrie Irving might have had some better teammates to work with.
13. Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince is the only Piston left from the glory days of the mid-2000s.
14. Orlando Magic: How did they come out with the least assets in the Dwight Howard deal?
15. Charlotte Bobcats: Will they win more than 10 games this year?
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, fresh off an Olympic appearance, will be even hungrier for the title this year. This will be a scary team for years to come.
2. San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili handed more of the load off to Tony Parker last season, but the well-oiled machine that is the Spurs kept on winning. Expect more of the same this year.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe, Howard, Nash and Gasol on the same team? They could send out a middle school kid as the fifth starter and still win. However, these guys cannot play every minute of every game (especially Nash with his bad back), so the bench will have to step up.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Will they be the team that upset the Spurs in the playoffs two years ago, or the team that flamed out in the first round last year? A healthy frontcourt of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combined with Rudy Gay should lead to the former.
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Season two of Lob City should bring even more highlights from Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
6. Denver Nuggets: The West is stacked. The Nuggets could easily be the three seed in the East, but are relegated to the six seed in the West, even with a deep roster and the addition of Andre Iguodala.
7. Utah Jazz: The frontcourt is overcrowded with potential all-stars, so it will be interesting to see how the minutes are split.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves: If Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio could stay healthy, this team could play with anyone in the league.
9. Dallas Mavericks: The loss of Dirk Nowitzki for the beginning of the season really kills the Mavericks playoff chances.
10. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Bogut, back from a grisly arm injury, should anchor down the defense. The offense will be great as usual.
11. New Orleans Hornets: With the addition of likely Rookie-of-the-Year Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon and company are one piece away from being a playoff team.
12. Portland Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge might have been able to single-handedly carry this team to the playoffs if they were in the East.
13. Phoenix Suns: The loss of Steve Nash will hurt, but the Suns have a solid starting lineup. Unfortunately, solid will not cut it in the vicious Western Conference.
14. Houston Rockets: This crazy combination of young players, castoffs and Jeremy Lin will be one of the most fun teams to watch.
15. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins will have to play on an unbelievable level to bring the Kings to relevance.
Eastern Finals prediction: Heat over Celtics in six games. LeBron, Wade and Bosh will again prove to be too much for the Celtics, but Rondo won’t go down without a fight.
Western Finals prediction: Lakers over Thunder in seven games. The Lakers were built to be a playoff team. The Thunder will be contenders for the foreseeable future; this might be the Lakers only chance.
NBA Finals: Lakers over Heat in seven games. Upset alert! I am extremely excited just thinking about the possibility of this matchup in the Finals. 11 former all-stars in one series on the big stage in June? Any true basketball fan will be begging for this matchup. The Lakers will pull out the win in a tightly contested series, giving their old rival Steve Nash his first championship.
The 2012-13 NBA season starts on October 30 with three games, followed by a full slate of games the following day.
Photo courtesy of CNN.