2009-2010 NBA Season Preview

This has to be the most excited for an NBA season as I've been in a while. Too bad I won't start caring until February when football is over. Unfortunately, they start playing tomorrow night.
The Top Storylines entering the 2009-2010 season

1. How will the defending champion Lakers respond to Ron Artest's crazy personality?
Like nothing has changed. Ron-Ron realizes that this is his best shot to win a title and will be the perfect teammate this year. He will definitely be an upgrade over Trevor Ariza and offer much more offensive prowess than his predecessor at small forward. Will that be enough to beat the Spurs remains to be seen however.
2. Do the aging Spurs and Celtics have another run in them?
For this year, I believe they both do. Of course the X-Factor will be health. The Spurs and Celtics both suffered greatly from it last year with Manu Ginobli and Kevin Garnett both being out for the playoffs. The keys to these veteran teams making a run, however, lies in their young stars. Rajon Rondo went on a tear after KG went down averagin nearly a triple-double for Boston and newly acquired Richard Jefferson's ability to make explosive plays will be huge for San Antonio.
3. Can Portland and Denver continue the progress they made last year?
I don't think so. If you look at George Karl's record, his teams tend to take a step back after a really good year and I could see that happening with the Nuggets. I just don't see them getting as many breaks as they got last year. Nate McMillan was the perfect coach for Portland the last few years while they were in transition mode but I don't think he's a good coach for helping them take the next step. I actually expect the Blazers to improve but not as much as many others are predicting them to and unfortunately for them and the Nuggets, the West has improved more than they have.
4. How will Orlando respond to having the target on their backs for a change?
I think they will be just fine. If I'm an Orlando fan, I don't like losing Hedo Turkoglu one bit. The offense ran through him during the playoffs last year. When they needed a big shot, they gave the ball to Hedo. I also hate to lose Courtney Lee, who was beginning to look like a young Rip Hamilton. However, despite all that, I think that their roster actually got better with the additions of Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, and Ryan Anderson(who's a poor mans Hedo Turkoglu). Orlando must believe in the old adage "If you aren't getting better, you're getting worse" and they figured they had to make some changes to keep the Magic up(pun intended.
5. How will the addition of "The Big Aristotle" affect Lebron and the Cavs?
I think it will be a good addition. Health will obviously play a factor but if Cleveland's trainers can keep "The Big Shaqtus" healthy for the playoffs, he could play a big factor in helping to neutralize Dwight Howard in a potential playoff series. I'm not sure that it'll be enough to help Lebron reach the Finals and get his first title, but his addition should benefit the Lebrons.

Predicted Final Standings and Playoff Predictions
Eastern Conference
1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Orlando
4. Atlanta
5. Washington
6. Miami
7. Chicago
8. Charlotte
9. Detroit
10. New York
11. Philadelphia
12. Indiana
13. New Jersey
14. Toronto
15. Milwaukee

Boston over Charlotte, Cleveland over Chicago, Orlando over Miami, Washington over Atlanta
Boston over Washington in 5, Orlando over Cleveland in 6
Boston over Orlando in 7
Western Conference
1. LA Lakers
2. San Antonio
3. New Orleans
4. Utah
5. Dallas
6. Portland
7. Denver
8. LA Clippers
Lakers over Clippers, San Antonio over Denver, New Orleans over Portland, Dallas over Utah
Lakers over Dallas in 6, San Antonio over New Orleans in 6
San Antonio over Lakers in 7

NBA Finals
San Antonio over Boston in 6