NBA Preview

At Midnight the day of the start of the season I give you a 2,000 word NBA preview column that no one can read because the power is probably out. Honestly would you expect anything less from me! Now that Lebron has a ring, there many new interesting stories to follow as the league goes back to a full 82 game schedule. Here are the major stories to follow and my picks for the upcoming season.
1.You Just Can't Kill the Celtics
KG is back for another contract and the return of Jeff Green and signing of Jason Terry make this the deepest Celtics team in years. The departure of Ray Allen to rival Miami seems to have motivated a team whose interest levels seems to wane over the course of a long season. A healthy squad come playoff time seems destined for a Conference Finals rematch with Miami. Look for Rondo to have a monster season and at least a 55 win season for the Celts.
2.Lakers Big 3 best Big 3?
After two years away from the Finals the Lakers are to recreate the early 2000's by getting Dwight Howard to team with Kobe Bryant. The shocking trade for Steve Nash gives the franchise its first real point guard in 20 years and allows mercurial Pau Gasol to fly under the radar as a 4th option and pick and roll machine. Expect some kinks working out the chemistry early in the season, but when spring rolls around the Lakers will tear through the Western Conference and cruise into the Finals.
3.Did Trading James Harden Sink the Thunder
For this season yes, long term no. Trading the dynamic Harden after failing to reach a contract extension, takes away the buffer between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. With an even bigger spotlight on the shoot first point guard Westbrook look for him to take a step back and for tensions in the Thunder huddle to increase. Kevin Martin who came over in the Harden trade is simply not a winning basketball player, but if the teams hit on one of their two rookies Jeremy Lamb or Perry Jones threatening the Lakers is not out of the question.
4.Battle of New York, Rose's ACL
Whether or not anyone outside the top 4 can compete for a title will be determined by how quickly Bulls point guard Derek Rose recovers from a torn ACL suffered in last year's playoffs. If he's back to himself come playoffs the Bulls become a dangerous floater in the bracket that no one wants to play.
After failing to land Dwight Howard the Nets move to Brooklyn with a slew of slightly above average players. Joe Johnson should make a decent enough pairing in the back court with Deron Williams, but the Nets will go only as far as Brook Lopez takes them which is destined to be an early playoff exit. The skilled Center has never been able to stay on the court and continues to be a rebounding liability. The Knicks will grab the back pages but lag behind their city rivals in the divisions as they lack point guard play and the Carmelo Amare pairing is just not a fit.
Teams Trending Up
Utah
Cleveland
Toronto
Memphis
A Step Back
Indiana
LA Clippers
Dallas
My East Playoff Teams
1.Miami
2.Boston
3.Chicago
4.Brooklyn
5.Indiana
6.Atlanta
7.New York
8.Cleveland
My West Playoff Teams
1.Lakers
2.Thunder
3.Spurs
4.Memphis
5.Denver
6.Utah
7.Clippers
8.Dallas
Playoff Results
East Conference Finals: Miami over Boston 4-1
Drawing the Bulls in Round 2 batters the C's and leaves them as easy picking for the Heat.
Western Conference Finals
Lakers over Thunder 4-3
These teams but on a show, but ageless wonder Steve Nash won't be denied his first Finals. He seals game 7 with a big three and sets up an epic battle with the Heat.
Finals Pick: Lakers over Heat in 7
Howard destroys Bosh inside and Kobe gets his sixth ring and cements his legacy just in front of Lebron in the battle for the second spot behind Jordan as greatest of all time.