Yeah, so, regular season kicked off Tuesday. I'm writing this as I'm on the way to the Nets home opener at the Meadowlands. Yay technology.

Predictions...difficult to forecast much this year. The NBA is at a shifting point, I believe. Globalisation and the youth-influx of the late 90's has changed the general approach to talent acquisition and roster construction, and the effects of this should start to manifest itself over the coming years(fewer of the so called "dynasty" teams that have ruled the league for so long). Still, for fun:

EAST
Atlantic-Boston, Toronto, Philly, New York, New Jersey
Seems likely that Vince Carter will be traded. Nets putting in bid early for #1 pick and a fresh start in Brooklyn. In Toronto, I very much like the O'Neal-Bosh combo. Philly, the trendy sleeper pick of the offseason, will not be a real contender, but they have some nice pieces. Boston quietly added a good chunk of young talent over the summer, they appear entrenched.

Central-Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Indiana
A lot of room for error in this division. Pistons seem most likely of any previously elite team to crumble. Chicago, meanwhile, is a trade away from being a top three team in the East.

Southeast-Orlando, Miami, Washington, Atlanta, Charlotte
Orlando finished last season like gangbusters; on paper they are class of this division. Miami has no depth but arguably the best threesome in the conference, provided those three players stay healthy and committed. Atlanta, like Philly, seems like a young team that peaked too quickly.

WEST
Northwest-Utah, Portland, Denver, Minnesota, OKC
Oden's health greatly impacts how this division will play out. Utah is the best passing team I've seen in a long time; if they can just play a little defense they'll win 60 games easy. I hope the real Kevin Durant shows up this year.

Pacific-Lakers, Phoenix, Clippers, GS, Sacremento
Top to bottom, the Lakers are the most talented team in the NBA. If they don't win it all, I believe it will be through their own doing, either as a consequence of poor health or lack of trust.

Southwest-NO, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Memphis
It's sort of a theme, but again, health will play a huge role here. Houston looks like a championship caliber team: great post guy, great perimeter player, great defensive stopper, and an underrated bench. I'm taking the Hornets because Yao Ming has not been able to stay healthy, and because Chris Paul is a super-duper badass.

East Finals:
Cleveland over Boston(very nearly happened last year)

West Finals:
New Orleans over LA Lakers

NBA Finals:
New Orleans over Cleveland
James and Paul are the league's two best players, so it's fitting they should play for it all.

How can anyone watch the NBA regular season?

go warriors!!!

DA EAST
Atlantic Division

Boston
Philly
Toronto
New Jersey
New York

Poor loss to Indiana tonight aside, Boston is set to win the division again. However, I do believe Philly will give them some competition (although nothing too serious). I have a feeling the Toronto Experiment will implode; also Calderon will struggle a bit. Jersey is setting up for the long-term and are definitely in better shape than the Knicks.

Central Division

Cleveland
Chicago
Detroit
Indiana
Milwaukee

The Cavs snatch it up on LeBron's will alone. Maybe Mo Williams will help some... Chicago certainly has the talent but a very green and not-so confidence exuding coach in Del Negro. They may hit their stride mid-season. Detroit knows how to get it done, but everyone's getting old fast. Indiana (- Tinsley) seems prepared to establish a winning attitude again while I still smell futility from the Bucks.

Southeast Division

Orlando
Miami
Washington
Atlanta
Charlotte

The one time I'm not changing Ani's order. Orlando has all the pieces together, and the bench to compliment 'em. Miami has a ways to go but is in WAY better shape than last year. Butler and Jamison's numbers surely can't be replicated this year while Agent Zero's away (AGAIN)... right? Atlanta got a taste of being the spoiler during the playoffs and may make it once more this season by the skin of their teeth. BOBCATS? YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!

A week in and the NBA has its first big trade of the season, with Allen Iverson going to Detroit and Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess(who may be on his way back to Detroit in 30 days) heading to Denver.

The contract situations here are very different. Iverson will be a free agent after this year, along with his new teammate Rasheed Wallace, giving Detroit the chance to make some noise next offseason if this experiment doesn't work. It also makes room for Rodney Stuckey next year, which could be big. Meanwhile, Billups is under contract through 2011, and Denver now has a pretty substantial chunk of money tied up with their big 4(about $160 million). I do think Billups is the best player acquired in the trade, personally, but unless Denver thinks he's the missing championship piece, I don't really get the move from their perspective.

Detroit is opening the door for Stuckey and freeing up cash to make a run a Lebron James or one of the others in that free agent class.

as long as the lakers dont win a championship and the warriors win more games than the clippers I will consider this a good year...