NBA Preview pt. 1

THE HEAVY HITTERS

1. LA Lakers

They may not be the popular choice for No. 1 in the league due to the Miami Heat's offseason, but champions are champions until they are dethroned.

The core nucleus is still with the team, including most of its depth, minus Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison's mustache (its progress being that much more legitimate than its host). You know the key players: Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant. And the addition of Steve Blake and Matt Barnes are key to a title defense.

Blake is a good three-point shooter and a highly-efficient ball handler, while Barnes will add defense to an extremely-deep bench. Also, don't forget the electric Shannon Brown.

All the pieces are in place to repeat, and all the attention and expectations being placed on the Miami Heat will be a blessing in disguise.

2. Boston Celtics

Last year's runner-up gave the Lakers everything they could handle while missing Kendrick Perkins to injury in Game 7 of the Finals. Who knows what would have happened if he had been there.

The Celtics are old, but they're wily, they know their roles, and they know what it takes to win. With their primary focus being on defense, and the addition of Shaq to clog the middle as well as the addition of Jermaine O’Neil to help bump up the size on the bench. This team will be a handful for anyone they go up against.

This is Kevin Garnett's second year, returning from severe knee injury. If all indications are correct, he should be ready to compete at a high level this season. Also, the removal of locker room cancer Rasheed Wallace can do nothing but help this team.

Boston's starting five have the ability to wear teams down and the unique ability to bring high-energy guys like Nate Robinson and Glen Davis to pick up the tempo and exploit the exhaustion of any opponent's starting five.

Don’t look for this team to play coy like they did last year. Playing coy last year stopped the focus on being No. 1 and put it on resting everybody, not caring where they fell in the rankings and deciding they could get to the finals no matter what their playoff position was. And they were right.

This year, the gloves are off. Look for Boston to come out of the gates swinging. They have spent a whole summer brooding over last year's Finals loss. In addition, they have heard every one anoint Miami the champs. That's going to be more than enough motivation for the reigning Eastern Conference champions to make another run this year.

People seem to want to count this team out for their age. But make no mistake, if they come up against the Heat in the playoffs, they will be more than ready.

3. Orlando Magic

Orlando may not have seen many roster changes in the offseason. But for the first time in his career, Dwight Howard is taking his talents -- and his weaknesses -- seriously, working with Hakeem Olajuwon in the offseason to add to his previously-anemic offensive repertoire.

As the leading defensive player the past two seasons, Howard has that part of his game on lockdown. Now, some much-needed work on his low post footwork, as well as his shooting touch, should make sure teams throw a double team his way more often. If Howard can prove to be a force in the paint on offense, he will not only open up the perimeter for an already trigger-happy (and extremely accurate) backcourt, but will make a legitimate run for MVP.

Solid core players Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis make up Orlando's strong nucleus. The addition of Quentin Richardson should round out a deep and skilled bench, and look for J.J. Redick to have a breakout shooting season to help this deadly three-point shooting team.

The big question mark will be Vince Carter. Can he have an All-Star year like the days of old? Or is the old Carter gone for good? Last year we saw flashes of his brilliance, but that's just it -- mostly flashes. If Carter can average 15 points a game and find a new love for defense, Orlando will be a formidable opponent for any of the contenders. If Carter can't give Orlando those numbers, they better make a trade, or they can kiss the Finals goodbye.

With all the attention in Florida being focused on the Heat, the Magic should have plenty of motivation to remind people they were contenders well before the King brought his talents to South Beach.

4. Chicago Bulls

For the past two years the Bulls have provided us with playoff magic. Whether it was the playoff series two years ago when they gave the Celtics all they could handle for seven games, or last year's wonderful comments from Joakim Noah in regards to Cleveland as a vacation spot (one of my top 10 favorite sports quotes ever). Well folks, that team is back and better than ever.

The Bulls had a big offseason, acquiring Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver to complement Derrick Rose and Noah. Boozer hurt himself in the preseason though, so don't expect a fast start. But this team will hold the fort well until he gets back.

This season should be different from last year's 41-41 team, so long as the injury bug stays away from any of the major players. Luol Deng will have to pick up the scoring a bit with the loss of Kirk Hinrich. But Korver should help with that as well.

Noah is poised to have a breakout season, be a consistent double-double guy and continue to be a defensive nightmare for the opposition. Putting Boozer beside Noah on the blocks just adds veteran leadership and chemistry. This team will be able to bang down low with the best of them, even if they're slightly undersized.

The ingredients are on the table, now it's up to first-year head coach Tom Thibodeau to put it all together for a long run in the playoffs. And with some luck, maybe a shot at the Finals.

With their combination of speed, power and youth, this team has a legit shot at taking a run at it. The only sad part is Noah won't be able to say anything about Miami the way he did Cleveland. Then again, I'm sure he will find something.

5. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta would be higher up if it weren’t for their sporadic behavior the last two years -- coming into each season showing promise of a true contender only to fall short and be eliminated early in the playoffs.

New coach Larry Drew brings a more potent offensive scheme to the team and also a more man-to-man approach to an already-potent defensive team.

Their defense is anchored by larger-than-life players Al Horford and Josh Smith. The problem with Smith is he suffers from the same offensive diseases as Dwight Howard, relying strictly on athletic talent to produce offense. If he has improved at all, it could mean trouble for the power forwards and centers who guard him. They could really use a return to form from veteran guard Mike Bibby to assure a deep run in the playoffs.

This team is a year older, a year wiser and has a solid bench to back up their starters. If they can put it together by the end of the season, they will be a force to be reckoned with and will make a legitimate title run for a championship-deprived city.