There’s a new team, a new arena in Brooklyn. There’s new hope in Los Angeles with Superman Dwight Howard flying from Orlando and landing amid an All-Star starting unit also populated by Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash. There’s a lot new in the NBA this season. But when June comes around, the Finals could be the same story as last year: The Heat over the Thunder for the NBA championship. Here’s a quick look on how it could shake out by division:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1 BOSTON CELTICS
Key Additions: G Jason Terry, G Courtney Lee, G Leandro Barbosa,
C Darko Milicic, C Jason Collins,
F Jared Sullinger, F Jeff Green
Key Subtractions: G Ray Allen,
G Marquis Daniels, C Greg Stiemsma
The Celtics added depth, athleticism, depth, size and more depth — Barbosa is the fifth guard, OK? — so the graybeards can rest. Kevin Garnett is booked early for five-minute stretches while Rajon Rondo is expected to take the next step and Paul Pierce is expected to be Paul Pierce. In addition to the imports, they get back Avery Bradley from injury and Green, whose medical status led to free agency but he re-upped with the C’s.
2 BROOKLYN NETS
Key additions: G Joe Johnson, G C.J. Watson, F/C Andray Blatche, F Josh Childress, F Reggie Evans, F Mirza Teletovic, G Tyshawn Taylor
Key Subtractions: G Anthony Morrow, G Jordan Farmar, F Gerald Green
The Nets are taking the rivalry to the Knicks with their deepest roster in years. The key was getting PG Deron Williams to re-sign after upgrading the roster, which began with the acquisition of Johnson, who has been superb when paired with an elite point. The X-factor is C Brook Lopez coming off a broken foot. SF Gerald Wallace and PF Kris Humphries bring quality to their positions. Defense is the question.
3 NEW YORK KNICKS
Key Additions: G Jason Kidd, G Ronnie Brewer, G Raymond Felton, C Marcus Camby, F Kurt Thomas, F Rasheed Wallace, G Pablo Prigioni
Key Subtractions: G Jeremy Lin, G Landry Fields, C Josh Harrelson
On one hand, they’re experienced. On the other, they’re old. So health is an issue. The biggest offseason move was one they didn’t make: not matching Jeremy Lin’s offer sheet. They have Felton, Kidd and Prigioni for PG. Everything runs through F Carmelo Anthony and questions persist about if he can co-exist with Amar’e Stoudemire (whose knee is a chronic worry). Tyson Chandler, Wallace and Camby capably will guard the rim. The Knicks can’t get Iman Shumpert back fast enough.
4 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Key Additions: C Andrew Bynum,
G Jason Richardson, F Dorell Wright
Key Subtractions: G/F Andre Iguodala, F Elton Brand, G Lou Williams, G Jodie Meeks
The Sixers’ season comes down to three words: Andrew Bynum’s health. And when he returns is guesswork. The summer brought better 3-point shooting with Wright and Richardson. Coach Doug Collins makes the most of what he has but it could take time — only five guys return.
5 TORONTO RAPTORS
Key Additions: C Jonas Valanciunas, G Landry Fields, G Kyle Lowry
Key Subtractions: F James Johnson,
G Jerryd Bayless
The Raptors should be vastly improved with most eyes on 6-foot-11 center Valanciunas, who was stashed in Europe for a year. Lowry is coach Dwane Casey’s type of point. Andrea Bargnani is a prototype stretch four but has to stay healthy. They like Fields, who doesn’t excel at anything but is a player.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1 MIAMI HEAT
Key Additions: G Ray Allen, F Rashard Lewis
Key Subtractions: C Ronny Turiaf
One general rule for stress-free living is never bet against the defending champs. So look for a Heat repeat. LeBron James no longer has to hear he can’t get it done. The core including Dwyane Wade and a bulkier Chris Bosh that ended OKC’s bid in five games returns, bolstered by the addition of Ray Allen, who will likely hit threes forever. Rashard Lewis, underachieving much of his career, could thrive with the Big Three. They still lack beef up front (Bosh will play center) but they put five players on the floor and win.
2 ATLANTA HAWKS
Key Additions: G Lou Williams,
G Kyle Korver, G Devin Harris
Key Subtractions: G Joe Johnson,
F Marvin Williams
New GM Danny Ferry went into total rebuilding mode. He traded what was thought to be the NBA’s most untradeable contract (Joe Johnson), sent out Marvin Williams and imported a bevy of expiring deals plus terrific sub Lou Williams. There is future cap flexibility and still a talented frontcourt anchored by Al Horford, who was crippled by injury last year.
3 WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Key Additions: G Bradley Beal,
G. A.J. Price, G/F Martell Webster,
F Trevor Ariza, C Emeka Okafor
Key Subtractions: F/C Andray Blatche, F Rashard Lewis
The Wizards went through a half-dozen different starting lineups in the preseason and the health issues — Nene (foot), John Wall (knee), Okafor (dings, dents, bumps) — has cast a pall. Nene will not be ready for opening night and there is no real timetable for a return. And Wall won’t be back until December. The knucklehead level went down but unfortunately the talent level didn’t overflow in the offseason.
4 ORLANDO MAGIC
Key Additions: C/F Nikola Vucevic,
F Andrew Nicholson, G Arron Afflalo, C/F Gustavo Ayon, F Maurice Harkless, F Al Harrington
Key Subtractions: C Dwight Howard, F Ryan Anderson
Orlando still stings from seeing its second franchise center, Dwight Howard, like Shaq before him, as a Laker. Familiar faces remain: G Jameer Nelson, F Glen Davis, F Hedo Turkoglu, G J.J. Redick. Ex-Sixer Vucevic gets to fill Howard’s spot at both ends with bruiser Ayon as his sub. Good luck.
5 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Key Additions: F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, G Ramon Sessions
Key Subtractions: G D.J. Augustin,
F Corey Maggette
They brought in St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap as coach in a move almost universally met with “Who?” But the Bobcats wanted a teacher, which Dunlap is. The first thing he will have to teach is patience. The Bobcats again will stink after their 7-59 horror.
CENTRAL DIVISION
1 INDIANA PACERS
Key Additions: G D.J. Augustin,
F Gerald Green
Key Subtractions: G Darren Collison, G Leandro Barbosa
Indy’s size is fearsome, the starting unit impressive. George Hill goes for his first full tour at point, SF Danny Granger is the consensus go-to guy, PF David West is a masterful blue collar sort (and the only guy over 30), C Roy Hibbert is a shot-blocking stud who must live up to a max deal.
2 CHICAGO BULLS
Key Additions: G Kirk Hinrich, C Nazr Mohammed, G Nate Robinson
Key Subtractions: C Omer Asik,
G Ronnie Brewer, G Kyle Korver
Subtractions far outweigh additions. But the biggest subtraction is 2011 MVP Derrick Rose (knee), out until perhaps early March, maybe the whole season. He returns, Chicago threatens. Coach Tom Thibodeau maxes talent, demands defense. The great bench is no more as Taj Gibson is the main holdover. The Bulls go as far as their terrific starting core carries them, likely a 5 to 7 East seed.
3 MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Key Additions: C Samuel Dalembert, C Joel Przybilla, F/C John Henson
Key Subtractions: G Carlos Delfino,
G Shaun Livingston
There is a star-power backcourt in Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings. But both are free-agent eligible after the season, so sharing and playing nice could get testy. Replacing traded Andrew Bogut at center is shot-blocker Dalembert with vet Przybilla in support.
4 DETROIT PISTONS
Key Additions: C Andre Drummond, C Vlacheslav Kravtsov, F Corey Maggette
Key Subtractions: G Ben Gordon, C Ben Wallace, F Damien Wilkins
Detroit is rebuilding and much of it evolves around F Greg Monroe, who made remarkable second-year progress. Now the hope is rookie C Drummond progresses quickly enough to allow Monroe to be a full-time four. The backcourt of 6-foot-3 Brandon Knight and 6-5 Rodney Stuckey is talented but decidedly small.
5 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Key Additions: G Dion Waiters,
C Tyler Zeller, F Jon Leuer
Key Subtractions: F Antawn Jamison, G Anthony Parker, C Ryan Hollins
Cleveland is in for the long haul with money to spend after this season. PG Kyrie Irving is a star, quickly becoming a big-time scorer. But he must stay healthy, which has been an issue. PF Tristan Thompson has progressed quickly but needs to rebound better.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
1 SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Key Additions: G Nando De Colo
Key Subtractions: G James Anderson
They just keep going. Despite exiting in four straight after a 2-0 lead in West Finals, the Spurs are back intact. So all the familiar faces — C/F Tim Duncan, PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili — are back for yet another run. Boris Diaw goes alongside Duncan after disappointment from DeJuan Blair and inconsistency from Tiago Splitter. SG Danny Green starts, Ginobili finishes.
2 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Key Addition: G Jerryd Bayless
Key Subtractions: G O.J. Mayo
The Grizzlies are a team no one wants to see in the playoffs. They have size with PF Zach Randolph and C Marc Gasol. They have a go-to scorer in SF Rudy Gay, a terrific perimeter defender in SG Tony Allen and a playmaker in PG Mike Conley. They disappointed in the playoffs after a great 2011 postseason but Randolph’s knee had a lot to do with that. He’s healthy again. And the Grizzlies are dangerous again.
3 DALLAS MAVERICKS
Key Additions: F Elton Brand,
G Darren Collison, G O.J. Mayo
Key Subtractions: G Jason Kidd,
G Jason Terry, C Ian Mahinmi
There’s one question: How quickly does PF Dirk Nowitzki (knee scope) heal? OK, there’s another question: How the heck can Eddy Curry start opening night? Well, Curry goes only if Chris Kaman (calf) can’t. Dallas lost a lot with Kidd and Terry gone and Deron Williams opting to stay in Brooklyn.
4 HOUSTON ROCKETS
Key additions: G Jeremy Lin, G James Harden,
C Omer Asik,
F Terrence Jones
Key Subtractions:
G Kevin Martin,
G Kyle Lowry,
G Goran Dragic,
F Chase Budinger,
F Louis Scola,
C Samuel Dalembert
The addition of Harden and the subtraction of Martin completed a total makeover from last season — SF Chandler Parsons (9.5 ppg) is the top returning scorer. They have an intriguing backcourt in Lin, who needs to show he was not a one-hit wonder, and Harden, who gives Houston a franchise-type player.
5 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
Key Additions: C Anthony Davis,
F Ryan Anderson, G Austin Rivers
Key Subtractions: G Jarrett Jack,
G/F Trevor Ariza, F Chris Kaman
Think long term. You’ve got to. The Hornets, through lottery luck, landed the top rookie prize in Davis, Kentucky’s superb big. Also huge was keeping SG Eric Gordon, who opted to stay through the rebuilding. Chris Paul is long gone from the point, which now is manned by Greivis Vasquez.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
1 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Key Additions: G Kevin Martin,
F Perry Jones III, G Jeremy Lamb
Key Subtractions: G James Harden,
C Nazr Mohammed, G Royal Ivey
The Harden deal, after OKC and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year couldn’t agree on an extension, gave the Thunder three potentially valuable 2013 picks, Martin and a potential-laden rookie in Lamb. With All-Galaxy mega-star F Kevin Durant and ever-improving stud point Russell Westbrook, the Thunder can still overcome Harden’s absence and the A-list starting unit of the Lakers.
2 DENVER NUGGETS
Key Additions: G/F Andre Iguodala,
G Evan Fournier, F Anthony Randolph
Key Subtractions: G Arron Afflalo,
G Rudy Fernandez, F Al Harrington
At least one GM likes Denver’s chance to come out of the West, citing “a great young roster” and “great coach” in George Karl. PG Ty Lawson is at the heart of it all and will lead an up-tempo offense that could cause friction burns. SF Danilo Gallinari is knocking on the door of true stardom. Incoming G/F Iguodala is a glue type, a scorer, superb perimeter defender.
3 UTAH JAZZ
Key Additions: F Marvin Williams,
G Randy Foye, G Mo Williams
Key Subtractions: G Devin Harris
The Jazz are loaded up front and distributing minutes could be a problem, one most teams would give a second-round pick to have. C Al Jefferson is the Hulk at center with a slimmed down 6-foot-11 Enes Kanter in support. At PF, the reliable if undersized Paul Millsap continues to amaze while third year PF Derrick Favors continues to improve.
4 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Key Additions: F Andrei Kirilenko,
F Chase Budinger, G Brandon Roy
Key Subtractions: F Michael Beasley, G/F Wesley Johnson, C Darko Milicic
The excitement is real — and would be more legit if the season began in December. That’s when PG Ricky Rubio (knee) and PF Kevin Love (wrist) are due back. If the T’wolves survive November minus their two studs, it could be fun. Roy is trying a comeback after one year out.
5 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Key Additions: G Damian Lillard,
C Meyers Leonard, G Ronnie Price
Key Subtractions: G Raymond Felton, G Jamal Crawford, C Joel Przybilla
The Blazers have a proven stud in PF LaMarcus Aldridge. Now if he can just play the Bugs Bunny style — every position at once — the Blazers are set. SF Nicolas Batum finally gets elevated from the bench to the first unit. The real hope is that rookies Lillard and Leonard fast track their development by light years.
PACIFIC DIVISION
1 L.A. LAKERS
Key Additions: C Dwight Howard, G Steve Nash, F Antawn Jamison,
G Jodie Meeks, G Chris Duhon
Key Subtractions: C Andrew Bynum, G Ramon Sessions, F Matt Barnes
Kobe Bryant, Howard, Nash, Pau Gasol. How could it not work? How could the Yankees get swept in the ALCS? Strange things happen. Everyone will watch to see if Kobe defers to Nash’s intuition and direction. All the star power should work, but even stars fall prey to age and injury and that could be the Lakers’ biggest concern, along with incorporating new Princeton offense elements — and, of course, OKC in the West Finals.
2. L.A. CLIPPERS
Key Additions: G Jamal Crawford,
F Grant Hill, F Lamar Odom
Key Subtractions: G Mo Williams,
G Randy Foye, G/F Nick Young
There was a lot of movement but mainly on the bench, where there are upgrades in talent and chemistry. There is always the pressure to match the Lakers, but there will be even more pressure with Chris Paul in his contract year and the demands to be good to keep him. PF Blake Griffin continues the star power parade. Chauncey Billups is not your prototype SG but he is proven and adaptable. Hill, Odom, Crawford provide a potentially explosive bench. If C DeAndre Jordan and potential merge, this could be fun.
3 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Key Additions:
G Jarrett Jack, F Carl Landry, F Harrison Barnes
Key Subtractions: F Dorell Wright,
G Nate Robinson
If healthy, the Warriors could be a playoff team. Big if. The health of offensive threat G Stephen Curry and legit post presence C Andrew Bogut, both bummed by chronic ankle woes, determine how far Mark Jackson’s crew goes. If they defend and stay healthy, they’ll challenge for a playoff spot.
4 SACRAMENTO KINGS
Key Additions: G Aaron Brooks,
F James Johnson, F Thomas Robinson
Key Subtractions: F Donte Greene
On paper, the outlook is promising. C DeMarcus Cousins is a monster talent but a potential major headache. Tyreke Evans, a former Rookie of the Year point, now likely is the small forward. Rookie PF Robinson, picked fifth, gives solid hope for the future as well as a potential low-post power alignment.
5 PHOENIX SUNS
Key Additions: G Goran Dragic,
F Michael Beasley, F Luis Scola
Key Subtractions: G Steve Nash,
F Grant Hill, C Robin Lopez
Former Nash understudy Dragic is back to run the point and pick and rolls with C Marcin Gortat. Not quite Stockton to Malone. But Dragic can play and he’ll run with Jared Dudley and have some finishing power in Beasley and bargain pickup — OK, steal — Scola.