The baseball season has just ended; the NFL season has hit its halfway point; and the lockout has put the NHL season on hold. And while it seems like it's only been a few weeks since LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and the Miami Heat celebrated winning the NBA Finals, another NBA season is upon us, starting tonight. Some of the same teams are in contention for the NBA title, including the Heat, but some new teams may be on the rise.

Miami Heat - The big three of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh finally won the NBA title they were practically anointed with when LeBron signed with the team in 2010, and by all accounts look like an even more formidable team this season with the addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. But with the mantle of champion comes the obvious elevated expectations, as well as other teams gunning on them for the title. Neverthless, they are the heavy favorites to win the title in 2013.

Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers were extremely busy during the offseason, trading for superstar center Dwight Howard as well as landing Steve Nash. It appears the Lakers are going to make another serious push for an NBA title for Kobe Bryant, whose career may be heading towards the end, while at the same time laying a foundation for the future with Dwight Howard. But they will have to wait for Dwight Howard as he recovers from offseason back surgery.

Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder stormed through the Western Conference last season along with the San Antonio Spurs, thanks to the big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, but they fell short in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. Recently the Thunder made huge headlines when they traded James Harden to The Houston Rockets for Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb. They will most likely have to hold off the Spurs and the revamped Lakers if they expect to make a return trip to the NBA Finals this season.

Boston Celtics - The Celtics re-signed their grizzled veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce but let Ray Allen go the Heat. They plan on using Pierce, Garnett, and guard Rajon Rondo to form the nucleus of a new big three but added Jason Terry from Dallas and drafted Jared Sullinger to back up KG. This may be the last opportunity for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to win an NBA title.

San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs surprised a lot of people last season by finishing tied for the best record in the NBA last season despite an aging lineup in Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginnobili, but they ran out of gas in the Western Conference Finals against a young Oklahoma City Thunder team. If the Spurs expect to make the NBA Fnals this season, coach Greg Popvich may need to take a page from the Celtics playbook and manage his aging players wisely.

Chicago Bulls - The Bulls finished the season tied for the most wins in the NBA, despite having their superstar Derrick Rose injured for much of the season, but his horrifying knee injury in the first game of the NBA playoffs torpedoed their chance at winning an NBA title. Going into this season, they may be the one great team that plays under the radar, as they await the return of Derrick Rose from his knee injury. They would love to have him back in time for Christmas but more realistically expect him back by the All-Star break. In the meantime, they will rely on an old familiar face in Kirk Hinrich to lead the way until Rose returns.

Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers look to become the next big team in LA, and they took a crucial first step by making the playoffs and winning the first round against the Memphis Grizllies. But nagging inujries caught up to them as the Spurs handily beat them in the Western Conference semifinals. The Clippers picked up Lamar Odom from the Mavericks, and they are hoping that a return back home to LA along with the continued play of Chris Pauk and Blake Griffin will launch the Clippers into title contention.

Indiana Pacers - With Derrick Rose expected to miss half the season for the Bulls, the Pacers now find themselves the favorites to win the Central Division. But can their big physical style of play hold off the more athletic Heat?

New York Knicks - Is this the season the New York Kinicks break through and become legitimate title contenders? Will they ever play defense? We'll see...

Brooklyn Nets - The Nets have been a floundering franchise for a few years, but a brand new state-of-the-art arena plus some huge acquisitions in the form of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson plus the return of Brook Lopez from injury have expectations rising. They probably aren't going to contend for a title yet, but could they become this season's LA Clippers? Stay tuned...

At any rate, this looks to be another exciting season of pro basketball. So sit back and enjoy the ride.

I'm looking forward to this season, hopefully Bynum can play at least 70 games for my 76ers this season!

I'm gonna try watch more of this.

728huey said:

Chicago Bulls - The Bulls finished the season tied for the most wins in the NBA, despite having their superstar Derrick Rose injured for much of the season, but his horrifying knee injury in the first game of the NBA playoffs torpedoed their chance at winning an NBA title. Going into this season, they may be the one great team that plays under the radar, as they await the return of Derrick Rose from his knee injury. They would love to have him back in time for Christmas but more realistically expect him back by the All-Star break. In the meantime, they will rely on an old familiar face in Kirk Hinrich to lead the way until Rose returns.

The only thing Hinrich can lead the Bulls 2 is LAST place and visit 2 the IR dr.

Dude is a SCRUB. A backup 2 a backup. The Bulls will be lucky 2 win 40 games this year.

I can't believe that lazy fuck Eddy Curry has lasted this long. Was Isiah right all this time?

Amar'e 's knee injury was worse than expected. Now he's out 6 to 8 weeks - dude is OVA.

uPtoWnNY said:

I can't believe that lazy fuck Eddy Curry has lasted this long. Was Isiah right all this time?

Amar'e 's knee injury was worse than expected. Now he's out 6 to 8 weeks - dude is OVA.

U can't teach 7 feet tall. Those guys have long careers regardless of talent level.

The Heat have the MVP in his prime, fully motivated to do what most in the GOAT conversation have done: repeat as champ.

And they're deeper.

The Lakers have to pass chemistry to graduate from the West.

namepeace said:

The Heat have the MVP in his prime, fully motivated to do what most in the GOAT conversation have done: repeat as champ.

And they're deeper.

The Lakers have to pass chemistry to graduate from the West.

I hate 2 say it out loud.......but I can't see the Heat losing this year. (barring injury)

Graycap23 said:

728huey said:

Chicago Bulls - The Bulls finished the season tied for the most wins in the NBA, despite having their superstar Derrick Rose injured for much of the season, but his horrifying knee injury in the first game of the NBA playoffs torpedoed their chance at winning an NBA title. Going into this season, they may be the one great team that plays under the radar, as they await the return of Derrick Rose from his knee injury. They would love to have him back in time for Christmas but more realistically expect him back by the All-Star break. In the meantime, they will rely on an old familiar face in Kirk Hinrich to lead the way until Rose returns.

The only thing Hinrich can lead the Bulls 2 is LAST place and visit 2 the IR dr.

Dude is a SCRUB. A backup 2 a backup. The Bulls will be lucky 2 win 40 games this year.

Now c'mon. I know the Bulls aren't quite the same team without Derrick Rose, but it's not like they will suck royally without him. They probably won't win the Central Division this year, but barring any further injuries to key players and assuming Rose comes back healthy by the All Star break and at 80% of his basketball form, they should make the playoffs. Now that's assuming Carlos Boozer doesn't turn to crap either (which frankly is a not-so-remote possibility).

JAMES HARDEN

37/12/6/4 in Rockets debut

LittleBLUECorvette said:

JAMES HARDEN

37/12/6/4 in Rockets debut

James was nastaaay!

I'm diggin my new look Sixers. They got something they haven't had since

Allen Iverson. Consistent shooters from the outside. Jason Richardson, Karl Dorell,

and Nick Young. I hope Andrew Bynum doesn't turn out to be another Jeff Ruland

spending more time in the tub than with the club. But if he can get healthy look

out Atlantic Division.

phunkdaddy said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

JAMES HARDEN

37/12/6/4 in Rockets debut

James was nastaaay!

I'm diggin my new look Sixers. They got something they haven't had since

Allen Iverson. Consistent shooters from the outside. Jason Richardson, Karl Dorell,

and Nick Young. I hope Andrew Bynum doesn't turn out to be another Jeff Ruland

spending more time in the tub than with the club. But if he can get healthy look

out Atlantic Division.

That was the Sixers major problem last season. If they couldn't score in transition, they couldn't shoot their way out of a paper bag. Having said that, having a terrific coach in Doug Collins was the difference between them being a lowly also-ran team and being a bonafide playoff team. Now if Bynum can stay healthy, the Sixers could make some waves in the East this season.

uPtoWnNY said:

I can't believe that lazy fuck Eddy Curry has lasted this long. Was Isiah right all this time?

Amar'e 's knee injury was worse than expected. Now he's out 6 to 8 weeks - dude is OVA.

Strange as it may seem. I would take Eddy Curry over Kwame Brown. Hell i would

have bought Alton Lister's ass out of retirement and throw money down the drain

in lieu of signing Kwame.

phunkdaddy said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

JAMES HARDEN

37/12/6/4 in Rockets debut

James was nastaaay!

I'm diggin my new look Sixers. They got something they haven't had since

Allen Iverson. Consistent shooters from the outside. Jason Richardson, Karl Dorell,

and Nick Young. I hope Andrew Bynum doesn't turn out to be another Jeff Ruland

spending more time in the tub than with the club. But if he can get healthy look

out Atlantic Division.

Damn, Jeff Rulund name drop!

LittleBLUECorvette said:

phunkdaddy said:

James was nastaaay!

I'm diggin my new look Sixers. They got something they haven't had since

Allen Iverson. Consistent shooters from the outside. Jason Richardson, Karl Dorell,

and Nick Young. I hope Andrew Bynum doesn't turn out to be another Jeff Ruland

spending more time in the tub than with the club. But if he can get healthy look

out Atlantic Division.

Damn, Jeff Rulund name drop!

Hate to go old school on you here but i remember when him and Rick Mahorn

formed a bullish front line for the Washington Bullets. They used to call them McMean and McNasty.

phunkdaddy said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

JAMES HARDEN

37/12/6/4 in Rockets debut

James was nastaaay!

I'm diggin my new look Sixers. They got something they haven't had since

Allen Iverson. Consistent shooters from the outside. Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright,

and Nick Young. I hope Andrew Bynum doesn't turn out to be another Jeff Ruland

spending more time in the tub than with the club. But if he can get healthy look

out Atlantic Division.

Fixed that for ya' Lol!

Harold Katz really screwed us up back in 86 with that dumb trade!

Abdul said:

phunkdaddy said:

James was nastaaay!

I'm diggin my new look Sixers. They got something they haven't had since

Allen Iverson. Consistent shooters from the outside. Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright,

and Nick Young. I hope Andrew Bynum doesn't turn out to be another Jeff Ruland

spending more time in the tub than with the club. But if he can get healthy look

out Atlantic Division.

Fixed that for ya' Lol!

Harold Katz really screwed us up back in 86 with that dumb trade!

Thanks man.

Oh god don't get me started on Harold Katz. He set our franchise

back several years with that dumb trade.

When Jeff Ruland and Rick Mahorn played for Washington, they were named the 'Beef Brothers'. Ruland was a terrific basketball player in college and the pros before injuries took their toll.

728huey said:

Graycap23 said:

The only thing Hinrich can lead the Bulls 2 is LAST place and visit 2 the IR dr.

Dude is a SCRUB. A backup 2 a backup. The Bulls will be lucky 2 win 40 games this year.

Now c'mon. I know the Bulls aren't quite the same team without Derrick Rose, but it's not like they will suck royally without him. They probably won't win the Central Division this year, but barring any further injuries to key players and assuming Rose comes back healthy by the All Star break and at 80% of his basketball form, they should make the playoffs. Now that's assuming Carlos Boozer doesn't turn to crap either (which frankly is a not-so-remote possibility).

Either u are competing 4 a title or u are NOT.

I'll give u one guess which team the Bulls are.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

JAMES HARDEN

37/12/6/4 in Rockets debut

Props.

Graycap23 said:

namepeace said:

The Heat have the MVP in his prime, fully motivated to do what most in the GOAT conversation have done: repeat as champ.

And they're deeper.

The Lakers have to pass chemistry to graduate from the West.

I hate 2 say it out loud.......but I can't see the Heat losing this year. (barring injury)

They're deeper than they were last year, have shooters to counter any other team's strength, and their biggest threat (on paper, anyways) is struggling in chemistry class early.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

I hate 2 say it out loud.......but I can't see the Heat losing this year. (barring injury)

They're deeper than they were last year, have shooters to counter any other team's strength, and their biggest threat (on paper, anyways) is struggling in chemistry class early.

Yes. I'd bet a large sum of $$$ that they will win it all.

omg wtf is wrong with the Lakers?

their defense is a J-O-K-E

JoeTyler said:

omg wtf is wrong with the Lakers?

their defense is a J-O-K-E

Coaching.

Graycap23 said:

JoeTyler said:

omg wtf is wrong with the Lakers?

their defense is a J-O-K-E

Coaching.

Nope, it's the players.

I could coach Kobe, Pau, Nash, Dwight and World Peace. Well, maybe not World Peace.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Graycap23 said:

Coaching.

Nope, it's the players.

I could coach Kobe, Pau, Nash, Dwight and World Peace. Well, maybe not World Peace.

So if u can.............what does that say about this coach and that dumb Princeton offense?

JoeTyler said:

omg wtf is wrong with the Lakers?

their defense is a J-O-K-E

I'll spell it for you. EDDIE JORDAN

This guy doesn't have a clue. He totally flushed Philly's season down the

drain 3 years ago with that Princeton nonsense when Philly's team wasn't

built to run that offense. Totally wasted a year of Elton Brand's prime with

Philly. I've read that Antawn Jamison is struggling heavily with this offense.

Sam Dalembert hated the offense too when he was with Philly.

[Edited 11/1/12 15:05pm]

Graycap23 said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Graycap23 said:

So if u can.............what does that say about this coach and that dumb Princeton offense?

They should be running there own fast breaks.

My theory . . .

The Princeton Offense would guarantee Kobe's touches don't go down. Part of him still doesn't wanna share the basketball.

The P.O. worked in SAC for a while, but that's because 1) they had the architect Pete Carill on the Kings' staff, and 2) they only had one bona fide superstar. They've got the PG, PF, and C to run it. But LA's been in the business of Keeping Kobe Happy for nearly 20 years. It's a hard habit to break.

This begins and ends with Kobe.

End of C-O-N-spiracy rant.

namepeace said:

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Graycap23 said: They should be running there own fast breaks.

My theory . . .

The Princeton Offense would guarantee Kobe's touches don't go down. Part of him still doesn't wanna share the basketball.

The P.O. worked in SAC for a while, but that's because 1) they had the architect Pete Carill on the Kings' staff, and 2) they only had one bona fide superstar. They've got the PG, PF, and C to run it. But LA's been in the business of Keeping Kobe Happy for nearly 20 years. It's a hard habit to break.

This begins and ends with Kobe.

End of C-O-N-spiracy rant.

What the hell has Princeton won with the offense? N O T H I N G.