A look at the 30 NBA teams as they head into the 2010-11 season, in predicted order of finish by division:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
BOSTON CELTICS
LAST SEASON: 50-32, lost to Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 in NBA finals.
STARTING FIVE: G Rajon Rondo (13.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 9.8 apg, 2.3 spg), G Ray Allen (16.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.6 apg), F Paul Pierce (18.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.1 apg), F Kevin Garnett (14.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), C Jermaine O’Neal (13.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.3 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: C/F Jermaine O’Neal (free agent, Heat), C Shaquille O’Neal (free agent, Cavaliers), G Delonte West (free agent, Cavaliers).
KEY LOSSES: C Rasheed Wallace (retired), G Tony Allen (free agent, Grizzlies), F Brian Scalabrine (free agent, Bulls).
COACH: Doc Rivers, seventh season with Celtics, 12th season overall; 451-380.
EYES ON: Garnett. Rivers has frequently said he expects Garnett to be better this season than last, since the All-Star forward will be a year further away from knee surgery that took away much of his explosiveness.
OUTLOOK: If they have everyone healthy for the postseason – starting center Kendrick Perkins remains out after tearing up his knee in Game 6 of the finals – the Celtics believe they have another title run in them. They’d have a size advantage up front against Miami, their presumed top challenger in the East.
NEW YORK KNICKS
LAST SEASON: 29-53, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Raymond Felton (12.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.6 apg), G Wilson Chandler (15.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), F Danilo Gallinari (15.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Amare Stoudemire (21.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.0 apg), C Timofey Mozgov (rookie).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Stoudemire (trade, Suns), G Felton (free agent, Bobcats), F Anthony Randolph (trade, Warriors), C Ronny Turiaf (trade, Warriors), G Kelenna Azubuike (trade, Warriors), C Mozgov (free agent, Europe).
KEY LOSSES: F/C David Lee (trade, Warriors), F Al Harrington (free agent, Nuggets), G Chris Duhon (free agent, Magic).
COACH: Mike D’Antoni, third season with Knicks, ninth season overall; 328-275.
EYES ON: Stoudemire. Instantly becomes the best player the Knicks have had in years, and he’s eager to show he can still put up big numbers in D’Antoni’s system even without Steve Nash.
OUTLOOK: The Knicks have to be better, just because they’re actually focused on winning games now after spending the last two seasons trading away some of their best players to clear salary cap space for free agency. Maybe they’re even good enough to end a playoff drought that’s tied with Minnesota for the NBA’s longest.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
LAST SEASON: 27-55, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Jrue Holiday (8.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg), G Evan Turner (rookie), F Andre Iguodala (17.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.7 spg), F Thaddeus Young (13.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.4 apg), C Elton Brand (13.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.4 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Turner (draft, No. 2), F Andres Nocioni (trade, Kings), C Spencer Hawes (trade, Kings)
KEY LOSSES: C Samuel Dalembert (trade, Kings), G Willie Green (trade, Hornets), F Rodney Carney (free agent, Warriors).
COACH: Doug Collins, first season with 76ers, ninth season overall; 332-287.
EYES ON: Brand. Hasn’t produced as the Sixers hoped under any of the three coaches he’s had since coming to Philadelphia. Now Collins will see if he can find something that works.
OUTLOOK: An old Sixers guard (Collins) and a new one (Turner) try to bring some passion and success to a team that had little of either during a dismal 2009-10.
NEW JERSEY NETS
LAST SEASON: 12-70, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Devin Harris (16.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.6 apg), G Anthony Morrow (13.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Travis Outlaw (9.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.7 apg), F Troy Murphy (14.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.1 apg), C Brook Lopez (18.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.7 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Murphy (free agent, Pacers), F Outlaw (free agent, Trail Blazers), G Morrow (free agent, Warriors), G Jordan Farmar (free agent, Lakers), F Derrick Favors (draft, No. 3).
KEY LOSSES: G Courtney Lee (trade, Rockets), F Yi Jianlian (trade, Wizards), F Chris Douglas-Roberts (trade, Bucks).
COACH: Avery Johnson, first season with Nets, fifth season overall; 194-70.
EYES ON: The stands. Set to spend at least the next two seasons in a new arena in Newark, the Nets are hoping to see fans in the seats after they were plagued by tiny crowds near the end of their time at the Meadowlands.
OUTLOOK: New owner Mikhail Prokhorov has talked of an ambitious goal of the playoffs this season and a championship within five years. The latter is possible, the former seems unlikely.
TORONTO RAPTORS
LAST SEASON: 40-42, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Jarrett Jack (11.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.0 apg), G DeMar DeRozan (8.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.7 apg), F Linas Kleiza (not in NBA last season), F Andrea Bargnani (17.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg), C Amir Johnson (6.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 0.8 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Leandro Barbosa (trade, Suns), F Kleiza (free agent, Europe), F Ed Davis (draft, No. 13).
KEY LOSSES: F Chris Bosh (trade, Heat), F Hedo Turkoglu (trade, Suns).
COACH: Jay Triano, third season; 65-82.
EYES ON: Kleiza. After a strong season with Olympiakos, where he averaged 17.1 points in Euroleague games, and leading Lithuania to a bronze medal in the world championship, ready to see if that carries over in his return to NBA ball.
OUTLOOK: Couldn’t make the playoffs even with Bosh, so it’s hard to imagine them doing it without him.
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SOUTHEAST DIVISION
MIAMI HEAT
LAST SEASON: 47-35, lost to Boston 4-1 in first round of playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Carlos Arroyo (6.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Dwyane Wade (26.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.5 apg), F LeBron James (29.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 8.6 apg), F Chris Bosh (24.0 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), C Joel Anthony (2.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F James (trade, Cavaliers), F Bosh (trade, Raptors), F Mike Miller (free agent, Wizards), C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (free agent, Cavaliers), F Juwan Howard (free agent, Trail Blazers).
KEY LOSSES: F Michael Beasley (trade, Timberwolves), C Jermaine O’Neal (free agent, Celtics), F Quentin Richardson (free agent, Magic), F Dorell Wright (free agent, Warriors)
COACH: Erik Spoelstra, third season; 90-74.
EYES ON: James. No longer on a team where he’s forced to do almost everything, his chances for a championship have never been better. And if the Heat don’t win one, the two-time MVP will surely shoulder much of the blame.
OUTLOOK: Assembling the James-Wade-Bosh trio made the Heat the clear winners in July, and putting a strong supporting cast around them makes Miami a favorite to be the big winner in June.
ORLANDO MAGIC
LAST SEASON: 59-23, lost to Boston 4-2 in Eastern Conference finals.
STARTING FIVE: G Jameer Nelson (12.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.4 apg), G Vince Carter (16.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.1 apg), F Quentin Richardson (8.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.2 apg), F Rashard Lewis (14.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.5 apg), Dwight Howard (18.3 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 2.8 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Richardson (free agent, Heat); F Chris Duhon (free agent, Knicks).
KEY LOSSES: F Matt Barnes (free agent, Lakers).
COACH: Stan Van Gundy, fourth season with Magic, seventh season overall; 282-149.
EYES ON: Howard. Has been the NBA’s top defensive player each of the last two seasons, but his offense must continue to improve if he’s going to be the dominant all-around player the Magic need him to be to win the East.
OUTLOOK: Almost all the attention is on the other team in Florida, but the Magic are deep enough to feel they’ll be playing games in their new arena sometime in June. Much depends on Howard, whom the Heat have no answer for if he becomes a serious offensive option.
ATLANTA HAWKS
LAST SEASON: 53-29, lost to Orlando 4-0 in second round of playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Mike Bibby (9.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.9 apg), G Joe Johnson (21.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.9 apg), F Marvin Williams (10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.1 apg), F Josh Smith (15.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.1 bpg), C Al Horford (14.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.3 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: None.
KEY LOSSES: None.
COACH: Larry Drew, first season.
EYES ON: Johnson. Scored a max contract to stay in Atlanta and needs to perform the way he did in the regular season to prove he was worth it, not as he did while averaging 12.8 points on 30 percent shooting in a dreadful second-round sweep by Orlando.
OUTLOOK: Last two seasons have showed Atlanta’s ceiling is reaching the second round of the playoffs. With so many powerful teams in the East, hard to believe it’s any higher now.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
LAST SEASON: 44-38, lost 4-0 to Orlando in first round of playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G D.J. Augustin (6.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.4 apg), G Stephen Jackson (20.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.7 apg), F Gerald Wallace (18.2 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg), F Boris Diaw (11.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 apg), C Nazr Mohammed (7.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.7 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Kwame Brown (free agent, Pistons), G Shaun Livingston (free agent, Wizards).
KEY LOSSES: G Raymond Felton (free agent, Knicks), C Tyson Chandler (trade, Mavericks).
COACH: Larry Brown, third season with Bobcats, 26th overall; 1,089-885.
EYES ON: Augustin. Playing point guard for the notoriously demanding Brown is tough enough. Doing so as the replacement for Felton, whom Brown didn’t want to lose, makes it even tougher. But owner Michael Jordan says he’s confident in his new starter.
OUTLOOK: As long as he sticks around Charlotte – and since this is now his third season, it may not be much longer – Brown will get the most out of the Bobcats. That may be enough to get them back into the postseason.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
LAST SEASON: 26-56, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G John Wall (rookie), G Gilbert Arenas (22.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 7.2 apg), G Kirk Hinrich (10.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.5 apg), F Andray Blatche (14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg), C JaVale McGee (6.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Wall (draft, No. 1), G Hinrich (trade, Bulls), F Yi Jianlian (trade, Nets).
KEY LOSSES: F Mike Miller (free agent, Heat), G Shaun Livingston (free agent, Bobcats)
COACH: Flip Saunders, second season with Wizards, 15th season overall; 613-452.
EYES ON: Wall. He’s looked like a potential star, and more importantly for the Wizards, a definite leader for a team that sorely needs both.
OUTLOOK: From Arenas’ suspension for bringing guns to the Verizon Center to the trades of former stars Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, 2009-10 couldn’t have been worse for the Wizards. Hope returned when they won the lottery and got Wall, and perhaps the wins will follow.
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CENTRAL DIVISION
CHICAGO BULLS
LAST SEASON: 41-41, lost to Cleveland in first round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Derrick Rose (20.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.0 apg), G Ronnie Brewer (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg), F Luol Deng (17.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.0 apg), F Carlos Boozer (19.5 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 3.2 apg), C Joakim Noah (10.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.1 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Boozer (trade, Jazz), F Brewer (free agent, Grizzlies), G Kyle Korver (free agent, Jazz), F Kurt Thomas (free agent, Bucks), G C.J. Watson (trade, Warriors), G Keith Bogans (free agent, Spurs).
KEY LOSSES: G Kirk Hinrich (trade, Wizards), F Hakim Warrick (trade, Suns)
COACH: Tom Thibodeau, first season.
EYES ON: Boozer. The Bulls have been too perimeter-based over the last few seasons, getting little production in the lane. He’ll be expected to provided it once he returns from his preseason broken hand.
OUTLOOK: After settling for low seeds and getting eliminated early the last two years, the rebuilt Bulls should at least fight for home-court advantage in the first round.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
LAST SEASON: 46-36, lost to Atlanta 4-3 in first round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Brandon Jennings (15.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.7 apg), G John Salmons (15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.8 apg), F Carlos Delfino (11.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), F Drew Gooden (10.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg; 0.7 apg), C Andrew Bogut (15.9 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Gooden (free agent, Clippers); G/F Corey Maggette (trade, Warriors), G/F Chris Douglas-Roberts (trade, Nets), C Jon Brockman (trade, Kings), G Earl Boykins (free agent, Wizards), G Keyon Dooling (free agent, Nets).
KEY LOSSES: G Luke Ridnour (free agent, Timberwolves), G Charlie Bell (trade, Warriors), F Kurt Thomas (free agent, Bulls)
COACH: Scott Skiles, third season with Bucks, 11th season overall; 361-335.
EYES ON: Bogut. Was playing near an All-Star level last season before his horrible injury in a fall. He’s still been experiencing pain in the preseason that he admits could last awhile, so it may be hard to pick up where he left off.
OUTLOOK: Milwaukee nearly pulled off a playoff upset last season even without Bogut and Michael Redd, and perhaps made enough summer upgrades to finish the job this time. Redd, making $18.3 million in the final year of his contract, is not expected back until at least midseason as he rehabs a tear in his left for knee for the second straight year following a season-ending injury in January.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
LAST SEASON: 61-21, lost to Boston 4-2 in second round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Mo Williams (15.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.3 apg), G Anthony Parker (7.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.9 apg), F Antawn Jamison (18.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.3 apg), F J.J. Hickson (8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.5 apg), F Anderson Varejao (8.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.1 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Ramon Sessions (trade, Timberwolves), C Ryan Hollins (trade, Timberwolves)
KEY LOSSES: F LeBron James (trade, Heat), C Shaquille O’Neal (free agent, Celtics), C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (free agent, Heat), G Delonte West (trade, Timberwolves).
COACH: Byron Scott, first season with Cavaliers, 11th season overall; 352-355.
EYES ON: Jamison. He’ll either be one of the keys to keeping the Cavs competitive in the post-James era, or one of the most frequently mentioned names around the trade deadline.
OUTLOOK: The Cavaliers were the NBA’s best team over the last two regular seasons. Of course, they had the league’s MVP both years. With James gone, so is the hope of remaining at the top of the standings.
DETROIT PISTONS
LAST SEASON: 27-55, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Rodney Stuckey (16.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.8 apg), G Richard Hamilton (18.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Tayshaun Prince (13.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg), F Charlie Villanueva (11.9 ppg, 647 rpg, 0.7 apg), C Ben Wallace (5.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Greg Monroe (draft, No. 7), G/F Tracy McGrady (free agent, Knicks).
KEY LOSSES: None.
COACH: John Kuester, second season, 27-55.
EYES ON: Hamilton and Prince. Both were limited to fewer than 50 games during injury-plagued 2009-10 seasons. Detroit needs both on the floor to get back into playoff contention.
OUTLOOK: Pistons had no real way of knowing what they had last season because they could never get all their pieces on the floor at the same time. And their bad luck already appears to be repeating itself: Forward Jonas Jerebko is lost for at least five months with an injured Achilles’ tendon.
INDIANA PACERS
LAST SEASON: 32-50, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Darren Collison (12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.7 apg), G Mike Dunleavy (9.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Danny Granger (24.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Josh McRoberts (4.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg), C Roy Hibbert (11.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Collison (trade, Hornets), F James Posey (trade, Hornets), F Paul George (draft, No. 10).
KEY LOSSES: F Troy Murphy (trade, Nets).
COACH: Jim O’Brien, fourth season with Pacers, ninth overall; 286-300.
EYES ON: Collison. Played well last season spelling an injured Chris Paul in New Orleans, now gets a chance to prove he’s more than a good backup on a team that’s been craving an upgrade at point guard.
OUTLOOK: The Pacers have scorers at plenty of positions. It’s still unclear if they have stoppers to go with them.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
LAST SEASON: 50-32, lost to Phoenix 4-0 in second round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Tony Parker (16.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 5.7 apg), G Manu Ginobili (16.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.9 apg), F Richard Jefferson (12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg), F Antonio McDyess (5.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.1 apg) C Tim Duncan (17.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Tiago Splitter (Europe).
KEY LOSSES: G Keith Bogans (free agent, Bulls), G Roger Mason Jr. (free agent, Knicks).
COACH: Gregg Popovich, 15th season; 736-362.
EYES ON: Splitter. The Spurs need to get younger and need to give Duncan rest. If Splitter is anywhere near as good as he’s been in Europe, he addresses both needs.
OUTLOOK: Another season in which people will wonder if it’s the Spurs’ last chance at another championship with this group. And with Parker’s contract expiring next summer, perhaps it is.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
LAST SEASON: 55-27, lost to San Antonio 4-2 in first round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Jason Kidd (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 9.1 apg, 1.8 spg), G Rodrigue Beaubois (7.1 ppg, 1.4 ppg, 1.3 apg), F Caron Butler (16.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg), F Dirk Nowitzki (25.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.7 apg), C Brendan Haywood (9.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Tyson Chandler (trade, Bobcats).
KEY LOSSES: C Erick Dampier (trade, Bobcats).
COACH: Rick Carlisle, third season with Mavericks, ninth season overall; 386-270.
EYES ON: Kidd. He’s still putting up good numbers on winning teams, but at 37 it’s not getting any easier to chase those younger point guards around.
OUTLOOK: Nowitzki will be an All-Star and the Mavs should win 50 games, which happens every season. Both want more than that, and it can only come with some real postseason success.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
LAST SEASON: 42-40, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Aaron Brooks (19.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.3 apg), G Kevin Martin (20.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg), F Shane Battier (8.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg), F Luis Scola (16.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.1 apg), C Yao Ming (missed last season).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Brad Miller (free agent, Bulls), G Courtney Lee (trade, Nets)
KEY LOSSES: F Trevor Ariza (trade, Hornets).
COACH: Rick Adelman, fourth season with Rockets, 20th overall; 902-577.
EYES ON: Yao. After he missed last season with another foot injury, even Yao can’t be sure how much longer he’ll be able to play. The Rockets are being careful with his minutes to make sure it’s as long as possible.
OUTLOOK: Houston has grown so used to playing without Yao that it could take a while for his teammates to adjust to having him again. Once they do, the Rockets should be headed back to the postseason.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
LAST SEASON: 40-42, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Mike Conley (12.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 5.3 apg), G O.J. Mayo (17.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Rudy Gay (19.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.9 apg), F Zach Randolph (20.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 1.8 apg), C Marc Gasol (14.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.4 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Xavier Henry (draft, No. 12), G Tony Allen (free agent, Celtics)
KEY LOSSES: G Ronnie Brewer (free agent, Bulls).
COACH: Lionel Hollins, third season of second stint with Grizzlies; 71-114.
EYES ON: Gay. Was the first player to receive big money during free agency, and he’ll be expected to play like a star now that he’s paid as one.
OUTLOOK: The Grizzlies bring back their entire starting five, which is good news for them. The bad news is it wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs last season, and it’ll be tough to do it this time.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
LAST SEASON: 37-45, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Chris Paul (18.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 10.7 apg, 2.1 spg), G Marco Belinelli (7.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.3 apg), F Trevor Ariza (14.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg), F David West (19.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.0 apg), C Emeka Okafor (10.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Ariza (trade, Rockets), G Belinelli (trade, Raptors), G Willie Green (trade, 76ers).
KEY LOSSES: G Darren Collison (trade, Pacers), F Darius Songaila (trade, 76ers).
COACH: Monty Williams, first season.
EYES ON: Ariza. The Hornets need a third scorer to go with Paul and West. With Paul as his point guard, perhaps Ariza can be the guy.
OUTLOOK: After an offseason of trade rumors involving Paul, Hornets might face pressure to win to keep their All-Star happy. As good as Paul is, he doesn’t appear to have enough help to make that happen.
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PACIFIC DIVISION
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
LAST SEASON: 57-25, won NBA championship.
STARTING FIVE: G Derek Fisher (7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg), G Kobe Bryant (27.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.0 apg), F Ron Artest (11.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Pau Gasol (18.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.7 rpg), C Andrew Bynum (15.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Steve Blake (free agent, Clippers), F Matt Barnes (free agent, Magic), C Theo Ratliff (free agent, Bobcats).
KEY LOSSES: G Jordan Farmar (free agent, Nets).
COACH: Phil Jackson, sixth season of second stint with Lakers, 20th season overall; 1,098-460.
EYES ON: Gasol. Some people now consider him the best all-around big man in the world. With Bynum expected to miss at least the first month and Bryant still dealing with nagging injuries, Gasol may have to live up to that praise at the start.
OUTLOOK: The Lakers appeared to get better over the summer as they gear up for a run at a third straight title. If Bryant stays healthy, he’s got a good shot at a second three-peat.
PHOENIX SUNS
LAST SEASON: 54-28, lost to Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in Western Conference finals.
STARTING FIVE: G Steve Nash (16.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 11.0 apg), G Jason Richardson (15.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.8 apg), F Grant Hill (11.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.4 apg), F Hedo Turkoglu (11.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.1 apg), C Robin Lopez (8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.0 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Turkoglu (trade, Raptors), F Josh Childress (trade, Hawks), F Hakim Warrick (trade, Bulls)
KEY LOSSES: F Amare Stoudemire (trade, Knicks), G Leandro Barbosa (trade, Raptors).
COACH: Alvin Gentry, third season with Suns, 10th season overall; 249-267.
EYES ON: Turkoglu. A major disappointment last season in Toronto, but perhaps can return to form playing with Nash in Phoenix.
OUTLOOK: Suns bounced back nicely last season after missing the playoffs in 2008-09, but that was with Stoudemire playing dominant basketball. Phoenix will still be fun to watch, but reaching the NBA’s final four again without him will be difficult.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
LAST SEASON: 29-53, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Baron Davis (15.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 8.0 apg), G Eric Gordon (16.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Rasual Butler (11.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 apg), F Blake Griffin (rookie), C Chris Kaman (18.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.2 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Al-Farouq Aminu (draft, No. 8), G Randy Foye (free agent, Wizards), F Ryan Gomes (free agent, Trail Blazers)
KEY LOSSES: F Drew Gooden (free agent, Bucks).
COACH: Vinny Del Negro, first season with Clippers, third season overall, 82-82.
EYES ON: Griffin. After missing all of what would have been his rookie season, Griffin is fully healthy and his scoring and rebounding have been superb during the preseason.
OUTLOOK: Plenty of talent, so no reason why the Clippers shouldn’t compete for a playoff spot. But that’s been said of them plenty of times before, and somehow they manage to fall well below expectations.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
LAST SEASON: 26-56, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Monta Ellis (25.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.2 spg), G Stephen Curry (17.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.9 apg), F Dorell Wright (7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 apg), F David Lee (20.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 3.6 apg), C Andris Biedrins (5.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Lee (trade, Knicks), F Wright (free agent, Heat), G Charlie Bell (trade, Bucks), C Dan Gadzuric (trade, Bucks), F Epke Udoh (draft, No. 6), F Louis Amundson (free agent, Suns).
KEY LOSSES: G Corey Maggette (trade, Bucks), G Kelenna Azubuike (trade, Knicks), F Anthony Randolph (trade, Knicks), F Ronny Turiaf (trade, Knicks), G C.J. Watson (free agent, Bulls), G Anthony Morrow (free agent, Nets)
COACH: Keith Smart, first season.
EYES ON: Lee. A first-time All-Star last season, he can now prove he wasn’t just a guy who put up good numbers on a bad Knicks team. Even if the scoring drops, his rebounding will be a big plus for the Warriors.
OUTLOOK: The Warriors will still score plenty and should defend better under Smart than they did under Don Nelson. That may not make them a playoff team, but at least should make them a more respectable one.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
LAST SEASON: 25-57, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Tyreke Evans (20.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.8 apg), G Beno Udrih (12.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.7 apg), F Omri Casspi (10.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.2 apg), F Carl Landry (16.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.8 apg), C DeMarcus Cousins (rookie).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Cousins (draft, No. 5), C Samuel Dalembert (trade, 76ers).
KEY LOSSES: C Spencer Hawes (trade, 76ers), F Andres Nocioni (trade, 76ers).
COACH: Paul Westphal, second season with Kings, ninth season overall; 292-216.
EYES ON: Cousins. With his talent, possibly would have been drafted higher than fifth if not for questions about his character. He’ll try to follow Evans as the Kings’ second straight Rookie of the Year.
OUTLOOK: With some good young pieces, the Kings have the potential to be a very good team – just not yet.
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NORTHWEST DIVISION
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
LAST SEASON: 50-32, lost to Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in first round of playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Russell Westbrook (16.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 8.0 apg), G Thabo Sefolosha (6.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg), G Kevin Durant (30.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg), F Jeff Green (15.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 apg), C Nenad Krstic (8.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.7 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Cole Aldrich (draft, No. 11), G Daequan Cook (trade, Heat).
KEY LOSSES: None.
COACH: Scott Brooks, third season; 72-79.
EYES ON: Durant. Became the NBA’s youngest scoring champion, then was MVP of the world basketball championship while leading the U.S. to the gold medal, and now is expected to top it. The league’s general managers voted him as their choice for MVP in a preseason survey on NBA.com.
OUTLOOK: Made a huge leap last season and return their entire rotation, so the Thunder could keep getting better. Gave the Lakers a strong first-round test and would be a tough out for anybody if they can secure home-court advantage.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
LAST SEASON: 50-32, lost to Phoenix 4-2 in first round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Andre Miller (14.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.4 apg), G Brandon Roy (21.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.7 apg), F Nicolas Batum (10.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 apg), F LaMarcus Aldridge (17.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.1 apg), C Marcus Camby (7.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.0 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Wesley Matthews (free agent, Jazz), F Luke Babbitt (draft, No. 16).
KEY LOSSES: F Travis Outlaw (free agent, Nets), F Martell Webster (trade, Timberwolves)
COACH: Nate McMillan, sixth season with Blazers, 11th season overall; 410-395.
EYES ON: The center position. The Blazers still don’t know when former No. 1 pick Greg Oden will be back, Joel Przybilla isn’t ready yet, and Camby is injury prone.
OUTLOOK: Hoping to break through after two straight first-round exits, but have to remain healthy to do it. That hasn’t been easy in Portland.
UTAH JAZZ
LAST SEASON: 53-29, lost to Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in second round of playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Deron Williams (18.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 10.5 apg), G C.J. Miles (9.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Andrei Kirilenko (11.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg), F Paul Millsap (11.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 apg), C Al Jefferson (17.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: C Jefferson (trade, Timberwolves), G Raja Bell (free agent, Warriors), F Gordon Hayward (draft, No. 9).
KEY LOSSES: F Carlos Boozer (trade, Bulls), G Wesley Matthews (free agent, Trail Blazers), G Kyle Korver (free agent, Bulls),
COACH: Jerry Sloan, 23rd season with Jazz, 26th season overall; 1,190-780.
EYES ON: Jefferson. Once traded to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett, Jefferson now is called upon to provide the scoring and rebounding that will be missing with Boozer’s departure.
OUTLOOK: Gained plenty and also lost a lot during the summer. That could leave the Jazz right where they were, challenging for a division title and home-court advantage in the playoffs.
DENVER NUGGETS
LAST SEASON: 53-29, lost to Utah 4-2 in first round of the playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Chauncey Billups (19.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.6 apg), G Arron Afflalo (8.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Carmelo Anthony (28.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.2 apg), F Al Harrington (17.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 apg), C Nene (13.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.5 apg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Harrington (free agent, Knicks), F Shelden Williams (free agent, Celtics).
KEY LOSSES: G Joey Graham (free agent, Cavaliers).
COACH: George Karl, seventh season with Nuggets, 23rd season overall; 986-671.
EYES ON: Anthony. His future in Denver was all over the NBA news in the days before training camp. Unless he signs the contract extension the Nuggets have offered, speculation will remain that he’ll be elsewhere by the trade deadline.
OUTLOOK: With Karl back on the bench, there’s always a chance the Nuggets get healthy, play well, and remind everyone that it’s only two years since they were two games from the NBA finals. There’s also a chance that Denver’s turbulent summer carries into the season, and the roster looks completely different by the spring.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
LAST SEASON: 15-67, missed playoffs.
STARTING FIVE: G Luke Ridnour (10.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 4.0 apg), G Martell Webster (9.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.8 apg), F Michael Beasley (14.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.3 apg), F Kevin Love (14.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), C Darko Milicic (6.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.1 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Beasley (trade, Heat), G Ridnour (free agent, Bucks), G Webster (trade, Trail Blazers), F Wesley Johnson (draft, No. 4).
KEY LOSSES: C Al Jefferson (trade, Jazz), F Ryan Gomes (trade, Trail Blazers).
COACH: Kurt Rambis, second season with Timberwolves, third overall; 39-80.
EYES ON: Beasley and Milicic. Both are former No. 2 picks whose careers haven’t panned out yet. But the Timberwolves believed in Milicic enough after his half-season stint to give him a multiyear deal, and think a change of scenery will work for Beasley after acquiring him from Miami.
OUTLOOK: The Wolves have some good players but no great ones, and it’s hard to go too far without one. Still, they should be able to improve from last season.
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