It's that time of year again – the NBA is back!

With excitement in the air and anticipation in the hearts of players and fans alike – questions will be answered in what is set to be one of the most even competitions contested in recent memory.

The season kicks off Tuesday – October 30 8PM (US Eastern time) with a match up between the reigning champions – San Antonio Spurs and the improving Portland Trail Blazers. Can the Spurs – and their international flavour – take their forth championship in six seasons? Can Dirk and the Mavericks bury past nightmares (06 Miami, 07 GSW) and assume control of the West? Not with the Suns around! I can't help but think what kind of impact Amare Stoudemire can have with two solid seasons under his belt.

Another team which will shake up the League and the Eastern Conference is from the city which already boasts the World Series champions and the best record in the NFL – Boston. Having acquired Ray Allen, one of the best perimeter shooters in the league, and power-forward Kevin Garnett in multi player deals that saw young talent and low draft picks fly out the window, one assumption can be made – this team means business. Roll your coin out on Boston or Detroit to advance from the Eastern Conference finals.

Rookie Impact.
If you have not already heard – all bets are off on Greg Oden becoming ROY (Rookie of the Year)… thus leaving Kevin Durant (the overall number 2 selection) as an overwhelming favourite to take the coveted award. Greg Oden had season ending surgery during the off-season in what was thought to be only minor surgery at the time. I can only think back to those images posted all over the net of thousands of fans with Oden! Oden! Posters and the expectation he was going to bring to the city of Portland during his rookie season. The Portland faithful still have a lot to look forward to in Roy, Randolph and Aldridge in tandem. Keep an eye on this team now – and in the future.

I am personally looking forward to evaluating the transition between fast running offensive play -- Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns -- and the traditionally defensive minded strategies of the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs. In previous seasons it is evident (from results) that teams which deploy a defense minded strategy have ended up on top, but this season I feel the tide will turn and a team that can run the court and put numbers up will come out with silverware. Time will tell.

Predictions

Eastern Conference: Boston Celtics
Western Conference: Phoenix Suns
ROY: Kevin Durant
Champions: Phoenix Suns

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