NBA Preview

After a very long wait for the NBA Season to tip off, the 66 game season has finally begun. In a very condensed free agency period, there was much activity as there are many new faces in new places. However, the question remains how these new faces will have an impact on their new places. Here is a look at how I believe each conference's standings will look when April 26th rolls around.

Eastern Conference

1. Miami Heat (3-0)

The Heat will stroll through the regular season, but the question will be whether LeBron and D-Wade can make big plays when it matters the most, Chris Bosh must get more involved.

2. Chicago Bulls (2-1)

I flip flopped a couple of times between the Knicks and the Bulls for this spot, but ultimately in a weaker division Chicago should have the edge. The addition of Richard Hamilton gives the Bulls another scorer to pair with Derrick Rose.

3. New York Knicks (1-2)

With the addition of Tyson Chandler, the Knicks have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. If the Knicks can beat the good teams like Boston and Miami, they will be very dangerous.

4. Boston Celtics (0-3)

Despite the poor start, the Celtics will have no problem making the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. The key for Boston is to remain healthy, once Paul Pierce returns the team's offensive game will improve drastically.

5. Orlando Magic (2-1)

The Magic getting this spot all hinges on whether Dwight Howard remains in Orlando for the entire season, which I suspect will not be the case. For the Magic to succeed, other players around Howard will have to step up and play at a high level.

6. Atlanta Hawks (2-0)

Atlanta is always one of those teams that is overlooked and does not receive a lot of attention. If the Hawks could acquire a star PG, the Hawks could be quite dangerous, paired with Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. The loss of Jamal Crawford will have a significant effect on bench production.

7. Milwaukee Bucks (1-1)

The addition of Stephen Jackson should help in the growth of Brandon Jennings, who appears to be a star in the making. The Bucks need more production from Andrew Bogut and their bench, which will help them reach the postseason.

8. Indiana Pacers (2-0)

After sneaking into the playoffs last year, the Pacers seem in good position to do so again after a fast start. Indiana's starting lineup is very solid after the addition of David West. Danny Granger must take that next step if Indiana wants to make the playoffs.

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0)

Kevin Durant may just be the best player in the NBA, and the game winning shot against Dallas certainly got some people off their couch in awe. Russell Westbrook and James Harden are legitimate scoring threats in the back-court which compliment Durant's game.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (2-2)

After a slow start, the Lakers seemed to have hit their stride, and with Andrew Bynum returning, the Lakers will be hard to beat. The Lakers need to find someone who can take the pressure off of Kobe, because he is there only legitimate scoring threat. Pau Gasol can occasionally have a big scoring night, but is not known as a scorer.

3. Memphis Grizzlies (0-2)

The Grizzlies have also started slow, after losses to San Antonio and Oklahoma City. After making a magical playoff run last season, Memphis will get a big boost with the return of their leading scorer Rudy Gay, who was absent from last year's run. Memphis has one of the best front-courts in the NBA, so the question for them will be if Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo can be smart and keep the Grizzlies in games.

4. Los Angeles Clippers (1-1)

The Clippers finally seem to have a roster which can compete with anybody in the West. With the addition of Chris Paul to go with big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, there will be much above the rim action at Staples Center.

5. Dallas Mavericks (0-3)

At first I believed the Mavericks would be a candidate for a title contender. Now after an 0-3 start, I am concerned about Dallas. The Mavericks appear to be very slow and old, and after losing key players like Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea from a championship team, Dallas may not be built for a title defense this year.

6. San Antonio Spurs (2-1)

Wait, wasn't this team the best team in the Western Conference last year? Yes, but of course I have my doubts about San Antonio. As I was watching the 1st Round of the playoffs last season, the young, fast, athletic Memphis Grizzlies exposed the Spurs and showed that perhaps the Spurs window is closing. Tim Duncan isn't getting any younger, and Tony Parker is not an elite caliber PG. The Spurs will be good, but they are no longer an elite team.

7. Golden State Warriors (2-1)

This pick may be a little biased because I have been a huge Stephen Curry fan ever since he was drafted. The Warriors have a tremendous outside game, with the trio of Curry, Monta Ellis, and Dorrel Wright having outstanding shooting ability. Monta Ellis has the ability to score 25 a night, but must remain healthy for an entire season.

8. Sacramento Kings (1-2)

The Kings? Really the Kings? This one may be a bit of a reach, but I believe that the guard play of Sacramento could be enough for the Kings. Tyreke Evans could have an All-Star quality season if he remains healthy because his scoring ability is simply incredible. Joining Evans in the back-court are Marcus Thornton, John Salmons, and of course, the Jimmer. Thornton and Salmons are both capable of scoring 15 points a night which will compliment Tyreke Evans. Even though the guard play of Sacramento is very good, big men DeMarcus Cousins and J.J. Hickson will have to show up every night as well.