NBA Preview 2011-2012

MONTHS of turmoil and conflict as to how the revenue should be allocated between the owners and the players, has resulted in the 2011-2012 NBA season being delayed to December 25, approximately three months after its originally intended opening.

Western Conference

Looking on, it is only fair that the first team we assess is the defending champions, the Dallas Mavericks.

With finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki returning with usual support from future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd and Jason Terry, the platform is there for them to make a strong run to this season's finals and claim back-to-back trophies.

Despite losing 'big ma' Tyson Chandler to the New York Knicks, the Rick Carlisle-coached team will definitely be smiling after the acquisition of last season's 'Sixth Man of the Year' and arguably the best 'MVP's MVP', Lamar Odom.

That being said, the most anticipated team of the season will be the ones from the Staples Center, not the Los Angeles Lakers, but their neighbours the Los Angeles Clippers. If the presence of Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin was not enough, the Clippers have broadcasted their intentions by acquiring Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets and Chauncey Billups from the Knicks and Caron Butler from the Mavs.

None of these individuals need an introduction with all three being named to the All-Star roster on multiple occasions. To say that they are aiming for the play-offs would be a major understatement.

Losing Western Conference finalists, the Oklahoma City Thunder will certainly be amongst the top teams once more. Over the past three seasons they have constantly improved their position heading into the play-offs and with many teams failing to make good use of the free agency market it is expected that they'll do so again.

With the Lakers being the Lakers, many are expecting them to be contenders, but with Phil Jackson out of the picture and a significantly weakened bench, no one knows what to expect. The San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns continue to age and though the players are world-class the energies have certainly fallen. At least for this season, that may just be enough to see them through.

Aside from the Portland Trailblazers, the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets, the teams yet to be mentioned are somewhat on the same playing field and may just be playing to make up numbers. Of the lot though, the Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to turn some heads after adding exciting point guard Ricky Rubio to their ranks.

Eastern Conference

No one in South Beach can deny that the Miami Heat's failure to win it all was a major underachievement. They have no major roster changes to brag aside from Shane Battier coming across from the Rockets, but the Big Three of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh are expected to claim this season's NBA title.

Derrick Rose will be hoping that the Chicago Bulls will be the representatives from the East this time around as he seeks to bring some silverware to the franchise for the first time since the Michael Jordan era. Rip Hamilton from the Detroit Pistons has joined the party and he should add some dimension on the offensive end.

The Knicks had a major overhaul with the trade for Carmelo Anthony at a critical point last season, so his presence from the get-go -- alongside Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler -- will certainly push their play-off and possibly title ambitions a lot further. With coach Mike D'Antoni a big promoter of offensive prowess teams will be hard-pressed to stop them in full gear.

Being the worst team in the league last season certainly has his pros for this one as the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Number One pick Kyrie Irving. They might still have a lot to do in terms of gathering the right players around him, but for now Daniel Gibson, Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao will have to provide that needed thrust.

Though playing in their preseason loss to the Miami Heat, Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic may part ways before the season kicks off on Sunday. That move would certainly hamper any hopes of a play-off that the franchise has, as the Magic would be barely mediocre without Superman on the roster. His decision or indecision can easily make or break the season for the successful franchise.

The Boston Celtics are for the aging team of the East but as with the Spurs and Suns; possess too many world-class players not to make a good run this season.

The Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers are both expected to emerge from the pack and tussle with the major contenders for the Eastern Conference title though neither seems strong enough to make it past the first round.

While not set in stone, the remaining teams like the Pistons and the New Jersey Nets are expected to be on the periphery when play-off time comes around, wondering what steps can be taken to improve their chances next year.

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