Set aside the thoughts of cliché, there is no possible way that this could not be the spring board to the preview of what could potentially be a season of astounding possibilities. Two-time defending champions are still with the core of the team that they utilised so effectively last season.

But the genius of their former coach now Miami Heat team president Pat Riley has cast their ambitions of a hat-trick deep into the shadows.

Eastern Conference teams seem to be honing a talent in pooling together a core of three main players and following Boston Celtics’ recent stint in 2007, the Heat became the new big boys on the block all in the space of two days.

With this season possessing a surprisingly significant number of big name free agents, the Heat were able to resign Dwayne Wade and acquire Chris Bosh on July 7 and on July 8 sent the minds of fans in a frenzy after LeBron James announced on a live interview that he would join them as well.

Now with James, Bosh and Wade being selected as first, fourth and fifth overall picks respectively in 2003 this is the first time that three NBA All-stars from the same draft feature on the same team. However, these are not the only high calibre moves that have taken place so here is a better overview in the breakdown of the conferences.

Eastern Conference

The Orlando Magic continues to struggle in claiming to title of conference favourites after Miami’s big boost. With Dwight ‘Superman’ Howard improving on his skills and younger players like JJ Redick stepping up their low-level activity in the trade market may not hurt them too much if any at all.

Rapidly becoming the AC Milan of basketball, the Boston Celtics added the veteran duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal to their perpetually aging roster.

The New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls also pulled off impressive deals during the trade market with both their major scalps coming from the West. Reuniting with his old coach Mike D’Antoni in the Big Apple was Amar’e Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns while the Bulls acquired Carlos Boozer from the Utah Jazz.

After a season to settle with a fairly decent unit, the Milwaukee Bucks may continue to be a thorn in the sides of many of the stronger teams. The Atlanta Hawks for instance had to exhaust all seven games to get past them in the play-offs so it is very possible that they could be looking to improve on such a performance.

Nonetheless, the team to look out for is potentially the Washington Wizards who drafted the energetic John Wall, the number one draft pick of the season.

Notably, the Atlanta Hawks being stagnant in the trade window may prove detrimental to their ambitions. The biggest losers of the period, the Cleveland Cavaliers may have to dismiss any hopes of making it to another NBA Finals, while the same can be said for the likes of the Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers who all lack the depth to go it all the way.

Western Conference

Most if not all NBA fans focused on the Lakers’ and their quest for a third consecutive NBA title, this in addition to Kobe seeking his second three-peat after doing so at the beginning of the decade. In their attempt at retaining the crown they have added the experienced pair of Matt Barnes and Steve Blake to their roster, both who will be crucial coming off the bench.

The Oklahoma City Thunder may have something to say about that, however, as they have become top contenders for the Western Conference title.

Standing their ground against the champions in last year’s first round play-offs, a more fitting play-off line-up for the Kevin Durant-led team could see them claiming that coveted title. The Utah Jazz should make a better showing of themselves this time around thanks to the acquisition of Al Jefferson and promising rookie Gordon Haywood.

Dirk Nowitzki resigned with the Dallas Mavericks and so they should still play a force in the conference as well as the Suns who despite the loss of Amare brought in Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress, two players that could significantly shape their season. Yao Ming seems to be returning to fitness so the Houston Rockets should begin this season with a lot more confidence.

The Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets both have the making of being mere glimpses of their former selves but still the element of surprise may work in their favour. Teams such as L.A. Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will possibly for now continue to just make up numbers as they all failed to do enough over the course of the break to help their case.

All things considered, this may be one of the toughest seasons to predict as expectation is not equivalent to reality.

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant, left, goes up for a shot as Golden State Warriors small forward Vladimir Radmanovic of Serbia looks on during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, in Ontario, Calif.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant directs his team during the third quarter of an exhibition basketball game against CSKA Moscow in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010. Oklahoma City won 97-89