LeBron James hopes to win his first NBA title in Cleveland before he hits the open
market as a free agent in 2010.(Creative Commons licensed)

The NBA Champion will come out of the Eastern Conference. How do I know? For the past six seasons the conferences have alternated championships and since the Los Angeles Lakers won last season, it is merely science that an Eastern Conference team will walk away with the shiny gold orb that is the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The real question is which Eastern Conference squad will be the one hoisting the trophy.

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

2008-09 Record: 62-20
Key additions: Rasheed Wallace, Shelden Williams, Marquis Daniels
Key losses: Leon Powe, Mikki Moore

The Celtics were the beast from the east heading into last season with three possible future Hall of Famers returning on a team that dismantled the Lakers in the NBA Finals. However, injuries derailed Boston in their attempt to repeat.

Kevin Garnett's knee is still a concern as are the aging bodies of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and newly acquired Rasheed Wallace. However, with Wallace, Doc Rivers now has another veteran he can bring in off the bench with Eddie House. How well the youth continues to progress and mature could also play a huge role in how far the Celtics go this season.

The Final Word: If the Celtics can stay healthy, they have to be considered frontrunners for two things: 1) The Eastern Conference title. 2) Leading the league in techincal fouls. They have veteran leadership, talented youth, an intelligent coach, and a GM that is willing to make a deal if it will improve the team. That's a winning combination.

New Jersey Nets

2008-09 record: 34-48
Key additions: Terrence Williams, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie
Key losses: Vince Carter

The New Jersey Nets retooled their team in the offseason trading away their No. 1 ticket seller in Vince Carter. In return, they received burgeoning star Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston, who should do well as Devin Harris's backup.

The most important aspect of the Vince Carter trade is that it frees up salary cap room for the LeBron James 2010 sweepstakes that is fast approaching. However, with legal issues and possible relocation rumors swirling, there may be even more difficulties in the front office than on the court.

The Final Word: Just because there will be more front office problems doesn't mean there won't be any on the hardwood. The Nets are very young and will not be very good this year, but their entire starting lineup will be young, so they are hoping to grow together and build a solid nucleus for the future.

New York Knicks

2008-09 record: 32-50
Key additions: Jordan Hill, Toney Douglas, Darko Milicic
Key losses: Quentin Richardson, Chris Wilcox

The Knicks haven't made the second round of the playoffs in nine years, they haven't won a championship in 36 years, but this year...nope, it won't be any different. However, there is a silver lining. David Lee and Nate Robinson both signed one-year deals, and the Knicks will have a lot of salary cap flexibility to do what everyone will be trying to do this upcoming offseason...lure LeBron.

For this season though it will be much of the same. Mike D'Antoni teams traditionally don't play any defense, and this team won't play much either. They will, however, be entertaining as they will routinely put large numbers on the board. Robinson is a high flyer, who might try to win another slam dunk contest that he shouldn't win. Lee is a hard-worker, especially on the boards, and rookie Jordan Hill has a similar tenacity to Lee.

The Final Word: The success of this season will all ride on the LeBron sweepstakes after the season has ended. Look for a breakout season for Danilo Gallinari, who should thrive in the D'Antoni system.

Philadelphia 76ers

2008-09 record: 41-41
Key additions: Jrue Holiday, Jason Kapono
Key losses: Andre Miller, Theo Ratliff, Reggie Evans

Last year, Elton Brand was going to be the piece to push the 76ers over the cusp of being a borderline playoff team and into serious contention. However, karma struck down Brand, and he blew out his knee.

Brand is back this season, though, and the Sixers think they can be back in contention. The loss of Andre Miller will have a huge impact because Louis Williams will be starting at the point with 19-year old Jrue Holiday backing him up. Williams is a slashing scorer in a point guard's body, and you should never trust a 19-year old not named LeBron in the NBA.

This team does have some solid talent in Williams, Andre Iguodala, and in athletic big men Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights, but how will the offense flow without a true point guard?

The Final Word: The 76ers are a legit playoff team if they stay healthy. However, I don't think they will have the point guard play to do much in the playoffs. They could sneak into the second round, but that is their ceiling this season.

Toronto Raptors

2008-09 record: 33-49
Key additions: Hedo Turkoglu, Jarrett Jack, DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Reggie Evans
Key losses: Shawn Marion, Jason Kapono, Anthony Parker, Roko Ukic

The Raptors overhauled their roster in an attempt to make Chris Bosh happy enough that he won't test the free agency waters next season in the blockbuster summer of 2010. Hedo Turkoglu is a definite upgrade over Shawn Marion as Turkoglu can actually make shots with someone on him.

Turkoglu could definitely turn the fortunes of this franchise, especially if his signing helps keep Bosh around long-term.

One of the most underrated players in the league is point guard Jose Calderon. He has averaged more than eight assists per game the past two seasons, and if the Raptors are leading at the end of the game, he's the best free throw shooter in the league - he was 151 of 154 last season.

The Final Word: This is the team that will surprise this season. The frontline combination of Bosh, Turkoglu, and Bargnani can compete offensively with anyone in the Eastern Conference. How well the team does this season will depend on how well that trio plays defense.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

2008-09 record: 41-41
Key additions: James Johnson, Taj Gibson, Jannero Pargo
Key losses: Ben Gordon, Tim Thomas

The Bulls jettisoned Ben Gordon opening up even more opportunities for Derrick "don't call me Jalen" Rose. Rose is a dynamic talent. The best Chicago has seen since his Airness left town, but he can only do so much.

Losing your leading scorer is never a positive unless there are plans in the works for something else. There may be plans, but those plans won't be realized until next season when the Bulls have cap space to go after one of the marquee players on the market. Chris Bosh might look awfully nice teamed with Rose, especially if they get rid of Joakim "I'm a Joke" Noah.

Without Gordon, Luol Deng and John Salmons should get more opportunities to showcase their abilities that aren't widely known across the nation.

The Final Word: A .500 team that will make the playoffs only to be knocked out in the first round without the dramatics that were present in last season's first round, seven game series with Boston.

Cleveland Cavaliers

2008-09 record: 66-16
Key additions: Shaquille O'Neal, Danny Green, Leon Powe, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker
Key losses: Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, Joe Smith

All the talk has been about how will Shaquille O'Neal fit into the Cleveland system, but the more important offseason acquisition may just be Leon Powe, especially with the way Anderson Varejao constantly gets into foul trouble. Powe can score the ball down low if given the opportunity, and he plays solid defense.

With O'Neal, Powe, and Anthony Parker, coach Mike Brown now has three more weapons that can be used on offense when Mo Williams pulls a Houdini in the playoffs. All that was missing from this team last season was a consistent second option to King James. They now have that, so does that mean championship?

The Final Word: What's the big concern with Shaq coming in? It's not like he's Terrell Owens. He's not going to divide the locker room - unless he's playing with Kobe. Look for the Cavs to win the No. 1 seed and have homecourt advantage when they make it to the Eastern Conference finals.

Detroit Pistons

2008-09 record: 39-43
Key additions: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Chris Wilcox, Ben Wallace, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers
Key losses: Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, Arron Affalo, Amir Johnson

Gone is Allen Iverson in an "epic fail" move on the part of Joe Dumars. But instead of replacing Iverson, Dumars simply substituted. Filling in for Iverson will be Ben Gordon, who will shoot just as much and play just as little defense, but at least, he will do so a little bit more quietly.

Another Dumars substitution: Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace take over the spots of Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess in the frontcourt. Less technical fouls, less range, and about the same amount of semi-defense.

This team has plenty of shooters, but they will only be as good as their defense plays. And the only player they brought in that plays any defense is an aging Ben Wallace.

The Final Word: This team will make the playoffs barely and could give a team trouble if they get hot, but they aren't a legitimate threat because they don't play enough defense.

Indiana Pacers

2008-09 record: 36-46
Key additions: Tyler Hansbrough, A.J. Price, Dahntay Jones, Solomon Jones, Earl Watson
Key losses: Jarrett Jack, Rasho Nesterovic, Marquis Daniels

The Pacers have had back-to-back 36 win season, but can they make the playoffs after losing Jarrett Jack, Rasho Nesterovic, and Marquis Daniels? Not that any in that trio are All-Stars, but when you replace them with the Joneses (Dahntay and Solomon) and Earl Watson, things are not going to be looking up.

They have talented youth - Danny Granger is still molding his All-Star caliber game, Roy Hibbert can improve if he can stay on the court, and T.J. Ford is only 26-years old, but where is the veteran leadership going to come from? Troy Murphy, Jeff Foster, and Mike Dunleavy Jr.? Eh...don't count on it. Maybe googly-eyed Tyler Hansbrough just naturally steps into that role as a rookie. Okay...maybe not, but it'll be interesting to monitor his contributions.

The Final Word: A betting man wouldn't think the Pacers could end with 36 wins for a third consecutive season, but that's what will happen. The Pacers overachieve and finish with 36 wins. No playoffs.

Milwaukee Bucks

2008-09 record: 34-48
Key additions: Hakim Warrick, Carlos Delfino, Kurt Thomas, Brandon Jennings, Jodie Meeks
Key losses: Charlie Villanueva, Richard Jefferson, Ramon Sessions, Keith Bogans, Fabricio Oberto, Malik Allen

Milwaukee went with the drastic rebuilding method this offseason. Gone are Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva, and budding point guard Ramon Sessions. Replacing them will be rookie Brandon Jennings and Jodie Meeks, Carlos Delfino, Kurt Thomas, and Hakim Warrick. An upgrade by volume, but the true problem is going to be the loss of Sessions.

Without Sessions, the Bucks are back to having Luke Ridnour run the offense, which isn't a bad idea if he was coming off the bench, but counting on Ridnour as your point guard is like counting on former Bucks forward, Anthony Mason, not to slit your throat in your sleep...not something you want your life to be contingent on. Ridnour's defense is terrible and he's an average offensive point guard at best.

Michael Redd can score and takes care of the ball, but Bucks' fans don't even know if he'll be in Milwaukee by season's end. Jennings could be the heir apparent to Redd as Milwaukee's star, but he has to become more consistent before he takes that title.

The Final Word: The Bucks are still a year or two away from having a chance to contend. With the tail end of the Eastern Conference being weak, the Bucks have an outside shot at the playoffs, but they will need the continued maturity of Andrew Bogut.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

2008-09 record: 47-35
Key additions: Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, Joe Smith, Jason Collins
Key losses: Flip Murray, Acie Law IV, Solomon Jones, Mario West

After being swept by the Cavs in the second round of the playoffs, Atlanta retooled their lineup adding Jamal Crawford and Jeff Teague on the wings and the veteran experience of Joe Smith and Jason Collins down low. Though they are not huge acquisitions, the Hawks also did not lose much of anything.

Combine their upgrade, particularly in adding another scorer in Crawford, with the Hawks being healthy, after a season that saw nearly their entire team get nicked up at one point or another, and Atlanta could be dangerous.

The Hawks increased depth should be a tremendous boost for superstar Joe Johnson, who has been in the top five in minutes the past two seasons and has faded down the stretch. Add in Marvin Williams, who is still only 23-years old and has improved his game every years, and Josh Smith, who is the most dynamic slasher in the league when he avoids shooting long-range jump shots, and the Hawks could again contest for a playoff spot with home court advantage once again.

The Final Word: The Hawks made the second round of the playoffs last year after making the first round the year before, so naturally they are going to make the conference finals this season. No one sees it coming as everyone thinks the Magic/Celtics/Cavs triumvirate is the only thing in the east, but it'll happen...it's science.

Charlotte Bobcats

2008-09 record: 35-47
Key additions: Tyson Chandler, Flip Murray, Gerald Henderson, Derrick Brown
Key losses: Emeka Okafor, Sean May, Juwan Howard

This team traded away there one stalwart, Emeka Okafor, for a player that is dynamic if he could ever stay healthy, Tyson Chandler. Too bad Chandler just can't stay healthy. Charlotte is going to be bad this year even though Larry Brown is coaching the squad.

Gerald Wallace is an athletic scorer, but he doesn't create his own shot well, which is basically the same thing that can be said about the majority of the players on this team. They're best option is to get the ball in Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin's hands and run a constant fast break. If they make Mike D'Antoni proud then they might be headed in the right direction.

The Final Word: This team is headed nowhere, but they are headed there fast. It will be a stretch for this team to reach 25-30 wins.

Miami Heat

2008-09 record: 43-39
Key additions: Carlos Arroyo, Robert Dozier, Quentin Richardson
Key losses: Jamario Moon, Mark Blount

The Heat are two words: Dwyane Wade. He is the heart and soul of this team, and he typically puts his heart and soul on the line for his team (when he's not lying on the court whining about a mythical foul).

This season is all about keeping Wade happy, so that he will stick around next season when the Heat could add one of the other top free agents from the Class of 2010 not named LeBron. One thing that could go a long way toward keeping Wade happy and could also propel Miami forward is the maturation process of Michael Beasley.

The kid has all the tools, and if the Heat actually run a couple of plays for him, he could show just how good he can be. Being under the tutelage of Alonzo Mourning could be the best thing that's ever happened to Beasley. If Beasley learns to play with even a quarter of the intensity that Zo played with, he will become an All-Star for many years to come.

The Final Word: The primary focus of the Heat is already next year. However, they have enough talent to be a playoff team this season and possibly threaten a team in the first round just as they did last season.

Orlando Magic

2008-09 record: 59-23
Key additions: Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson, Jason Williams
Key losses: Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie

Last year, the Orlando Magic overachieved and made the NBA Finals. This year, they could be right back in the Finals, and it won't be an overachievement. The front office did a wonderful job adding tremendous depth to an already strong team.

The jury is out on the Hedo Turkoglu/Vince Carter switch, but with a healthy Jameer Nelson back, the Magic didn't need Turkoglu running the point-forward any more. If VC plays defense like he is capable and remembers that every possible shot he can fire up isn't always the best shot, this team could be scary good.

Their frontline duo of Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard can't be matched, and they have underrated playmaker Mickael Pietrus in the mix as well. Add in the additions of Brandon Bass, Matt Barnes, and Ryan Anderson, and you have possibly the deepest team in the league.

The Final Word: If healthy, this team will go to the conference finals at the least and very well could represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals once again this season.

Washington Wizards

2008-09 record: 19-63
Key additions: Randy Foye, Fabricio Oberto, Mike Miller
Key losses: Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila

"If they stay healthy" might as well be the Wizards' motto this year. Gibert Arenas will once again try to return from the knee injuries that have plagued him for the past two seasons. Caron Butler missed the end of '07 with a broken thumb. Brendan Haywood had a wrist injury that caused him to miss the majority of last season.

If healthy, Washington has one of the most talented offenses in the league with Arenas, Butler, and Antawn Jamison leading the way. They also added shooter Mike Miller and Randy Foye in the offseason. Young prospects Nick Young and Andray Blatche could also be in store for a breakout season under the tutelage of Flip Saunders.

But once again, it all comes down to "if they stay healthy."

The Final Word: Some people think this team is playoff bound, which they may be, but they will never win a championship with Arenas as their No. 1 star.