This past offseason has been an enormous one for the top teams in the National Basketball Association. Big name players were acquired in trades or free agent signings. Each team aiming for the NBA Championship and that actually has a shot, has gotten better.

 

In some cases, close friends of teammates were lost, but new doors opened as they welcomed in other players that will be key to the run at the Finals.

 

Last season was like a dramatic first part of a movie, this season will be the sequel.

 

So many storylines will be a part of this second showing that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

 

These are the ten worthy stories that you should keep on eye on for the second showing of what looks like one of the best seasons ever...

 

 

 

Honorable Mention: How will Andre Miller change the Blazers?

 

 

10. Wizards: a top team in East

 

This Washington team has always had talent, but lingering injures held them back from their full potential. If they remain healthy this season, which I think they actually will, they could easily be the fourth best team in the East.

Gilbert Arenas is a top player in the league when he is 100 percent healthy. Caron Butler is one of the more underrated players in the league and has improved drastically from his earlier years.

 

Antwan Jamison is always capable of a big night. Not to mention, they have playoff experience and have added some nice young guards in the offseason. The Wizards will be a force this year.

 

 

 

9. Sophomore class rising

 

The top players from this draft class is Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo. Both of them will elevate their statuses even higher this season. Rose went nuts in the playoffs and will carry his momentum into this season. With the loss of Ben Gordon, he will also be relied on more to score.

Mayo will become a scoring machine while working on other aspects of his game such as defense. He will establish himself as the face of the Grizzlies franchise. The two surprises of this class are Brook Lopez and Anthony Randolph.

Lopez will be the second option on the team without Vince Carter. Randolph will emerge as a star himself and as the third best player from this class, ahead of Lopez and Michael Beasley.

 

8. Rookies not as bad as advertised

 

This year, people were hating on the draft class. They said no one will be an all-star besides Blake Griffin which is false. This class has many other studs such as Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, James Harden, and more.

Evans could be as good as Griffin and could possibly go down as the best player in this draft class once his shot improves. Curry will be good depending on how much Don Nelson plays him. James Harden will be a key factor to the young Oklahoma City Thunder who will make noise in the future.

 

 

 

7. Finally All-Stars

 

There's been a few players in this league that have never been named an all-star, and it's unbelievable when you watch them play.

Some of those players are Kevin Durant, Deron Williams, and Al Jefferson. All three of these players will be all-stars this upcoming season. They are all young and have improved every year they have been in the league.

Unless someone emerges out of nowhere, it's safe to say that these three guys will all be all-stars for the first time in their careers this season.

 

 

 

6. Spurs are not done, yet

 

It looked like the San Antonio Spurs were done being a top team in the league. Injures and age were starting to take over. The lack of depth hurt as well. When people were starting to give up on them, they made a great move to get Richard Jefferson from the Bucks.

Not only did they keep Roger Mason Jr., but they added a legit scoring option and capable defender in Jefferson. He also has lots of playoff experience with the Nets.

 

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