What to Look for in the 2008-2009 NBA Season

Last season was memorable to say the absolute least. We witnessed great things such as the Lakers and Celtics becoming the two greatest teams in the league, which was something that no one saw coming.

We also witnessed a huge level of competitiveness among point guards in the league. Many huge trades went down, making the second half of the season that much better.

But yet again, even though it will go down as one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, it is now part of the past. Not to worry NBA fans, next season also promises to be one that will be outstanding.

Why? That’s pretty darn easy to answer. First off, so much speculation is going on to this whole Elton Brand Baron Davis duo. This duo may simply be one of the best the NBA has ever seen.

Elton Brand and Baron Davis duo:

Davis leaving Golden State may be the result of coach Nelson sitting him out the second half of the must win game they had at the end of the season. Nelson then said that was because "He was having a bad game. He was terrible."

Nelson also said that "he was the worst player on the floor, and I told him to take the second half off. He was 2-for-13, we were down 14 points. So I said, 'Hey, let's relax and play some young guys.'"

Nellie old boy, let’s just say that didn’t help you keep your best player and one of the league's best player. Next time when you have no chance of winning the game anyway then JUST LEAVE HIM IN!

That duo may result in a Laker-like turn around season for the Clippers and will also make a huge rivalry between the two LA franchises by finally marking the Clippers as contenders.

Greg Oden’s Arrival:

The Western Conference holds many other mysteries such as the much anticipated arrival of Greg Oden to the NBA. This season, the Blazers were impressive and did shock the whole league by winning a dozen games straight.

This league is now rich with great big men and to be a contender in the tough Western Conference, Oden will need to be dominant on both ends of the floor and he is going to have to match all star performers such as Amare Stoudemire and Pau Gasol.

Bynum and Pau’s future:

Oden isn’t the only big man that will be coming back from injury. Andrew Bynum had a breakthrough season before it unfortunately ended in injury and surgery.

How will he and Pau work together, and could they really be one of the greatest big men duos in the league? Or will this all go south forcing Laker management to trade one of their giants.

If these two full of talent big men can learn how to share the paint and build some chemistry then the Lakers will without a doubt be the greatest NBA team that season and I do believe that they will become world champions, which is something they were so close to this season.

The New York Knicks:

Donnie Walsh is now in charge of the Knicks and he promised so much to the fans and has begun positive moves by firing Isiah Thomas and by hiring D’Antoni as new head coach.

During the draft the Knicks did a move that seemed to be highly disappointing for the fans and those fans are hoping to be proven wrong. Donnie also promised many other moves that will help the team become contenders and that is also something that will be highly anticipated by New York fans.

Will the Sun be Shining?:

I have heard so much about the future of the great Phoenix Suns; some say they're done while others beg to differ. Will Shaq be able to step up to the plate and produce positives for the Suns? Will Amare be able to play a full season at the high level he has gotten us used too?

Will Nash prove to us all that he is still “Two Time League MVP Steve Nash?” How will Porter effect the team’s playing style? And most important of all, will they be able to compete in the tough Western Conference?

The Rookies:

Rose is a Bull, Beasley is part of the Heat, and after a huge trade, OJ Mayo is a Wolf. Will Rose be able to live up to the hype of the first draft pick? How will that change the formation of the Bulls?

Beasley is now part of the Miami Heat that is now packed with Marion, Wade, and Beasley. Is he what they were missing and will he helps put them back at the top notch level they were in 2006?

OJ is another great player in this class of rookies and he may be part of an unexpected turn around season for the Timberwolves that now have Al, Miller, and Mayo which is what a team needs to compete in such a tough conference.

Obviously there are also many other things that the NBA fan will have to look out for such as the Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks, and Yao’s recovery. Yet these stories are ones that deserve special attention and that I believe will have the biggest impact on the league.