Top 25 Questions Heading into the 2010-2011 Season

Last year the Lakers captured their 16th NBA title, can they break even with Boston? Will LeBron win his third-straight MVP? The 25 most intriguing questions heading into next year are here! Read on.

25. Can the Warriors Make Noise this Year?

With the acquisition of Power Forward/Center David Lee, the Warriors have assembled a team that can compete in the Western Conference. Steph Curry and Monta Ellis will come back better and more experienced next year. Andris Biedrins should be healthy from injury., and Ronny Turiaf will look to lead the bench.

With two of the games best rebounders playing in the front court, look for the Warriors to be among the top five in rebounding.

Starting line-up outlook:

PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Vladimir Radmanovic/ Reggie Williams
PF: David Lee
C: Andris Biedrins

24. Will Doug Collins Improve the Sixers Playoff Hopes?

Doug Collins has a history of making teams better after his first year as the "New Coach." With a very good rookie in Evan Turner coming in, the Sixers will be able to get their franchise going in the right direction again.

23. Can Chris Paul Bounce Back?

Once considered the best point guard in the NBA, and a legitimate MVP candidate, Chris Paul was sidelined by injury last year. The talented guard will have to get his Hornets back to playoff contention if he wants his best point guard title back.

22. Does T-Mac Have Any Fuel in the Tank?

After missing an overwhelming amount of games due to injuries and "personal reasons," in his first game with the Knicks, T-Mac showed the NBA that he still has game. Will any team gamble to take McGrady on their team?

21. Is Yao Good-to-Go?

A little more than a year ago, Yao was lost to what seemed to be a career ending injury. Yao has been working and doing rehabilitation in his foot to get back to full strength, or at least close to it. With Yao Ming, the Rockets become significantly better.

20. Does Chris Bosh Really Want to Play 3rd Wheel?

Wasn't Bosh the one who said that he wanted to be "the guy" on a new team? If by "the guy" he means teaming up with two of the three best players in the NBA in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, then step right ahead. He seems key on his third-option role in Miami, but how long will he accept not being the go-to-guy?

19. Are the Atlanta Hawks Contenders or Pretenders?

They have the talent, but do they have the heart. The series against Orlando could have been the worst series in professional sports I have ever seen. The Atlanta Hawks didn't even look like they wanted to be there. If the Hawks want to go far, they need to worry about heart, and not talent.

18. Will the Cavaliers Sink Without LeBron?

Dan Gilbert has already shown his frustration, but without the King, the Cavs now seek a leader. With Antwan Jamison, Mo Williams, and a new coach, will the Cavs make the playoffs next year, or sink and think of what would have happened had LeBron stayed.

17. Can the Blazers Count on Greg Oden to Stay Healthy?

In just his second year, it seemed that Greg Oden was going to become the player that we thought he was capable of being. Unfortunately, the Blazers lost their big man to another knee injury. Although it was apart of the Blazers' trend last year, if Portland doesn't have a healthy big man that they count on, I'm afraid they aren't making it far.

16. Will the Knicks Make the Playoffs Next Year?

No LeBron, no D-Wade, just Amar'e. The Knicks haven't made the playoffs in about seven years. With no MVP caliber point-guard, can the Knicks fly with Amare and D'antoni's run-and-gun system?

15. Is Aaron Brooks Set for an Encore?

Has Aaron Brooks become the future of the Houston Rockets? The 25-year-old speed bolt lead the Rockets to an above par season. When many speculated that this team would crumble without Yao or T-Mac, Brooks kept his head high and played a great 09-10 season.

He lead the NBA in three pointers made, and had the Rockets on the brink of the playoffs. With a healthy Yao, and having players like Trevor Ariza, Luis Scola, and Kevin Martin come back, the Rockets are in shape to make some noise out west.

14. If Healthy, Can Blazers Contend in the West?

Last year, the Blazers missed an absurd amount of games due to injury. I don't think I've ever seen a more injury prone, or just plain unlucky team. However, the once young and up and coming Blazers were the favorite to be "the next team" to be great in the West.

I believe they can and will be...if they stay healthy.

13. Can Nash Keep Suns in Playoffs?

Their top scorer from last season bolted to the Big Apple; can the Suns' veteran point guard, and two-time MVP keep the Suns competitive in the Western Conference?

12. Will Tyreke Evans, Steph Curry and Brandon Jennings Hit Soph. Slump?

After a brilliant rookie year from Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, and Steph Curry, can the (now) sophomore studs keep up the high level of play? I'm sure at least one of them is to hit a slump next year, question is: who will it be?

11. Will Dwight Howard Win the DPOY Again?

I don't think there was even a race for the Defensive Player of the Year award last year. Dwight Howard dominates games on the defensive end, and lead his Magic to the second best record in the NBA because of it. If Dwight leads the NBA in rebounds and blocks (again), and the Magic have another successful year, then I don't think it's even a question as to who should get the DPOY award.

10. Will Coach Karl be Healthy Next Season?

The Nuggets were the favorites to knock off the Lakers last postseason. One problem, they didn't get to play the Lakers. After being upset by the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets were in need of one thing: Not a scorer, a three-point specialist, even a lock-down defender. Just a coach. George Karl has proved his worth to the Nuggets, and how much better he makes them.

9. Is the Spurs Dynasty Over?

Let's face it, the Spurs had one hell of a run. Four championships in a decade. That's what teams dream to be. In that decade, the Spurs put their championship count as the fourth most (behind the Celtics, Lakers, Bulls). They're not always fun to watch, but they're a consistent team that gets the job done. Let's see if they can make a playoff run next year.

8. Will Kevin Durant Defend His Scoring Title?

Kevin Durant is the youngest player to win a scoring title. However, a player has not won a back-to-back scoring title since Kobe, who did it in 05-06 and 06-07. If he keeps up his efficient play, Kevin Durant can repeat as the NBA's scoring champ.

7. Is there a Team that Poses a Threat to the Lakers Out West?

The Lakers have come out of the west three straight times. Is there any team in the west that poses a serious threat to the Lakers?

6. How Will John Wall Fare in his First Campaign?

The top overall pick from the 2010 draft will look to lace 'em up in October. In his first summer league game, the kid dropped 24 points to lead his team to victory. The sky is the limit for this talented prospect.

5. Can Rajon Rondo Lead an Old Celtic Team?

The Celtics are old, but can the young and spectacular Rajon Rondo lead them on another playoff run?

4. Is LeBron the Favorite to Win MVP?

LeBron is the reigning back-to-back MVP, however with a new and improved team, will LeBron be able to average the same stats that helped him earn his first two MVPs?

Note: My prediction is Kevin Durant

3. Are the Chicago Bulls the Dark Horse in the East?

Although it's too early to call teams "Powerhouses," but with the addition of Carlos Boozer, the Bulls will be a force in the Eastern Conference next year.

One of the best point guards in the NBA will be one year more experienced and still looking to make a name for himself. Joining Rose, is an elite rebounder/defender in Joakim Noah whose passion by itself provides energy for the entire team.

The Bulls are not the preseason favorite to come out of the East, but maybe we'll change our mind after a couple weeks into the season.

2. Can LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh Win a Title?

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, (the top three free agents in the 2010 free agent class) all ended up in Miami.

Although the three superstars are yet to play a game together, many have the Miami Heat as the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference.

From their three superstars, Dwyane Wade is the only one who has a championship. Hell, he's the only won who has won a game in the Finals...but before we get ahead of ourselves, the Heat have to play against an upgraded Eastern Conference who will no longer have teams who are sub-.500 make the playoffs.

We think they can, the question is: Will they be successful playing together as opposed to against each other?

1. Will Kobe/Lakers Three-peat, Tie Jordan/Boston?

Mere moments after Kobe captured his fifth, and the Lakers captured their 16th title, there were immediate thoughts of if the Lakers would three-peat, giving Kobe his sixth ring (tying Jordan) and the Lakers their 17th (tying Boston).

If the Lakers were to three-peat, it would be Phil Jackson's fourth time, and Kobe's second. If the Lakers do happen to win next year's title, all doubt that Phil Jackson isn't the greatest coach, and Kobe not being the greatest Laker will be diminished.