NBA Preview & Predictions: What Team Will Reign Supreme at The End Of 2010.

The start of the NBA season is a time for hope and optimism. It doesn't matter if your team won all of 18 games the previous year, come opening night you're tied for first place in the league.

Teams such as Minnesota, New Jersey, Washington and Philadelphia can all look at this upcoming season as possibly being their year. Perhaps not to win it all, but at least to get back in the playoffs.

This year expect to see a league with much more balance than in recent history. There will not be any single horrible team, like last years Nets. Fans can expect to see a log jam of squads with similar records battling for a post season spot.

With NBA training camps starting tomorrow across the league we will now take a look at what the 2010-11 season will have in store for fans.

Atlantic Division

1. Boston Celtics (57-25)

The Celtics boast one of the leagues deepest and most talented teams. The additions of Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal bolstered a center position which was exposed after Kendrick Perkins injury in last years finals.

2. New York Knicks (42-40) 

Turner, Iguodala and Brand should make for a strong trio around which the 76ers can try and get back to the playoffs. Still expect the to fall just short.

3. Philadelphia 76ers (36-46)

The Knicks are still a player away from getting into the post season. Look for them to make a strong push for Carmelo Anthony. With him on board the Knicks can be a fifth seed in the East.

4. New Jersey Nets (28-54)

By the time they reach Brooklyn, the Nets will be ready to get back into the playoffs.

5. Toronto Raptors (22-60)

Toronto lost their best player from a team that barely missed the playoffs last year. Look for the Raptors to take a big step back in 2010-11 as the team is now in rebuilding mode.

Central Division

1. Chicago Bulls (53-29)

The Bulls will be a much stronger team this season. Expect to see Derick Rose take the next step up the ladder of NBA stars and to help lead Chicago past the first round of the playoffs.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (44-38)

The Bucks will make the playoffs this season. Look for them to compete for the Central Division crown.

3. Detroit Pistons (42-40)

Detroit will be better than many people expect. Look for the Pistons to make it back into the playoffs this year.

4. Indiana Pacers (36-46)

The Pacers are starting to build a better team in Indiana. Granger and Collison will make for an exciting duo. Still Indiana is a year away.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (25-57)

From first to worst in the Central. Cleveland will have a tough time adjusting to life without LeBron.

Atlantic Division

1. Miami Heat (65-17)

The Heat will steer through a season in which every team that takes the court against them will be trying their hardest for a win. Miami is public enemy number one and as such will have to be ready for the bulls-eye that has been placed on them.

2. Orlando Magic (55-27)

The Magic will have a great season and may very well win a title this year if the front office can somehow acquire Chris Paul.  

3. Atlanta Hawks (45-37)

Atlanta has a strong team but they're not on par with Miami or Orlando.  

4. Charlotte Bobcats (38-44)

The Bobcats made it to the post season last year but will miss out on the playoffs in 2011.  

5. Washington Wizards (28-54)

The Wizards will improve from last season but will miss the playoffs again.

Eastern Conference Playoff Seeds

1. Miami Heat

2. Boston Celtics

3. Orlando Magic

4. Chicago Bulls

5. Atlanta Hawks

6. Milwaukee Bucks

7. Detroit Pistons

8. New York Knicks

Northwest Division

1. Portland Trail Blazers (50-32)

The Blazers will put together their best season in recent memory this year.

2. Oklahoma City (49-33)

The Thunder will continue to move to the forefront of Western Conference contenders.

3. Denver Nuggets (46-36)

Look for Denver to take a step back in 2010, regardless of whether they trade or keep Carmelo. 

4. Utah Jazz  (43-39)

Utah will sneak into the playoffs yet again.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves (23-59)

Expect some growing pains in Minnesota as they try to build a winner for the future.

Southwest Division

1. Dallas Mavericks (53-29)

The Mavericks will make a push at unseating the Lakers this season.

2. San Antonio Spurs (47-35)

San Antonio will attempt one final run at a title with their core of champions.

3. Houston Rockets (36-46)

Yao Ming can't stay healthy, it's a shame but this will ruin the Rockets hopes.

4. New Orleans Hornets (34-48)

Whether or not Chris Paul gets traded the Hornets are far too talented to be underachieving like this.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (33-49)

A season away, that seems to constantly be the Grizzlies outlook and will be so once again.

Pacific Division

1. Los Angeles Lakers (61-21)

The Lakers will breeze through the regular season. Don;t expect another team to challenge them this year for the top seed heading into the playoffs.

2. Phoenix Suns (45-37)

The Suns may have lost Amare but remain a dangerous opponent.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (36-46)

The Clippers will collapse down the stretch after a strong start and will miss the playoffs.

4. Golden State Warriors (30-52)

The Warriors will experience growing pains as they prepare to be a playoff contender next season.

5. Sacramento Kings (29-53)

Same applies for the Kings. They're going to be a much better team a year or two from now.

Western Conference Playoff Seeds

1. Los Angeles Lakers

2. Dallas Mavericks

3. Portland Trail Blazers

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

5. San Antonio Spurs

6. Denver Nuggets

7. Phoenix Suns

8. Utah Jazz

Eastern Conference First Round

Miami Heat 4 - New York Knicks 1

The NBA smiles at a first round Heat vs Knicks playoff revival. Look for Miami to dominate this series from start to finish. The Heat will make quick work of the Knicks, regardless if they have Carmelo or not.

Boston Celtics 4 - Detroit Pistons 2

A battle between two of the leagues most historic franchises. Detroit will have the series even at two a piece before Boston wakes up and wins Games five and six.

Orlando Magic 4 - Milwaukee Bucks 1

Orlando will control the paint and easily advance from this series.

Chicago Bulls 4 - Atlanta Hawks 3

The most competitive first round series in the East will see the Bulls surviving and advancing to the next round.

Western Conference First Round

Los Angeles Lakers 4 - Utah Jazz 1

Lakers put it in cruise control after taking a three games to none lead.

Dallas Mavericks 4 - Phoenix Suns 3

The Suns give the Mavs all they can handle in this first round slug fest.

Portland Trail Blazers 4 - Denver Nuggets 2

The Trail Blazers take care of business by eliminating the Nuggets.

San Antonio Spurs 4 - Oklahoma City 2

The Spurs experience manages to get them a road win in Game 5 and then they close it out at home in Game 6.

Eastern Conference Second Round

Miami Heat 4 - Chicago Bulls 1

The Heat win the series but Chicago gives them a contest in every game.

Boston Celtics 4 - Orlando Magic 3

Boston wins a dramatic Game 7 to advance to another Eastern Conference Finals.

Western Conference Second Round

Los Angeles Lakers 4 - San Antonio Spurs 1

The Lakers drop Game 3 on the road but rebound to win the next two and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Dallas Mavericks 4 - Portland Trail Blazers 3

The Mavs win their second decisive Game 7 of the playoffs, thanks to home court advantage.

Eastern Conference Finals

Miami Heat 4 - Boston Celtics 3

Boston wins Game two after dropping the first. The Heat then even the score by reclaiming home court in Game three. Boston wins Game four and six but loses Game five and the pivotal Game seven. the Miami Heat advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history.

Western Conference Finals

Los Angeles Lakers 4 - Dallas Mavericks 3

LA cruises in Games one and two only to have Dallas storm back with consecutive wins in Texas. The two teams win at home in Games five and six before the Lakers send the Mavs home as Game seven losers.

NBA Finals

The NBA gets its much anticipated "Dream Match" as the Heat and Lakers square off in the Finals.

The series will prove to be the NBA's highest rated Finals since the Jordan days. Celebrities flock to games at both arenas.

This has to happen, the league won't allow it not to. Too many viewers and dollars to mess this up.

On top of it there are so many story lines.

The Heat and Lakers are even at six in their last twelve contests. Ever since the Shaq to Miami trade it has become one of the leagues premier rivalries with three Christmas Day games. During that time Kobe has outscored Wade by 20 points total, while Wade has added nearly 30 more assists than Kobe.

Will LeBron finally win his first title? Will Kobe tie Jordan and win his sixth? Will Phil Jackson get a twelfth ring, will Eric Spoelstra get his first?

It goes beyond the story line of the players and coaches too.

Geographically speaking it's perfect. You have East coast versus West coast. Miami and Los Angeles. The Atlantic and the Pacific. Hollywood versus South Beach.

Then there's the team monikers. Heat versus Lakers. It goes down to the elements. You have fire versus water.

Then there's the whole old lion versus new lion theme.

It's a Highlander-esque final battle and "there can be only one."

In the end Heat vs Lakers lives up to the hype. Both teams split the first six games. Entering the final and decisive Game 7, both teams prepare for the biggest battle of their basketball lives.

And the winner is.....................

I got Heat in 7, but I'll let you all decide.