Ten Big Questions for this season

The 10 Most Intriguing Storylines in the NBA

Here are the top ten stories to watch unfold as this very young season takes shape:

10. Can the Celtics repeat?
The Celtics Big 3 accomplished what they set out to do last year, winning that elusive NBA championship that had not been in Boston in almost 2 decades. So now what? The hardest thing to do in pro basketball is repeat. Though the rest of the league looks at Boston as the hunted, and not the hunter, Doc Rivers has his team poised and hungry to make another run at the title.

9. Can Greg Oden stay healthy for even half the season?
Well one week into the season, this one took a blow, as Oden injured himself 13 minutes into the NBA season against the Lakers. I am still a believer that before it is all said and done, Oden will have a positive impact on the Blazers playoff hopes this year.

8. Will the Spurs bounce back?
If you believe in trends, then the San Antonio Spurs should make it back to the NBA Finals this season. They never go back to back, but they are more of a every-other-year champion. After falling to Kobe’s crew last spring, the Spurs didnt make any drastic moves to their core, which means they believe Tony, Manu and Timmy can get them to the promised land again.

7. Does Lebron have enough help?
Ask many “experts”, and Lebron James days in Cleveland is numbered. With the impending free agency of 2010 approaching, The Cavs desperately want to make the supporting cast around King James as strong as possible as soon as possible. The addition of Mo Williams is an upgrade, but is it enough for Lebron to get back to the Finals?

6. Where will Stephon Marbury be playing at this spring?
We really doubt it will be in NYC. The Knicks have made it a priority to move the former leader of the Knicks, and move in another direction with players brought in by Coach D’Antoni. Starbury has many potential suitors, as we talked about here.

5. Is this Shaq’s last stand?
There is no question that Shaquille O’ Neal is a first ballot Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest big men to play the game. Yet he also is on the downside of his career, and no longer is the first option. Shaq and the talented Suns are getting older, and the group of Steve Nash, Grant Hill and company may see their window of opportunity close for good this season.

4. Who will be this years surprise team?
Every season it seems as if theirs a team that comes out of nowhere to make a run at the playoffs, then overachieves once they get there. Think Atlanta Hawks of last season, and Warriors of 2 seasons ago. One team that comes to mind that could fit that bill this year is Milwuakee Bucks, whom many arent expecting much from. The Bucks have the best player no one pays attention to, Michael Redd, and a solid core of young players around him to challenge for a bottom seed in the East.

3. Is AI the answer in Detroit?
This recent blockbuster trade of Allen Iverson to Detroit sent shockwaves throughout the NBA this week. Iverson now shoulders the load of being the new face of a franchise and team that has very high expectations. Is he enough to get them past Boston? Only time will tell. I am just as interested in how Chauncey Billups will mesh with Melo and the Nuggets out in Denver. Thats a team that was a borderline playoff team in the West before the deal, and now….?

2. Houston, we have a problem…
Will the Rockets version of the Big 3 = NBA Title? If, and thats a big IF, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Ron Artest can all remain healthy, and stay on the court together for a majority of the season, then the Rockets can challenge Los Angeles, New Orleans, and San Antonio for the Western Conference crown. I don’t think Ron Artest will be a distraction, and the trade to acquire him was a steal.

1. So who is going to win it all?
Well that seems to be the million dollar question. I really don’t like to make predictions and be wrong later, so I really like to put time into my picks, especially when it comes down to who will win the NBA Title. I try to think with my head, and not my heart. So with that being said…

Eastern Conference Finals: Detroit over Boston in 7

Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles over Houston in 6

NBA Finals: Los Angeles over Detroit in 6

So there you go. The Answer vs The MVP in the NBA Finals. Is it a reach? Perhaps. But this will go down as one of the most exciting NBA seasons in some time, that I can guarantee.