Western Elite

1. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs were 28 seconds away from being the current NBA Champions.  The Spurs return their core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker.  The team also returns forward Kawhi Leonard who is starting to emerge as a superstar. The Spurs also return key role players such as Boris Diaw, Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Tiago Splitter. In addition to the team's returning player the Spurs added sharpshooter Marco Belinelli.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder features two superstars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  The Thunder also have one of the premier defensive player's in the game in Serge Ibaka. This Thunder team also feature key role players such as Ronnie Brewer, Reggie Jackson, Kendrick Perkins, and Thabo Sefolosha. This team if healthy have enough talent to make it to the finals.

3. Houston Rockets - The Rockets went from barely being a playoff team into a serious contender in the Western Conference.  In addition to upcoming superstar James Harden the Rockets managed to obtain the best big man in the game in Dwight Howard.  Like the other contenders the Rockets have plenty of good role players such as Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, Patrick Beverly, Issiah Canaan, and Jeremy Lin.  The Rockets could make some serious noise in the playoffs.

4 - Los Angles Clippers - Just the addition of head coach Doc Rivers make this team a legitimate threat to reach the NBA Finals.  The Clippers have two All Star is in Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. The team also have plenty of role players such as Matt Barnes, Reggie Bullocks, Darren Collinson, Jared Dudley, Jamal Crawford, DeAndre Jordan, and JJ Redick.

5. Golden State Warriors - The Warriors made significant progress in the winning department and will only be better.  The Warriors have their first Superstar since Chris Mullens in Stephen Curry.  This team also feature all star veterans such as Andre Bogut, Andre Iguodala, and David Lee. This Warriors team is filled with other young improving talent such as Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson.  It wouldn't surprise to see this team make it to the Western Conference Finals. 

6. Memphis Grizzlies - Anyone that saw the Grizzlies play last year saw how dangerous they are.  The Grizzlies team starts with its interior presence with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.  Memphis also has a good young point guard in Mike Conly as well as a All NBA defender in Tony Allen. The bench is filled with NBA veterans such as Jerryd Bayless and Tayshaun Prince.  This is a very formidable team in the playoffs.

7. Denver Nuggets - The Nuggets are a perfect example of team by winning and not even having one all star on its roster. The team starts with it points guards Andre Miller and Ty Lawson.  The team also features Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari, JJ Hickson, Javale McGee, and Nate Robinson.  If this team can hit the three in the playoffs they can be very dangerous.

8. Portland Trail Blazers - Last season the Blazers starting 5 could play with any team in the league the problem was the bench.  The Blazers feature 2 All Star caliber players LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lilliard.  The Blazers also have two other pretty good players Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews. The Blazers help it bench through both the draft and free agency by adding Robin Lopez, CJ McCollum, and Mo Williams. The additions should be just enough for this team to make the playoffs. 

Eastern Elite

1. Miami Heat - Although the path to NBA Championship will be a lot tougher in the 2013 - 2014 season the Miami Heat are still the favorite to repeat.  Although the Heat had to amnesty playoff hero Mike Miller most of their championship core remains intact.  Lebron James the leagues reigning MVP is still the best player on the planet and is only getting better. NBA All Star Dwayne Wade returns healthy as well as Chris Bosh.  Mario Chalmers returns to run the point and forward Shane Battier returns for another year. Last year's key role players Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, Udonis Haslem, and the improving Norris Cole also returns for the Heat.  In order to combat the NBA Big's of the league Pat Riley brought in former number 1 overall pick Greg Oden.  If this team can stay healthy throughout the season and playoffs there will be another championship celebration in Miami in June.

2. Chicago Bulls - This picks may surprise some people who haven't really watch the Bulls play but Chicago is the Heat's biggest threat in the east this year.  The Bulls finally get back their leader and former MVP Derrick Rose from his ACL injury and will be much better because of it.  Luol Deng also returns from his illness that he suffered during the NBA Playoffs.  Joakim Noah is back healthy after battling through injuries all season long last season. The Bull other role players Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich, and Nazr Mohammed return as well.  The Bulls also featuring up and coming young talent such as Jimmy Butler and Marquis Teague.

  

3. Brooklyn Nets - Last year the Nets took some major strides in the right direction making the playoffs as a fourth seed.  In to having All Stars Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, and Deron Williams the Nets have just brought in the likes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry.  In addition to having a star studded starting lineup the Nets revamped their bench by signing Andray Blatche and picking up Andrei Kirilenko.  If rookie head coach Jason Kidd can become the that many believe that he is capable of being this team can make a lot of noise deep into the playoffs.

4. Indiana Pacer - Okay I must admit that putting the Pacers fourth does seem kind of ridiculous especially seeing them last year take the Miami Heat to 7 games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Paul George is an emerging star in the league as well as the big man Roy Hibbert. The Pacers were able to resign their leader David West and return a key hog for their team Danny Granger from a season ending injury which allows Lance Stephenson to return to be bench.  Add guard CJ Watson and Luis Scola should help fortify what was a pedestrian bench last season.  If wouldn't surprise me if the Indiana Pacers were facing the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals for a second consecutive season.

5. New York Knicks - The New York Knicks are sitting at 5 on this list for a reason.  The Knicks have perhaps the best scorer in the game in Carmelo Anthony and also return the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith.  The Knicks also feature a one time Defensive Player of the Year in Tyson Chandler. Resigning Kenyon Martin and adding Metta World Peace should add some needed toughness to the Knicks. Iman Shumpert also returns and adds Tim Hardaway Jr. and Andrea Bargnani.  If Amare Stoudemire can stay healthy and accepts a role coming of the bench the Knicks could be dangerous.

6. Detroit Pistons - The Pistons have vastly improved themselves for this upcoming season. The Pistons already have big men Greg Monroe and the rapidly improving Andre Drummond. The Pistons also drafted two promising rookies in Kentavious Caldwell Pope and Tony Mitchell.  On top of the talent that the Pistons accumulated through the NBA Draft the Pistons managed to get rising star Josh Smith and upcoming talented point guard Brandon Jennings. Some other brilliant moves by Joe Dumars and the Front Office is bringing veteran Chauncey Billups back to Detroit and bring in Rasheed Wallace as an assistant coach to help develop their big men.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers - Looking at the Cleveland Cavaliers record last year its hard to imagine this team being in the playoff but this much improved team will be.  The first reason why the Cavaliers will make the playoff this season is the return of Mike Brown the most winiest coach in team history. Brown will not improve the teams defense but also shot selection as well. The second reason why the Cavaliers will make the playoffs is Kyrie Irving who made the All Star team last year and is on his way to becoming a superstar.  The third reason why the Cavaliers will make the playoffs is the huge upgrade of talent.  The Cavs upgraded talent surrounding Kyrie Irving includes the 2013 number 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, Sergey Karasev, Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao, Dion Waiters, and Tyler Zeller. The Cavaliers also manage to land All Star Andrew Bynum and veteran guard Jarrett Jack in free agency.  Combine the reasons together and if the Cavs are healthy they will make the playoffs easily.

8. Washington Wizards - After starting the season 5 and 28 the Wizards finished last season with 24 and 25 run.  The Wizards John Wall returned from injury and averaged a career high in points 18.5 points and field goal percentage 44.1 percent. The Wizards also return the vastly improving guard Bradley Beal and drafter small forward Otto Porter Jr. from Georgetown.  Factor in veterans big men such as Nene and Okafor and the Wizards should be good enough to secure the 8th and final playoff spot.

Greatest High School NBA Draftees of All TIme

1.  Kobe Bryant - Many in the sports world can argue that the Black Mamba has accomplished more in his NBA career than any player in history not Kareem or Jordan.  In his 17 year career Kobe Bryant has become a 15 time NBA All Star, 5 time NBA Champion, 2 time NBA Finals MVP, and a regular season MVP.  Kobe has made the All NBA First Team 11 times in his career and the NBA All Defensive 1st Team 9 times in his career. Bryant is also one of only 4 men (Kareem, MJ, and Wilt) in NBA history to score at least 30,000 points.  When his career is over he could go down as one of the top 5 players to ever play the game.

2.  Lebron James - No one in the history of the NBA has came directly out of high school and made a bigger impact than King James.  In just 10 seasons Lebron James has become a 9 time NBA All Star, a 4 time NBA MVP, 2 time NBA Champion, and a 2 time NBA Finals MVP.  James has also been named NBA Rookie of the Year, 7 time All NBA First Team, and 5 time NBA All Defensive 1st Team.  Lebron is the youngest player to ever score 20,000 points in his career and is already one of the 10 greatest players to ever play in the NBA.  Lebron is closing the gap on Kobe a very rapid pace and is only 28 years old.

3.  Kevin Garnett - The Big Ticket is truly one the last of a dying breed.  Kevin Garnett is a 15 time NBA All Star, NBA Champion, NBA MVP, and a former Defensive Player of the Year.  No one has ever brought as much intensity to the game as Kevin Garnett and motor earned him 4 All NBA 1st Team Selections and 9 NBA All Defensive 1st Team selections.

4.  Dwight Howard - Howard has his critics and justifiably so but one thing that cannot be denied his immense talent.  At only 27 years old Howard is already a 7 time NBA All Star and 3 time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.  In 9 NBA seasons Howard has lead the league in rebounding 5 times and block shots twice.  Superman 2.0 has also been selected to the All NBA First Team 5 times and NBA All Defensive 1st Team 4 times.  

5.  Tracy McGrady - T-Mac is a player that could rank a little higher if his career wasn't derailed by back and knee injuries.  Despite battling through numerous injuries throughout his career McGrady still managed to become a 7 time NBA All Star, a 2 time All NBA First Team selection, and a 3 time All NBA Second Team selection.  McGrady also led the league in scoring twice and his early stages of his career provided us with plenty of highlights.

6.  Amare Stoudemire - Like McGrady, Amare Stoudemire over the last 2 years has been just a shell of himself.  Amare in his 11 year career has become a 6 time NBA All Star and being selected to the All NBA First Team once and the All NBA Second Team 4 times.  When Amare is healthy he is a 20 points and 8 rebound guy easily.

7.  Jermaine O'neal -  Looking at Jermaine O'neal now you would think that I was crazy for putting him on the list but look at his resume.  The other O'neal is a 6 time NBA All Star that use to wow NBA fans with his athleticism.  

Are The Warriors Better?

      Although the Golden State Warriors lost their back up point guard Jarrett Jack to the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA Free Agency the team improved drastically.  The Warriors manage to land All Star Andre Iguodala.  What Iguodala brings to the Warriors first and foremost is excellent defense on the perimeter. In today's league perimeter defense is very important especially with some of the leagues biggest stars playing on the perimeter including Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Lebron James, and etc.  Iguodala also brings perimeter rebounding and intense energy to the Warriors. One other aspect that Iguodala brings to the Warriors is leadership which is a very important element for a very young team.  If Harrison Barnes can blossom in his sophomore season the addition of Iguodala could equal 50 plus wins for the Warriors this season.

Denard Robinson Shining

      According to reports from the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Denard Robinson has been very impressive at mini camps and OTA's so far.  He has demonstrated explosiveness from the running back position and is improving very quickly as a wide receiver.  Even Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew has been very impressed with Robinson's speed. Robinson routes have been crisp and displayed much improved hands catching the ball.  Although it's early so far it looks like Robinson will be a staple in the Jags offense for a very long time.

Cavs Sign Andrew Bynum

      The Cavs were able to sign All Star Center Andrew Bynum and at a discounted price.  Adding Andrew Bynum to the strong nucleus of Anthony Bennett, Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack, Sergey Karasev, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, and Tyler Zeller should automatically make some noise in the playoffs as long as Bynum stays healthy.

Cleveland Final Run at The King

      Despite the Miami Heat just winning it's second consecutive NBA Championship the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to hold out hope that their King James will return in Cleveland.  After the 2013 - 2014 NBA season Lebron James can opt out of his deal with the Miami Heat and become a unrestricted free agent.  Cavs owner Dan Gilbert hasn't said anything negative about Lebron in the press since the 2010 Decision but has quietly put together a strong roster that's good enough to make top free agents strongly consider Cleveland as destination to play. After losing Lebron to the Heat the Cavs finished with the worst record in the league and earned both the # 1 and # 4 overall picks in the draft.  With the their picks the Cavs were able to select point guard Kyrie Irving (NBA Rookie of the Year) and power forward Tristan Thompson.  Although the Cavs improved they still managed to secure the 2012 NBA Draft # 4 and # 19 (via picks swap with Mavs) overall picks in which the selected the very talented shooting guard Dion Waiters and center Tyler Zeller.  In 2012 NBA season we witness the Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving become a NBA All Star and power forward Tristan Thompson vastly improved.  The Cavs rookies Dion Waiter proved to be a scoring machine and Tyler Zeller proved to be a very serviceable big man.  Although the Cavs improved once again they still managed to secure the 2013 NBA Draft # 1 and 19 (via Lakers due to trade) overall picks. With the 2013 NBA Draft picks the Cavs shocked everyone and selected super talented tweener forward Anthony Bennett and sharpshooter Sergey Karasev.  The Cavs didn't just stop with the NBA Draft they got involved with free agency.  Last week the Cavs manage to reach a 4 year deal with talented combo guard Jarrett Jack and are looking to sign Andrew Bynum as well and owner Dan Gilbert stated that he is now willing to pay luxury tax to win titles.  A core of Anthony Bennett, Andrew Bynum, Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack, Sergey Karasev, Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters, and Tyler Zeller could be enough  to entice Lebron especially with the deteriorating health of Dwayne Wade.