The NBA season started on October 27th, and it should be a very exciting season, with at least 5 teams being clear-cut Championship contenders.

1. Los Angeles Lakers
Last season + top players: The Lakers, lead by shooting guard Kobe Bryant, won the NBA Championship last season. Bryant is a top five overall player, and arguably the best scorer in the NBA. The Lakers also feature a three-headed monster with center Andrew Bynum, power forward Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom as the best rotation of big men in the NBA. Top players grade: A+

Offseason Moves: The Lakers lost Trevor Ariza through free agency to the Houston Rockets, but signed sometimes-volatile small forward Ron Artest. His addition means that Bryant will not have to guard the opposing team’s best player, saving him a lot of energy he will need at the end of games and during the Lakers run to repeat as champions. Offseason grade: B

Supporting cast: 13-year veteran Derek Fisher starts at point guard. Odom, forward Luke Walton, guard Sasha Vujacic, and point guard Jordan Farmar are the main role players for the Lakers. Supporting cast grade: C-

Coaching: The Lakers’ head coach is Phil Jackson, who won his 10th NBA title as a head coach last year. He is famous for running the triangle offense, and has truly mastered it over his 19 years as an NBA head coach. He is arguably the best coach in NBA history, as he is the all-time leader in playoff wins and playoff winning percentage. Coaching grade: A+

Concerns: The keys to the Lakers season are staying healthy and making sure Artest behaves. Bynum has been hurt often throughout his young NBA career, and Gasol missed several games at the beginning of this season, which that could remain a lingering issue. Artest is famous for going into the stands in Detroit to attack a fan who threw a cup of beer at him as he was trying to calm down after a fight between the Pistons and his Pacers. As long as the Lakers are winning, Artest will probably be on his best behavior.

2. Boston Celtics

Last season + top players: After winning the ‘07-’08 NBA Championship, the Celtics has a disappointing season despite finishing with the second best record in the Eastern Conference and reaching the second round of the NBA playoffs. Power forward Kevin Garnett hurt his knee and missed the playoffs after attempting to come back from a one-month absence in mid March. Garnett, small forward Paul Pierce, and shooting guard Ray Allen form Boston’s famed “Big Three.” Pierce is a very good overall player, Allen is a great shooter, and Garnett is on of the best defensive players of his generation. Top players grade: A

Offseason moves: The Celtics lost energetic forward Leon Powe through free agency to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but added bench scorers Marquis Daniels and Rasheed Wallace. The Celtics also added Shelden Williams for his physicality off the bench. Offseason grade: B

Supporting cast: Rajon Rondo starts at point guard and is the Celtics’ best player outside the Big Three. He is a great distributor and is one of the quickest players in the league. Kendrick Perkins is the Celtics’ center, and he provides shot blocking and the occasional low-post score. Guard Eddie House and forward Glen Davis play off the Celtics’ bench. Davis broke his hand in a fight shortly before the season, and he is out until at least mid-December. Supporting cast grade: B+

Coaching: Doc Rivers has an awful tendency to complain and whine more than any coach I have ever seen, but he is a very good motivator for his team. He is a very good defensive coach, and he won the Championship with the Celtics two years ago. Coaching grade: B+

Concerns: The Big Three is getting up there in age, as Garnett is 33, Allen is 34, and Pierce is 32. Garnett has become an injury risk, and Allen and Pierce are beginning to have a lot of nagging injuries. The Celtics cannot beat the other top contenders without the Big Three in place.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last season + top players: The Cavs once again failed to win the Championship, losing the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs were heavily favored to win the series and face the Lakers, but the Magic were too big and athletic for the Cavs. The Cavs are led by small forward and 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James. He is the best player in the NBA with his mix of athletic ability, smarts, and skill. The Cavs don’t really have a clear cut second best player, but a host of good players behind James. Top players grade: A-

Offseason moves: The Cavs were very active in the offseason, trading for center Shaquille O’Neal and signing shooting guard Anthony Parker and the versatile Jamario Moon. Shaq was brought in because the Cavs had no answer for most teams’ low-post scorers, mainly the Orlando Magic. The Cavs also signed forward Leon Powe, who will be back from a torn ACL in January or February. Offseason grade: B

Supporting cast: O’Neal is starting at center, James plays small forward, and Parker is starting at shooting guard. The Cavs lineup can be very liquid, because aside from James and O’Neal, only point guard Mo Williams is a set starter. Williams is a scorer, which fits well because James plays a point forward type of role, so Williams isn’t asked to be a distributor. High-energy Anderson Varejao plays the most minutes of any Cavs power forwards, but for now sophomore JJ Hickson will start. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is the other Cavalier big man, and at 7’3” he is one of the longest players in the league. He is the classic European “stretch player,” meaning he stretches the floor with his shooting rather than overpowering defenders down low. Delonte West is very important to the team, as he is a good ball handler off the bench. Daniel Gibson can be a good shooter off the bench, and seems to have re-gained his confidence and shooting touch after struggling for most of last season. Supporting cast grade: B-

Coaching: Mike Brown is a defense-first coach who has made sure none of his players are lethargic or lazy. The Cavs are a top-2 team defensively, along with Boston. The Cavs lost assistant coach and unofficial offense coordinator John Kuester, who landed Detroit’s head coaching job during the offseason, which means the rest of the staff will have to improve the offense. Coaching grade: B+

Concerns: The Cavs have had trouble meshing early on, especially figuring out how to use Shaq. The new players are still feeling out the team and all the players are trying to adjust to their new roles. West is battling bipiloar disease, and has had several off-the-court incidents. He needs to get himself straightened out, as he is very important to the Cavs.

The Best of the rest:

The Orlando Magic beat the Celtics and Cavs before losing to the Lakers last season. They feature Dwight Howard, one of the most dominant centers in recent years. Around him they have sharp shooting power forward Rashard Lewis, a good point guard in Jameer Nelson, and old-but-athletic scorer Vince Carter. The Magic lost Hedo Turkoglu in the offseason, and his style fit them much better than Carter’s. That said, they are still legitimate title contenders and should at least give any of the top 3 contenders a run for their money in a playoff series.
The San Antonio Spurs always seem to be at their best come playoff time. They are led by 2-time NBA MVP Tim Duncan and head coach Greg Popovich. Duncan and “Pop” have won 4 Championships together, and have created a great defensive identity. Tony Parker is a very good point guard, and shooting guard Manu Ginobili is a good scorer. In the offseason, the Spurs added Richard Jefferson to provide another scoring threat and Antonio McDyess to rebound off the bench. The Spurs can contend if they stay healthy, which is an issue. Duncan is 33 and was hurt for much of last year, and Ginobili is 32 and has missed a lot of time the past two seasons.

The race for the Championship is one of the most interesting in recent years, as there have are usually not five teams that are so much better than the rest of the league. It should be an exciting season, and it’s a good time to be a fan of the NBA.