NBA Starting Five (Story Lines)

     The new National Basketball Association (NBA) season begins on October 28 and it promises to be another exciting one filled with numerous back stories and plots.  Here is my Starting Five story lines for the upcoming season.

1.  Can the Celts do it again?

     The $64 million dollar question for all champions is whether they can do it again.  They have kept most of the team together (although James Posey has signed on with the Hornets) and more importantly, the Celts, especially Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, have said all the right things about not getting complacent and working hard.  With those two at the helm, it is safe to say that the Celtics will play and compete hard.  What remains in the balance though, is will the big three get some help from bench players Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Gabe Pruitt?  

2.  Are the Lakers really better this year?

     Despite having the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kobe Bryant, many claimed the Lakers were short-handed facing the Celtics in last year's NBA finals.  With Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza finally healthy, and with Pau Gasol in for a whole year, this year will be the true test of the Lakers' championship mettle.  Are the Lakers destined to be world champs?

3.  Cavaliers and Hornets.  Are they for real?

     Last season, these two young teams have shown up the "veteran" teams by performing well despite their relative young age.  During the offseason, they both not only kept the core of their line ups, they each also added a player that they feel could get them over the hump.  The Cavs added PG Mo Williams to add a ball handler and scorer to take the load of Lebron James, while the Hornets brought in veteran SG James Posey, a great shooter, perimeter defender and more importantly, a good locker room presence to guide the younger players.  Will these additions and another year of playing together take these teams to the promised land? 

4.  Will the Rockets finally have lift off?

     Despite the talented duo of Tracy Mcgrady and Yao Ming and their record-setting 22 straight wins, the Rockets have failed to move past the first round of the playoffs in five seasons.  A lot of that could be attributed to the two stars constantly getting injured, but it could also be pointed at their relatively thin bench.  This year, the Rockets added another big time player in SF Ron Artest and a veteran shooter in SG Brent Barry.  Will they be enough to improve the team?  Will the Rockets stay healthy and deep enough to go past the first round of the playoffs?

5.  How old is old?

     The aging line ups of the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs were tweaked very little in the off season, meaning the teams are looking for another title run.  This season will reveal if age has finally caught up with them.  Grizzled veterans Rasheed Wallace of the Pistons and TIm Duncan of the Spurs will continue battling down low, but can they still carry their teams?  Will age and various injuries finally catch up to them?