The opening tip-off of the regular season will be on October 29 (Manila time) and concludes on April 14 of next year. The city of Phoenix will host the 2009 annual All-Star weekend with the All-Star game to be played on February 15, 2009.
Herewith are my views in capsule on each team for the 2008-09 season:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics - The Big 3 is back and a back-to-back title is still a big possibility.
New Jersey Nets - Jkidd is gone as well as RJ24 and a new look Nets featuring Yi Jianlian and rookie Brook Lopez backstopped by Vince Carter and Devin Harris look promising on paper.
New York Knicks - a new frontoffice brings excitement to the Gotham City squad. Needs to unload at least one or both of their prima donnas in Stephon Marbury and Zach Randolph.
Philadelphia 76ers - A nice duo in Andre Iguodala and newly-signed vet Elton Brand. If everything falls into right place, may spring a big surprise.
Toronto Raptors - Great move by management in bringing Jermaine O'Neal. Always a darkhorse.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Bulls - A 360-degree turn in team style as Vinny Del Negro takes helm in the windy city. The young turks are still there and boosted by the arrival of over-all top pick Derrick Rose. Offense is the name of their game.
Cleveland Cavaliers - As long as LeBron James is a Cavalier, they will always be a tough matchup for other teams. The reemergence of center Ben Wallace is the main key.
Detroit Pistons - May suffer from the Saunders karma. Remains a title contender as long as the four musketeers are still there (Chauncey Billups, Rich Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince).
Indiana Pacers - It is a rebuilding year for Larry Bird's boys. Vets Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy must step up or they may be shipped out. Head coach Jim O'Brien must be more assertive.
Milwaukee Bucks - Yi is gone and enter RJ24. Offense will never be a problem as long as Michael Redd is a Buck. New guru Scott Skiles brings discipline and defense to the brew city and possibly a post-season appearance.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks - The revelation of the 2008 play-offs are back! Will continue their development and may play deep into the 2009 play-offs.
Charlotte Bobcats - This will definitely be Larry Brown's last stop as head coach. Needs a healthy Adam Morrison and Gerald Wallace to qualify for the play-offs.
Miami Heat - The official start of the post-Riley/Shaq era. Badly needs a healthy Dwyane Wade to bring back the lost glory. Fil-am head coach Erik Spoelstra is in for a rough season debut.
Orlando Magic - Remains a dangerous team in the regular season and a faltering squad in the play-offs. Needs a good back-up center for Dwight Howard and more playing time for guard J.J. Redick. In urgent need of a locker room voice.
Washington Wizards - Obviously, where Gilbert Arena goes, so goes the team. Another major injury to Arenas will crash any hope for a bright season.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks - Finally free from Avery's dictatorship will bring new enthusiasm to the team. New head coach Rick Carlisle is a player's coach and this will only make Dirk Nowitzki more fired up and deadly as ever. Will definitely go deep into the post-season.
Houston Rockets - From a "2-headed monster" in T-Mac/Yao Ming to a "3-headed mean machine" with Ron Artest's arrival. An injury-free season to its main men is the key for T-Mac to finally win a play-off series.
Memphis Grizzlies - Still a middle of the pack team. The fans in Elvis town are excited with the arrival of top notch newbies in O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol. Main weakness is the coaching staff.
New Orleans Hornets - From an upcoming team to a title contender. Great off-season pickup in former Celtic sixth-man Jason Posey. An encore awaits them in the conference finals.
San Antonio Spurs - As good as ever. No need to elaborate, just watch them in May and June 2009.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Denver Nuggets - The duo of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony will continue to pack-in the crowd but the absence of a legitimate center remains the biggest block to a succesful season for the mile-high city outfit.
Minnesota Timberwolves - This is the breakout year for Al Jefferson. But still a bleak season awaits the Wolves. Must make a major move to upgrade the team in the post-Garnett era. A longshot to make the play-offs.
Oklahoma City Thunder - A new city, a new team but still the same old faces. The former Sonics are in for a massive initiation. Kevin Durant and Jeff Green remains the anchor of this young squad.
Portland Trailblazers - The rain city diehards are praying to the basketball gods to spare Greg Oden from further harm. With a healthy Oden and a very promising young guns in Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jerryd Bayless, the team looks like a legitimate play-off squad.
Utah Jazz - Defense alone can not win ballgames. The team looks forward to more firepower from AK47. Olympic gold medalists Carlos Boozer and Deron Willams represents the new version of the "Malone-Stockton" duo.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors - Still reeling from the defection of Baron Davis. Ronny Turiaf and Cory Maggette are good additions but must hurdle obstacles without injured whiz guard Monta Ellis early in the season. A team that is still fun to watch.
Los Angeles Clippers - Great to analyze, the acqusition of Baron Davis and Marcus Camby vs. the departure of Elton Brand and Cory Maggette. Still lot of loopholes that need to be patched up on other spots. Will still fall short of making the play-offs.
Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe's patience is running out and Paul Gasol remains soft. Plus factor is the return of promising slotman Andrew Bynum. Looks like Phil Jackson will have more sleepless nights ahead.
Phoenix Suns - Start of a new era. 2-time MVP Steve Nash badly wants an NBA title. Still suffering from the Shaq-Marion trade. Hiring of Terry Porter as head coach is another drawback.
Sacramento Kings - Run, run and run. That's the only thing Reggie Theus knew. Pity the careers of young but promising Francisco Garcia and Kevin Martin. It is clearly written in the wall, another cellar finish for the once-pround franchise.
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