Finally the four day wait is over! The NBA is back! Ok, maybe it has been longer than four days since the Spurs obliterated the Cavaliers in last year’s NBA Finals. Either way, here’s a recap of what happened in an off-season that felt more like a three-day weekend than anything else, as well as predictions for the upcoming season of orange-ball action.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Predicted playoff teams (seed): Celtics (1), Raptors (8)

After acquiring Kevin Garnett and Jesus Shuttlesworth over the summer, the Celtics are poised to go from worst to first in the Eastern Conference and have legitimate shot at completing a championship tri-fecta for the Boston area between the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics (Boston fans, of course, will still complain).

The Raptors will struggle with no longer being overlooked, but will sneak into the playoffs before a quick first-round extinction. It’s hard to leave the Nets out of the playoffs, but if anyone can lead a team into the ground it’s Vince Carter.

Central Division
Predicted playoff teams: Pistons (2), Bulls (4) , Bucks (5), Cavaliers (6)

That’s right, Bucks fans, that number in parenthesis is the predicted playoff seed for Milwaukee, not their projected win total. With the additions of Yi, D-Mase and Bobby Simmons, the Bucks might actually finish with more wins than injuries this season.

The Pistons remain at the top of the central, while the Bulls will continue to creep up in their shadow. A poor supporting cast will continue to make life difficult for LeBron James, but he won’t have too much trouble getting the Cavs to the playoffs.

Southeast
Predicted playoff teams: Wizards (3), Magic (7)

The Heat were unable to steal Mo Williams and Charlie Bell from the Bucks, and failed to add the pieces needed to complement oft-injured D-Wade and Shaq, meaning their season will likely end after 82 games.

The Wizards and Magic will benefit from the Heat’s cooling off. Get it? It’s a pun. Heat cooling off. That’s a good one.

Western Conference

Southwest
Predicted playoff teams: Spurs (1), Mavericks (3), Rockets (6), Hornets (7)

The Spurs are pretty good, and even though they’re still pretending that Bruce Bowen is some sort of defensive specialist and that’s the reason he’s in the starting lineup, they’ll come out on top of the toughest division out west.

The Mavericks and Rockets both have similar squads from last year, and will yield similar results - great regular season, choke in playoffs, repeat. Chris Paul and the Hornets, now with a full-time home in New Orleans, will earn their first trip to the playoffs since moving out west.

Northwest
Predicted playoff teams: Nuggets (4), Jazz (5)

With Portland, Seattle and Minnesota stuck in some sort of century-long rebuilding mode, the Nugs and Jazz shouldn’t have much problem getting back to April through June Madness.

Pacific
Predicted playoff teams: Suns (2), Lakers (8)

Steve Nash and the Suns won’t have much of a challenge in the Pacific, with the Elton Brand-less Clippers and the riding-on-fumes-from-last-year Warriors weakening the division.

The Lakers will get to the playoffs by default, solely on the strength of Kobe Bryant; if Kobe’s still there, that is. The Warriors will once again upset the Mavs, but this year, it will only be a regular season contest.

Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics over Pistons

Western Conference Finals
Suns over Spurs

NBA Championship
Suns over Celtics

Despite an unbelievable year by Boston, the Suns will end their run and win the championship, much like the Packers will be doing to that other New England team come February. That’s everything you need to know, now go enjoy the NBA.

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