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Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

Last Season: 25-57

Key Player: Anyone who can prove themselves capable of scoring points.

What To Watch For: Bawston fans clinging to fading recollections of glory by driving hard on the LA Lakers rivalry. They’re each about as bad as each other these days. Who saw that coming in 2008?

Key Question: Same as last year, how long ‘til Rondo gets traded, and how much do they get in return?

2014/15 Prediction: 28-54

Brooklyn Nets

Last Season: 44-38

Key Player: The physio who has to keep Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, plus a 38 year old Kevin Garnett, on the court and performing all season.

What To Watch For: These guys got so badly fleeced by the Celtics. It was a struggle last year to get the best out of the aging side they had and now they’ve lost Paul Pierce, Shaun Livingston and coach Jason Kidd. They can’t try rebuild because Boston has all of their draft picks. It’s all about getting the most out of this roster by any means necessary. It could be carnage.

Key Question: All Star calibre Deron Williams… where you at, boy!?

2014/15 Prediction: 42-40

New York Knicks

Last Season: 37-45

Key Player: Carmelo Anthony. I think the Tyson Chandler trade with the Mavs was mutually beneficial, so guys like Jose Calderon and Sam Dalembert are gonna chip in. But make no mistake, this team is Melo’s through and through.

What To Watch For: The legendary Phil Jackson Triangle Offence. The focus on constant ball and player movement may take some getting used to for shot-hog Melo, but when the Triangle works, it’s pretty gorgeous to watch. Also, Derek Fisher in a suit and tie.

Key Question: The Phil Jackson influence. How great will it be, how much success will it bring and how soon can he make it happen?

2014/15 Prediction: 44-38

Philadelphia 76ers

Last Season: 19-63

Key Player: Nerlens Noel. The lad’s gonna play after missing last season with injury. They’ve had a look at Michael Carter-Williams but the reigning Rookie of the Year could be a false positive. Noel has the chance to claim franchise player status when they eventually move past the tanking stages.

What To Watch For: Schadenfreude? Maybe make it interesting by betting the lines or something. Let’s be honest, we won’t be watching these guys for the sport.

Key Question: Who’s next to be traded? Is MCW getting flipped?

2014/15 Prediction: 15-67

Toronto Raptors

Last Season: 48-34

Key Player: DeMar DeRozan is one of the most improved players in the league. He’s now the King of the North, so good luck with that DeMar.

What To Watch For: Canadians with inferiority complexes. They should cruise into the playoffs, maybe this time they’ll make the second round.

Key Question: Can someone please just tell Drake to shut up?

2014/15 Prediction: 46-36

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

Last Season: 48-34

Key Player: D-Rose, without a doubt. He took a tumble in a preseason game and the bench cleared just in case his ACL had gone. It’ll break my heart if he gets hurt again.

What To Watch For: The Joakim Noah/Pau Gasol Defensive/Offensive tag team. Rose is back, Gasol is better than Boozer and Thibs is a certified maestro. Hard to say what this team is playing for though with a franchise player looking to reassert himself after so long out. Pride? Playoffs? The Championship? It all depends on Derrick.

Key Question: How much does a string of injuries like that mentally affect a player? Is he still confident enough to do those things that won him an MVP? A split second of hesitation can spoil everything.

2014/15 Prediction: 49-35

Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Season: 33-49

Key Player: LeBron James. He makes everything better. Kyrie Irving doesn’t have to be a scorer, Kevin Love gets some help with his stat padding and Anderson Varejao’s hair will finally get its time in the limelight.

What To Watch For: Wow, what not to watch for? It’s Hollywood squares in Cleveland, Ohio! LeBron James is the centre square, but he’s got an entertaining cast of fellas all around him. The entire situation has been built to fit LeBron and provide championships to the most God-forsaken city in American sports.

Key Question: What’s the settling in period? LeBron made the NBA finals immediately with Miami, though lost to Dallas. It’s reasonable to think that LBJ on a borderline playoff team makes them immediate contenders. Oh, sure, Kevin Love too.

2014/15 Prediction: 56-26

Detroit Pistons

Last Season: 29-53

Key Player: Not a player at all, but new coach Stan Van Gundy. This team has some decent guys, but it’s a complete mess. SVG has his work cut out with Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings, etc.

What To Watch For: Massive potential for either infighting or backs-to-the-wall resilience. If SVG figures out how to wring the talent from the wet washcloth that is Josh Smith then suddenly they’re a playoff candidate.

Key Question: How good and how dominant can Andre Drummond become? He’s now being coached by the man that got the very best out of Dwight Howard.

2014/15 Prediction: 35-47

Indiana Pacers

Last Season: 56-26

Key Player: Roy Hibbert. Think how good he was just nine months ago… and how bad he’s been since. Granted, he bounced back in the playoffs, but something was clearly up. This team’s already without two of their three best scorers from last season and they weren’t even that good of an offence to begin with. Hibbert’s gotta be elite for them to repeat. (Rhyme Time!)

What To Watch For: Any vague hints that this team can be back in contention next season when Paul George returns. Whether they bottom out and tank for picks or they trade for a few guys or some fringe players make the step up into genuine NBA starters. Luis Scola, anybody?

Key Question: Is this already a lost season, with Paul George hurt and Lance Stephenson goooone?

2014/15 Prediction: 37-45

Milwaukee Bucks

Last Season: 15-67

Key Player: The Greek Freak! Or maybe Jabari Parker? …Kendall Marshall? To be honest it’s probably Coach Jason Kidd and how he manages the juggling act. He’s got more to work with than most guys who take over a 15 win team, so if he can put the right pieces in the right places, they could have something. Plenty of young guys/difficult guys/unmotivated guys in there, it’ll be tough.

What To Watch For: Jabari Parker’s Rookie of the Year campaign. He’s the early favourite, let’s see what he’s got.

Key Question: How does ‘The Seattle Bucks’ sound to you?

2014/15 Prediction: 24-58

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

Last Season: 38-44

Key Player: Paul Millsap. The only likely All Star in A-Town this season.

What To Watch For: Eek, bit of a mess here. The owner is selling amidst some controversy and in the shadow of the Sterling thing. Nothing much to say for their summer, though Thabo Sefolosha might be handy. They were the worst team in the playoffs last season and with the East levelling out a bit, they probably won’t be back. But you can watch if you want, not many others will be.

Key Question: Did you know that Kyle Korver holds the NBA record for the most consecutive games with a made three? Coz he does. 127 in a row.

2014/15 Prediction: 36-46

Charlotte Hornets

Last Season: 43-39

Key Player: Big Al Jefferson. Master in the paint.

What To Watch For: Lance Stephenson being Lance Stephenson. He could be just the guy they need to make a run through June… or he could self-destruct. I like him, I’m going with the first option.

Key Question: Hornets or Bobcats? Definitely Hornets, right?

2014/15 Prediction: 45-37

Miami Heat

Last Season: 54-28

Key Player: Dwyane Wade. He’s a Heat lifer, a 3-time NBA champion. He’s also chronically injured these days. Eric Spoelstra is gonna have to find a very delicate balance between nursing his production and resting his creaky joints.

What To Watch For: This might be a cheap shot, but have a look and see if they’re still able to sell tickets to home games without LeBron. Ooof. Or at least watch to see what LBJ’s left behind.

Key Question: How good is this four-time defending Eastern Conference Champion team without the best player in the world?

2014/15 Prediction: 44-38

Orlando Magic

Last Season: 23-59

Key Player: Up for grabs. Victor Oladipo’s got a shot, the rookies Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton are pretty fresh but they’ve got a shot in the long run. Channing Frye’s getting paid. It’s been a while now since Dwight Howard left, time for someone to step up.

What To Watch For: A really young team, they could be a lot of fun. Youthful exuberance, etc.

Key Question: Do they go for it or mess their guys around again for another high draft pick? A lotta competition for those lottery balls these days.

2014/15 Prediction: 22-60

Washington Wizards

Last Season: 44-38

Key Player: John Wall. He wanted those heavy cheques early and he got them last offseason, despite chatter that perhaps he hadn’t earned them yet. Wall responded with his best season yet. He’s the future of this franchise, this team lives and dies on his shoulders.

What To Watch For: After making the Eastern Conference semis last season, it’s time for another step up. Marcin Gortat’s gettin’ paid, Wall and Beal have a combo to build upon and there are a few nice options aside from them too.

Key Question: What’s Paul Pierce still got in the tank to contribute to a playoff team? Well, his leadership for one ain’t gonna go astray among the youngblood of  Wall/Beal.

2014/15 Prediction: 47-35