Mentality Speaking: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes. The most exciting time of the year is here. We have been waiting all year for this moment, and it is finally amongst us. The opening of the 2009-2010 NBA season!!!
There were so many moves in the offseason, which should promote a very interesting season.
So many questions to be answered. Will the Lakers repeat with the new addition of Ron Artest? Will LeBron James reign supreme again? Will Kevin Garnett come back with the inner beast and killer mentality to lead his team back to glory?
This is what makes the upcoming season so exciting. I will focus on four contenders and some predictions for the upcoming season.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics were a team last year that suffered an injury to thier best player. However, they still made it to the playoffs and into the second round, but fell to the Orlando Magic. But now at the start of the season, KG is back and ready to propel his team back to the elite of the east.
(I'm actually watching the Celtics play the Cavaliers right now, so I have a sneak peak at two of the best temas in the east going head to head)
With the addition of Rasheed Wallace, and other small peices including Marquis Daniels and Sheldon Williams, the Celtics are taking the right steps back to the path of the NBA championship. The chemistry is still there with the big three (Pierce, Allen, and Garnett) and Rondo running the show. The Celtics should make it deep into the playoffs and show that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

Orlando Magic

Orlando was definitely a sleeper team coming out of the east last year. Not many expected them to beat a "Garnett-less" Celtics squad. Even fewer expected them to defeat "The King"(LeBron James) and his court. But they did. Last year's Orlando team lived and died by the three point line. They had great premiter players that could spot up for the three out of what seemed like any situation. But they over used it. They seemed to have forgotten about their center, who is a pretty decent player(Yes, a hint of sarcasm), Dwight Howard. Though Howard hasn't proved his low-post game, but he is and could be a force, if Orlando decides to ever step away from the three point line.
Orlando did dump off one of their better shooters, Hedo Turkoglu, but they picked up a seasoned veteran in Vince Carter. I think in this setting, Vince has a chance to prove that he can be the powerhouse that he used to be, without having to be the number one player.
I don't think Orlando comes out of the Eastern Conference again this year, the East beefed up just to be able to handle Dwight Howard, and I dont think Dwight is ready to handle the pressure. But they still will be a contender.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers fell short of just about everyone's expectations, even mine. Remember the puppet commercials?? Ah, what a build up. But LeBron and his crew fell victim to a weak inside game against Orlando's athletic big man know as Superman, Dwight Howard. The Cavalier organization refused to again be bullied on the inside this season so they made a rather large aquisition. Four time NBA champion, Shaquille O'Neal. LeBron is entering his 7th season, and has had plenty of individual success, with Rookie of the Year, multiple All-Star MVP's, and this past season, his first League MVP award. But for the King, these fall hella short of a championship ring. With Mo Williams running the show, this time for a full season and a better understanding of the system, and the addition of Shaq, LeBron has a great chance to get what he wants. With his free agency coming up in the summer of 2010, the Cavs better hope that LeBron gets his "chocolate-chip cookie"

Los Angeles Lakers

Before I continue, I think that i should let it be known that I am an avid follower of the Lakers. Have been since 98' so these opinions may seem biased, but I promise you, they aren't.
The road to the 2008-2009 championship may not have been as easy as the Lakers had wanted it, but somehow they pulled all of their star power together and pulled of a spectacular run at the franchise's 15 championship. Kobe got his 4th ring, his first since the Shaq days, and Kobe finally has the critics off of his back. The Lakers are in excellent shape to repeat, even with the unloading of a big piece of the team, Trevor Ariza. While Ariza's manager was attempting to renegotiate a contract for his client, the Lakers had a player on the backside just incase negotiations got a little outrageous. They did, and the Lakers cut Ariza loose. (Time to hire a new manager if I were in Ariza's shoes...I'm just saying) The Lakers had already lured Ron Artest from the Houston Rockets, and with Ariza's mishaps, The Lakers quickly signed Artest.
With not many changes other than that, the Lakers are in great position to repeat. Artest brings his top notch defensive skills, and that helps keep Kobe fresh by him not having to gaurd the opposing teams best player night in and night out. With Kobe free to roam on defense, he will be fresh on offense. Enough said.