Tip off: The NBA season ahead

MLB ended just in time to usher in the NBA this year; here's how things should shape up this season.

In the Eastern Conference, the likely choice for the top seed is the Miami Heat. Center Shaquille O'Neal is getting older, but he still is a dominant inside presence. Guard Dwayne Wade will take the rest of the weight of the team on his shoulders and carry them.

It took a few years, but the Chicago Bulls have become a solid competitor again. Center Ben Wallace and his afro are leaving Detroit and heading to the Windy City. He had 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks a game last year. Those numbers will go well with Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich in the backcourt.

The departure of Wallace leaves a question mark at center for the Pistons. Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace will be solid once again. The only question will be if Nazr Mohammed can fill the void underneath?

LeBron James carried the Cleveland Cavaliers on his back last year and he can do it again. However, Larry Hughes and Zydrunas Ilgauskas need to take some of the load off if Cleveland wants to go anywhere in the playoffs

For the New Jersey Nets, Jason Kidd is still one of the best point guards in the NBA; he has Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson to pass to. However, the Nets still lack a dominant big man that would give them a higher seed.

Indiana has a lot of talent with power forward Jermaine O'Neal and small forward Stephen Jackson. Despite getting rid of Ron Artest, the Pacers still have a lot of problems off of the court. These distractions will still hurt a team that was part of the infamous brawl in Detroit in 2004.

Guard Gilbert Arenas and power forward Antwan Jamison lead an explosive offense for Washington with most of its key players returning. The Wizards added depth over the off-season, such as forward Darius Songaila.

Milwaukee, Orlando, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta and Boston will battle it out for the last spot in the East. The winner can enjoy the reward of losing to the top seed in the first round of the playoffs.

In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns will make a run at the NBA Championship. Two-time Most Valuable Player point guard Steve Nash is always an assist-machine. He had 10.5 assists a game last season. With power forward Amare Stoudemire back this year, Nash has a lot of different weapons to pass to. Forward Shawn Marion and the versatile Boris Diaw will put up big numbers for an extremely talented team.

As long as point guard Tony Parker and forward/center Tim Duncan are still in San Antonio, the Spurs will always be a playoff contender. Duncan had 18.6 points a game last year to go along with 11.0 rebounds.

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse create the same problem Detroit has in the East: a loaded team with a void at center.

The Clippers won a playoff series last year for the first time since 1976. With power forward Elton Brand and center Chris Kaman inside, they will have no problem returning to the post-season.

After acquiring forward Ron Artest, the Kings finished last season 26-14. Point guard Mike Bibby and center Brad Miller always put up solid numbers. New head coach Eric Musselman has a lot of talent to work with that should fare much better than last year.

Guard Kobe Bryant was able to do it all last season to take the Lakers to the playoffs. Center Kwame Brown finally increased his production at the end of last season, but it would be hard for him not to. The Lakers should squeak into the playoffs.

As long as center Yao Ming and guard/forward Tracy McGrady stay healthy, the Houston Rockets will be a good team. However, due to injuries, the two only played 31 games together last season.

Minnesota, Denver, Golden State, Memphis, New Orleans, Portland, Utah and Seattle will fight for the final playoff spot. Minnesota has the advantage with forward Kevin Garnett and guard Randy Foye. Memphis will do well at the end of the season, but they will struggle while Pau Gasol is out with a broken foot.