NBA Atlantic - BOSTON

With so many NBA franchises currently consumed with clearing out cap space in order to make a mad dash toward the summer of 2010 free-agent pool, the Celtics are the seemingly rare team that is focused solely on the here-and-now… Boston, with their famed 'Big 3' all having already turned the Big Three-O, is well aware that their window of opportunity to win another championship won't be open forever.

Kevin Garnett, who was once affectionately referred to as the "The Kid," will turn 33 next season. Ray Allen is a year older than KG. And Paul Pierce, at 32, is no spring chicken either. Thus, these three warriors are as determined as ever to reclaim the championship belt this upcoming season. And this is why the Big 3 three flew to Michigan this July in order to convince 35-year old free agent Rasheed Wallace to join them in their quest for an 18th Boston banner.

While rounding out the roster is obviously important, the Celtics future lies primarily in the hands of their superstars. The biggest question that needs to be answered early this fall is the status of Kevin Garnett. KG suffered a mysterious knee injury last season and, early on, the Celtics (borrowing a page out of the Patriots / Bill Belichick playbook) refused to comment and/or downplayed the extent of Garnett's knee problems. The company line out of Boston was that Garnett's right knee was steadily improving and that Garnett's return was forthcoming. But the timeline kept getting pushed back. Then Doc Rivers stated that KG would return for only few regular season games in order to get ready for the playoffs. Then, news finally broke that Kevin was done for the season – playoffs included. KG had surgery on his right knee in the offseason, but is now said to be ahead of schedule in his rehab. Ainge has stated that he believes Garnett will be "100% healthy" by the start of training camp.

Another interesting subplot to keep an eye on in Boston this season is the Rajon Rondo situation. On the floor, Rondo has developed into one of the league's premier playmakers. But there are some off-the-court issues that have apparently rubbed Danny Ainge and Celtic management the wrong way. Future drama aside, Boston is very excited about their 2009-2010 Celtics, as well they should be. Although the rest East's powerhouses have all improved (Orlando and Cleveland in particular have made major changes and shaken up their already talented rosters), the C's have plenty of reason to be confident. Critics tend to forget just how dominant the Celts were over the first half of last season, when they had a full complement of healthy players. With KG blocking shots, knocking down jumpers, and screaming obscenities while sweating thru his green #5 jersey, the Celtics were champions of the basketball world in 2008; and then began last season by winning 27 of their first 29 contests – including an NBA-best 19-game winning streak. But with KG clapping and cheering and screaming obscenities from the sidelines nattily dressed in an expensive suit, the Celtics were simply a good – but not great – team.

It is impossible to understate the impact of Garnett on the C's. He is the heart and soul of his team. As the former Defensive Player of the Year, he is the engine that drives their world-class defensive machine. With him in the lineup, the Celtics are as good as any team on the planet. And adding the versatile Rasheed Wallace to the squad will only enhances their considerable strengths.

Can the Celtics run the gauntlet of the new and improved Eastern Conference and return to the NBA Finals and eventually capture another championship before their window slams shut?

NBA Central - CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Cavaliers losing in the Eastern Conference Finals was a bigger story than the Orlando Magic advancing to the NBA Finals. After winning 66 games during the regular season and going 8-0 through the first two rounds it looked like LeBron James and his Cavs had no equal until their weaknesses were exploited by the Magic. The series went six games, but the Magic were clearly the better team and would have wrapped up things sooner if it wasn't for a game-saving three-pointer by LeBron in Game 2.

With the offseason starting earlier than anticipated Danny Ferry felt the need to make a big splash since this could be LeBron's last year in Cleveland. At season's end LeBron will field offers from just about half the league, but as for right now he's a Cavalier and they have the next year to prove to him that there's no reason to go elsewhere. To help make this upcoming season as successful as possible the Cavaliers traded for center Shaquille O'Neal, sending big man Ben Wallace and wing Sasha Pavlovic to the Phoenix Suns. It's hard to argue about whether or not O'Neal makes the Cavaliers a better team. Even at 37 years old O'Neal has something left in the tank, evident by his averages of 17 points and eight rebounds last season. He'll provide another player for the Cavaliers to run through offensively in halfcourt sets, which they desperately needed. He's going to provide a presence defensively with his shot-blocking ability, but O'Neal has never been able to defend the pick-and-roll.

The draft was fairly uneventful for the Cavs as they stood pat with the 30th and 46th picks, investing in Christian Eyenga and Danny Green. Eyenga signed a three-year contract with DKV Joventut shortly after summer league, but Green will be with the team next year and could actually be a contributor. Green is coming off of a stellar four-year career at North Carolina and is willing to play whatever role is asked of him.

With the draft completed the Cavs looked to improve at the small forward position, going after Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza. Both forwards elected against signing with the Cavaliers, with LeBron's impending free agency playing as a major factor in their decisions. As they missed out on their top two targets in free agency the Cavs moved on to locking up one of their own long-term, signing Anderson Varejao to a six-year, $42.5 million deal (which could be worth even more with incentives). That may be a high price to pay for Varejao, but he's proven to be a vital part of the team over the past three seasons and his effort can never be questioned.

In a world where everything goes perfect for the Cavaliers LeBron would sign an extension in the upcoming weeks and avoid free agency next summer all together, but the chances of that happening are likely slim. The Cavs are going to be forced to make it through this trying season with constant questions about the upcoming offseason while trying to win a championship. It won't be easy, but they have enough talent to get the job done and if they can their work will be much easier at the end of the season.

NBA Southeast - ORLANDO

The draft day deal that sent out fan favorites Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie may have brought the Magic their answer to the championship in Vince Carter, or it may be a huge step in the wrong direction.

The Magic gave up a lot of their depth and a lot of their chemistry to get Vince Carter from the Nets and he very well could be the biggest asset the Magic obtained this summer if he can fit into the Magic's system and style of play.

The Magic opted not to overpay for free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu, but wisely changed course in accepting a role in the four-team sign-and-trade that landed Turkoglu in Toronto while netting the Magic a sizable amount of cash and, more importantly, a $7.5 million Traded Player Exception that could really help the team in the future; they are unlikely to use it anytime soon. The biggest move of the off-season (beyond landing Vince Carter) has to be the decision to match Dallas' five-year, $34 million offer sheet to restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat. The Magic's thinking is Marcin is too solid of an asset to let walk away; holding on to him bolsters the roster now and gives the team a tradable asset at some point in the future.

Dwight Howard will remain the focal point of the team both offensively and defensively. Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter will be the second and third options for scoring punch and Jameer Nelson, who is said to be nearing 100% from his shoulder surgery in February, will be the unquestioned starter and floor general.

The Magic won't have as much depth to lean on this season; Anthony Johnson is expected to be the primary backup at point guard. Mickael Pietrus - who showed his value in the post season - is expected to play the sixth man role this season. Second-year forward Ryan Anderson likely earned himself the backup forward job based on his summer play and Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat will bring much needed beef to the front court.

The Magic will have a measurably different look and style of play. Time will tell if the Magic made a wise decision to change so many parts or if the desire to get back to the Finals will ultimately set the team back.

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