Kevin Durant is back from injury, LaMarcus Aldridge is back in his home state of Texas and the Golden State Warriors return their most of their championship team.
The Western Conference is full of teams that are capable of winning it. In the East, one team appears to stand out... maybe it's finally Cleveland's year to stand above everyone else in the NBA.
The Cavaliers, who fell just short of an NBA title last season, not only have big goals but a big payroll. After shelling out big money to assemble one of the most expensive teams in NBA history, there is no excuse why they shouldn't represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals in June.
The Warriors were just too much for the Cavs and everyone else last season, winning 67 games under first-year head coach Steve Kerr. The reigning coach of the year will miss the season opener Tuesday while recovering from back surgery, but MVP Stephen Curry and every other important piece is back from last season.
Many of the teams after the Warriors return stronger, with Oklahoma City getting former MVP Kevin Durant back from last season's broken foot. LaMarcus Aldridge left the Portland Trail Blazers for the San Antonio Spurs and a spot on the best frontline in the NBA next to Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard. In addition, teams like the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers added their potential missing pieces in Ty Lawson and Paul Pierce, respectively.
Memphis will be rough and tough as always, and New Orleans has one of the fastest rising players in the league in Anthony Davis, making it possible to predict their path in the Western Conference. It's going to take AT LEAST 45 wins to get into the playoffs in the wild, wild Western Conference.
As for the East, don't expect much drama. The Cavaliers should win the conference once again barring any major injuries to key players.
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