Ready for some basketball?

With baseball season finally behind us (does anyone know who won the World Series?), and football season well underway, basketball season has arrived at long last. For us football-and-baseball spoiled New England fans, this is the first time in a long time (22 years!) that we, the 2009 Boston Celtics, take to the hardwood as defending NBA champs. This also means that the first tip-off of the new season is quite bittersweet. Last October, Celts fans couldn't wait to get underway and see how well "The Big Three" were actually going to play together (consensus: very well!). But after capping a magical 66-16 season with a Final's Game Six thrashing of Kobe Bryant and old-school rival Los Angeles Lakers, I'm not so sure we are done celebrating. And I'm certain no one wants to be. For die-hard Celtics fans of my generation, this was our version of the 2001 Patriots' Super Bowl victory or the 2004 Red Sox world championship. This past season was one fans everywhere will never forget. In a pre-game banner ceremony last week, before the Celtics season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul Pierce was literally in tears as he showed off his enormous NBA Champions diamond ring to the crowd. Still emotional about last season? Maybe a little.

But life and basketball both must go on, and because of this we put the 2008 Championship behind us as a wonderful memory and something great to build on. In a characteristically weak Eastern Conference, the 2009 Boston Celtics look like the team to beat. But several off-season changes and acquisitions make several other teams worthy contenders. In the Atlantic division, look for the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors to give the Celtics a few problems. Off-season acquisition Elton Brand anchors an unusually talented 76ers team (probably the best squad they have had since Iverson's departure), including Samuel Dalembert and rising superstar/ highlight-reel extraordinaire Andre Iguodala. Expect veterans Andre Miller and Donyell Marshall to provide the leadership. The Toronto Raptors also hope to be better than usual with the addition of a back-from-the-dead Jermaine O'Neal patrolling the paint with fellow all-star Chris Bosh. Watch out for another rising star, Spaniard Jose Calderon, as he will likely exceed expectations and become a dangerous scoring threat from many areas of the court.

The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are probably two of the top three or four teams in the Eastern Conference. For the Pistons, no real changes this year-just consistent play from their proven veterans Chauncy Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and company. Don't be shocked to see second year player/Eastern Washington standout Rodney Stuckey become this squad's main offensive threat and maybe even make his first All-Star team. With the Cavaliers, it will be the same old medicine: a heavy dose of King James. His supporting cast this season improves with the addition of former Milwaukee Buck Mo Williams. Coupled with good shooting from Daniel Gibson, and continued consistent play from the awkwardly-talented Zydrunas Ilgauskas, this Cavaliers team could be dangerous. Expect to see both of these teams play in May and June.

Sleeper pick for the Eastern Conference (I realize this is wild): The Bulls of Chi-Town. I can't ever figure out why this team can't win. This past off-season, they lucked out and stole the top pick in the lottery, selecting freshman sensation point guard Derrick Rose from the University of Memphis. With his presence this season, I can't see the Bulls being under .500. He is playing with Luol Deng, Drew Gooden, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah (I realize he tied Andrei Kirilenko for the annual "Ugliest Player in the NBA" competition, but he plays with passion and is a great rebounder), Andres Nocioni, and Tyrus Thomas. Aren't some of these guys talented? Can't they win some games? We'll see.

Where to begin with an outrageously talented Western Conference? Maybe a good place to start is with its defending champion, Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers. With the return of 21 year old sensation Andrew Bynum, the pride of Plainsboro, New Jersey, this year's Lakers team is that much better. The best player alive now has two reliable big men in Pau Gasol and Bynum, as well a talented supporting cast of guards and forwards including Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic. It would be hard to argue against the Lakers being at the top of the Western Conference again this season.

Two other teams that hope to be atop the Conference at season's end are the Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Hornets. The 2009 Rockets have their own version of the "Big Three" brewing because of the addition of the ultra-competitive and always-entertaining Ron Artest, whom they acquired in the offseason from the Sacramento Kings. He'll play this season alongside superstars Yao Ming, the pride of China, and consistently inconsistent Tracy McGrady (who always sponsored my favorite sneakers in junior high basketball). Because of Yao Ming's seemingly annual injury problems and Tracy McGrady's game-time decisions as to whether or not to show up, I wouldn't count on this team. But there is a lot to like, and if there is one thing I have learned, it is to never anger Ron Artest in any way. Go Rockets!

Last season's MVP candidate Chris Paul enters his fourth season in the league and comes off a historically successful 2008 campaign in terms of point guard statistics. His team fell short in the Western Conference semi finals, however, losing in seven games to the San Antonio Spurs. He returns hungry as ever and leads a Hornets team many are choosing to win the Conference and even the NBA Championship. His talented supporting cast includes 2008 co-All Star David West, sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, and former Celtic- great and ultimate team player James Posey. Warning: this team is very hot and should be handled carefully!