With the season tipping off in the next hour or so, let's get in some quick predictions for the season.
Western Conference:
Top 4: Spurs, Clippers, Warriors, Blazers
Next 4: Mavericks, Thunder, Pelicans, Rockets
So Close: Grizzlies, Suns, Nuggets
Eastern Conference:
Top 4: Bulls, Cavs, Raptors, Wizards
Next 4: Hawks, Hornets, Heat, Knicks
Not So Close: Bucks, Pistons, Pacers
The assumption is that we're looking at a Final Four of the Spurs, Clippers, Bulls and Cavs.
It was a busy summer with lots of surprises, but now it's time to tip off and see some of these stories play out on the court. I'll do a short Bulls preview ahead of the Bulls season opener at New York.