Basketball On The Internet.

LOOK out! The NBA is off and running tomorrow morning (our time) with Orlando-Indiana, Chicago-Miami and the Los Angeles derby between the Clippers and Lakers tipping off the season.

Can't help feeling I'm having a touch of deja vu here because at the start of the NBL season, I kind of figured the title was Perth Wildcats' to lose because they had secured Miami Heat's James Ennis.

And now, as NBA tip-off nears, the title is Miami Heat's to lose because they still boast LeBron James.

James and James are the best players in their respective competitions but the NBA's King also happens to be the best player on the planet at present.

And he plans to get better!

Yeah. For us mere mortals, that's borderline annoying.

Here's how I think they'll fare.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Brooklyn Nets
Coach: Jason Kidd (R)
2012-13: 49-33 (4th in East)
Back: Deron Williams (18.9 ppg., 7.7 apg., 2.6 rpg.); Brook Lopez (19.4 ppg., 6.9 rpg.); Joe Johnson (16.3 ppg., 3.5 apg., 3.0 rpg.).
New: Kevin Garnett (14.8 ppg., 7.8 rpg.), Paul Pierce (18.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 4.8 apg.), Jason Terry (10.1 ppg.).
Time-out: With the club's Russian owner bringing in three Celtics vets, his Nyets are built for NOW. Shame about the Heat then...

New York Knicks
Coach: Mike Woodson (278-320)
2012-13:  54-28 (2nd in East)
Back: Carmelo Anthony (28.7 ppg., 6.9 rpg.), J.R. Smith (18.1 ppg., 35.6 3-Pt%), Tyson Chandler (10.4, ppg., 10.7 rpg., 1.1 bpg).
New: Andrea Bargnani (12.7 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 30.9 3-Pt%), Metta World Peace (12.4 ppg., 5.0 rpg).
Time-out: World Peace could be just what the doctor ordered, if it's Dr Kevorkian.

Toronto Raptors
Coach: Dwane Casey (110-160)
2012-13:  34-48 (10th in East)
Back: Rudy Gay (18.2 ppg., 6.1 rpg.), DeMar DeRozan (18.1 ppg., 3.9 rpg.), Kyle Lowry (11.6 ppg., 6.4 apg.).
New: Tyler Hansbrough (7.0 ppg., 4.6 rpg.), Austin Daye (4.5 ppg., 2.2 rpg.) Dwight Buycks (Rookie Marquette guard).
Time-out: Should make a successful run at the playoffs for a first-round exit. And fans can finally forgive Chris Bosh.

Boston Celtics
Coach: Brad Stevens (R)
2012-13:  41-40 (7th in East)
Back: Rajon Rondo (13.7 ppg., 11.1 apg., 1.8 spg.), Jeff Green (12.8 ppg., 3.9 rpg.), Avery Bradley (9.2 ppg, 2.1 apg., 1.3 spg.).
New: Kelly Olynyk (first-round pick from Gonzaga), Gerald Wallace (7.7 ppg., 3.6 rpg.).
Time-out: Rondo coming back from ACL surgery will be closely watched and Green is a leader now. Celtics-Lakers games just won't be the same this season.

Philadelphia 76ers
Coach: Brett Brown (R)
2012-13:  34-48 (9th in East)
Back: Thaddeus Young (14.8 ppg., 7.5 rpg), Evan Turner (13.3 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 4.3 apg.), Spencer Hawes (11.0 ppg., 7.2 rpg.)
New: Point guard Michael Carter-Williams (first round pick from Syracuse).
Time-out: Our man Brett has the job ahead of him but unlike Mike Dunlap at Charlotte last season, at least he will be given time to develop this program. He will need it.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Indiana Pacers
Coach: Frank Vogel (111-74)
2012-13:  49-32 (3rd in the East)
Back: Paul George (17.4 ppg., 7.6 rpg., 4.1 apg.), Roy Hibbert (11.9 ppg., 8.6 rpg., 2.6 bpg.), David West (17.1 ppg., 7.7 rpg., 2.9 apg.)
New: Luis Scola (12.8 ppg., 6.6 rpg.), Chris Copeland (8.7 ppg., 2.1 rpg.), C.J. Watson (6.8 ppg., 2.0 apg.)
Time-out: With the Bulls back in the running, Indiana has to continue to grow past last season's break-out playoff run and George is the key man in that.

Chicago Bulls
Coach: Tom Thibodeau (157-73)
2012-13: 45-37 (5th in the East)
Back: Derrick Rose (21.8 ppg., 7.9 apg. in 2011-2012), Luol Deng (16.5 ppg., 6.3 rpg.) Joakim Noah (11.9 ppg., 11.1 rpg., 2.1 bpg.)
New: Mike Dunleavy (10.5 ppg., 42.8 3-Pt%), Tony Snell (first-round draft pick, University of New Mexico).
Time-out: It's all about how Rose returns and the preseason looked promising indeed.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Coach: Mike Brown (314-167)
2012-13:  24-58 (13th in the East)
Back: Kyrie Irving (22.5 ppg., 5.9 apg., 1.5 spg.), Dion Waiters (14.7 ppg., 3.0 apg.), Tristan Thompson (11.7 ppg., 9.4 rpg.).
New: Anthony Bennett (No. 1 pick from UNLV), Andrew Bynum (18.7 ppg., 11.8 in 2011-2012), Matthew Dellavedova (St Mary's)
Time-out: If Brown can get Bynum and Anderson Varejao regularly on the court, look for the Cavs to be the big improvers.

Milwaukee Bucks
Coach: Larry Drew (128-102)
2012-13:  38-44 (8th in the East)
Back: Ersan Ilyasova (13.2 ppg., 7.1 rpg.), Larry Sanders (9.8 ppg., 9.5 rpg., 2.8 bpg.), John Henson (6.0 ppg., 4.7 rpg.)
New: O.J. Mayo (15.3 ppg., 4.4 apg., 3.5 rpg.), Caron Butler (10.4 ppg., 2.9 rpg.), Brandon Knight (13.3 ppg., 4.0 apg.)
Time-out: With Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings gone, the Bucks need to find new scorers. Mayo and Butler don't mind a shot.

Detroit Pistons
Coach: Maurice Cheeks (284-286)
2012-13:  29-53 (11th in the East)
Back: Greg Monroe (16.0 ppg., 9.6 rpg., 3.5 apg.), Andre Drummond (7.9 ppg., 7.6 rpg.), Rodney Stuckey (11.5 ppg., 3.6 apg.)
New: Brandon Jennings (17.5 ppg., 6.5 apg.), Josh Smith (17.5 ppg., 8.4 rpg., 4.2 apg.), Kentavious Caldwel-Pope (first round pick Georgia).
Time-out: Oh Mo, why would you do this to yourself? Stuckey and Jennings start injured and this could be a long season.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Miami Heat
Coach: Erik Spoelstra (260-134)
2012-13:  66-16 (1st in East)
Back: LeBron James (26.8 ppg., 8.0 rpg., 7.3 apg.), Dwayne Wade (21.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg. 5.1 apg.), Chris Bosh (16.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.7 bpg.)
New: Greg Oden (hasn't played since 2009-2010), Michael Beasley (10.1 ppg., 3.8 rpg.)
Time-out: It begins and ends with LeBron. Like him or not, he again has enough in the support cast to make a successful run at the threepeat.

Atlanta Hawks
Coach: Mike Budenholzer (R)
2012-13:  44-38 (6th in the East)
Back: Al Horford (17.5 ppg., 8.4 rpg., 1.8 bpg.), Jeff Teague (14.6 ppg., 7.2 apg.), Lou Williams (14.1 ppg., 3.6 apg.)
New: Paul Milsap (14.6 ppg., 7.1 rpg.) Dennis Schroder (first round pick, Germany), Elton Brand (7.2 ppg., 6.0 rpg.)
Time-out: The Hawks' window looks well and truly shut with Josh Smith now also lost in free agency.

Washington Wizards
Coach: Randy Wittman (147-291)
2012-13:  29-53 (12th in East)
Back: John Wall (18.5 ppg., 7.6 apg., 4.0 rpg.), Bradley Beal (13.9 ppg., 3.8 rpg.), Nene (12.6 ppg., 6.7 rpg.).
New: Al Harrington (5.1 ppg., 2.7 rpg.), Otto Porter (first-round pick from Georgetown).
Time-out: Wall is the man, Washington 24-25 when he was playing and 5-28 when he was out. They're even talking about playoffs in DC now instead of budget lockouts.

Charlotte Bobcats
Coach: Steve Clifford (R)
2012-13:  21-61 (14th in the East)
Back: Gerald Henderson (15.5 ppg., 3.7 rpg.), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (9.0 ppg., 5.8 rpg.), Kemba Walker (17.7 ppg., 5.7 apg.).
New: Cody Zeller (first round draft choice from Indiana), Al Jefferson (17.8 ppg., 9.2 rpg.)
Time-out: Some nice pickups but the Bobcats probably need their owner in uniform. Yes. Even now.

Orlando Magic
Coach: Jacque Vaughn (20-62)
2012-13:  20-62 (15th in East)
Back: Arron Affalo (17.3 ppg., 8.5 rpg.), Jameer Nelson (14.7 ppg., 7.4 apg.), Nik Vucevic (13.1 ppg., 11.9 rpg.)
New: Victor Oladipo (first round pick from Indiana), Jason Maxiell (6.9 ppg., 3.8 rpg.).
Time-out: And you thought 20 wins wasn't that many.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
San Antonio Spurs
Coach: Gregg Popovich (905-423)
2012-13:  58-24 (2nd in the West)
Back: Tim Duncan (17.8 ppg., 9.9 rpg., 2.7 bpg.), Tony Parker (20.3 ppg., 7.6 apg.), Manu Ginobili (11.8 ppg., 4.6 apg., 3.4 rpg.)
New: Marco Belinelli (9.6 ppg., 35.7 3-Pt%)
Time-out: Ginobili was starting to look long in the tooth during the Finals but Belinelli could be his second coming. If Duncan stays healthy, the Spurs could still sparkle.

Houston Rockets
Coach: Kevin McHale (118-124)
2012-13: 45-37 (8th in the West)
Back: James Harden (25.9 ppg., 5.8 apg., 4.9 rpg.), Chandler Parsons (15.5 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 3.5apg.), Jeremy Lin (13.4 ppg., 6.1 apg.)
New: Dwight Howard (17.1 ppg., 12.4 rpg., 2.4 bpg.)
Time-out: Now that he doesn't have to play patty-cake with Kobe anymore, maybe the NBA's No.1 sooky-la-la boy can lift the Rockets back into genuine contention. Was I too harsh? No. Because you knew exactly who I meant.

Memphis Grizzlies
Coach: David Joerger (R)
2012-13:  56-26 (5th in the West)
Back: Zach Randolph (15.4 ppg., 11.2 rpg.), Mike Conley (14.6 ppg., 6.1 apg.), Marc Gasol (14.1 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 1.7 bpg.)
New: Mike Miller (4.8 ppg., 41.7 3-Pt%), Nick Calathes (played in the Russian Professional Basketball League), Jamaal Franklin (Rookie from San Diego State).
Time-out: Can't help feeling the window is closing here too though Miller's addition improves the perimeter.

Dallas Mavericks
Coach: Rick Carlisle (520-366)
2012-13:  41-41 (10th in West)
Back: Dirk Nowitzki (17.3 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 2.5 apg.), Vince Carter (13.4 ppg., 4.1 rpg)
New: Jose Calderon (11.1 ppg., 7.4 apg.), Monta Ellis (19.2ppg., 6.0 apg., 3.9 rpg.), Samuel Dalembert (6.7 ppg., 5.9 rpg.)
Time-out: Not sure why so many scribes are writing off the Mavs. I like some of these moves and figure they can crash the playoff party if everyone stays healthy.

New Orleans Pelicans
Coach: Monty Williams (94-136)
2012-13:  27-55 (14th in West)
Back: Anthony Davis (13.5 ppg., 8.2 rpg., 1.8 bpg.), Eric Gordon (17.0 ppg., 3.3 apg.), Ryan Anderson (16.2 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 38.2 3-Pt%)
New: Jrue Holiday (17.7 ppg., 8.0 apg., 1.6 spg.), Tyreke Evans (15.2ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3.5 apg.).
Time-out: OK. They are called the Pelicans. What else do you really need to know?
    

NORTHWEST DIVISION

Oklahoma City Thunder
Coach: Scott Brooks (234-137)
2012-13: 60-22 (1st in the West)
Back: Kevin Durant (28.1 ppg., 7.3 rpg., 4.6 apg.), Russell Westbrook (23.2 ppg., 7.4 apg., 5.2 rpg.), Serge Ibaka (13.2 ppg., 7.7 rpg. 3.0 bpg.).
New: Steven Adams (first round draft choice from Pittsburgh).
Time-out: Again, a return from injury is key here with Westbrook the question mark. Oh God, and they've still got that dud Kendrick Perkins. Ugh.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Coach: Rick Adelman (1002-707)
2012-13:  31-51 (12th in West)
Back: Kevin Love (18.3 ppg., 14.0 rpg., 2.3 apg.), Nikola Pekovic (16.3 ppg., 8.8 rpg.), Ricky Rubio (10.7 ppg., 7.3 apg.)
New: Kevin Martin (14.0 ppg., 2.3 rpg.), Corey Brewer (12.9 ppg., 2.9 rpg.); Shabazz Muhammad (first round pick from UCLA acquired in a trade).
Time-out: Martin adds some shooting, Rubio is always fun to watch and Love is so reliable. Be nice if they just won some games to keep Dusty Rychart happy.

Denver Nuggets
Coach: Brian Shaw (R)
2012-13:  57-25 (3rd in the West)
Back: Ty Lawson (16.7 ppg., 6.9 apg.), Danilo Gallinari (16.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg.).
New: Nate Robinson (13.1 ppg., 4.4 apg.), Randy Foye (10.8 ppg., 2.0 apg.)
Time-out: Like a lot of people, here's hoping Brian Shaw can find the right buttons to push Denver that wee bit further. But he's facing a mountain and the journey looks rocky.

Utah Jazz
Coach: Tyrone Corbin (87-89)
2012-13:  43-39 (9th in West)
Back: Gordon Hayward (14.1 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 41.5 3-Pt%), Derrick Favors (9.4 ppg., 7.1 rpg., 1.7 bpg.).
New: Trey Burke (first round draft choice from Michigan), Richard Jefferson (3.1 ppg., 1.5 rpg.).
Time-out: The Jazz are heading south but it's still a handy place to find some extra wives. Oh? They don't have that anymore? Do they still have the Tabernacle Choir?

Portland Trail Blazers
Coach: Terry Stotts (148-217)
2012-13:  33-49 (11th in West)
Back: LaMarcus Aldridge (21.1 ppg., 9.1 rpg., 1.2 bpg.), Damian Lillard (19.0 ppg., 6.5 apg.), Nicolas Batum (14.3 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 4.9 apg.)
New: Mo Williams (12.9 ppg., 6.2 apg.), Dorell Wright (9.2 ppg., 3.8 rpg.), C.J. McCollum (first round pick from Lehigh).
Time-out: Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas ... ah, those were the days. Now? The only trail Portland is blazing is toward the 2014-15 draft.

PACIFIC DIVISION
Los Angeles Clippers
Coach: Doc Rivers (first year with Clippers, 587-473)
2012-13:  56-26 (4th in West)
Back: Chris Paul (16.9 ppg., 9.7 apg.), Blake Griffin (18.0 ppg., 8.3 rpg.).
New: Darren Collison (12.0 ppg., 5.1 apg.), J.J. Redick (14.1ppg., 90.0 FT percentage, 36.6 3Pt%)
Time-out: With Doc wielding the scalpel, expect some clinical Clippers heading back up the playoff road instead of skidding like last year.

Golden State Warriors
Coach: Mark Jackson (70-78)
2012-13:  47-35 (6th in West)
Back: Stephen Curry (22.9 ppg, 6.9 apg., 45.3 3-Pt%), David Lee (18.5 ppg., 11.2 rpg.).
New: Andre Iguodala (13.0 ppg., 5.4 apg., 5.3 rpg.), Marresse Speights (8.3 ppg., 4.9 rpg.).
Time-out: Andrew Bogut is the absolute key to this franchise. Adding Iguodala was big but Bogut staying healthy will determine if GSW can make a run at the Western crown.

Los Angeles Lakers
Coach: Mike D'Antoni (428-371)
2012-13:  45-37 (7th in West)
Back: Kobe Bryant (27.3 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 6.0 apg.), Pau Gasol (13.7 ppg., 8.6 rpg.), Steve Nash (12.7 ppg., 6.7 apg.).
New: Nick Young (10.6 ppg. 35.7 3-Pt%), Chris Kaman (10.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg.).
Time-out: Not even the second-best team in LA anymore - UCLA, the Sparks... - so much hinges on Kobe getting back and approximating his best just for this team to be competitive. A run at the World Masters title would add some more silverware though.

Sacramento Kings
Coach: Mike Malone (R)
2012-13:  28-54 (13th in the West)
Back: DeMarcus Cousins (17.1 ppg., 9.9 rpg., 2.7 apg.), Jason Thompson (10.9 ppg., 6.7 rpg.), Isaiah Thomas (13.9 ppg., 4.0 apg.)
New: Ben McLemore (first-round pick from Kansas), Carl Landry (10.8 ppg., 6.0 rpg.).
Time-out: Landry will miss the first 3-4 months with a torn hip flexor so don't put the Kings on too much of a pedestal.

Phoenix Suns
Coach: Jeff Hornacek (R)
2012-13:  25-57 (15th in West)
Back: Goran Dragic (14.7 ppg., 7.7 apg.), Markieff Morris (8.2 ppg., 4.8 rpg.).
New: Eric Bledsoe (8.5 ppg., 3.1 apg.), Alex Len (first-round pick from Maryland), Archie Goodwin (first-round pick from Kentucky).
Time-out: The Suns will trouble the 76ers for the worst team in the NBA this season

Wow. Is that everybody? Geez there's enough teams. Guess doing NBL and WNBL previews (8 & 9 teams) does tend to spoil you and make you complacent.

It's a long season ahead but it can't start soon enough. I dream of a Bulls-Clippers Championship but you know the Heat will be there.