Don Nelson as the NBA’s second winningest coach of all time will be back leading the upstart Golden State Warriors team in 2008-2009. In 2006-2007 Golden State won 42 games and finished in second place in the Pacific. That year was also the first time an 8 seed beat the #1 seed in a seven game series(Mavericks).

That year, the Warriors scored 106.5 points per game which ranked them second, and also were tops in fast-break points(19.2) and steals(9.15). Nelson has won 1,232 games in his career, ranking just 100 behind Lenny Wilkins. 

The Detroit Pistons are coming off another Central Division title in 2007-2008. After finishing the regular season 59-23, including a 34-7 home record the Pistons were ousted in the Eastern Conference finals by Boston.

After winning series’ over Philadelphia and Orlando, the Celtics eliminated the Pistons in six games. The 50+ win season for Detroit was their 7th straight, including a 64-win season in 2005-2006. The Pistons ingredients for success were once again their defense. 

The Denver Nuggets are coming off a 50-32 season in which they garnered the 8 seed in the tough NBA Western Conference, only to find themselves dismissed in round one by the Lakers. The staggering number for the Nuggets last season was their 33-8 home record, and their 17-24 road record.

Denver’s 110.7 points per game ranked among the highest in the league, while allowing 107.0 points per game, also ranked among one of the worst. 

The Dallas Mavericks are coming off a 51-31 season. One would think seeing that kind of record the Mavericks and their supporters would be pleased with where the team stands. One would think… With that record, the Mavericks finished seventh in the Western Conference, and were ousted by the upstart New Orleans Hornets in round one.

This years team with the addition of Jason Kidd for the entire season looks to improve upon not only that record, but also their position in the conference, along with their postseason results. 

The Philadephia 76ers received a significant facelift this off season by signing the prize of the free agent market, Elton Brand.  Though it still remains to be seen whether or not they can actually challenge the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division, things are looking up for the Sixers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off an above. 500 season that saw them go toe to toe with the Boston Celtics, eventual World Champions. At 45-37, for 4th place in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs lost in the 7th game of the Conference Semifinals. We all know King James is alive and well in Cleveland, but the 08-09 squad will have a question mark of who else can contribute and move Cleveland from average to an elite Eastern Conference team, much like the 06-07 squad. 

The chemistry is clearly not there. Denver Nuggets coach George Karl wants Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to pass more and their point guard Anthony Carter is no good. Iverson could fill in at point guard although historically that hasn’t worked well.

The Chicago Bulls are coming off a disappointing 33 win season in 2007-2008, in which they finished 26 games behind the leader; Pistons and were on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Bulls fired head coach Scott Skiles midway through last season, and the change did not seem to spur the Bulls like management had hoped.  The Bulls are led by a new guy this season, and also will have a rookie point guard. Denny Del Negro takes the reigns as the head coach in Chicago. The rookie point guard from Chicago, after a year playing for John Calipari at Memphis, Derrick Rose is ready to get his career going. 

There’s a reason we don’t play sports outside in October, even in California.  The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets exhibition Saturday night was the first outdoor basketball game since 1972.

Apparently though, the hiatus was justified.  Canadian point guard Steve Nash said he was shivering at points on the chilly night, not to mention that several jump shots were forced off-line due to the mild winds.