NBA Preview: Rose, LBJ and a brand new East

After a busy off-season of high-profile moves, a massive TV deal with big implications, and one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory, unlike Hedo Turkoglu the NBA is in its best shape in years.

Whether the goal is reaching the playoffs or hitting the jackpot at the lottery, a look around the league will show that most teams have a lot to be optimistic about. And then there’s the Pacers. So as the season finally draws near here’s a look at where all 30 teams sit heading into opening night. Closing things out, the Eastern Conference’s playoff teams.

(In reverse order of projected finish)

Check out parts one and two of the Western Conference preview.

8. Miami Heat

The Deal: LeBron James’s exodus will overshadow a team facing many intriguing questions. Most importantly, what will the Heat get from Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade?

Ask An Optimist: The Heat were actually a very strong team in games LeBron sat out last season. They were also very good in games where both ‘Bron and Wade were out, which bodes well for Bosh’s chances of regaining alpha dog status.

Ask A Pessimist: Miami is relying on a healthy Wade and on Bosh breaking all the habits he spent four long years developing. Good luck with that.

Will Only Go As Far As _____ Takes Them: Bosh, who will be under the microscope as he looks to prove he can be “the man” like he was in Toronto.

Don’t Sleep On: James Ennis. The supporting cast will have to step up in LBJ’s absence, and Ennis is a promising sleeper candidate at the wing position.

Song That Will Define Their Season: “You’re Breaking My Heart” by Harry Nilsson. We’re about to see how far spite can carry a team.

Relevant YouTube clip: If rookie Shabazz Napier can overcome this, he can overcome anything (check out the homerism from the Heat broadcasters here, too):

7. New York Knicks

The Deal: New brass with plenty of winning experience will look to make its mark on a largely one-dimensional roster. But in the East a player of Carmelo Anthony’s calibre and a couple of key role pieces (Jose Calderon, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith) might be enough to squeak into the post-season.

Ask An Optimist: The triangle offense is going to change everything, including turning Melo into a dynamic facilitator… and Andrea Bargnani into a meaningful player again.

Ask A Pessimist: After Melo this roster is t-h-i-n for talent, and worse, none of the parts compliment each other.

Will Only Go As Far As _____ Takes Them: Melo, who’s willingness to buy into Phil Jackson and new coach Derek Fisher’s system will go a long way to determining their success.

Don’t Sleep On: Tim Hardaway Jr., who will play his way past both Shumpert and Smith by season’s end.

Song That Will Define Their Season: “Man of the Street” by Ironing Board Sam. Knicks subplot: What becomes of Amare’ Stoudemire, who’s in the final year of his monster contract? Will he play his way back into relevance, or go the way of ol’ Ironing Board Sam?

Relevant YouTube clip: Get well soon, Tracy.

6. Washington Wizards

The Deal: Losing Bradley Beal for the first couple months of the season hurts, but this is still a strong team on the rise and built for the post-season.

Ask An Optimist: John Wall is finally the player we all hoped he’d be, and with an intimidating frontcourt and the addition of Paul Pierce, the Wizards are a sleeping giant.

Ask A Pessimist: Everything went right for Washington last season. This is the Wizards, after all, so here’s betting that won’t happen again.

Will Only Go As Far As _____ Takes Them: Nene. When he’s on the floor, his passing and defence add a fresh dynamic to the club, but he has to avoid the injuries that have plagued his career.

Don’t Sleep On: Otto Porter, Jr. After drafting him third overall two years ago, the Wizards need him to prove he wasn’t a bust, and they’ll give him a chance to do so. He played the best basketball of his life through stretches of the pre-season.

Song That Will Define Their Season: “I Don’t Know What It Is (But It Sure Is Funky)” by Ripple. I don’t know what it is, but suddenly there’s something exceedingly likeable about this team.

Relevant YouTube clip: Mr. Truth Goes to Washington.

5. Charlotte Hornets

The Deal: The Hornets have a strong identity—and I’m not talking about the change back to their old team name and colours—and should parlay a tough, improved roster built around Al Jefferson into their best campaign in years.

Ask An Optimist: Shooting guard has been a weak link in Charlotte. Lance Stephenson will put an end to that while making an already potent defensive team that much harder to matchup with.

Ask A Pessimist: Where are the reliable shooters on this team?

Will Only Go As Far As _____ Takes Them: Kemba Walker, who faces a pivotal season in which he needs to prove he can be the lead guard on a bona fide conference finals contender.

Don’t Sleep On: P.J. Hairston, who was a revelation in the Summer League but will need to find a way to become more of a system player and less of an isolation scorer.

Song That Will Define Their Season: “Space Jam Theme” by Quad City DJ’s. No. Explanation. Needed.

Relevant YouTube clip: Turn back the clock.