The return of your regularly-scheduled programming

Trades galore. KG and Allen goes to Beantown. Kyle Korver goes to Salt Lake. Pau Gasol enters Hollywood. Shaq and Marion trade places. NBA TV can't get even more exciting.

Or so I believe.

Freaks, here's my lowdown of the top contenders for each conference.

EAST
1. Boston Celtics
-Need I say more?
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Ok fine. No question on the C's lineup. Theirs is a team that's as talent-laden as the C's of old (which back in the 80s, had their own Big three, in low-post innovator Kevin Mchale, center extraordinaire Robert Parish and the incomparable Larry Bird). And just when everybody thought that they're only a three-man team, in comes Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins (who is a revelation in my eyes), Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Eddie House and Leon Powe (who now has a game winning layup to boast of. We thank you Leon for sparing the C's from an ultimately embarrassing defeat at the hands of the T'wolves). The first East finals slot is definitely locked in for Boston. There is no other team in the east that can handle their star-studded firepower.

2. Detroit Pistons

-Ok, maybe there is one east team that can handle Boston. Unlike the Spurs , Detroit has invested a lot in their future, signing up college stalwart Rodney Stuckey and UCLA ace Aaron Aflalo. Youngster Jason Maxiel has shown potential, and in 2 years' time, he may have everybody in Motown forget that they once had in their fold the most terrific rebounder/defender this side of Dennis Rodman. And let's not forget their always terrific starting five. Antonio McDyess is phenomenal. Rasheed Wallace is aging but is still the team's heart and soul. Tayshaun Prince is still the unheralded, always snubbed superstar who is perhaps the best non all-star player in NBA history eversince the all-star game was introduced. Richard Hamilton is going to the house jazz built not only as an east reserve but also a competitor in the Foot Locker three-point shootout (yes, that's how good a scorer Rip has become). And Chauncey Billups is as good a point guard as Jason Kidd, Steve Nash and Chris Paul. Just don't be surprised if they end up hoisting Larry O'Brien up for everyone to see.

3. Nada
-The Cavs are too Lebron to be a solid contender, the Magic still has a lot of polishing to do, and err..nothing. Let's just hope that Atlanta's young core wouldn't end up scattered all over the league in the coming seasons.

(2b cont.)