The NBA: Where meaningless fall games happen

We’re just about 24 hours away from Banner 17 night at the TD Banknorth Garden, and it’s time to start looking ahead at the 2008-09 season. This night couldn’t come at a more perfect time, with baseball season at a close in Boston and the Patriots showing promise, but still probably a piece or two short of being a Super Bowl team.

For the first time in probably two decades, it’s time to get legitimately excited for the start of the NBA season.

Let’s start it out with a little Western Conference preview for the upcoming season.

1. New Orleans – The Hornets were just about as talented as the Lakers last year, led by their superstar Chris Paul (who is still only 23) and a strong cast of young players. All they really lacked was a veteran role player to add into the mix. Cue James Posey who seems to bring championships to every team he goes to. They’re the team to beat in the West.

2. Los Angeles – The best team in the West last year brings back it’s core and adds budding star Andrew Bynum back into the mix. Why no more love than second? It’s because they looked so soft in the playoffs and history shows us that tough teams (see Detroit, San Antonio and Boston) get it done in the clutch.

3. Houston – The Rockets have a big three now too, and it’s a pretty solid crew. Last year they made a run with just a banged up McGrady; now they get Yao back from injury and one of the best grinders in the game in Ron Artest. Rafer Alston is the key just like Rondo was the key for the Celtics last year.

4. Utah – The Jazz have a great foundation with Boozer and Williams as their stars. They have the support pieces with Kirilenko and Harpring to go with them as well. Plus, any team that employs Gerry McNamara is OK by me. NOTE: if the Jazz cut G-Mac by the start of the season they will drop to six in the rankings. The man’s a winner.

5. San Antonio – Ginobli’s out for the opening portion of the season and they appear to be getting a little older. Strangely though, Manu’s injury may be a blessing when he’s healthy and rested come playoff time. Don’t count this bunch out ever.

6. Phoenix – This is how tough the West is this year: a team with a healthy Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash is the sixth best in the conference. This team is legitimately very good, but it’s tough to put them any higher based on the competition.

7. Portland – The Blazers went from one of the worst teams in the league to a .500 team in the toughest conference ever. Now they add Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez to the mix. Fortunately for them, this team is too young to be intimidated by the competition.

8. Los Angeles Clippers – No Elton Brand this year, but the Clippers at least added Baron Davis and Marcus Camby. Eric Gordon and Davis should make up a tough backcourt and Camby and Al Thornton will be beasts down low. This team has a real shot at breaking the playoff drought.

9. Dallas – The Mavs are slipping. Dirk has not been the same stone-cold killer since the Mavs lost in the Finals in ’06 and Jason Kidd is a shell of himself. They’ll still put up some numbers and win some games, but they’re run as a title contender is over.

10. Denver – The Nuggets didn’t play any defense last year, so what do they do? Trade away their best defensive player (Marcus Camby). They could average 140 points per game this year and still finish below .500.

11. Oklahoma City – In the words of one Jim Calhoun, “They’re not bad.” Believe it or not the Franchise Stealers…er…Thunder could be half decent this year. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and a passionate fan base should make them anything but a guaranteed win for opponents.

12. Minnesota – The T-Wolves are better than you may think. Al Jefferson is a budding star and the bizzarro Celtics should be able to build around him and Ryan Gomes in the future. If Kevin Love can stay on the floor the Wolves will win a few games this year.

13. Memphis - They can fly with Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo and the Hack Man Warrick, but can they play? They'll at least be the most fun bad team to watch (if that makes sense).

14. Golden State – Baron Davis is gone and Monta Ellis is out indefinitely. It’s hard to find something positive coming out of Oakland this year.

15. Sacramento – Donte Green could be the best player on this team by the end of the season. Enough said.