The 2009-10 NBA season opens October 27th with a lot of different faces in diverse uniforms. But cutting to the chase, it appears the LA Lakers are going to garner another championship, what with the addition of defensive juggernaut and all around physical phenom, Ron Artest. Forgive the authorial intrusion, but I dislike the Lakers and bleed Celtic Green.

The Lakers are loaded with Kobe, Gasol and now with Lamar Odom resigned, in addition to Artest. However, it reminds me of that 2003-4 Laker team the sports world was already to hand over the title to L.A. when they signed Gary Payton and Karl Malone. Just after Shaq and Kobe and Phil had already won 3 titles from 1999 - 2003. But the Pistons beat this purple and gold dream team for the title.

Perhaps they are not as tough as they sound.

A certain team laden in talent will arise out of the East to beat this new season's Laker squad.

It won't be Cleveland because Rent-A-Shaq has seen better seasons. Cleveland has the greatest player in the NBA in Lebron James, but they need Mo William's running mate, off guard, Delonte West, to be on the court and stable. He is underrated and unfortunately is battling bi-polar depression. West is a team chemistry item required for team success. He's a solid starter with 14ppg and four assists.

Any team starting Anderson Varejao cannot win a title. Ungainly but effective international 7'3" sequoia, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaq sure will clog the center as twin towers, but look for Lebron to head to a major media market after this season -Nets or Knicks. Where Lebron goes, other free agent gems will follow and both the Knicks and Nets have salary space for Dwayne Wades, Chris Boschs and heavens forbid, Rajon Rondos.

Orlando didn't help themselves at all by grabbing aging Vince Carter. He is going to replace the younger/better Hedo Turkolu, now a Toronto Raptor? Turkoglu is 6'10 and 30 years old. Carter is 6'6" and 32 with an injury prone history.

Orlando won't even make it to the Eastern Finals.

The team from the East which will reach the Eastern finals and meet the Lakers will be the Boston Celtics because they improved themselves immensely off season.

The Celtics picked up 6'11 power forward/center, Rasheed Wallace, who at 35 can still get the job done and is a proven All Star. He's a winner with that lone Piston championship of late. He plays as intensely as his good friend, Kevin Garnett.

Leading the league in technical fouls over a handful of seasons is Sheed's only downside. He will be leading the second unit which includes streak shooting off guard Eddie House, ever improving Glen Davis, swingman Marquis Daniels, who took a salary cut and gave up a starting position at Indianapolis to play for a contender. Daniels started last year for the Pacers for 55 games, averaging 14.6 ppg and almost five rpg.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis became a solid NBA player during last season's playoffs,

hitting a buzzer beater and solidifying his reputation as a go to guy in only his second season. He has a weight clause in his contract-less weight-more money. At 6'9", 290, this behemoth is nimble and will improve upon his 7 ppg and 4 rpg with the multiple minutes Coach Doc Rivers will be sending his way.

Newly acquired 6'9" forward, Sheldon Williams averaged 5 ppg and 3rpg for Atlanta last season. Hopefully, a change in scenery will motivate his stalled career (worked for ex Celtic, Chauncey Billips). Williams has a huge contract compared to his on court value - $3,395,760 yearly.

Don't think Rondo at $1,646,784 annually isn't aware of this.

If the Celtics stay healthy and Garnett returns to MVP status, Boston will beat Cleveland in six. So much has to do with Garnett's health.

The Lakers have the newly revamped San Antonio Spurs looking to unseat them.

Former Net small forward, Richard Jefferson, at 6'7" and only 29, adds youth to the

Spurs Big Three, Tim Duncan ,33; Manu Ginobli, 32; and Tony Parker, only 27.

Veteran banger, 6'9" Antonio McDyess, 35, adds depth to a mediocre bench.

Denver, which almost took the Lakers out of the western playoffs, has not made any significant changes over the off season. Los Angeles should meet San Antonio in the west finals with the Lakers emerging the victors.

Forgot Houston with Yao out for the entire season with a career threatening foot injury. When they had Artest, they pushed the Lakers to seven games. But now Artest is gone, Tracy McGrady, an All Pro, is injury prone and can't be counted on. Trevor Ariza is a fine NBA player, but Ron Artest, he is not.

The Boston Celtics should meet the Lakers in what may very well become a seven -4-

game classic. After the latest Patriot and Red Sox playoff demises, it would be an affair of beauty if Big Green returned to win it all. But The window of time is closing. After all, the big four,-Garnett,33; Pierce,33; Allen, 35; and Rasheed also at 35 are past their prime. The Celtics will remain one of the league's elite teams for two to three seasons, tops.

NBA Notes: What does Kevin Garnett do with 26 million a year anyway? Steve Jackson, the high scoring Warrior captain, used profanities in a exhibition game tirade this past week directed at coach Don Nelson. Jackson will miss two games and be fined $150,000. He won't be paid for those two games. His salary is $7,140,000 annually. $150,000 to play in two games. Yikes.

Michael Jordan was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The honor of presenting the plaque to His Airness went to David Thompson, who was an All American at North Carolina State in the seventies. Jordan must have seen him play as a youth and became a fan.

Thompson's life is a morality tale. He became an ABA and NBA All Pro, leading both leagues in scoring and being blessed with one of the greatest vertical leaps in the history of the game. However, after six to seven seasons, mostly with the Denver Nuggets, his game was slipping and his life was slipping away. Cocaine virtually ended his career prematurely.

2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year-Blake Griffin, LA Clippers. Sixth Man Award-Rasheed Wallace.