With the NBA season about a month away and training camp upon us, I’ve decided to kick off my season preview with a brief ranking and overview. In the follow weeks I’ll dive into each team with more depth and, depending on any changes in camp, make my final preseason predictions on the eve of regular season tip-off.

1. Boston Celtics- Hard to drop the champs from the top spot, but losing James Posey could be trouble.

2. LA Lakers- Kobe continues to amaze. How well Andrew Bynum comes back from knee trouble determines LA’s fate

3. New Orleans Hornets- CP3 should continue to move the Hornets along smoothly. Still need more depth.

4. Utah Jazz- With Carlos Boozer in a contract year the Jazz really need to make a push. Williams will certainly keep them in the mix in the West.

5. San Antonio Spurs- Do these guys ever really go away? Their core should have at least one good run left.

6. Houston Rockets- Key word for this team is “if”. If T-Mac and Yao stay healthy for the year, they are just as dangerous as anyone. Acquiring Ron Artest was a smart move in my eyes.

7. Detroit Pistons- Obviously on the back end of a magnificent stretch. Need to implement youngsters so vets will be fresh for playoff run.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers- LeBron James finally has a legit scorer on his team, but are there enough pieces to trump the Pistons and Celtics in a playoff series?

9. Philadelphia 76ers- Made a big splash by signing Elton Brand. This team may have the parts to make the next step.

10. Portland Trailblazers- There is plenty of talent, but how will they find enough time for all of these young stars in the making to develop?

11. Orlando Magic- Dwight Howard is still improving, which is scary. He’ll need more help, though.

12. Dallas Mavericks- J-Kidd experiment did not work last year. Perhaps the coaching change will help this team regain its focus?

13. Phoenix Suns- Shaq, Nash, and Grant Hill are closer to social security than an NBA title, but I think Terry Porter will get the most out of this team and they will still compete in a rugged conference.

14. Denver Nuggets- Another team in regression in the West. Allen Iverson might be the next Nugget to leave town.

15. Washington Wizards- This team hinges on Gilbert Arenas. If he comes back quickly and healthy, they shoot up there with the best of the East. If he doesn’t, well, it’ll be the same story for the Wiz.

16. Miami Heat- Dwayne Wade looks like his old self which is bad news for opposing D’s. Who plays the point will be key. This is a team that could surprise people.

17. Toronto Raptors- They hope Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh can make a formidable tandem, and I think they will, it’s just that beyond Jose Calderon, who else is productive?

18. Milwaukee Bucks- I like the direction this team is heading, but they are probably a few moves, and at least a year away, from making an impact.

19. Chicago Bulls- This is a team that is too guard-heavy. Maybe it is time to move someone and acquire a competent big man.

20. Atlanta Hawks- What a turbulent summer. This is a team that probably took a step backwards, rather than forward. However, if some of their still very young players improve again, they could surprise us all.

21. Charlotte Bobcats- Larry Brown is the next to help this franchise. Let’s see how this young team responds to his personality.

22. LA Clippers- Another team with a wacky summer, the Clips came away with Baron Davis, but lost Elton Brand shockingly. Their backcourt will excite, but I don’t know who scores in the paint.

23. Golden State Warriors- Monta Ellis rewarded the Warriors by busting his ankle on a moped several weeks ago. He was supposed to anchor their fast-paced attack. Hopefully Marcus Williams holds steady until then.

24. NY Knicks- New GM, new coach, but a lot of the same players. This transition will take another year or two, but they are headed in the right direction.

25. NJ Nets- The Nets are in a total rebuilding mode and apparently clearing space to chase LeBron when he is a free agent. The year will be bumpy, but Devin Harris is a solid player who will keep them working hard.

26. Indiana Pacers- This is an extremely young team. A lot of learning will take place this season.

27. Minnesota Timberwolves- Al Jefferson is the team’s present and future. Kevin Love better be worth it or else the endless rebuilding will continue.

28. Memphis Grizzlies- It’ll be interesting to see how quickly Marc Grasol can establish himself. Rudy Gay is getting better by the day.

29. Sacramento Kings- Doesn’t it seem like yesterday they were always in the conference finals? Kevin Martin is the only bright spot on this team.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder- They have a great nucleus (Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook) but with the eldest being Green at age 22, they have a lot to learn.