The 2014-15 NBA season is quickly approaching. After one of the most exciting offseasons in recent history, this year is full of anticipation. How will Lebron James, and the new look Cleveland Cavaliers stack up in the Eastern Conference? Are the San Antonio Spurs aging enough to drop them out of championship contention?  Who is the surprise team in the league this season?

Eastern Conference

 Atlantic Division

1st Place- Brooklyn Nets (Last year finished 2nd place in Atlantic Division – 44-38)

The Brooklyn Nets are in for a big year, after a very disappointing one in their previous campaign. With new head coach Lionel Hollins at the helm, Brooklyn is in great position to take control and win their division this year. A healthy Brook Lopez and a much-improved second-year from Mason Plumlee will guide the Nets deep into the playoffs.  Team MVP- Brook Lopez

 2nd Place- New York Knicks (Last year finished 3rd place in Atlantic Division – 37-45)

The New York Knicks go into the 2014-15 campaign with a revamped front office, coaching staff, and roster. The additions of Jose Calderon (in a trade) and Cleanthony Early (draft) should stabilize the Knicks rotation. Look for breakout seasons from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert. Team MVP- Carmelo Anthony

3rd Place- Toronto Raptors (Last year finished 1st place in Atlantic Division – 48-34)

After winning the Atlantic Division in 2013-14 for the first time since 2006-07, the Toronto Raptors are ready to win again. With a much improved division, Toronto, though, will not have the same success as last year. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry should make them a fun team to watch.  Team MVP- Kyle Lowry

Central Division

1st Place- Chicago Bulls (Last year finished 2nd place in Central Division – 48-34)

Finally the Chicago Bulls have their star Derrick Rose healthy and ready to go. Rose will lead Coach Tom Thibodeau’s tough defensive-minded team to a division title this year. Additions of Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott will help Chicago’s already strong depth.  Team MVP- Derrick Rose

2nd Place- Cleveland Cavaliers (Last year finished 3rd place in Central Division – 33-49)

LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love… This is the most talented team in the Eastern Conference, but it is yet to be seen if they have enough to make it deep into the playoffs. James’ goal was to go back to Cleveland to bring them a championship, but it will not be this year. The Cavs will need a year or two to develop together.  Team MVP- LeBron James

3rd Place- Detroit Pistons (Last year finished 4th place in Central Division – 29-53)

The Detroit Pistons go into the 2014-15 season with a new head coach, Stan Van Gundy looking to change the culture in the motor city.  Detroit has suffered through miserable seasons in recent years, but with Andre Drummond, Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings this Pistons team is filled with talent.  Team MVP- Andre Drummond

Southeast Division

1st Place- Washington Wizards (Last year finished 2nd place in Southeast Division – 44-38) The Washington Wizards are the team to watch in the Eastern Conference this year. Washington added veteran Paul Pierce this offseason to go along with a young back-court in budding-star John Wall and Bradley Beal, and a veteran front-court made up of Nene and Marcin Gortat. The Wizards are finally coming into their own in a weak division.  Team MVP- John Wall

2nd Place- Charlotte Hornets (Last year finished 3rd place in Southeast Division – 43-39) After having multiple horrific seasons, Charlotte finally made the playoffs last season, and will again in 2014-15. By adding Lance Stephenson, Marvin Williams, Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston the Hornets can only improve. I really like this team to surprise people and make a deep run into the playoffs.  Team MVP- Al Jefferson

3rd Place- Miami Heat (Last year finished 1st place in Southeast Division – 54-28)

Losing a player of the caliber of LeBron James is never a good thing, though this team is still very talented. The Heat agreed to deals with a couple key veterans this offseason (Luol Deng, Danny Granger, Shannon Brown) and resigned Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade to stay relevant. Miami will still be in the hunt.  Team MVP- Chris Bosh

Western Conference

Northwest Division

1st Place- Portland Trail Blazers (Last year finished 2nd place in Northwest Division – 54-28) The Portland Trail Blazers were a surprise team last season reaching 50 wins, and will only get better this year. Portland’s young core now has playoff experience and is in the weakest division in the Western Conference. LaMarcus Aldrige and Damien Lillard should lead them to an even deeper run into the playoffs.  Team MVP- Damien Lillard

2nd Place- Oklahoma City Thunder (Last year finished 1st place in Northwest Division – 59-23) As much as this may stun people, I do not believe the Thunder will win their division. With MVP Kevin Durant out for an extended period of time to begin the season, Oklahoma City will have to rely on Russell Westbrook to carry their offense. Once Durant is back and healthy, the Thunder will be right back in the thick of things.  Team MVP- Kevin Durant

3rd Place- Denver Nuggets (Last year finished 4th place in Northwest Division – 36-46)

The Denver Nuggets are the best of the three worst teams in this division. They will be better than last year with Danilo Gallinari, JaVele McGee and Nate Robinson all healthy and Aaron Afflalo back in Denver. Denver could end up sneaking into the playoffs with strong play out of forward Kenneth Faried.  Team MVP- Kenneth Faried

 Pacific Division

1st Place- Los Angeles Clippers (Last year finished 1st place in Pacific Division – 57-25)

Now that the Clippers have moved on from the distraction of Donald Sterling and his racist remarks by selling their team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, they have no excuses this year. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are ready to lead the Clippers deep into the playoffs.  Team MVP- Chris Paul

2nd Place- Phoenix Suns (Last year finished 3rd place in Pacific Division – 51-31)

The Phoenix Suns stunned everyone last season when they almost made the playoffs. Second-year head coach Jeff Hornacek now has a year under his belt with a very underrated team. Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe will continue to be nightmares to their oppositions.  Team MVP- Goran Dragic

3rd Place- Golden State Warriors (Last year finished 2nd place in Pacific Division – 48-34) This Golden State team has arguably the most complete roster out of any team in the NBA. With no large, glaring holes, rookie head coach Steve Kerr will have an interesting task. Shaun Livinston will add to one of the best back-courts in the NBA (Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson).  Team MVP- Stephen Curry

 Southwest Division

1st Place- San Antonio Spurs (Last year finished 1st place in Southwest Division – 62-20) in arguably the best division in the NBA, the aging Spurs will continue to dominate. Kawhi Leonard has emerged as a bright, young star in the league with veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili still playing at high levels. Coach Greg Popovich always finds ways to win, and will sustain his success.  Team MVP- Kawhi Leanord

2nd Place- Houston Rockets (Last year finished 2nd place in Southwest Division – 54-28) The Houston Rockets lost a key part of their nucleus over the offseason (Chandler Parsons signed with the Mavericks), but are still exciting and will win a lot of games. James Harden will be among the league’s top scorers and Dwight Howard will keep playing outstanding defense.  Team MVP- James Harden

3rd Place- Dallas Mavericks (Last year finished 4th place in Southwest Division – 49-33)

After an early exit from the playoffs a year ago, Dallas has vastly improved. The Mavs added forward Chandler Parsons, former defensive player of the year Tyson Chandler and veteran point guard Jameer Nelson to their already-talented roster. Dirk Nowitzki is not getting any younger, so now is the time for the Mavs to win.  Team MVP- Dirk Nowitzki