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Written by: Rob Opacki Tuesday October 27th marks the start of the 2009-2010 NBA season and this year is set to be as dynamic as it gets. Headlining the start of the season on TNT is the Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston was bounced out of the playoffs in the second round last season mostly due to an injured Kevin Garnett and went out and got Rasheed Wallace to boost their weak bench. Cleveland couldn’t find an answer for Orlando’s Dwight Howard so they got Shaq to complement King James. Last year’s champs, the LA Lakers, also weren’t quiet in the offseason, signing bad-boy Ron Artest to bring some tenacity to Tinsel Town. Let hope for Ron’s sake he doesn’t deck anyone in the stands this time. Most of them know Governor Schwarzenegger personally. Additionally, an unusual amount of high-profile stars will become free-agents at the end of this season which begs the question where those on subpar teams at mid-season will be traded to by the February 19th trade-deadline. Notable free-agents include Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd. This season also precedes “The Summer of Lebron” where mega-star Lebron James becomes a free agent and is predicted to receive the most lucrative contract in NBA history.

Prediction: Boston over Lakers for the title. Lebron goes to the Knicks.