Forecasting the 2008-09 NBA season

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Will the Celtics have the same fire they did when they won the 2008 title?
2. Will Lakers center Andrew Bynum prove that he has shaken off his knee injury to become a star?
3. Can Ron Artest turn the Rockets into a power or just add unneeded drama?
4. Will Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley make the Heat a power in the East again?
5. Will Blazers center Greg Oden live up to the hype of being the next great center?

FIVE TEAMS ON THE RISE
1. New Orleans Hornets
2. Portland Trail Blazers
3. Houston Rockets
4. Miami Heat
5. Los Angeles Clippers

FIVE PLAYERS ON THE RISE
1. Brandon Roy, Portland
2. Kevin Martin, Sacramento
3. Rudy Gay, Memphis
4. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland
5. Rajon Rondo, Boston

FIVE MVP CANDIDATES
1. LeBron James, Cleveland
2. Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
3. Kevin Garnett, Boston
4. Dwight Howard, Orlando
5. Dwyane Wade, Miami

FIVE ROOKIES TO WATCH
1. Greg Oden, Portland
2. Michael Beasley, Miami
3. O.J. Mayo, Memphis
4. Rudy Fernandez, Portland
5. Danilo Gallinari, New York