We’ll keep it simple: Rank each conference top to bottom with predicted W/L, play out the playoffs, name a champion. Let me know what y’all think …

Eastern Conference

1) Orlando Magic (62-20)
I know what you’re thinking. No Cleveland!? Seriously, though, the only guy in the conference that can even slow Dwight Howard is Joakim Noah. Add in Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson and the rest of the sharpshooters, Orlando’s got the inside-out game down to a science. Plus, don’t forget, they can stop ANYBODY on defense. This team is a well-oiled machine; 62 wins might be conservative.

2) Miami Heat (61-21)
I’m probably the only person on the planet with the Heat here. Fact is, this team might have trouble staying healthy. There’s a lot of age on the bench, and there’s Dwyane Wade’s injury plagued-ness. Yeah, when they’re at full strength, they’ll be very tough to beat. But staying healthy isn’t as easy as it looks for these cats.

3) Chicago Bulls (53-29)
The Bulls will just get better and better and better as the season goes on. By the end of the year, Derrick Rose will be the best point guard in the NBA. With the addition of Carlos Boozer - when he heals up, and isn’t losing to high schoolers in horse - and the still-improving Noah, Chicago’s scary in the post.

4) Boston Celtics (50-32)
I expect similar things out of the Celts this year as last year. They’ll have a decent regular season, save their legs for the playoffs, and then present some people problems. Shaq’s presence scares me a bit since he’s a bit of a team killer, but Rajon Rondo is only going to get better.

5) Milwaukee Bucks (47-35)
If you like the Thunder, you’ve GOT to like the Bucks. The team is young, exciting, and can always tout the underdog card. Yeah, there’s a drop off after the Celtics, but Brandon Jennings, John Salmons and a healthy Andrew Bogut could key a first round upset.

6) Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
Following along the Hawks’ against the Heat tonight showed me two things; first, as mentioned above, that Miami’s kryptonite is injuries. Second, why is everybody sleeping on Atlanta? I think their record was a product of a weak conference last year; still, though, they’re a bonafide playoff team.

7) New York Knicks (39-43)
I’d love to say the Knicks are a true contender in the East. They’re still one or two years - more specifically, a real point guard - away, though. If they deal Gallo, Randolph, Chandler and Mozgov for Anthony? They might only win 35. I think the most exciting part of New York is their Golden State-esque core. Very athletic, high-throttle, and the shock-ability characteristic. The Knicks will look silly-good at times, and silly-bad at times. They’re the last lock for a playoff spot in the East.

8) Indiana Pacers (36-46)
Blame it on my man crush on Darren Collison or my man crush on Roy Hibbert. Maybe it’s just my attempt at rekindling some sort of Indiana / New York rivalry. I think the Pacers are on their way up, though. Danny Granger’s got some sidekicks, now, and in a top-heavy East, it could mean the Pacers sneak into the postseason.

9) Charlotte Bobcats (34-48)
Unlike Skip Bayless, I don’t believe in the Bobcats. Stephen Jackson is real good, and Charlotte’s athletic and stingy on defense, but last year was their ceiling - for now, at least. If Indiana ends up closer to 20 wins than 40 wins, as many are predicting, Charlotte, should grab the 8-seed. I have ‘em on the outside-looking-in, though.

10) Washington Wizards (32-50)
Anybody interested in a psychopath point guard that used to be elite? Once the Wizards get Gilbert Arenas off their hands, they can start thinking playoffs. Until then, they’ll make more noise off-the-court than on it.

11) Philadelphia 76ers (30-52)
What’s Evan Turner got? I’m afraid he might just get in the way of Andre Iguodala. Aren’t they each the same exact player? Philly won’t win much this year, and might end up packing up their vets and beginning the rebuilding process.

12) Cleveland Cavaliers (27-55)
I just have a feeling that the Cavs aren’t going to be TERRIBLE. Yeah, they won’t be good, but something tells me that Dan Gilbert will do everything short of playing the point to make sure Cleveland plays O.K. basketball. Also helps that the Nyets, Pistons and Raps are in the conference.

13) New Jersey Nets (24-58)
They’ll be plenty more excitement following the pursuit of Carmelo Anthony than the on-court product in Jersey. Once they get to Brooklyn, things will look up. Until then, it’s the Travis Outlaw Show!

14) Detroit Pistons (23-59)
Listen, I love watching T-Mac highlight reels on YouTube as much as the next guy. However, when he’s one of your YOUNGER players, you’re in trouble.

15) Toronto Raptors (13-69)
I’ll be tempted to watch Golden Girls instead of Knicks/Raptors games this year. This team is U-G-L-Y.

Western Conference

1) Los Angeles Lakers (61-21)
Kobe’s got to get healthy. For that reason, I think the Lake Show takes it at 75 percent during the regular season. This team is good enough to win 70, but getting the three-peat is more important. If L.A. doesn’t win the West, I’ll be shocked.

2) Oklahoma City Thunder (58-24)
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are a more lethal one-two threat than LeBron-Wade. There, I said it! Add in Jeff Green, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Nenad Kristic … the list goes on. This team is deep, and will scare Angeles.

3) Utah Jazz (56-26)
No boozer? No problem. The Wolves handed the Jazz Al Jefferson and said, “Hey! Go win a title!” Deron Williams is the best point guard in the league - for now - and will pick n’ roll his way with Jefferson deep into the playoffs.

4) Phoenix Suns (55-27)
I know they lost Amar’e. But I’m excited about seeing Josh Childress once he gets healthy. All pundits say he is the dream point guard for a fast-paced team like the Suns. Big, crazy-athletic, and terrific court vision. Why didn’t the Knicks sign him! Phoenix will surprise a lot of people and win a lot of games.

5) Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)
I’m not a Portland believe. I think they’re overrated, and will have the same problem the Mavs have - show up in the regular season, disappear in the playoffs. Still, they’ll win more than 50.

6) Dallas Mavericks (54-28)
Dirk should’ve ran. This team is on the wrong side of 28, and on their way down. Sure, they’ll still win 50+ games, just because the talent is there. But the NBA Championship is well out of their grasps.

7) Houston Rockets (48-34)
What do you have in your office pool for the over-under on Yao Ming’s games played? If he stays healthy, pairing him with Aaron Brooks spells a playoff berth, no doubt. If he doesn’t, the Rocks will have another 40-win season.

8) San Antonio Spurs (48-34)
George Hill makes me drool, and I can’t wait to watch Thiago Splitter. This is a transition year for San Antonio, though. There will be a few chemistry issues as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker begin to realize their reign is over. Still, they’ll find a way to the playoffs.

9) Los Angeles Clippers (41-41)
Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Gordon, AND Blake Griffin. The Clips are a real good team. Unfortunately, the West is real deep. By the way, Griffin is a sleeper MVP candidate. Yes, I said MVP. He’s a force, and could average 20 and 12 as a rookie.

10) Denver Nuggets (41-41)
‘Melo has kidnapped this team. He’ll be hanging over Denver’s head all year, and the Nuggs will suffer as a result. Once he gets dealt, you might even see them get a little better.

11) New Orleans Hornets (38-44)
I used to love Chris Paul. Then, I saw that he’s enamored by LeBron James. That’s bad karma. Real bad. There will be times this year when you see CP3 giving 60 percent. And N’Awlins will be well outside the playoff picture as a result.

12) Sacramento Kings (35-47)
Weird how the Kings only have two good players, but they still have the feel of a decent teams. Tyreke Evans is studly, and DeMarcus Cousins looks to be on a mission to prove all of his Draft-day haters wrong.

13) Memphis Grizzlies (35-47)
Rudy Gay returns to again team up with O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. The starting five in Memphis is good enough to have a shot at the postseason. Where’s the bench, though?

14) Minnesota Timberwolves (20-62)
Thank goodness for Golden State.

15) Golden State Warriors (14-68)
I’ve talked to a few people who think Golden State might contend in the West. I don’t see it. You need at least one guy that can play defense to win 20 games.

PLAYOFFS

East Round 1

(1) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
Pacers are a ways away from having a shot at eliminating the Magic. Still, it’ll be fun to watch two Herculean centers battle it out in the post. — Magic 4-0

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks
New York’s got no shot in this series. It’ll be AWESOME watching the the two teams spark another rivalry, a la the 1990s, but the Heat will cruise on. — Heat 4-0

(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
I love the Bulls. I think they’re built to make a Finals run. The Hawks will give them trouble, though. Fortunately for Chicago, Josh Smith might start chucking. — Bulls 4-2

(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
This is a toss-up. Two completely different teams. When in doubt, you gotta take experience though, especially in the NBA. — Celtics 4-3

West Round 1

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) San Antonio Spurs
Not the match-up Los Angeles wants in their quest for three-peat No. 2. Still, the Lakers will manage to end the Spurs’ decade-long era. — Lakers 4-1

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (7) Houston Rockets
How will the Thunder do in their first year as a favorite in the postseason? Round 1 shouldn’t be much of a test; Yao might not have both feet by this point. — Thunder 4-1

(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks
Utah’s building it’s next Karl Malone - John Stockton duo. This year will be the blue print for success going forward. They’ll embarrass the Mavs in the quarters. — Jazz 4-1

(4) Phoenix Suns vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
The only upset in the first round will be a five-seed over a four. Lame, I know. Phoenix can get here without Amar’e. Then, though, J-Rich will try to do too much. — Trail Blazers 4-2

East Semis

(1) Orlando Magic vs. (4) Boston Celtics
Boston was able to screw everything up in the East last year. Not this year. The Shaq factor will hurt ‘em against D-Wight. — Magic 4-2

(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
PEACE OUT, MIAMI! The Bulls are built for the playoffs with a mixture of big men, defense and a smooth pick n’ roll offense. Miami is built for a 50-game season or the playground. — Bulls 4-2

West Semis

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers will be cake after Los Angeles has to deal with San An in the first round. Los Angeles will set up the dream West Finals match-up. — Lakers 4-0

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (3) Utah Jazz
The Thunder’s depth is just way too good for the Jazz. Just when Durant and Westbrook struggle in the middle of the series, Eric Maynor will come in and drop 12 quick points. — Thunder 4-2

Conference Finals

(1) Orlando Magic vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
This will be a terrific series. On paper, it looks like the Bulls built themselves with Orlando as a model - stingy defense, good shooting, and a lockdown big man defending the post. Derrick Rose vs. Jameer Nelson is the X-Factor here. Adv.: Bulls. — Bulls 4-3

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (2) Oklahoma City Thunder
A rematch of last year’s series, this time in the West Finals. Can OK City make an improbable run to the promised land? I think it’s a year too soon for them. Kobe will get a shot at ring No. 6. — Lakers 4-3

NBA Finals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
After a pair of epic conference finals, what better match-up? Two of the most classic franchises in the league. What’s more, Chicago gets the opportunity to prevent Kobe from another title. While I love the Bulls on paper, and I hate cliches and “It was meant to be” stories, this sets up too perfectly as the series to anoint Bryant the second best player in NBA history. The Lakers get it done in the highest rated NBA Finals in a long time — Lakers 4-3

Here goes nothing …

Chris Bosh: Chicago Bulls
Bosh starts the free agent fiasco off by committing to Chicago

Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat
As expected, Wade re-ups in Miami.

Joe Johnson: New Jersey Nets
Following in the lead of the Heat and the Bulls, the Nets add their ‘Bron piece

Amar’e Stoudemire: New York Knicks
With free agent pieces falling, Walsh lures Stoudemire to play in the SSOL again with D’Antoni

Ray Allen: Chicago Bulls
Allen shocks pundits, signing in Chicago, fueling speculation that LBJ could be next.

Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas Mavericks
Nowtizki re-signs max contract with Dallas, leaving LBJ and Amar’e as the big available commodities.

LeBron James: Chicago Bulls
Ending the chase of LBJ, James signs with the Bulls. Seeing Deng, Rose, Bosh, Allen and Noah on the roster, he can’t turn it down. Bulls now East favorites. Time for the other chips to fall.

Let’s have some fun now …

David Lee: New Orleans Hornets
Chris Paul: New York Knicks
Knicks pull off a sign and trade, sending David Lee, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry, a 2011 2nd rounder and a 2012 first rounder to the Hornets for Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor and a 2012 second rounder.

Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics
Despite speculation, Pierce refuses to head to New Jersey, signs final extension with Celtics

Carlos Boozer: Miami Heat
After losing out on LBJ, Pat Riley settles for Boozer, Haywood and Reddick, aiming to create a hybrid of the NBA-champion Heat (big body underneath) and the now-successful Magic (outside sharpshooters). Heat fans not too happy. What else is new.

Rudy Gay: Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers lone splash is Gay, but the team still looks like a real contender

Carmelo Anthony: New Jersey Nets
Devin Harris: Los Angeles Clippers
Make the second offseason blockbuster, sending Devin Harris, a 2011 first round pick, and a 2013 first round pick to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony. Nets replace Harris by signing Felton.

Starting five of the five biggest movers:

Miami Heat

PG Mario Chalmers
SG Dwyane Wade
SF JJ Redick
PF Carlos Boozer
C Brendan Haywood

Chicago Bulls

PG Derek Rose
SG Ray Allen
SF LeBron James
PF Chris Bosh
C Joakim Noah

New York Knicks

PG Chris Paul
SG Bill Walker
SF Danilo Gallinari
PF Amar’e Stoudemire
C Emeka Okafor

New Jersey Nets

PG Raymond Felton
SG Joe Johnson
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Derrick Favors
C Brook Lopez

Los Angeles Clippers

PG Baron Davis
SG Eric Gordon
SF Rudy Gay
PF Blake Griffin
C Chris Kaman

Winners:

Chicago Bulls
Add the big prize, get arguably the third biggest prize, and tack on a sharpshooting Allen.

New Jersey Nets
Land the prize of 2011, have a starting five arguably as good as the Bulls.

Los Angeles Clippers
They only add Gay, but look an awful lot like the 2009-10 Thunder. Young, deep, and a great rookie (Aminu) off the bench.

Losers:

Miami Heat
They keep Wade, but adding an overrated Boozer won’t help. Haywood and Redick make the team a top five team in the East, but not a championship contender.

New York Knicks
The starting five is serviceable - a four-seed in the East behind the Nets, Bulls and Magic - but they are worlds behind the four teams above them, and fail on landing LeBron. Additionally, any shot at Anthony in 2011 is taken away by New Jersey.

Will any of this happen? I’m not counting on it. Still, the pieces fit, and best of all, it sets up a quiet 2011.

Team-by-team, why LeBron would fit, and why he wouldn’t fit. Ranked in reverse order from where he shouldn’t go to where he should go:

6. Cleveland Cavaliers

Why he should stay:

Cleveland, despite recent events, is still LeBron James’ town. He is the MJ of Cleveland, and if he stays, he’ll be able to continue to build his brand in what is essentially a brand-less city. He’d get more money, have a great deal of control, and could be granted some sort of controlling interest toward the end of his career if he remains loyal.

Why he shouldn’t:

The Cavs are tapped out. For some reason, his supporting cast this year was treated as if it were a Dream Team. When the second-best player on your team is Mo Williams, you’re far from that. Graced with the best player in the league, and in quite some time, the Cavs have failed for three consecutive years to deliver a championship. That’s a trend that will continue.

Plus, it’s Cleveland.

Why he won’t:

In addition to going down as the best player in history, James wants to go down as a legend. Right now, he’s scary-close to Patrick Ewing status - elite player that couldn’t get the big win. Granted, James is young, but plenty of people are turning on the already-annointed king. He’ll skip town looking to start fresh elsewhere, building a new dynasty.

5. Miami Heat

Why he should go:

Only two real reason James should go to Miami. First, it’s South Beach. Never been, but from what I’ve heard, namely from Will Smith, they party in the city when the heat is on, all night on the beach ‘til the break of dawn.

Second, it is the most likely spot James would be paired with his buddy, Dwyane Wade. The two of them could own the East year-in year-out.

Why he shouldn’t:

Outside of Wade, there is no supporting cast. Pat Riley can’t run a team. Michael Beasley is a bust. The head coaching situation is always a clusteryouknowwhat. And while Wade and James COULD own the East year-in year-out, James knows that with a limited supporting cast, you can’t beat the Magic.

Why he won’t:

Sure, the allure of South Beach is nice. But when you’re competing with NYC, LA, the town that MJ built and Jay-Z, South Beach doesn’t sound that nice.

4. New York Knicks

Why he should go:

Without a doubt, James would come to New York, lead the team to at least one championship, and go down as the biggest New York sports hero of all time - yes, moreso than Clyde or Willis or Patrick. Why? Because he’d be rescuing one of the worst-run franchises in sports history at the very Mecca of sports. James would get RICH in NYC, would expand his brand even more than it is now, and would rejuvenate MSG.

Why he shouldn’t:

Yea, I know it’s NYC. But remember, this is the Knicks. A franchise clinging to an overrated run in the 90s, and a couple of personalities in the 70s. Mike D’Antoni’s system is not a playoff-winner (see: his Phoenix resume), the front office of the Knicks isn’t exactly elite, and he’d have to deal with the New York media.

I know you scoffed at that last sentence. But look at the fiasco in Cleveland, with James getting attacked for shouldergate, and then effortgate. He looked like a deer in headlights a few times. He can’t handle that year-round.

Why he won’t:

James might love New York, but he’s smart enough to know he loves New York as an outsider. He likes hanging with Jay Z when he’s in town, going to Yankee games, and being a celebrity when he comes around. New York can continue to be LBJ’s second home - he should make his permanent residence elsewhere, though.

3. New Jersey Nets

Why he should go:

A better fit than the Knicks? Two words: Brook Lopez.

James knows he needs a big man to win the East, thanks to big bad Dwight Howard. Lopez, while not on the same level as Howard, can at least compete with the guy. Add in CDR, Devin Harris and John Wall, and James all of the sudden has a young supporting cast, molded similar to Orlando. The only difference? The Magic wouldn’t have LBJ, meaning the Nets would become the beasts of the East.

Plus, don’t forget the Jay-Z factor. Just like in Cleveland, James would have a shot at partial ownership in Jersey, largely aided by his bud.

Why he shouldn’t:

With all of the other attractive options out there, why would ‘Bron choose Jersey? Sure, they may be in Brooklyn in a few years, but under new ownership, hidden away in a state that everybody loves to poke fun at, with a team that just tested the limits of worst of all time. The risk factor is just way too high.

Why he won’t:

Plain and simple, James will realize that while the potential for greatness is sky high, the negatives simply outweigh the positives.

2. Chicago Bulls

Why he should go:

From what I’ve seen, it’s not LeBron’s goal to be the next Michael Jordan. He wants to be LeBron James. And James’ brand is built on being like 21st Century Mike. What other way better meet that then rejuvenating the city that No. 23 built in the 90s?

Chicago has major history. And while the comparisons to MJ would increase, so too would be the talk about LBJ being the best of all time. Imagine James walking out during player introductions in a Bulls jersey? All of America would get goosebumps. The intensity would be electrifying, the city would be on fire, and the Bulls would be back.

Not to mention the fact that James would be coming to a roster that already includes Derrick Rose, a top-three and soon to be top-one or -two point guard, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng.

Why he shouldn’t:

The only negative I see is the pressure from Bulls fans. They’d want LBJ to be MJ right away. It’d mirror the pressure he felt in Cleveland - a city that fed off its basketball team.

Why he will:

Ladies and gentleman, James’ destination. And a pretty good choice, too … other than the team below, it’s his best possible stop. He’ll build a new dynasty, and while he won’t be as dominant as the MJ bulls, Chicago will be the best team in the East every year. Him and Rose would team up to form the most electrifying duo since Jordan and Pipper, and Chicago’s basketball tradition would continue to approach that of Boston and Los Angeles.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Why he should go:

The one Western Conference team, and it’s his best spot.

Cleveland has run its course. Miami is too young to have a basketball tradition. The Knicks have Patrick, Willis and Clyde. The Nets have Dr. J. The Bulls have MJ. What do the Clippers have?

James would become the face of the Clippers’ franchise, with nobody in his rearview mirror. He’d forge the most electrifying NBA rivalry since Bird/Magic with Kobe. He’d team up with Blake Griffin to forge a ridiculous inside-out combination. He’d have LA playing LA for the West title every year.

And James, for turning around the Clippers’ franchise, would go down, after three NBA championships in the half-of-the-city that couldn’t win, as the best player in league history.

Why he shouldn’t:

Two reasons, both which are actually, in disguise, positives.

First, being overshadowed by Kobe Bryant. But wouldn’t a rivalry between the game’s two best be worth the initial risk of not owning the town?

Second, the Clippers’ pathetic history. But this would mean no measuring stick for LeBron, and that, as I said earlier, he’d be the bar-none face of an NBA franchise.

Why he won’t:

A few reasons. First, Chicago, in LeBron’s eyes, is probably just way, way too attractive. Second, there is NO basketball tradition for the Clippers. While James would single-handedly be building one, he’d be building on a weak foundation with a history of failure.

Finally, there is NO WAY the NBA would let this happen. Sure, they can’t overtly prevent James-to-L.A., but what would happen to the Eastern Conference? The Knicks would be retooled, the Bulls may have added Joe Johnson, and the Magic would be good, but almost ALL of the NBA’s talent would be out West. And with the media’s East Coast bias, basketball would be in trouble.