Ten games in the 2009-10 season that you simply can't miss

Ten games in the upcoming NBA season that can't be missed.

They may not be the best teams in the Eastern Conference -- yet -- but the beefed-up superpowers make for scrumptious TV. You never know what Shaquille O'Neal is going to say or Rasheed Wallace is going to do. Spin that into the mix with LeBron, KG, Pierce and Allen. It's a tasty treat on Opening Night.

2009-10 NBA Schedule • Garcia: Lakers will go on road ... eventually • Garcia: Top 10 games to watch next season • Garcia: 'Personal' matchups | Rookie showdowns • Schedules: Lakers | Cavs | Magic | Nuggets | More • National TV games | NBA TV games | Full schedule

They met in the Western Conference finals not too long ago, with Kobe and friends eliminating Melo and Co. on the same Pepsi Center floor they'll play on in November. The Can is going to pop for this return. And count on a few words of wisdom from wise old sages Phil Jackson and George Karl.

The first of four meetings between the two busiest teams in the West this offseason. They also happen to despise each other. Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess add to the Big Three in the Alamo City, while Shawn Marion joins the party in Big D.

These two played the best first-round series ever back in April. Yes, they will have already met in Beantown by this point (Oct. 30), but this is in the Windy City. Anyone remember the triple-overtime beauty in Game 6 at the United Center? Brace for OT.

Vince Carter and Dwight Howard are practically superheroes. They have the requisite nicknames. This Christmas Day starter could be a preview of the East finals. Or semifinals. In any case, this tussle in Central Florida is all heavyweight.

Yes, there are many interesting characters on both sides, but let's get real. It's Kobe vs. LeBron. Mano-a-Mano. Puppet-a-Puppet. (The Lakers make the return to Cleveland on Jan. 21 via TNT.)

Dwyane Wade locks scoring horns with LeBron. Maybe Pat Riley has delivered the help D-Wade has been waiting for by that point (see Carlos Boozer below) to make Miami a serious threat again in the East. (Bonus: Spurs-Blazers follow on TNT.)

Lest anyone forget, either of these Northwest Division rivals is fully capable of winning the West. Remember, the Jazz were a trendy pick going into last season. If they're healthy -- and if Boozer is still on the roster -- Jerry Sloan's bunch is dangerous. Brandon Roy leads a stacked squad in Rip City.

The two finalists meet for the only time in the regular season in the building where the bow was tied on 2008-09. There won't be champagne popping this time around.

Will the visit from the defending East champs serve as the last regular-season home game for the King? With the Summer of 2010 looming, you can bet many will be asking that question if LeBron hasn't cleared it up by then.