By Jon Loomer

Have your cheat sheets ready? Research done?

You think I'm nuts. We're months away from fantasy basketball.

Right?

Wrong, baby! We are only weeks away from launching fantasy basketball on NBA.com for the 2007-08 season. There is plenty to be excited about. There are some things I can't yet discuss, but just know that we have a new contest and new game on the horizon.

What can I talk about? We're working hard over here. Currently, we're working on the 2007-08 Fantasy Basketball Draft Guide, which will hit shelves in early October. In addition, we are giving fantasy on NBA.com a completely new look, and that should also be ready for you in October. Much cleaner, much more consistent experience across the site.

This is all fun, but the bulk of my excitement is reserved for the Ultimate Fantasy Commissioner. For those who have been around, last year was the first season for this game. The most options available anywhere in a fantasy basketball game, and free.

You liked it, but you wanted more. We knew it needed some tweaks, so we started working on 2007-08 back in January. We interviewed countless users. I hammered home the "must haves" in this game. I am obsessed with making the greatest game on the planet.

I won't be happy until people come to this game and ask, "This is free? What's the catch?"

There is no catch. I want you to play fantasy basketball on NBA.com. If I charge you to do everything, you may not play. That doesn't make me happy.

We listened. Some of the noticeable changes:

• New look and feel. It looks different. It feels different. It's just better. The best way I can describe it is clean and comfortable.
• New navigation. No reason to get lost in the navigation now. Everything is where it should be and easy to find.
• Improved league creation. Not only is the standard league creation easier and cleaner, but we added an Express option.
• Improved Join a League process. Joining a public league? We'll place you. No more owners with multiple teams in a league.
• Improved league message forum. You will now enjoy chatting it up with your fellow league members in the message forum.
• Improved league home page. Everything you want, where it should be, and displayed clearly. Some new features.
• Improved live draft room. This may be my favorite. The Draft Room was one of our biggest issues last year. Now it's a strength.

Don't just take my word for it. Take a look at the screen shots.

I want to tell you more, but it'll have to wait. Trust me, kids, you'll be happy.

So who is going first overall? Who is going to be the first pick in your draft? Who will be the rookies to watch? Talk about it in our fantasy message forums!