The Spurs and Pistons took the 2004-05 season as far as it could go. Now it's time to start all over again. San Antonio certainly looks like the favorite, but a lot of the good teams in the league got even better. How will it all play out? We can't wait to see.

Can anyone unseat the Spurs?
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

They are the defending champs. They have maybe the best player in the game. Manu Ginobili has become more of a force and Tony Parker is only 23 years old. They brought in Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel to give them more offensive punch off the bench and Argentine big man Fabricio Oberto for frontline depth. They seemingly have no weaknesses. As long as they stay healthy, the Spurs look like they will be nearly impossible to beat.
NBA.com's Spurs Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Spurs Team Preview

Brown makes another move Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/NBAE

Larry Brown will change things in New York. The team's current make-up does not exactly suit his style. If his players buy into his methods, they should certainly be an improved team. If not, then we may seem some fireworks in Gotham.
NBA.com's Knicks Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Knicks Team Preview

The Pistons will need to adjust to new coach Flip Saunders, but their core group is still in tact and should be considerably motivated to prove that they can get back to the Finals without their old coach. Maurice Evans should give them added firepower off the bench, and we may see more minutes from Darko. When you think about how close they were to the title last season, it's hard to count them out.
NBA.com's Pistons Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Pistons Team Preview

Things have changed quite a bit in Lakerland since B.C.T. (Big Chief Triangle) left town. Making the playoffs is certainly not guaranteed. Kobe Bryant is still one of the best players in the league though and Lamar Odom may flourish in a role where he can handle the ball more. The development of Kwame Brown could be an X-factor.
NBA.com's Lakers Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Lakers Team Preview

Out: Damon Jones, Eddie Jones, Keyon Dooling, Rasual Butler
In: Antoine Walker. Jason Williams. Gary Payton. James Posey
They took the Pistons to seven games without Shaq or Dwyane Wade at 100 percent. So the amount of changes that the Heat went through this summer was a bit surprising.

Now, they have a lot of talent, but no one knows how well Walker and Williams will work with Shaq and Wade. Shaq will get open looks from long range for W & W, but they combined to shoot just .323 from three-point land last season. Jones and Jones shot a combined .406 from long range.
NBA.com's Heat Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Heat Team Preview

With the devastation in New Orleans, the Hornets have moved to Oklahoma City for the 2005-06 season, where they have been welcomed with open arms. They will struggle for wins, but with Chris Paul and J.R. Smith, they should be a fun team to watch. Don't forget about Arvydas Macijauskas, a great shooter from Lithuania who signed this summer.
NBA.com's Hornets Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Hornets Team Preview

LeBron doesn't want to watch the playoffs from the front row this season. Allen Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images

In his rookie year, they finished a game out of the playoffs. Last season, they tied for the eighth spot, but were left at home because they lost the season series to New Jersey. This year, almost is not enough. The Cavs have surrounded LeBron James with a strong, veteran line-up and it his time to lead them into the postseason. With the additions of Larry Hughes, Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall, there are no more excuses.
NBA.com's Cavaliers Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Cavaliers Team Preview

The Rockets reached the 50 win mark last year for the first time since the days of Hakeem, Clyde and Charles. Their record has improved in each season with Yao Ming. This summer, they brought in Stromile Swift to give Yao support down low, and they added Luther Head and Derek Anderson for more backcourt depth. If it weren't for the Spurs, the Rockets could be the class of the Western Conference.
NBA.com's Rockets Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Rockets Team Preview

Reggie's gone, but Ron Artest is back, Jermaine O'Neal is healthy and they landed one of the top free agents of the summer, Sarunas Jasikevicius from Lithunia. The Pacers are ready to challenge the Pistons for both the Central Division and the Eastern Conference crown. Rick Carlisle did an incredible job of keeping them together and reaching the second round last season, but expectations are much higher this year.
NBA.com's Pacers Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Pacers Team Preview

Andrew Bogut was the No. 1 pick. Marvin Williams has the best chance to be a superstar. Chris Paul could have the biggest impact this year. Deron Williams will be handed the reins in Utah. Raymond Felton and Sean May will bring Carolina fans into the new Charlotte Bobcats Arena. Channing Frye will be under a microscope in New York, where Nate Robinson will certainly electrify the Garden. Dozens of rookies will be looking to prove that they were picked to low. Who will shine? Who will bust?

With George Karl at the helm, the Nuggets went 25-4 to end the season. The Warriors went 18-10 after trading for Baron Davis. Expectations are up in both places. Golden State is the popular pick the break into the Western Conference playoff picture and Denver is the consensus pick the Northwest Division. Both teams' success will depend on their health. The Warriors need Davis to play his first full season in the last four years and Denver needs their frontline of Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby and Nenê in tact.
NBA.com's Nuggets Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Nuggets Team Preview
NBA.com's Warriors Season Preview | Video: NBA TV's Warriors Team Preview