NBA PREVIEW: FIVE BIGGEST QUESTIONS HEADING INTO THE SEASON

27 October 2015

NBA Preview: Five biggest questions heading into the season

The 2015-16 NBA season is almost underway, and with it comes a palpable energy driven by ferocious dunks and long-range three-pointers.

Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors lit up the league last season en route to their first championship in 40 years.

The nucleus of that team is still in place, so opponents will have to go through Golden State if they are going to hoist the trophy at the end of the season.

The Western Conference looks like it will be just as deep as last year, while the Eastern Conference has a number of rising teams.

Curtains will be raised on Tuesday, showcasing some of the NBA's most tantalising teams.

Can the Warriors repeat?

It is going to be tough, because the Western Conference which was already deep - got even better during the offseason. With that being said, Golden State brought team basketball back to the NBA last year while averaging 110 points per game. League MVP Curry is back after scoring 23.8 points per game last season, and alongside him in the backcourt is Klay Thompson (21.7 points per game), who can score in bunches and gives Curry room to roam.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will be much improved, and teams like the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers made interesting off-season moves. But the Warriors enter the season as the favourites until proven otherwise.

Who is number two in the Eastern Conference?

Assuming the Cavaliers retain their position as the distant number one, there is a legitimate case for five or six teams finishing directly behind them in the standings. The Chicago Bulls are the trendy pick with Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol leading the way, but Rose's health is always in question and Gasol is not getting any younger.

The Toronto Raptors finished 49-33 last year, and stole power forward DeMarre Carroll from the Atlanta Hawks in free agency. His addition fills their need for an athletic big man that can bully players in the paint. Centre Jonas Valanciunas could break out this season. Those are the top two teams, on paper, behind the Cavs, but teams like the Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat could all rise into the number two spot in the East.

After moving from college to coaching two of the best teams in the NBA, can Fred Hoiberg and Billy Donovan succeed?

Hoiberg might as he has got the demeanour, personality and support of the city to lead this team for years to come.

The Chicago native sparked life into an Iowa State program that was losing traction against other top programs.

Hoiberg inherits a much better situation with the Bulls, but there are still questions surrounding this team.

Donovan inherits a different situation.

He proved his ability to coach top talent at Florida, which is good, because he now has to balance the scoring between Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant at the Thunder.

Who will be this year's breakout player, team?

Player: Pistons centre Andre Drummond. Now in his fourth season, Drummond looks poised to make a major leap in production.

Team: Bucks. Do not look know, but the Bucks are putting together a pretty tantalising squad in Milwaukee.

Led by head coach Jason Kidd and second-year pro Jabari Parker, the Bucs could make some noise in the East.

Who will win it all?

The Cavaliers have the best combination of athleticism and physicality. They are also the deepest team in the league.

Led by the trio of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, Cleveland have the ability to run with quick teams, or slow the tempo and bang inside.

Getting Anderson Varejao back from injury and securing Tristan Thompson long term gives head coach David Blatt options inside.

It could also open up space for Timofey Mozgov to step back and hit 15-foot jumpers.