2009-10 NBA PREVIEW

Catch up on what happened this NBA offseason in our 2009-10 preview.

NBA Preview - Catch up on what happened in the offseason before the NBA season tips off.

1 / 18

NBA Preview - Catch up on what happened in the offseason before the NBA season tips off.

Lakers Win NBA Title - The NBA Championship went back to the city of Los Angeles thanks to NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant. Bryant was finally able to get the monkey off his back, winning a championship without the big fella, Shaquille O’Neal, defeating the Orlando Magic in five games.

2 / 18

Lakers Win NBA Title - The NBA Championship went back to the city of Los Angeles thanks to NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant. Bryant was finally able to get the monkey off his back, winning a championship without the big fella, Shaquille O’Neal, defeating the Orlando Magic in five games.

Ron Artest Headed to LaLa Land - Ron-Ron is headed west. After the Los Angeles Lakers knocked out his Houston Rockets in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Ron Artest decided if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Artest signed a five-year, $33 million contract in the offseason, replacing small forward …

3 / 18

Ron Artest Headed to LaLa Land - Ron-Ron is headed west. After the Los Angeles Lakers knocked out his Houston Rockets in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, Ron Artest decided if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Artest signed a five-year, $33 million contract in the offseason, replacing small forward …

Ariza Signs With Houston - … Trevor Ariza, who swapped places with Artest and signed a five-year deal of his own with the Houston Rockets. Ariza will not only have to replace Artest but will have to play his first season without center Yao Ming, who is expected to be sidelined all year.

4 / 18

Ariza Signs With Houston - … Trevor Ariza, who swapped places with Artest and signed a five-year deal of his own with the Houston Rockets. Ariza will not only have to replace Artest but will have to play his first season without center Yao Ming, who is expected to be sidelined all year.

Allen Iverson In ... Memphis? - Get ready for the Allen Iverson experiment in Memphis. Unable to land a lengthy free agent contract in the offseason, the veteran point guard signed a one-year deal to play with the Grizzlies. If he was unhappy coming off the bench in Detroit, Iverson could be livid when he’s asked to play second fiddle behind young guards O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley.

5 / 18

Allen Iverson In ... Memphis? - Get ready for the Allen Iverson experiment in Memphis. Unable to land a lengthy free agent contract in the offseason, the veteran point guard signed a one-year deal to play with the Grizzlies. If he was unhappy coming off the bench in Detroit, Iverson could be livid when he’s asked to play second fiddle behind young guards O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley.

ADVERTISEMENT
2010 Ford Taurus SHO - The most innovative full-size sedan in America. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.

6 / 18

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - The most innovative full-size sedan in America. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.

Magic Add Vinsanity - After a surprise appearance in the NBA Finals, the Orlando Magic looked to improve their chances by acquiring Vince Carter from New Jersey. Carter, along with Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, give the Magic a formidable trip in the Eastern Conference.

7 / 18

Magic Add Vinsanity - After a surprise appearance in the NBA Finals, the Orlando Magic looked to improve their chances by acquiring Vince Carter from New Jersey. Carter, along with Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, give the Magic a formidable trip in the Eastern Conference.

Yao Ming Sidelined - Those gasps you heard during the playoffs last spring were from Houston fans that saw their prized possession in pain once again. Rockets center Yao Ming fractured his foot, which didn’t heal properly during the offseason. He’s been ruled out for the entire season and hopes to return in time for the 2010-11 season.

8 / 18

Yao Ming Sidelined - Those gasps you heard during the playoffs last spring were from Houston fans that saw their prized possession in pain once again. Rockets center Yao Ming fractured his foot, which didn’t heal properly during the offseason. He’s been ruled out for the entire season and hopes to return in time for the 2010-11 season.

He's Baaaaack - At least for the time being, the Washington Wizards have a healthy (and quiet) Gilbert Arenas. The guard has played in only 15 games the last two seasons despite a hefty $111 million contract. When healthy, Arenas is one of the top guards in the NBA and could lead the Wizards back to the playoffs. If not, it will be another long season in D.C.

9 / 18

He's Baaaaack - At least for the time being, the Washington Wizards have a healthy (and quiet) Gilbert Arenas. The guard has played in only 15 games the last two seasons despite a hefty $111 million contract. When healthy, Arenas is one of the top guards in the NBA and could lead the Wizards back to the playoffs. If not, it will be another long season in D.C.

Big Diesel Heads East - Hoping that he would be the final piece to help put LeBron James over the top, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for aging center Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal helped young studs Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade win NBA championships; can he do the same with King James?

10 / 18

Big Diesel Heads East - Hoping that he would be the final piece to help put LeBron James over the top, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for aging center Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal helped young studs Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade win NBA championships; can he do the same with King James?

ADVERTISEMENT
2010 Ford Taurus SHO - The most innovative full-size sedan in America. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.

11 / 18

2010 Ford Taurus SHO - The most innovative full-size sedan in America. The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.

Spurs Get Younger - OK, so he might have ditched his bride-to-be over the summer, but Richard Jefferson going to San Antonio was a steal for the Spurs. They desperately needed to get younger and traded geezers Bruce Bowen (now retired) and Kurt Thomas in return. Is it enough to get them past the Lakers in the West?

12 / 18

Spurs Get Younger - OK, so he might have ditched his bride-to-be over the summer, but Richard Jefferson going to San Antonio was a steal for the Spurs. They desperately needed to get younger and traded geezers Bruce Bowen (now retired) and Kurt Thomas in return. Is it enough to get them past the Lakers in the West?

Lamar Finds Love, Money - The biggest surprise this offseason didn’t have to do with anything on the court. Nope, it was the marriage of Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian. The couple tied the knot after just one month of dating. Earlier in the summer, Odom returned to the Lakers after listening to an offer from the Miami Heat.

13 / 18

Lamar Finds Love, Money - The biggest surprise this offseason didn’t have to do with anything on the court. Nope, it was the marriage of Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian. The couple tied the knot after just one month of dating. Earlier in the summer, Odom returned to the Lakers after listening to an offer from the Miami Heat.

Adios, T-Wolves - The Minnesota Timberwolves had the point guard scene on lock at the 2009 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, their top guard selection, Ricky Rubio of Spain, decided not to sign with the Timberwolves and will stay in Europe for two more seasons. The rights to Ty Lawson were traded to Denver, leaving Minnesota with Jonny Flynn as the only piece from their bizarre first round.

14 / 18

Adios, T-Wolves - The Minnesota Timberwolves had the point guard scene on lock at the 2009 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, their top guard selection, Ricky Rubio of Spain, decided not to sign with the Timberwolves and will stay in Europe for two more seasons. The rights to Ty Lawson were traded to Denver, leaving Minnesota with Jonny Flynn as the only piece from their bizarre first round.

Griffin Goes #1 Overall - The constant rebuilding process with the Los Angeles Clippers got a major boost when they selected Blake Griffin with the top overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft. The consensus National Player of the Year averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds for the Oklahoma Sooners.

15 / 18

Griffin Goes #1 Overall - The constant rebuilding process with the Los Angeles Clippers got a major boost when they selected Blake Griffin with the top overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft. The consensus National Player of the Year averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds for the Oklahoma Sooners.

ADVERTISEMENT
Stevenson Gets More Ink - DeShawn Stevenson gives new meaning to 'dead presidents representing me.' The Washington Wizards guard got a tattoo of a $5 dollar bill, complete with Abraham Lincoln, on his neck. Which NBA player will be the first to sport a tat of President Obama?

16 / 18

Stevenson Gets More Ink - DeShawn Stevenson gives new meaning to 'dead presidents representing me.' The Washington Wizards guard got a tattoo of a $5 dollar bill, complete with Abraham Lincoln, on his neck. Which NBA player will be the first to sport a tat of President Obama?

Wallace Predicts 73 - Rasheed Wallace wasted no time running his mouth as a member of the Boston Celtics.  Wallace thinks Boston can make a legit run at the Chicago Bulls' record of 72 regular season wins. Wishful thinking or could a healthy Boston squad actually write their names into the history books?

17 / 18

Wallace Predicts 73 - Rasheed Wallace wasted no time running his mouth as a member of the Boston Celtics. Wallace thinks Boston can make a legit run at the Chicago Bulls' record of 72 regular season wins. Wishful thinking or could a healthy Boston squad actually write their names into the history books?

NBA Refs On Strike - If you thought the referees were bad in the NBA as it is, get ready for a long season. The refs are currently locked out and if a deal is not reached by Oct. 27, the season will begin with replacement officials.

18 / 18

NBA Refs On Strike - If you thought the referees were bad in the NBA as it is, get ready for a long season. The refs are currently locked out and if a deal is not reached by Oct. 27, the season will begin with replacement officials.