Storylines to Follow For The 2014-15 NBA Season

LeBron’s back home, the Knicks try the triangle and more.

LeBron James Says Bulls Better Than Cavaliers - Ask LeBron James and it's as clear as day — the Chicago Bulls stand between his Cleveland Cavaliers and a spot in the NBA Finals. "[The Bulls] are a team that's much better than us right now just off chemistry," James told ESPN on Tuesday. "They've been together for a while; we've got a long way to go." That being said, King James scored 18 points to lead his Cavs to a 107-98 victory over the Bulls in preseason action at Ohio State University on Tuesday, despite 30 points from Derrick Rose.(Photos from left: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images, Jason Miller/Getty Images)

1 / 11

Storylines to Follow for the 2014-15 NBA Season - After an offseason dominated by the news of LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 2014-15 NBA season is upon us. The league’s new year tips off Tuesday night with three games on schedule, including the Dallas Mavericks challenging the defending champion San Antonio Spurs followed by the Houston Rockets visiting the Los Angeles Lakers. After a full-slate, 12-game NBA schedule on Wednesday, hoops fans will get to see King James and the Cavs host the New York Knicks on Thursday night in LeBron’s first official regular-season game back in Cleveland.(Photos from left: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images, Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Can LeBron James Lead Cavs to NBA Title in First Season Back in Cleveland? - Having formed a new Big Three alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, does LeBron James have what it takes to help lead the Cavs to the NBA Finals this season or is Cleveland still a few years away? That’s just one of the pressing questions facing what looks to be another exciting season in the NBA.(Photo: AP Photo/Al Behrman)

2 / 11

Can LeBron James Lead Cavs to NBA Title in First Season Back in Cleveland? - Having formed a new Big Three alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, does LeBron James have what it takes to help lead the Cavs to the NBA Finals this season or is Cleveland still a few years away? That’s just one of the pressing questions facing what looks to be another exciting season in the NBA.(Photo: AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Can Derrick Rose Stay Healthy? - The main obstacle standing in front of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ route to an NBA championship is Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. A healthy D. Rose, that is. Considering that the injury-riddled Rose only played 39 games in 2011-12, missed the entire 2012-13 season and only played 10 games last year, the point guard’s ability to stay healthy over a full season will be vital if the Bulls are to return to their first NBA Finals since 1998. They have weapons and depth, considering they’ve added Pau Gasol and skilled rookie Doug McDermott to their existing core of Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. Now it’s all about whether Rose could sustain his health.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

3 / 11

Can Derrick Rose Stay Healthy? - The main obstacle standing in front of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ route to an NBA championship is Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. A healthy D. Rose, that is. Considering that the injury-riddled Rose only played 39 games in 2011-12, missed the entire 2012-13 season and only played 10 games last year, the point guard’s ability to stay healthy over a full season will be vital if the Bulls are to return to their first NBA Finals since 1998. They have weapons and depth, considering they’ve added Pau Gasol and skilled rookie Doug McDermott to their existing core of Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson. Now it’s all about whether Rose could sustain his health.(Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

Spurs End Miami's Hopes of Three-Peat - Can't front on the San Antonio Spurs. Don't even try it. After losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in excruciating fashion in 2013, the Spurs stormed back to throttle the Heat in the NBA Finals rematch. Kawhi Leonard, who averaged 17.8 points per game through the series, was named NBA Finals MVP. The Spurs' convincing championship win set off a wave of reaction on Twitter with athletes, actors, comedians, and other celebrities all weighing in on San Antonio dethroning the Heat. BET.com takes a look at the Twitter reaction to the Spurs' win. (Photo: Chris Covatta/Getty Images)

4 / 11

Will Spurs Win Second Straight Title? - Is all the talk about LeBron James returning back home and a healthy Derrick Rose giving the Chicago Bulls a chance to win it all just another set up for the San Antonio Spurs to win their second straight NBA title? Quite possibly. With their roster intact, the Spurs still have the best mix of veterans and young stars in the NBA. And we already know what a great job coach Gregg Popovich does keeping his players’ bodies fresh all year. Are those simple ingredients enough for the Spurs to repeat as champs? If they do, that’d would spell a sixth title for Tim Duncan, tying him with Michael Jordan.(Photo: Chris Covatta/Getty Images)

What Kind of Season Will Kobe Bryant Have? - Kobe Bryant’s best days are behind him, but that doesn’t mean that the NBA superstar can’t make this season one to remember. Coming off a 2013-14 season, in which he only played six games due to a fractured leg, all eyes will be on Bryant every single game that the Los Angeles Lakers play this season. You already know that, at 36, Bryant will take great pleasure in proving naysayers and critics wrong this season. (Photo: AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

5 / 11

What Kind of Season Will Kobe Bryant Have? - Kobe Bryant’s best days are behind him, but that doesn’t mean that the NBA superstar can’t make this season one to remember. Coming off a 2013-14 season, in which he only played six games due to a fractured leg, all eyes will be on Bryant every single game that the Los Angeles Lakers play this season. You already know that, at 36, Bryant will take great pleasure in proving naysayers and critics wrong this season. (Photo: AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

ADVERTISEMENT
2014-15 Rookie Class  - This 2014-15 rookie class — with names like Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, Dante Exum, Marcus Smart and Zach LaVine — is deep and rich with potential. This was supposed to be the best NBA Draft since 2003, when guys named LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade were top five selections. Let’s see how this group fares. While Milwaukee’s Parker may be the most NBA-ready now, it will be interesting to see if Wiggins can make the Cleveland Cavaliers regret trading him to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the blockbuster deal to land Kevin Love.  (Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

6 / 11

2014-15 Rookie Class  - This 2014-15 rookie class — with names like Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, Dante Exum, Marcus Smart and Zach LaVine — is deep and rich with potential. This was supposed to be the best NBA Draft since 2003, when guys named LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade were top five selections. Let’s see how this group fares. While Milwaukee’s Parker may be the most NBA-ready now, it will be interesting to see if Wiggins can make the Cleveland Cavaliers regret trading him to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the blockbuster deal to land Kevin Love.  (Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Miami Heat Without LeBron James - Yes, LeBron James is long gone out of South Beach. But the Miami Heat still have a solid core with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and newly-acquired Luol Deng. They sure sound like a high-playoff seed out East with Bosh’s ability to lead the team in scoring and Wade being healthy as keys to success over the long haul of this year. We like them as high as a fourth or fifth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

7 / 11

Miami Heat Without LeBron James - Yes, LeBron James is long gone out of South Beach. But the Miami Heat still have a solid core with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and newly-acquired Luol Deng. They sure sound like a high-playoff seed out East with Bosh’s ability to lead the team in scoring and Wade being healthy as keys to success over the long haul of this year. We like them as high as a fourth or fifth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Can Chris Paul Lead Clippers to Next Level? - Chris Paul is still arguably the best point guard in the NBA. (No shots to Russell Westbrook). But CP3 has never made it to a Western Conference Finals his entire career. Albeit, it’s a hard destination to make with the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder with MVP Kevin Durant holding steady, but something’s got to give. There’s no doubting that Paul leads arguably the most exciting show in the NBA in the Los Angeles Clippers, but getting them above the highlight-reel status and into at least the Conference Finals will be a huge step forward in his career and for his legacy. With this being his 10th season, the time is now. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

8 / 11

Can Chris Paul Lead Clippers to Next Level? - Chris Paul is still arguably the best point guard in the NBA. (No shots to Russell Westbrook). But CP3 has never made it to a Western Conference Finals his entire career. Albeit, it’s a hard destination to make with the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder with MVP Kevin Durant holding steady, but something’s got to give. There’s no doubting that Paul leads arguably the most exciting show in the NBA in the Los Angeles Clippers, but getting them above the highlight-reel status and into at least the Conference Finals will be a huge step forward in his career and for his legacy. With this being his 10th season, the time is now. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

How Will Knicks Adjust to the Triangle Offense? - Much has been made of the New York Knicks’ ability to conform to the vaunted triangle offense under first-year coach Derek Fisher, overseen by team president Phil Jackson. Well, how about this as a gauge on the Knicks and the triangle? If Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks can get back into the playoffs, we can call the triangle offense a success so far. If not, the Knicks still have ways to go. We actually like them for a sixth or seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. (Photo: Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

9 / 11

How Will Knicks Adjust to the Triangle Offense? - Much has been made of the New York Knicks’ ability to conform to the vaunted triangle offense under first-year coach Derek Fisher, overseen by team president Phil Jackson. Well, how about this as a gauge on the Knicks and the triangle? If Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks can get back into the playoffs, we can call the triangle offense a success so far. If not, the Knicks still have ways to go. We actually like them for a sixth or seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. (Photo: Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

Can Kevin Durant Lead Thunder Past Spurs? - We know that Kevin Durant is scheduled to miss up to eight weeks of action coming off surgery for his fractured right foot. What would be incredible is if KD returns to threaten for his second straight MVP award and if his Oklahoma City Thunder can again challenge the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference crown. Definitely a storyline to follow this season.(Photo: AP Photo/Jim Cowsert, File)

10 / 11

Can Kevin Durant Lead Thunder Past Spurs? - We know that Kevin Durant is scheduled to miss up to eight weeks of action coming off surgery for his fractured right foot. What would be incredible is if KD returns to threaten for his second straight MVP award and if his Oklahoma City Thunder can again challenge the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference crown. Definitely a storyline to follow this season.(Photo: AP Photo/Jim Cowsert, File)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Jim Cowsert

How Will First-Year Coaches Fare? - From the Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr to David Blatt of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Derek Fisher-led New York Knicks, the league has many first-year NBA coaches leading high-profile teams this season. With the pressure on them to not only make the playoffs, but make a run, how will they fare? In addition to first-year coaches returning, fans can also keep an eye on vets like Lionel Hollins and Stan Van Gundy resuming their roles on the bench for the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons, respectively. Lot to look out for this season!  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

11 / 11

How Will First-Year Coaches Fare? - From the Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr to David Blatt of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Derek Fisher-led New York Knicks, the league has many first-year NBA coaches leading high-profile teams this season. With the pressure on them to not only make the playoffs, but make a run, how will they fare? In addition to first-year coaches returning, fans can also keep an eye on vets like Lionel Hollins and Stan Van Gundy resuming their roles on the bench for the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons, respectively. Lot to look out for this season!  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)