The Fab Five

STEVE KERR'S CENTRAL PREDICTIONS 1. Chicago Bulls – You might not have heard of Thabo Sefolosha, but you'll get to know him quickly. The first-round pick from Switzerland will provide the size and strength defensively to enable the Bulls to deal with the East's best backcourt scorers. 2. Detroit Pistons – With Ben Wallace gone, there's about 40 minutes of playing time available for someone on the roster. Is this the year Carlos Delfino develops into a full-time, reliable player? He'll get his chance. 3. Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavaliers need better seasons out of Larry Hughes and Damon Jones. If LeBron James gets more help from his supporting cast than he did a year ago, look out. 4. Indiana Pacers – If the Pacers can stop embarrassing themselves and the league with their various off-court transgressions, they could potentially have a good team. But it's tough to imagine a squad with this many problems advancing very far in the postseason. 5. Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks have a deep roster, with the one question coming at point guard. Who will win the starting job: Steve Blake, Mo Williams or Charlie Bell?

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Ben Wallace's move from Detroit to Chicago might or might not alter what has been a Piston stranglehold on the Central Division over the past five years. Detroit has won four division crowns in that span, and ironically enough, the year it failed to win the Central – 2004, when it finished second behind Indiana – was the season the Pistons won the NBA championship.

But even without Wallace, Detroit figures to be strong again, combining one of the league's most potent backcourts with two long, versatile forwards in Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. Meanwhile, the Bulls' addition of Big Ben puts them in position to make a run at a Central title for the first time since 1998. But with Indiana, Cleveland and even Milwaukee on the heels of both Detroit and Chicago, the division looks as balanced and powerful as any in the NBA.

In fact, a repeat of last season, when all five Central teams made the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, is a distinct possibility.

Ben Wallace's departure from the Pistons figures to have a ripple effect throughout the division. First and foremost, it brings them back to the pack and creates more parity. And remember, a year ago, Detroit ran away with the Central and were never challenged. That figures to change this season.

Wallace was the heart and soul of the Pistons, and his absence changes the look and the philosophy of the team. Flip Saunders figures to make them better offensively, but will they lose their defensive identity?

As for Chicago, a team that finished first in the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage just added one of the league's most intimidating shot blockers. But the Bulls also acquired a guy they'll have to hide on offense. So will their attacking, drive-and-kick style be compromised by Wallace's presence in the lane?

While the Pistons and Bulls are busy trying to figure out who they are, the Cavaliers know exactly what their identity is. His name is LeBron James.

LeBron is good enough to carry Cleveland for long stretches of the season, and he figured out in his third year how to take over games offensively in the clutch. If things go their way, the Cavs might just break through and win the division.

The Pacers, as usual, will field a talented lineup, but the question is, can Rick Carlisle get his team to gel? Al Harrington is back, and he'll give Jermaine O'Neal plenty of help on the front line, but once again, Indiana will begin the season with a black cloud hanging over the franchise after Stephen Jackson's arrest.

And finally, if there's a team that could have a breakthrough season, it's Milwaukee. The Bucks will be improved on the front line with Charlie Villanueva's arrival, although Andrew Bogut's leg injury will keep him out of the lineup the early part of the season. Still, Terry Stott's squad has plenty of talent surrounding its big men, particularly on the wing with Michael Redd and Bobby Simmons. Milwaukee will be tough to beat.

One through five, the Central could be the best division in the NBA. And with Wallace relocated to Chicago, the crown is up for grabs.