Telling NBA camp stories

With training camps underway around the NBA, there are plenty of issues to talk about as teams get ready for the start of the regular season.

Ben Wallace's move to the Chicago Bulls might shift the balance of power in the East, but so might LeBron James' continued improvement with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Memphis Grizzlies must figure out a way to survive Pau Gasol's injury, which will keep him out until January. Meanwhile in Texas, the Houston Rockets will try to keep up with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, but they'll only be able to do so if Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady stay healthy. And what's going to happen in the Northwest? That division looks like it's up for grabs.

Still, I'm looking at five other very intriguing stories that will go a long way towards shaping the 2006-07 season.

1. Can Isiah Thomas fix the Knicks?

Thomas has one thing going for him: The New York Knicks can't possibly get any worse.

Seriously.

They won 23 games last season and were the laughingstock of the NBA. Larry Brown was run out of town after an abysmal coaching job that included setting a league record for most starting lineups in one season, and the players were miserable from not knowing what their roles were and bristling at Brown's handling of the team.

So now Thomas, ironically, gets to clean up the same mess that he created as the general manager. And with nowhere to go but up, he's got a chance. His plan is to be the anti-Brown. He'll settle on a rotation, be more personable with his team and try to set a more stabile tone. He's talking about playing small and trying to run teams into the ground, a la the Phoenix Suns.

Will all of that be enough?

Look at it this way. If the Knicks can win 33 games, Thomas will be considered a success. And with plenty of talent on the roster, not to mention a lack of Eastern Conference depth, New York has a good chance to win 33 or more.

2. Can Don Nelson wake up the echoes in Oakland?

All right, so maybe the Oakland Arena isn't exactly dripping with history. But anyone who witnessed a game in the early 90s when Nellie's undersized Golden State Warriors were lighting up the NBA is well aware of how the place can rock. Bay Area fans are some of the best in the league, and they'll support the Warriors if Nellie can get them going.

Already, Nelson has told Troy Murphy he will play center, allowing Golden State to play the small-ball style Nellie loves. The 66-year-old coach has also let his players know that they will have to be in excellent shape if they're going to run like he wants.

If healthy and ready to go, Baron Davis has the ability to carry this team the way Tim Hardaway did back in the team's Run-TMC days. And with plenty of multiple-position type players like Jason Richardson, Mike Dunleavy and Mickael Pietrus on the perimeter – guys who can switch defensively and handle the ball at the other end of the floor – this is a roster Nelson is excited about. But in the deep Western Conference, the Warriors will have to be really good to break the franchise's 12-year playoff drought.

3. Who will win The Battle of L.A.?

Last season, for the first time in franchise history, the Los Angeles Clippers actually threatened to take over L.A. as the city's best hoop team. With their key players back and the addition of Tim Thomas, the Clippers again look like the better club. In fact, the progress in 2005-06 was so motivating that Elton Brand, Sam Cassell and company are talking championship. (I know – pause, take a deep breath and read on.)

Still, the Los Angeles Lakers had a pretty fair season, too, almost knocking off the Suns in a thrilling first-round playoff series. The offseason netted former Clipper Vladimir Radmanovic, who will dramatically improve the Lakers' outside shooting from the forward spot.

Of course, this is Kobe Bryant's team, and unless he's on top of his game, the Lakers are going to be mediocre. But Kobe is always on top of his game, and a summer of rest and rehabilitation following minor knee surgery was probably the best thing for him.

The Lakers have plenty of questions – particularly on the front line – but as long as Kobe is around, they're still going to be L,A,'s team, even if they're not as good as the Clips.

4. Can Miami repeat?

It's difficult to envision the defending NBA champions not having a great season. After all, our last sight of the Miami Heat was of Dwyane Wade dominating Dallas and Miami coming together at the right time for four straight victories and the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

But let's not forget the regular season. The Heat weren't overly impressive while winning 52 games in a season that included a terrible record against the league's top teams. (I can feel Miami fans seething right now, yelling at their computer monitors, "Let it go already, Steve!") But the fact is, the Heat are an older team now, starting with their leader, Shaquille O'Neal, and including Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning.

Repeating is a terribly difficult thing to do emotionally, and Miami has a long haul before it can begin its championship defense. Pat Riley will counsel his club on the inevitable bumps in the road, but it will be difficult nonetheless.

The key will be O'Neal's health and motivation. Traditionally, Shaq has been a slow starter – particularly following titles in L.A. – and If he misses a lot of time with injury and if his performance is subpar, the Heat will have a tough time building positive momentum throughout the season. Still, the champs enter the new campaign as the favorites to win the East.

5. Can Darko become a top NBA center?

Darko Milicic finally got his chance when the Detroit Pistons traded him to the Orlando Magic in midseason, and he responded with a solid 30-game stretch. (He averaged about eight points, four rebounds and two blocks).

This is the time for him to truly take off, and if he does, Orlando will boast an imposing duo on the front line with Darko and Dwight Howard. Both Orlando big men should benefit from the arrival of J.J. Redick, who will improve the team's perimeter shooting, stretch defenses and allow more room to roam in the paint.

But Milicic has to be more confident in his own game, particularly on the low block. He can knock down the face-up jumper, but if he becomes more consistent with his post game and finishing around the hoop, the 21-year-old will take the next step. And so will Orlando.