Which team will slide the most in 2011-12?

LQ: It's the Boston Celtics for mine. People saw last year just how dangerous it is ruling out the Celtics, but this year it looks like a certainty. Garnett, Piece and Allen are all a year older, Rondo (who is notoriously sensitive to criticism) will have to try and deal with lingering rumors regarding the Celtics trying to trade him, and most recently Jeff Green was ruled out for the year.

EW: The Charlotte Bobcats were only 34-28 last year but I think they'll be lucky to hit 20 wins this season. My friends in Utah think the Jazz will drop off big-time (they were 39-43 last season) and although this sounds absurd, there's no way the Spurs will finish in rarified air (61-21) like they did last year.

DE: The older legs up in Boston are going to struggle with the extra back-to-back games, so much so that, on the top of the news that Jeff Green will miss the season, I don't think the Big Three will see out the season. I think Ray Allen may end up in Houston, for Luis Scola and Kevin Martin, and I think Rajon Rondo will also be sent packing through the season.

Can LeBron exorcise his Finals' demons?

LQ: Absolutely. People forget that even though James struggled greatly in the Finals, he was dominant for large portions of the rest of the Heat's playoff run. Also, he has spoken of how he has changed his mindset this season, and that he is no longer trying to prove people wrong. Personally I don't agree with his public apology tour in recent weeks, if he gets back to doing what he does best, he will dominate.

EW: I think he does. He's too good a player not to start delivering in crunch time and with that supporting cast around him, at some point, he'll get it done.

DE: If they get back there, I couldn't imagine him fading away like he has done in the past. But I think Chicago is going to be tough in the East.

Who ocupies the hottest coaching hotseat?

LQ: Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro. Remember that this is only Del Negro's second head coaching appointment, with his other (Chicago) ending in his termination. With the Paul addition - and after their early preseason win over the Lakers - Clippers expectations are dangerously high. If Del Negro starts slow, he'll be out.

EW: Mike D'Antoni in New York. I love D'Antoni, whose run-and-gun Phoenix Suns were fun to watch, but he's in a tougher spot now. The Knicks are decent - not great - but because fans in the Big Apple are so hungry for a winner, the pressure will be on early to win.

DE: Mike Brown has pressure on him as he walks in the shadow of Phil Jackson at the Lakers, and Mike D'Antoni really needs to keep the New York Knicks in the upper echelon. But Vinny Del Negro has to turn the Clippers into a top eight team in the NBA or LA's other team are wasting the Chris Paul years.

How will "Aussie" Kyrie Irving fare?

LQ: It's possible that Irving's rookie campaign plays out similar to that of Washington's John Wall last year. Wall should've been Rookie of the Year (Griffin shouldn't have counted as a Rookie) and he put up very impressive numbers in a relatively poor team. Irving was impressive in his opening preseason game with 21 points and 6 rebounds; a good start.

EW: Irving's a ready-made pro player and he's in a situation where he's been anointed team leader, yet not much is expected of him. If he can stay healthy (remember, he missed 26 games at Duke last season with a toe injury) he'll have a good season.

DE: Are we really going to call him an Aussie? I'm hesitant to. But he's in Cleveland, and they will go close to being the worst team in the league. He may post better than average numbers, but he's at least a few years away from a wrecking ball every night.

Who's the better LA team: Lakers or Clippers?

LQ: The Clippers are going to be the popular pick this year (expect an influx of Griffin/Paul jerseys) but the Lakers will be the better team. Sure they lost Odom, but they still have two All-Star caliber big-men, a former Defensive Player of the Year at Small Forward, and of course Kobe Bryant.

EW: At the moment, I'd still give the edge to the Lakers, simply because of experience. They still have Kobe and Pau Gasol, but the lineup is unsettled, there's a new coach (Mike Brown) and a new offense (not the triangle). Ask me this question in March and I'll probably give you a different answer.

DE: The Clippers have the better team, but the Lakers are going to be the better team. The stars in the gold and purple still know how to win and will be a contender despite what the naysayers may say.

Who wins MVP?

LQ: Kobe Bryant

EW: Kevin Durant

DE: Kevin Durant

Which team will win the title?

LQ: Miami Heat

EW: Miami Heat

DE: Chicago Bulls