Top 5 questions for the upcoming season

The new season is just a few days old and there is plenty to look forward to for the remainder of the season. With several changes in teams, how will they shape up as a unit in order to emerge victorious.Let us look at a few questions that can define the way some of the teams will approach the season.

#5 Can the Mavs recreate the magic in 2011?

Can Dirk and company raise another trophy in June?

Coming off a respectable 2013-2014 season, the Mavs are back to regain basketball glory. Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis will be back alongside former Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler. Dallas also added the services of the versatile wingman Chandler Parsons and a bunch of crafty veterans to boost their supporting cast. Coach Carlisle is a master of making things work. Lets see if he can redo the blueprint of his 2011 masterpiece.

#4 Will Roses knees finally hold up?

Derrick Rose hopes for a BIG comeback.

Derrick Rose just played 49 games in three seasons combined. But with his stint in the USA team that captured the gold medal in the recently concluded World Cup, he has regained his confidence. And just watching him this preseason games, you can really see that his bounce is back. He’s really not in MVP form yet, but expect him to hit the strides for the whole season.

#3 Does Kobe have anything left in his tank?

The Black Mamba is back

As ESPN surprisingly ranked Kobe Bryant as the 40th (Mike Conley is 31st. Seriously?!) best player in the league, you can’t underestimate the black mamba just like that. At 36, I would still put my bet on Bryant on a one-on-one game against most of the NBA players today. Coming out with two serious injuries that had sidelined him almost the entire year last season, Bryant is back to his old self. His drive to win and his competitive spirit will always make him a very dangerous player to deal with for opposing team.

#2 Is Russel Westbrook ready to take over?

Is Russel Westbrook ready to carry OKC?

It has been a blow to the Oklahoma City Thunder following the injury of the reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant. But we all know that Russel Westbrook is more than willing to step up and carry the scoring load. But can he be that leader to the team? Maturity has yet to be seen in the fiery combo guard. He will have the chance to show the league that he can lead OKC, while Durant will be out for the first few months of the season.

#1 Will the newest Big 3 live up to the expectations?

Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James teaming up in Cleveland.

LeBron James coming home to Cleveland has been the biggest storyline of the offseason. Then there goes Kevin Love adding to the mix, forming another “Big 3” in the league alongside reigning All-star MVP Kyrie Irving. Again, James has formed alliance with two superstars, with a formidable supporting cast. But with all the hype surrounding this Cleveland Cavaliers team, chemistry might again be an issue.

Having three players who has been leaders in their respective teams before will have to adjust in playing together as a unit. They have to adopt with the change of roles within the team. And oh, throw in there a new head coach, who never coached in an American system, but have 20 years of head coaching experience overseas. Now it’s all up to them to make this work, the first time LeBron formed a big three, they lost in the finals. So let’s see.