No doubt some of the politicians in Seattle played a role in the team leaving, but the group that was almost successful in luring the Sacramento Kings to Seattle is in place and capable of operating an NBA franchise. It will be a good day for the NBA when the Seattle SuperSonics return.
7. Jason Kidd will suit up for at least one game with the Nets. And why not? He’s 40, but coach Bob Cousy suited up for the Cincinnati Royals at 41, six years after “leaving” the game. What if the Nets get a couple of injuries? Say Deron Williams goes out for an extended period. Kidd could fill in for a few games. And with Lawrence Frank as lead assistant, the coaching decisions will be in good hands. Kidd could become the first player-coach since Dave Cowens for the Celtics in 1978-79.
8. The Dallas Mavericks will be unpredictable. On his way to becoming a billionaire, Mark Cuban made great decisions. Sometimes, he took chances and they usually paid off. Big time. When he decided after Dallas’ 2011 championship to go for long-term rather than short-term success, it seemed like a good move. The Mavericks were the poster children for a team that was not even close to the most talented in the league. But they got on a roll and won everything. Cuban chose to not make long-term commitments to several players, including center Tyson Chandler, and instead try to lure a premium free agent to Dallas. It was a good move, but as I’ve said before, in blackjack lingo, he doubled down on an 11 and pulled a 2. Now he has added Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon to a team still anchored by Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks have one of the best coaches in the league in Rick Carlisle and could compete for home court in the first playoff round. Then 
again, they also might not make the playoffs.
9. In the four meetings between the Knicks and Nets, Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony will have no incidents and say only nice things to each other. Unless Garnett mischievously says breakfast is his favorite meal.
10. Two months into his retirement, David Stern will have a chance meeting with Jay Leno and suddenly announce that he is changing his mind and will return as commissioner. He will then start referring to Adam Silver as “Conan.”
Just kidding.
MORE SEASON PREDICTIONS:
CHRIS SHERIDAN | PETER MAY | CHRIS BERNUCCA | MARK HEISLER
CHECK OUT JAN HUBBARD’S ARCHIVE FROM SHERIDAN HOOPS.COM. TERRIFIC STUFF ON THE NBA, PAST AND PRESENT.
Jan Hubbard has written about basketball since 1976 and worked in the NBA league office for eight years between media stints. Follow him on Twitter at @whyhub.
So Ray Allen (and bad play calling from Pop) saved the Heat’s championship, but now the Heat are going to win every final ever….get outta here. SMH
The league is balanced. Why add another team? Commissioner Stern already said he sees a team in Seattle by 2017. Guess whose building lease is up by then…… the Milwaukee Bucks.