'09 Forecast: Boston v. L.A.

We're only two weeks in to the 2008-09 NBA season which means there's plenty of time for things to change, but as it stands now we'll be watching the Lakers and Celtics battle for the title in June.

The two teams that played for the NBA championship this past summer still look like the best squads in the league. The Los Angeles Lakers are 5-0 having pounded the likes of Portland, the L.A. Clippers, and the Houston Rockets' trio of Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest. The Boston Celtics are 7-1 out of the gate with big wins against the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors.

Even though both teams are powerhouses, that doesn't mean the run for the ring will be an easy one. Heavy is the head that wears the crown even if, as is the Lakers case, it's only a conference championship crown.

In the East, the Pistons recently traded point guard Chauncey Billups and forward Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets for the 33-year-old and still explosive Allen Iverson. The Raptors feature Chris Bosh and a rejuvenated Jermaine O'Neal, the Orlando Magic have superman Dwight Howard, and the Philadelphia 76ers upgraded their roster by adding Elton Brand. The surprisingly 5-0 Atlanta Hawks pushed the Celtics to a seventh game in the first round of the playoffs last spring, and they look like they've carried that experience into this season. The Miami Heat are another dangerous team now that Dwyane Wade is healthy and with the addition of rookie Michael Beasley. Those are some tough teams Boston will have to face in the playoffs, and don't forget LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

NBA fans will recall that the Western conference was unbelievably tough last season, and it will be no different this year. The New Orleans Hornets picked up James Posey to run with Chris Paul and crew, the Utah Jazz will always be in the mix due to head coach Jerry Sloan, and at some point the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs will play better. Then, there's the experience of the Phoenix Suns and the youthful energy of the Portland Trailblazers to deal with. The Lakers advantage over all of those teams is their roster depth, and the return of center Andrew Bynum.

Teams have played less than 10 games this season and injuries can change destiny, but with everything being equal we'll be watching the Lakers and Celtics fight for the championship in June.