5 Minute Guide

ARGENTINE ANKLE WATCH
A healthy Manu Ginóbili is the key to the Spurs' extending their streak of winning every other championship, dating to 2003.

LEBRON'S COURTSHIP
The Cavaliers have to continue to build a roster compelling enough to entice their own star to stay past the summer of 2010.

SAD DAYS IN THE DESERT
While coach Mike D'Antoni takes his exciting Seven Seconds or Less attack East to the Knicks, Suns starters Steve Nash (35 in February), Grant Hill (36) and Shaquille O'Neal (37 in March) set in the West.

REFEREE TRANSPARENCY
With Tim Donaghy in prison, the NBA is finally promising fundamental reform in its oversight of officials, including posting assignments on the morning of games. But this has to be more than a p.r. initiative; fans have already grown too cynical about the refereeing to be satisfied with anything short of substantive change.

FINANCIAL WOES
Will any owners be forced to sell their money-draining teams because of cash flow problems?

3 ALL-NBA TEAMS FIRST TEAM

FIRST TEAM
G Chris Paul, Hornets
G Kobe Bryant, Lakers
F LeBron James, Cavaliers
F Kevin Garnett, Celtics
C Yao Ming, Rockets

SECOND TEAM
G Deron Williams, Jazz
G Tracy McGrady, Rockets
F Carlos Boozer, Jazz
F Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
C Dwight Howard, Magic

THIRD TEAM
G Steve Nash, Suns
G Dwyane Wade, Heat
F Paul Pierce, Celtics
F Tim Duncan, Spurs
C Andrew Bynum, Lakers

8 COACHES WITH A BIG CHALLENGE