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NBA instant expert: Get ready for 2016-17

CBC

A lot has changed in the NBA since the Toronto Raptors were eliminated in the 2016 Eastern Conference final.

The city of Cleveland celebrated a championship for the first time since 1964, Kevin Durant made the Golden State Warriors even better and a Philadelphia 76ers lottery pick got injured (maybe some things never change).

There's a lot for basketball fans to be excited about as the NBA season tips off on Tuesday night. Here are some of the major teams and players to pay attention to.

What to expect in the East

LeBron James and the Cavs enter the season looking for a second straight title and a third consecutive Eastern Conference crown. However, they're facing a tougher conference this year as many teams in the East improved over the off-season.

The Boston Celtics added underrated centre Al Horford to bolster the team's young core, Dwyane Wade left Miami to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls and Dwight Howard signed with the Atlanta Hawks in a bid to regain his All-Star form.

What about the Raptors? The team did re-sign DeMar DeRozan to keep the backcourt duo of him and Kyle Lowry together, but Toronto has lingering issues in the frontcourt. If the team struggles in the wake of Bismack Biyombo's departure and Jared Sullinger's pre-season injury, look for the Raptors to consider an early-season trade.

Notable off-season signing:

​J.R. Smith returning to the Cavs means the defending champs still have the team's top three-point shooter from last season (Smith shot 40 per cent from behind the arc with a high volume of attempts) and that "shirtless J.R." shirt you bought on the internet at 3 a.m. in June still has cultural cachet.

Teams to keep an eye on:

The Indiana Pacers pushed the Raptors to the brink in last year's playoffs and the Detroit Pistons are steadily improving with pivot Andre Drummond as the focal point, but the Milwaukee Bucks are poised to make the biggest leap forward. The Bucks boast young players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker on the wings, Greg Monroe in the post and the aggressive Matthew Dellavedova at the point.

Things you may have missed:

Did someone forget to tell the New York Knicks that this isn't NBA 2K12? Obviously not, because the team acquired Brandon Jennings, Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose as part of a major off-season haul. Oh, and if you're interested in attending a Raptors reunion party, look no further than Brooklyn since the Nets now employ Luis Scola, Anthony Bennett and Greivis Vasquez. Someone please invite Jarrett Jack.

What to watch in the West

There's a lot to process now that that the conference's super-team from last year became even super-er.

When Durant agreed to join Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green (remember them?), it kept the Bay Area in the spotlight despite losing in last year's final.

As for the jilted Oklahoma City Thunder, the team still has a motivated Russell Westbrook and recently acquired Victor Oladipo, not to mention rim protector Steven Adams and promising rookie Domantas Sabonis.

Lost in the fray of big moves and made-for-reality-TV plotlines are the San Antonio Spurs, although that may be just fine with them. How will the team respond without stalwart power forward Tim Duncan? Whatever questions you may have, just don't expect a straight answer from coach Gregg Popovich.

Notable off-season signing:

Harrison Barnes — the Ringo Starr of the Warriors —​ now has the opportunity to strike out on his own as the newest member of the Dallas Mavericks. He'll have Dirk Nowitzki to lean on as well as J.J. Barea and Wes Matthews, plus he's paired up with another Curry in Steph's younger brother Seth.

Teams to keep an eye on:

A healthy Memphis Grizzlies team is always dangerous and a retooled Portland Trail Blazers team should make waves, but the Minnesota Timberwolves should be on every basketball fan's radar. Talented young players (including Canada's Andrew Wiggins), respected new coach and the potential for excitement regardless of if they win? Sounds a lot like the NBA's version of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Things you may have missed:

NBA champion and commercial superstar Timofey Mozgov joined the Los Angeles Lakers for four years and $64 million US. While you let that sink in, remember that the Lakers also brought back Metta World Peace. Not sure that will make up for the retired Kobe Bryant, but at least Angelenos can still watch the Clippers.