Top 10 NBA story lines

1. LA-LA -- The Lakers appear primed for a repeat as NBA champions. The addition of Ron Artest and subtraction of Trevor Ariza might turn out to be a failed chemistry experiment. But if Ron-Ron can keep his head -- Kobe will be in charge of that -- then the Lakers remain the best team in the league.

2. Shaq Vs. -- The Big Nomad has taken his act back to the Eastern Conference, where the path to the NBA Finals is a little less strenuous. Keep an eye on his relationship with LeBron in Cleveland; Shaq is a lane-clogger, and LeBron needs space to operate.

3. Lap of Luxury -- The looming luxury tax should make for some interesting transactions this season, as teams looking to avoid it will dump salary -- and good players. A team willing to pay the tax might be able to buy an NBA title, but so far, no one seems all that eager to open the checkbook.

4. Bye-Bye Byron -- Odds are this season will be Byron Scott's last in New Orleans. Even if the Hornets make a run in the playoffs, his $5.5 million salary could price him out of the team's budget; if the Hornets fizzle, team owner George Shinn likely won't want him back. Either way, the final year of Scott's contract will be an interesting one.

5. Aging Wonders -- The physical deterioration of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, two of the best power forwards in league history, bears watching. If they can stay healthy this season and play close to their accustomed level, San Antonio and Boston might be able to make one last run to the Finals.

6. Hibachi! -- Gilbert Arenas' catch phrase, issued to trailing defenders after he's made a jumper, should be back this season -- if Arenas finally is recovered from his knee troubles that cost him most of the past two seasons. If nothing else, he'll make Washington an attraction again.

7. No-action Jackson -- Stephen Jackson wants out of Golden State. He has said it, which got him fined by the NBA. He has played like it this preseason, which got him suspended by the Warriors. Golden State isn't going anywhere. Do the Warriors really want their volatile veteran around to pout and influence their young players?

8. Disappearing Act? -- How good will the Magic be without Hedo Turkoglu to take, and make, most of the big shots? That's the question. Oh, and this: How long until the players completely tune out Coach Stan Van Gundy. His overbearing style wore this past season, and that was during a run to the Finals.

9. Looking For A Spark -- Shreveport native Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations, has earned praise as a shrewd executive. He's looking to rebuild Detroit into a championship-level franchise. It's hard not to root for one of the league's all-time good guys.

10. ON, OR OFF, THE MARK -- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who recently weighed in on steroid use -- he's in favor if they're administered under proper supervision and there is no long-term damage -- is bound to say or do something to stir the NBA pot. He always does. He can't help himself. So be ready for him to drop a bomb or three, and to be fined accordingly.

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John DeShazier can be reached at jdeshazier@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3410.