With his first ring finally tucked away, LeBron James is back to earn another one.AP Photo.

This might be the most anticipated NBA season since Michael Jordan played his first full season with the Chicago Bulls after playing baseball.

So many storylines.

So many players.

So let’s get it on.

Fab 5 (Favorites to win it all)

1. Miami Heat. LeBron James finally got his ring last season in leading the Heat to an NBA title. With Dwyane Wade being healthier than ever and Chris Bosh finally learning how to play with the two superstars, Miami is poised to win a second straight title in 2012-13.

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Marc Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies couldn't come back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the L.A. Clippers./AP Photo.

Not bad. Not bad.

With the Los Angeles Clipppers beating the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 7 Sunday to advance to the Western Conference semifinals, all the first-round series are complete. I finished 6-2 in predicting the first round.

Eastern Conference

(1) Chicago Bulls vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers.
Prediction: Bulls in 5
Outcome: Sixers in 6.
What happpened: Derrick Rose got hurt. Joakim Noah got hurt. Bulls didn’t have enough.

(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) New York Knicks
Prediction: Heat in 6
Outcome: Heat in 5
What happened: Knicks not ready as a team to seriously challenge Miami.

(3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Orlando Magic
Prediction: Pacers in 5
Outcome: Pacers in 5
What happened: Without Dwight Howard, Magic had no shot to win this series.

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Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (w/headband) are eying an NBA title, but Indiana is doing the same./AP Photo.

It’s just a formality.

The Indiana Pacers will be just a footnote in their storybook championship journey. Just another team the Miami Heat had to beat because they’re going to win it all right?

Right?

They’ve got the game’s best player in LeBron James, who won his third NBA MVP today.

They’ve got the league’s second and third best option in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, respectively.

And they don’t have to contend with the Chicago Bulls, who lost Derrick Rose to a season-ending injury and their first-round series to the eighth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in six games.

The road is paved for Miami to take it all. Indiana is just a speed bump in the road right?

Right?

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(1) Chicago Bulls (50-16)

1st round foe: (8) Philadelphia 76ers (35-31).

Biggest concern vs. 76ers: Don’t have a true superstar, but enough good players to make you have to compete to beat them.

Last 10: 7-3 (Won 3)

Strengths: Defense. The Bulls lead the NBA in fewest points allowed (88.17 per game). They have front-court depth, great team chemistry and a closer in Derrick Rose.

Weaknesses: Key injuries to their two best players – Rose and Luol Deng – make them vulnerable. Although they’ve had success without Rose, in the playoffs, he’ll need to be close to 100 percent to reach NBA Finals.

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Even though the NBA is in a lockout mode that shows no signs of ending, there is still news out there about the Erie BayHawks’ sole NBA affiliate, the New York Knicks.

1. Phil Jackson transitions into retirement as New York Knicks questions persist (Sporting News)

2. NBA or bust: John Starks was determined to make it (NewsOK.com)

3. Josh Harrellson stops drunk driver (ESPN)

4. Magic’s Howard, Knicks legend Monroe take in action at West 4th (New York Post)

5. NY Knicks Captain Turns Children’s Author (Publishers Weekly)

6. Time Running Out for Chauncey Billups (SLAM)

7. Brewer wanted to stay with Knicks (ESPN New York)

8. Former Knicks president Walsh regrets not hiring Mullin (Yahoo! Sports)

“He probably started this season maybe the fourth, third, fifth best point guard in the league, but right now, he’s definitely in the top one or two best point guards this season.” – LeBron James talking about Derrick Rose after Tuesday’s Game 5.

The Chicago Bulls have one of the game's most dynamic talents in point guard Derrick Rose.

The NBA playoffs are planting a seed in Derrick Rose that’s going to grow into something the league won’t be able to contain.

Having now been bounced from the postseason in his first two years in the NBA, Rose is going to reach a point when enough is enough.

When that time comes, look out.

“These are things that you just learn from,” said Rose, who averaged 26.2 points and 7.2 assists against the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Cleveland won the Eastern Conference first round series, 4-1. “And if I get put in that situation again, I’ll know what to do.”

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I love Slim Chin.

“Cause I’m faaaaaaaaast.”

Dude is hilarious, but I must say, there have been better tandems in which the hip actor teams up with the b-baller.

Here’s my Top 5.

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Kobe Bryant is still the game's best player.

I made my list.

Checked it twice

Now you’re going to find out.

The NBA players I think are oh so nice.

These guys are why I love the game of basketball. Here are my 10 favorite players in the league right now.

These are the guys if I had the money to buy NBA authentic jerseys instead of the replicas, these guys would be on my wish list. They not only provide the highlights, but you have to keep your eyes on them every play because the moment you go to grab a slice of pizza, they’ve done something you may never see again.

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This picture is hanging on my wall. Check out the fro people. Dr. J. was one of the all-time great leapers, period.

These guys did more than just jump out the gym.

They made you go, “Oh lawd” like the late Bernie Mac used to say.

We’ll always miss you, Bernie.

Anyway, these guys had crazy hops and did things that no one else can duplicate. You got guys who can dunk, but can they have the hang time, elevation and do so with a forcefulness?

That’s the definition of a leaper to me.

So before continuing, you know the routine people.

These guys are not on my list: Kenny “Sky” Walker, Dee Brown, Harold Minor, Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin (he may be in the future if he stays healthy), Larry Nance, Steve Francis, Kobe Bryant, J.R. Rider, Josh Smith or Gerald Green.

So with that being said, let’s get to it.

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The Boston Celtics are still up in this Eastern Conference finals series, 3-2, but would be wise to close it out in Friday's Game 6 at home to avoid a deciding Game 7 in Orlando against the Magic.

Uh oh.

After falling down 3-0 in a best-of-7 Eastern Conference finals series against the Boston Celtics, the Orlando Magic have won two in a row with the latest being a 113-92 win Wednesday night at home.

Now with series mojo on its side, Orlando can even the series in Game 6 Friday in Boston. The Celtics still have the advantage and history on their side as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit.

However, the Celtics have reason to be concerned.

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