Quietly Looking Ahead

After seven-plus months of dribbles, swishes, and thunder from above the rim, we as a basketball nation will shortly be thrown into silence. By this time next week, the NBA season might already be over. Unlike the current NFL hullabaloo and baseball's hot stove winters, the Association goes about its quiet time, well, pretty quietly.

Other than the draft, there aren't many headlines about free agents, salary cap trades, or training camps. But being the speculative society we are, fans will always be hopeful for the upcoming season and wonder what can help their team hold the Larry O'Brien Trophy next June. Here are a few topics that I think will need to be addressed over the next few months.

Cowboys Riding Into the Sunset

These two franchises that made themselves relevant during the decade seem to be on the downswing. The biggest stars that helped put both cities in the category of perennial contenders (Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki) are getting a bit long in the tooth. The supporting cast members have either been shipped out (Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Devin Harris) or are injury-prone (Amare Stoudemire, Josh Howard, etc.).

Phoenix couldn't pull things together with an aging Shaquille O'Neal and missed the playoffs for the first time in five years. Dallas recovered near the end of the season, sliding past a beat-up San Antonio team in the first round before getting whipped by Denver. I think both teams need to address their point guard situation, but can they each find an heir apparent in this incoming class of rookies?

Skip To My Lou Skipping Off the Pine?

I realize that Orlando has bigger fish to fry at the present moment. However, when their season comes to an end (and it might by Thursday), the Magic will have a dilemma. There's no doubt that Rafer Alston has done an admirable job running the team since the franchise traded for him in February. There's also no doubt that coach Stan Van Gundy can't wait to get his all-star point Jameer Nelson fully healthy.

So now, after having the reins in Houston and stabilizing the Magic, can the former AND 1 streetballer be relegated to benchwarmer status? If Alston decides that's not where his talents are best utilized, will he become a malcontent in the locker room? And if Alston is traded (he'll have an expiring contract), will Orlando bring in an experienced guard to backup Nelson?

A King-Sized Countdown

By this time in 2010, questions might not revolve around if LeBron James stays in Cleveland, but where his next home will be. Next summer might be the blockbuster of all free agency campaigns. Even if Dwyane Wade plans to stick around South Beach, you gotta have a feeling that he'll at least dip a toe in the warm market waters.

Chris Bosh and possibly Stoudemire are set to ramp the dollar signs to absurd levels for several teams. But it's all about LBJ and his destinations. While the Cavaliers went out and helped James by getting Mo Williams this past offseason, it was still the case of LeBron and his posse getting beat by a more cohesive team. Now Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is promising championships and more teammates for James to carry. Can the big boss own up to his word? Who will the front office pursue and how will they go about it? The clock keeps ticking toward midnight and the King might just find himself another ball to crash.

Son, You're Becoming a Man

Derrick Rose showed flashes what may come in the Conference Quarterfinals against Boston. It's easy to say that he could be a force and lead Chicago to multiple titles in the years to come. But are there any other rookies that could continue to show promise during year two?

Will Brook Lopez be more of a force on the inside, taking New Jersey back to the playoffs alongside Harris? Is there a chance that O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol can shoot the Grizzlies into respectability? Can Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers start to make the Miami Heat a three-headed monster? Will Rudy Fernandez's exciting play help raise Portland to contender status? So many questions ... so much time to ponder them.

There are more topics that will be thrown around until everything starts fresh in early fall. Those questions will get more compounded after the draft, when Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry, and others begin their budding careers as pros. Until then, b-ball fanatics, let's enjoy the quiet time. Gotta charge those batteries and vocal chords for the "Beat L.A." chants throughout the season.