The 2005-2006 NBA season is already upon us, so I'm a little late to the party with my season outlook, but here goes. If you don't have any luck finding the right tickets to your favorite teams games at the box office, check out the eBay Tickets page. eBay also has full team schedules for top teams like the Pistons, Lakers, Heat and Spurs, so finding tickets is easy.

Here's my outlook on this year's contenders and pretenders:

San Antonio Spurs: Can anyone touch this team if they stay healthy? Not likely. The Spurs will be keeping the SBC Center crowd happy with a solid mix of inside and outside play. The trio of Duncan-Parker-Ginobili is as good as any in the league, and the new additions to the bench (Finley, Van Exel) bolster the roster for last year champions. Look for the Spurs to take the trophy again this year. Get Spurs Tickets on eBay!

Miami Heat:  Talk about a powder keg ready to explode. This team barely missed the Finals last year after getting bounced in 7 by the Pistons, and are back in force this year with D Wade ready to take it the next level. Unfortunately, Shaq already hurt his ankle last week so the future for this team is uncertain. If the big man stays healthy another trip to the Conference Finals is likely - but I expect Shaq to miss a number of games this year due to injury. Also, throwing Payton - Antoine - J. Williams together is a dangerous cocktail - look for some good blow-ups from that group.  Get Heat Tickets on eBay

Detroit Pistons: Detroit returns essentially the same line-up as last year and the same strategy- defense wins titles. After getting bounced by the Spurs last year in a tough 7-games series, the central core of Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton & Chauncey Billups bring their hard-nosed mentality back to the Motor city. Darko Milicic is a wildcard off the bench- the former #1 pick hasn't played much since being drafted two years ago but could start to bring some valuable minutes off the bench this year. I like Detroit to advance to the Conference Finals again this year, where they will face their new rivals, the Indiana Pacers. Get Pistons Tickets on eBay!

Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are looking good early as the unpredicable Mr. Artest is back. With Jermaine O'Neal dominating the paint and a balanced supporting cast, the Pacers will make the Eastern Conference finals where they will face-off against the Pistons. This assumes Artest behaves himself and does not get suspended again.

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers are a one-man show, but an exciting show at that. Kobe Bryant isn't likely to pass the ball much this year. He'll drop 30 pts. a game but Lamar Odom, Smush Parker and company will be a doing alot of watching, as the majestic Bryant makes brave forays at the basket and launches multiple 3's. Kwame Brown is a suspect choice to add value on the front line. Lakers will finish 9th in the West and just miss the playoffs. Get LA Lakers Tickets on eBay!

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors are a dark horse this year but seem to have hit many teams radar as an emerging threat. Although Tim Legler from ESPN picks them to finish 14th, I disagree immensely. Certainly alot rides on Baron Davis keeping healthy. J-Rich, Murphy and Dunleavy are a solid core and if Baron is healthy this team takes the 7th or 8th playoff spot.   Their biggest problem is lack of an inside game which could be an Achilles heel.

Phoenix Suns: Amare Stoudemire's injury hurts this team badly, as does Joe Johnson's exit to Atlanta (guess he wanted to be "the man" on the worst team in the league).  Nash and Marion will run and gun, but this team has no shot without Amare.

Other Playoff Contenders: Nets, Cavaliers, Celtics, Nuggets, Sonics, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Wolves

Pretenders: 76ers, Kings, Jazz, Rockets, Knicks

Calling for Help: Blazers, Bobcats, Hawks, Hornets, Raptors