The Toronto Raptors are expecting big things from sophomore Andrea Bargnani this season. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

This past summer might have proven that there's no such thing as an off-season in the NBA.

Shortly after the Spurs swept the Cavaliers in the most lopsided championship series since the Lakers romped in 2002, the NBA had one if its most eventful post-season breaks in recent memory.

With every professional sport facing some sort of scandal this year, the NBA got the Tim Donaghy gambling fiasco in early July. While the indiscretions of what commissioner David Stern described as a lone "rogue criminal" called into question the integrity of the entire league, the game appeared to have moved on after a summer of thrilling Olympic qualifying tournaments and a flurry of player movements.

That is until of course, just days ago, when six more NBA refs were hit by the league office for violating its anti-gambling rules. None of these cases appear to be anywhere near the same scale as Donaghy, but it has dragged the objectivity of the officials back into the spotlight.

Despite that bombshell, the league's future was looking bright thanks to one of more highly touted drafts in years. The Portland Trail Blazers won the right to draft one of two phenoms at No. 1 and by drafting Greg Oden, the Blazers decided to go big. Unfortunately, the centre has been forced to go home after cartilage damage in his left knee required microfracture surgery, wiping out this season.

That makes Kevin Durant the must-see rookie this season and as the undisputed franchise player with the rebuilding Seattle Sonics, he'll have ample opportunity to live up to the hype.

Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen used to be the main attractions in the Emerald City, but both were sent east this summer to the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, respectively. With Zach Randolph (Knicks), Jason Richardson (Charlotte) and Kevin Garnett (Celtics) also migrating East this season, the balance of power has shifted somewhat.

But the West still is the dominant conference as the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and any NBA team within Texas state lines has a legitimate chance to represent the conference in the Final.

Meanwhile in Toronto, the Atlantic Division champs weren't nearly as active as they were a year ago. General manager Bryan Colangelo appears willing to wait it out with his young team, with its best players in T.J. Ford, Jose Calderon, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani all under 26. Year 1 with that group resulted in the team tying a franchise record with 47 wins and making its first playoff appearance in five years.

But their dismissal at the hands of the experienced New Jersey Nets in the first round revealed a Raptors team that needs more seasoning. The challenge to improve on last season's turnaround will be even tougher in 07'-08' as a revamped Celtics team joins the Nets as the biggest threats in the division.

CBC Sports has seven Toronto Raptors games on tap this season, beginning with the home opener against the Celtics at the Air Canada Centre (Nov. 4, 2:30 p.m. ET). In preparation for the upcoming year, CBCSports.ca breaks down the rest of the NBA field.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

THE FAVOURITES

You can make a case for a few teams, but the arguments against them are equally compelling.

The Detroit Pistons could deserve it, but they didn't have an answer for Lebron James bringing it to another level against them in the conference finals. No changes were made to the starting five that started last season but they might need one or more of their younger players like Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson to step up. Still good, but last season's exit made them look beatable.

The defending conference champs from Cleveland might have done even less than Detroit in terms of changes and with key restricted free agent forwards Anderson Varejao and Alexander Pavlovic still holding out for big bucks, the Cavs aren't looking like a lock to repeat.

After that, the Miami Heat might be the only other team with both the pedigree and the personnel to reach the finals. But keeping both Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade on the floor together for any length of time is proving to be a challenge. Ricky Davis has just been acquired for Antoine Walker, which at least assures the Heat of a little more offence.

THE NEXT BEST THINGS

Toronto Raptors: Toronto was content to tweak this off-season, but when your team vaults from 27 to 47 wins in a single season, why not see what it can do for an encore? Colangelo tried to extract value from players that would fit Sam Mitchell's system. But while the acquisitions of Jason Kapono and Carlos Delfino will add to depth on the wings, Toronto's playoff fortunes are going to ride largely on the health of Chris Bosh and the development of Andrea Bargnani at the centre position. Rebounding looks like it could continue to be a problem for this team.

Boston Celtics: The acquisitions of Allen and Garnett, who will join Paul Pierce to give the Celtics three of the Top 20 players in the league, makes Boston one of the NBA's pillar franchises again. The durability of three stars, who are over 30, and a lack of depth are going to be factors as the season wears on. Expect big things from this team, just not necessarily in the first year.

Chicago Bulls: The Raptors' youth could learn a lot from running with the Bulls, who endured two first-round exits before reaching the second round of the playoffs last season. A young group of players led by point guard Kirk Hinrich, small forward Luol Deng and shooting guard Ben Gordon has been given a chance to grow together and this could be the season that they really become a factor. There's a distinct lack of a go-to guy in Chicago, which has helped fuel rumours of a deal for Kobe Bryant. A move for the controversial guard-forward would undoubtedly cost the Bulls a lot of depth, but the last time one of the best players in the league was in Chicago, things seemed to work out.

WATCH OUT FOR

New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd is still the best point guard in the East and is at his best with Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter healthy and motivated running with him. Centre Nenad Krstic could give the Nets a fourth option if he regains his form prior to a season-ending ACL tear last December. He could be even stronger offensively starting at power forward with Toronto's Jamaal Magloire now manning the middle.

Washington Wizards: This is a team that was Top 3 in the conference for the better part of the season until injuries devastated their chances down the stretch. The trio of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler should be motivated to prove that last season was no fluke. The indefinite loss of centre Etan Thomas after open-heart surgery could leave the Wizards thin up front. The Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Bobcats and New York Knicks will all be improved and jockeying for a playoff spot, so Washington can ill-afford another collapse like last season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

THE FAVOURITES

San Antonio Spurs: Say hello to the NBA's version of Ugly Betty. But while the NBA champs may lack the flash of teams like the Suns and Mavs, they've show no signs of rust after four titles in nine seasons. It's frightening to think that Tim Duncan is the elder statesman of this run and remains its anchor. Point guard Tony Parker proved his worth as Finals MVP last season and should cement his status as one of the best in the league this year.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash and the Suns should have every opportunity to finally break through and reach their first NBA Finals. Shawn Marion's trade demand this summer appeared to show some cracks in the Suns otherwise harmonious team image, but he's been pretty quiet since his public outburst, maybe realizing just how strong a team he was trying to leave. Grant Hill jumped at the chance to play with Nash and should benefit from his precision passing this season at the small forward position.

THE NEXT BEST THINGS

Houston Rockets: Rick Adelman is now the head coach in Houston and his player-friendly style should see the Rockets improve on last season's 52-win total. Look for acquired Argentine power forward Luis Scola to have a significant impact next to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Raptors fans should be very familiar with Houston's point guard rotation of Rafer Alston and Mike James. Former Vancouver Grizzlies fans can also enjoy seeing Steve Francis back in a Rockets jersey.

Dallas Mavericks: How do you peg a team that had the fifth-highest win total in NBA history last year (67) but was knocked out by Golden State in the greatest playoff upset ever? Teams can often go into the tank following a great season, but rarely does it happen during the same year like it did in Dallas. All eyes will be on incumbent MVP Dirk Nowitzki who disappeared in the playoffs against former coach Don Nelson and the Golden State Warriors.

Utah Jazz: The hands-down surprise team of last season who just couldn't get by the eventual champs in the West final. Versatile small forward Andrei Kirilenko was trying his best to get out of Salt Lake City this summer but it would appear that he's going to have to improve his trade value on the court for that to happen. If he can focus on playing effectively at the small forward position, he'd be a huge compliment to an already potent frontcourt of Carlos Boozer and Memhet Okur and point guard Deron Williams, who should take another step this year after an unbelievable playoff run.

WATCH OUT FOR

Denver Nuggets: When the Nuggets added Allen Iverson in mid-December last season, they suddenly had a second star player to pair with Carmelo Anthony. When Anthony returned from his 15-game suspension for brawling at Madison Square Garden in January, the duo struggled to lead the team on a run until April, where they went 11-4. Defensive player of the Year Marcus Camby is crucial for this team but his extensive injury history makes him anything but a sure bet.

Memphis Grizzlies: Despite only winning 22 games last season, the Grizzlies could be poised for a big step forward this year. In is new head coach and former Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni, whose experience as a defensive coach in a run-and-gun system should mesh well with Memphis' young roster. Centre Darko Milicic should take a lot of heat of Pau Gasol up front but it's the point-guard combo of veteran Damon Stoudemire and rookie Mike Conley Jr. that could determine if this team will be in a playoff race in May. Look for guard-forward Rudy Gay to avoid any kind of sophomore slump after a solid rookie campaign that went pretty quietly under the radar.

L.A. Lakers: Playoff seeding for the Lakers hinges on the focus and intentions of Bryant. If he's willing to stick it out and play like the guy who scored at least 40 points in nine consecutive games at one point last season, Jack Nicholson should have a front row seat for at least two playoff games at the Staples Center. But the Lakers just learned they might start the season shorthanded as the underrated Lamar Odom is will reportedly miss the first couple of weeks of the season with an ankle injury. If the Lakers falter, the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Hornets could give them a run for a final playoff spot.