NBA opens 60th season with Spurs seeking fourth crown in eight years
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-31 09:21

"Team unity goes a long way toward success in this league," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "San Antonio and Detroit, those teams have been the most together, along with being very good. That's got to be a big part of our goal."

Phoenix won 62 games last season but could not overcome the Spurs in the playoffs and Canadian guard Steve Nash, the NBA Most Valuable Player, will be without center Amare Stoudemire for at least four months after knee surgery.

Shawn Marion and Jim Jackson provide scoring punch for a Suns' squad hoping to find some defensive intensity to match its offensive aggressiveness.

"I think we can still spread the floor and we can create some mismatches," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We scored on them last year. It's just that we couldn't stop them. Hopefully we'll be able to do a little bit better job."

Carmelo Anthony could lift Denver into contention while Chinese center Yao Ming and star guard Tracy McGrady ignite Houston's offense in a bid to advance beyond round one of the playoffs.

"I think we'll have a good year," Yao said. "Right now, Tracy and me have one year of experience. We know how to play together."

LeBron James vows to lift Cleveland into the playoffs at last.

"There should be no excuses for us not getting to the playoffs," James said. "Anything is possible, but I won't let it happen, not this year."

Phil Jackson returns to coach the Lakers and Bryant, whom he once dubbed "uncoachable". NBA scoring champion Allen Iverson looks for team success in Philadelphia while top draft pick Andrew Bogut of Australia attempts to revive Milwaukee.

Damage from Hurricane Katrina will force the New Orleans Hornets to play most of their home games in Oklahoma City, which might help the poorest-drawing team in the NBA improve upon attendance figures.