The National Basketball Association (NBA) starts on October 25 with a game featuring the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks.

I cannot wait for the season to start. When the NBA and NFL play simultaneously, it’s sports heaven.

The NBA had an eventful summer, headlined by Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors and becoming the league’s new villain, a role previously held by LeBron James. Big money was spent in free agency, including Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley signing the largest contract in NBA history–a five year, $153 million deal. Conley, by the way, has never made an All Star team. And he has the largest contract in NBA history. Something wrong here? I’m just saying.

Our Chicago Bulls start the season off on Thursday, October 27 when they play at home against the Boston Celtics.

The new-look Bulls will have tried to form their chemistry in the offseason so that they don’t have a rough start to the season. Newly acquired guards Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade look to mesh with star Jimmy Butler so that the three of them spearhead a Bulls attack. As for the frontcourt, Taj Gibson will likely start at the power forward position with Robin Lopez starting at center to round out the starting five. I am extremely excited about this new look, with the Bulls having brought in two All Star caliber players. Rondo has the passing ability and unselfishness that the Bulls need in their point guard, while D-Wade brings the hometown connection that used to belong to D-Rose.

Coach Fred Hoiberg is in the second year of his job, which means he has had a transition year already, and the players know the system. The new Bulls need to learn his system–which is more offensive-minded and focused on shooting, than former coach Tom Thibodeau’s system–and adjust so they can finish better than 42-40. The Eastern Conference is weak, and with two stars now, the Bulls should be aiming for a spot in the playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs, let’s make predictions. For the East, I believe the seeds will be as follows: Cleveland as the one seed, the Toronto Raptors as the two seed, then the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat, the Charlotte Hornets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Detroit Pistons, and the Bulls sneaking in as the eighth seed.

The Cavs will be number one because, well, LeBron and Kyrie. The Raptors will be the second seed again after keeping DeMar DeRozan. Prized free agency signing Al Horford will lead the Celts to the third seed. The Heat fall a spot after losing D-Wade. Cardiac Kemba will comfortably guide the Hornets to the fifth seed.The Hawks will be the sixth seed after losing Jeff Teague but gaining distraction big man Dwight Howard. All Star big and braceless Andre Drummond will see the Pistons get the seventh seed. And, last but not least, the Bulls will be the eighth seed because there’s no way D-Wade doesn’t make the playoffs.

And for the West, the Warriors, coming off their historic 73-9 season, will be the leaders of the pack yet again. The Spurs will follow closely on their heels at number two. The Clips move up from last year as they get Blake Griffin back from injury. The Blazers also move up a spot, having spent big in free agency. The Kevin Durant-less and Russell Westbrook-led Thunder fall back two spots, having lost the face of the franchise. James Harden will thrive without Dwight Howard and lead the Rockets to the sixth seed. Dirk will do what Dirk does and get the Mavs to the seventh seed. The Jazz will seal the eighth seed with the help of Gordon Hayward and block machine Rudy Gobert.

Overall, this NBA season will be a fun one. It will be interesting to see how the Bulls’ do, and how the playoffs end up. KD’s first season in Golden State, LeBron and the Cavs coming off a championship, and so much more will shape this year.