The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers open their campaign in the shortened 2011-12 NBA season on Christmas Day.
Both teams are aiming for a higher finish after missing the playoffs last season.
Many fans are looking forward to seeing a new and improved Clippers this year. Thanks to the arrival of Chris Paul from New Orleans, the Clippers are getting much attention this early. For diehard fans, the combination of Paul and dunk machine Blake Griffin is an indication that the Clippers are no longer just the "other" Los Angeles team in the NBA.
Add in Randy Foye, DeAndre Jordan and new acquisitions Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler in the mix and fans are looking at a potential playoff contender.
Even the recently retired Shaquille O'Neal is excited for the Clippers in the upcoming season.
"(The Clippers) are going to be very exciting to watch, they aren't the little brother anymore," O'Neal told the Chicago Tribune.
"They are all grown up and ready to get some respect now," added the big center, who won three titles with the Lakers in the last decade.
Paul, for his part, is happy to play for his new team.
"It's been an emotional roller coaster. I'm excited to finally be here and get this thing going," the 26-year-old point guard said.
"I'm excited to bring a championship here to LA in a Clippers uniform."
The key losses for the Clippers are Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon.
While the Clippers are getting all the attention, the Warriors are slowly getting themselves ready for war.
New head coach Mark Jackson will again count on Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, Dorrell Wright and David Lee to deliver.
"You know, we got a great head coach, Mark Jackson. It's a new environment and we can just feel it," Ellis told foxnews.com
"We just have to take advantage of our schedule that we have. We have the first four home games here [in Oakland]. It's set for us to start off and really take advantage of the opportunity that we have."
Other key players in the team are Latvian Andris Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh, newly acquired big man Kwame Brown and rookie Klay Thompson.
