5 Things You Need To Know For 2014-15 NBA Opening Night

For the first time since Dwight Howard’s unsightly departure, he will face Kobe Bryant head-to-head. I am certain the Lakers' home crowd will feed off of the inevitable tension, and will let Howard hear about their displeasure. While the two obviously won’t face each other mano a mano, but that won’t change the fact that each will try to show the other up.

The Spurs will receive their well-deserved championship rings in a ceremony to open up their game against the Mavericks. This will not only mark the completion of last year’s historic run, but also marks the beginning of their quest to repeat as back-to-back champs for the first time in team history.

In 11 of the last 12 years, at least one team that ultimately appeared in that year’s finals played on opening night. In nine of those years, the team that would end up winning the title was featured. Three of the four teams playing Tuesday night (sorry Lakers) are in the hunt for a championship this season, so this is obviously a good omen for the Spurs, Mavericks and Rockets.

For the first time in one dog year -- seven years -- LeBron James will not be featured on opening night, a curious occurrence given the hype surrounding his return home this summer. But for NBA fans that favor variety, this is obviously a welcome change.

If you needed any further proof of the Eastern Conference’s perceived weakness, look no further than opening night. For the first time in six years, only one conference is being featured on national television. Sorry Eastern Conference, you can take the night off.