Challenges abound as Lakers eye title defense

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Just four days after the NBA and its referees ended a lockout of more than a month by agreeing on a fresh contract, the 2009-10 season will begin on Tuesday with daunting challenges to be faced on and off court.

While the NBA can now count on its regular referees turning up to games after last week's agreement, bringing the fans in remains an ongoing concern despite signs of a recovery from the global economic downturn.

NBA commissioner David Stern expects revenue to fall over the coming months, regardless of teams' efforts to lure fans through reduced ticket prices.

Stern said last week the season ticket renewal rate was down from 79 percent to around 76 percent and it would be crucial for the league that television ratings continued to grow to minimize any decline in revenue.

Compelling competition on the North American hardwood is the only guarantee to keep fans happy and television viewers glued to their sets, and the early indications suggest a riveting season is on the cards.

The Los Angeles Lakers launch their championship defense on Tuesday against city rivals the Clippers knowing they and their likeliest challengers have each made at least one high-profile signing over the summer to strengthen their rosters.

While the Lakers have brought in 10-year league veteran Ron Artest to beef up their defense, the Cleveland Cavaliers have added Shaquille O'Neal, the Boston Celtics have acquired Rasheed Wallace and Vince Carter has joined the Orlando Magic.

The Lakers, once again anchored by 11-times All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, look the best of the West and ooze quality in a starting line-up that also includes Spanish forward Pau Gasol and experienced guard Derek Fisher.

Perhaps the biggest question mark over a successful Lakers defense hinges on the form of seven-foot center Andrew Bynum.

WINNING EDGE

Injury-prone over the last two seasons, Bynum has worked hard on his defense and, with his natural ability to dunk, rebound and block, he would give his team a winning edge against virtually anyone if he plays close to his best.

"He can average anywhere from 15 to 20 points," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said of Bynum's prospects. "He's been so efficient (pre-season), and he's a great free-throw shooter."

PHYSICAL PRESENCE

In Artest, the Lakers have acquired a volatile forward and a formidable defender known for his physical presence.

He achieved a long-cherished dream by finally moving to Los Angeles in place of the younger Trevor Ariza, an astute 'trade' according to Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy.

"Ariza was a flat line that was very positive for the Lakers but I think Artest has the ability to rise above that line significantly," Dunleavy told reporters.

"If Kobe Bryant went down during the year, Artest has the ability to carry a team more than Ariza would have the ability to carry a team. So it's positive from that regard."

While the Lakers are heavily fancied to triumph in the West, the Eastern Conference looks set for a three-way battle between the Cavaliers, the Celtics and the Magic.

League MVP LeBron James is in the final season of his contract with the Cavaliers and has long wanted a good enough supporting cast to help him land a first NBA championship.

Cleveland had the league's best record last season with 66-16 but lacked a dominating inside presence and lost to Orlando in the Conference finals in six games.

The arrival of 15-times All-Star O'Neal, the NBA's fifth highest scorer with 27,619 points during a 17-year career, may provide that vital missing ingredient.

Boston start their season in Cleveland on Tuesday and many fans believe the addition of Wallace to the heavyweight trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will give the Celtics a stronger lineup than their 2008 championship-winning team.

As for Dwight Howard and the Magic, their prospects of success this season will depend on how much they have gained by the addition of eight-times All-Star guard Carter after losing their three-point magician Hedo Turkoglu over the summer.

(Editing by Ian Ransom)