As the days get shorter and the weather begins to turn, sports fans can find solace in the arrival of the NBA season. No longer will pundits have to speculate which rookie will have the biggest impact or when the Sixers will stop tanking – the season is here.  Today, we’ll look at three teams from each conference that each have a legitimate shot at winning the championship. It is a long way from June, but even now there are a few clear-cut contenders for the crown.

Eastern Conference

Cleveland Cavaliers

Coach: David Blatt

Most Valuable Player: Lebron James

X-Factor: Kevin Love

Odds: 14/5

The Cavs enter as the odds-on favorite to win it all, in large part due to the weakness of the Eastern Conference as a whole. But don’t let that fool you – this team has some serious talent. Led by one of the game’s greatest in Lebron James, the Cavs are stacked with talent from front to back. The frontcourt is led by Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love, two potent offensive forwards who have something to prove after being re-signed over the summer. The backcourt is anchored by James, Kyrie Irving, JR Smith, and playoff cult-hero Matthew Dellavedova. Kyrie Irving’s nagging injury from last year’s Finals is problematic, but if the Cavs can stay healthy, they should waltz into the Finals for James’ sixth consecutive year as Eastern Conference champion.

Chicago Bulls

Coach: Fred Hoiberg

Most Valuable Player: Derrick Rose

X-Factor: Jimmy Butler

Odds: 22/1

The Bulls made a surprising decision to let go of long-time coach Tom Thibodeau this summer, replacing him with former Iowa State University head coach Fred Hoiberg. However, the talent remains on this roster. Derrick Rose is still one of the game’s best guards even after several injuries, and he will have to be a strong leader for the Bulls to win, despite continued trade rumors. Guard Jimmy Butler, the 2014-2015 “Most Improved Player,” was a refreshing surprise last season, and he will have to continue his high level of play if the Bulls want to challenge the Cavs in the East. The frontcourt is led by long-time starter Joakim Noah, second-year prospect Nikola Mirotic, and the veteran Pau Gasol. Noah is a defensive stalwart, but both Mirotic and Gasol are suspect on the defensive end. The team boasts an interesting mix of youth and experience, with perhaps the right element of physicality and scrappiness to challenge the Cavs for the Eastern Conference title.

Atlanta Hawks

Coach: Mike Budenholzer

Most Valuable Player: Al Horford

X-Factor: Dennis Schröder

Odds: 50/1

The Hawks were the cinderella of the NBA last year, winning 62 games in the regular season before falling to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. To repeat last year’s success and challenge the Cavs, the Hawks must rely on its core: Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Paul Millsap, and Kyle Korver. Losing DeMarre Carroll is a big setback, but the team remains very solid. Horford and Millsap are one of the NBA’s best “big man” duos, and Teague and Dennis Schröder are both efficient, sparky guards. Kyle Korver remains one of the best shooters in the league, but it will be interesting to see how other teams gameplan for him in light of his monstrous season last year. The Hawks are a legitimate contender led by a good coach in Mike Budenholzer, but the team faces an uphill battle to the Finals.

Western Conference

Golden State Warriors

Coach: Steve Kerr

Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry

X-Factor: Draymond Green

Odds: 5/1

Still the cream of the crop, the champs possess a scary mix of talent and aggressiveness, with last season’s MVP Steph Curry leading the way. Curry and Klay Thompson are, hands down, the best backcourt duo in the league, and the “Splash Brothers” must continue their incredible shooting if they hope to repeat. Other key contributors include Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes, versatile two-way players who are capable of both scoring and defending. Andre Iguodala continues to be one of the best sixth men in the league, and Andrew Bogut is a reliable rim protector and rebounder. The nucleus of last year’s championship team is back, making the Warriors a very strong candidate to repeat as NBA champs.

San Antonio Spurs

Coach: Gregg Popovich

Most Valuable Player: Kawhi Leonard

X-Factor: LaMarcus Aldridge

Odds: 4/1

The Spurs made a rare splash in free agency this summer, bringing in perennial All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge. His addition to the frontcourt turns an already very good team into a downright scary one. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili spurred retirement for one more chance at the crown, giving the Spurs two of their foundational players from previous championship years. Tony Parker may be slowing down as he gets older, but he is still one of the most efficient players and experienced game managers in the league. Kawhi Leonard is quickly turning into one of the best two-way players in the game two years after his Finals MVP performance and represents the future of the franchise. Danny Green was signed to a new contract as a vital role player alongside Boris Diaw and Patty Mills. The Spurs will be tested in the stacked Western Conference, but one should never count out a team coached by Gregg Popovich.

Houston Rockets

Coach: Kevin McHale

Most Valuable Player: James Harden

X-Factor: Ty Lawson

Odds: 20/1

An argument could be made here for both the Clippers and Thunder, but I see the Rockets as a dark-horse candidate for the title. They are led by MVP runner-up James Harden, one of the most dynamic scorers and playmakers in the league. They added a solid point guard via shrewd general managing by Daryl Morey in Ty Lawson, who can efficiently run the pick and roll and create open looks for Harden and others. Center Dwight Howard must be, at the very least, a glimpse of his former self if the Rockets hope to make a deep playoff run. Other key role players include tenacious guard Patrick Beverley and energetic forward Corey Brewer. The Rockets challenged the Warriors last year for the Western Conference title, and it is not impossible for them to do so again this year if Harden and Co. play their best basketball.