With matters of collective bargaining and dress codes ostensibly in hand, we can tend to the business of basketball at long last. The NBA kicks off its 60th campaign this evening with an intriguing matchup, featuring the Milwaukee Bucks taking on the 76ers at The Wachovia Center in Philly. Intriguing in that, both the Bucks and Sixers take on a bit of a different look these days.

For starters, both clubs are led into the season with new head coaches. Enter Terry Stotts for the Bucks and Maurice Cheeks for the Sixers, a team he played for eleven years. And while the face of Philly's franchise remains Allen Iverson, tonight marks what hopes to be a new beginning for Chris Webber. Despite a rough go of things last season after being dealt from Sacramento, Webber still remains a viable threat for this team. Mo Cheeks is charged with the unenviable task of getting Iverson and Webber on the same page.

Perhaps the new season brings a new outlook to a squad pairing veteran talent with youthful flair. Kyle Korver is blossoming into a very nice complementary player and not just a three-point specialist. Philly's other AI, Andre Iguodala is an insanely gifted youngster who should really come into his own this season. Chris Webber ought not worry so much about being second fiddle to Iverson.

From the looks of things, Iguodala should be assuming that role, effective this evening.

Milwaukee is also a bit different, but at the same time, not so much. Of course, many of us are quite familiar with the top overall pick, Andrew Bogut. But just last week, the Bucks decided to send Desmond Mason in a package deal for center Jamaal Magloire. Such a deal makes sense given how the club signed Bobby Simmons this summer. Magloire, along with Dan Gadzuric, give the Bucks a solid center rotation in the paint and on the glass. It also provides Stotts some protection for Bogut. Milwaukee can play a competitive brand of basketball without adding undue pressure on their prize rookie.

But the key to Milwaukee's resurgence may be someone who is not as new to the organization as Bogut or Magloire. The team welcomes back point guard T.J. Ford, who sat out the entire 2004-05 season after undergoing spinal surgery. Ford is only a couple years removed from being named the national collegiate player of the year. What he lacks in stature, he more than makes up with his speed and playmaking ability. From end to end on the floor, he is a blur.

In addition to the Buck/76er shindig, there are three other games on the opening night slate. We get basketball in Oklahoma City of all places, where the Hornets host the Sacramento Kings. New Orleans will play roughly half their schedule in OKC as a result of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. Not exactly the makings of a sexy season opener, but do keep an eye on Hornet rookie point guard Chris Paul. I've got him as the NBA Rookie of The Year. Seems to be a rather popular sentiment actually.

Nice one going on down in San Antone too. Ring ceremony. Banner raising. Spurs. Nugs. Ho-hum stuff. These two clubs went at it in the playoffs last April. Of course, the Spurs made quick work of Denver, but perhaps George Karl's troops can show signs of progress against the team that ended their season six months ago - and on national television. A small measure of satisfaction might be had in sending the crowd home disappointed on ring night.

Dallas and Phoenix rev it up in the evening's finale. A track meet? Perhaps. Though Avery Johnson remains committed to transforming the Mavericks into a defensive-minded club. And while he may end up successful in that endeavor, tonight's contest might feature more scoring than Johnson would like to see. That's how it goes in the desert with Steve Nash at the wheel.

But relax, Avery. It's only opening night.

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