This is, by all accounts, a pivotal season for the Chinese Basketball Association. The league can thank the inability of the NBA's players and owners to come to a sane agreement on how to split their billion-dollar pie. With no end to that league's lockout in sight, the CBA suddenly has the attention of basketball-starved fans around the world. It also has a surplus of foreign stars who just want a place to play (and, let's face it, maybe find a way to tap into the lucrative Chinese endorsement market). So, who's going to take advantage? Here's China Daily's first look at this season's teams, in order of how they finished last season.

Guangdong Southern Tigers

Head coach: Li Chunjiang

Last season: Champion

Player to watch: Yi Jianlian

Prediction: The return of Yi gives the league's top team even more confidence heading into this season. Boasting a package of experienced veterans, promising young guns and foreign role players, the well-coached Southern Tigers are eyeing their eighth league championship this year.

Xinjiang Flying Tigers

Head coach: Bob Donewald Jr

Last season: Second

Players to watch: Kenyon Martin (ex-Denver Nugget), Tang Zhengdong

Prediction: Signing NBA star Martin and recruiting the national coach shows the Flying Tigers have championship ambitions. However, scoring machine Quincy Douby's recent injury will be a challenge for the team to overcome.

Dongguan Leopards

Head coach: Brian Goorjian

Last season: Third

Player to watch: Shavlik Randolph (ex-Portland Trailblazer)

Prediction: Losing its best young player - starting point guard Meng Duo, who transferred to the Xinjiang Flying Tigers - the Leopards are looking for long-term prosperity through a joint effort with the NBA at its local basketball academy. Reaching the playoffs should be a realistic goal for the young squad this year.

Jiangsu Dragons

Head coach: Xu Qiang

Last season: Fourth

Players to watch: Yi Li, Dan Gadzuric (ex-New Jersey Net)

Prediction: Losing its backbone, Tang Zhengdong, in the paint is a big blow. But the Dragons have uncovered a new leader in swingman Yi Li, who came to the fore during the national team's golden journey at the Asian Championships. Blue collar Gadzuric should fill the void left by Tang, who moved to Xinjiang. This team should be a strong challenger for the crown.

Zhejiang Golden Bulls

Head coach: Ding Wei

Last season: Fifth

Player to watch: J.R. Smith (ex-Denver Nugget)

Prediction: Smith was the first current top-notch NBA player signed by a CBA team thanks to the lockout. He is expected to single-handedly lift the Golden Bulls' performance. The Golden Bulls' home arena should be the most frequently sold-out stadium this season.

Zhejiang Lions

Head coach: Jim Cleamons (former assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers)

Last season: Sixth

Player to watch: Wilson Chandler (ex-Denver Nugget)

Prediction: After signing Chandler to a big deal this summer, the Lions are looking for not only a sold-out box office, but also a solid postseason. With a former NBA assistant coach and a talented scorer, the Lions have put together their best roster ever and now it's time to shine. The team has set a goal of reaching the semifinals.

Bayi Rockets

Head coach: Adijiang

Last season: Seventh

Player to watch: Wang Zhizhi

Prediction: Without foreign aid, the young military team may face the toughest season in its history as opposing teams have swept up NBA stars. Despite this tough reality, the league's traditional powerhouse won't likely give up its pursuit of the title, and its backbone, Wang, is still a force to be reckoned with.

Shanxi Brave Dragons

Head coach: Gao Shumin

Last season: Eighth

Player to watch: Marcus Williams (ex-Memphis Grizzly)

Prediction: Since parting with Stephon Marbury in 2010, the Brave Dragons have drifted out of the spotlight. Nine young players were promoted to the roster from the reserve team in the summer and they are keen to establish themselves in the CBA. With the addition of Williams, this new-look Shanxi team may surprise this year.

Beijing Ducks

Head coach: Min Lulei

Last season: Ninth

Player to watch: Stephon Marbury

Prediction: Led by former NBA all-star guard Marbury, the Beijing Ducks are expecting a breakout season and the opportunity to finish with the highest ranking in the team history. Marbury's coming will also benefit the team's young guns through advanced training methods and NBA caliber contests.

Liaoning Jiebao

Head coach: Guo Shiqiang

Last season: Tenth

Players to watch: Zhang Qingpeng, Josh Powell (ex-Los Angeles Laker)

Prediction: Welcoming local guard Zhang back from Xinjiang this year, Jiebao boasts a talented backcourt which also features young guns Guo Ailun and Yang Ming. Former Lakers NBA champion big man Powell will provide defense and rebounding under the rim. The team's goal is to finish in the top four.

Shandong Golden Lions

Head coach: Gong Xiaobin

Last season: Eleventh Player to watch: Alan Anderson (ex-Charlotte Bobcat)

Prediction: Its foreign players may not be as renowned as other teams', but the Golden Lions are still aiming for the playoffs as their former iconic forward, Gong, returns as coach. Quietly focusing on nursing its reserve talent, the Shandong team will be a threat to the top teams in the not-too-distant future.

Shanghai Sharks

Head coach: Daniel Panaggio

Last season: Twelfth

Players to watch: Liu Wei, Tseng Wen-ting (Chinese Taipei)

Prediction: The shock of coach Bob Donewald's move to Xinjiang will be eased by former Lakers assistant coach Panaggio. Boss Yao Ming's influence both on and off the court should inspire the Shanghai side. Newcomer Tseng joins national veteran guard Liu to guide the squad.

Jilin Northeast Tigers

Head coach: Wang Han

Last season: Thirteenth

Players to watch: Osama Daghles (Jordan), Yu Shulong

Prediction: "If no injuries bother us, we are much stronger than last season," Wang said of his team's prospect this season. Daghles, last season's league leader in assists, and young national guard Yu will be charged with carrying the squad.

Foshan Longlions

Head coach: Jay Humphries

Last season: Fourteenth

Player to watch: Gerald Green (2007 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest winner)

Prediction: With three powerful foreign additions, Gerald Green, Marcus Douthit and Michael Maadanly (Syria), the Longlions are expected to be one of the league's surprises this season. The third team in Guangdong, the Longlions have enjoyed the wave of popularity of the game in the Southern region of China.

Qingdao Eagles

Head coach: Jiang Zhengxiu

Last season: Fifteenth

Player to watch: Lester Hudson (ex-Washington Wizard)

Prediction: One of the youngest teams in the league, the Eagles will count on their local youth talent to seek their first playoff appearance this season. Explosive scorer Hudson should bring passion and energy to the backcourt.

Fujian SBS

Head coach: Joey Stiebing

Last season: Sixteenth

Players to watch: Zaid Abbas (Jordan), Anthony Roberson (ex-New York Knicks)

Prediction: Abbas' first two CBA clubs, the Shanghai Sharks and the Beijing Ducks, both made the playoffs in the Jordanian's first season with them. SBS, Abbas' third team, is hoping to benefit from his abilities at both ends of the floor. Local shooter Gong Songlin and former NBA player Roberson are expected to provide solid support.

Tianjin Gold Lions

Head coach: Zhang Jian

Last season: Seventeenth Player to watch; David Harrison (ex-Indiana Pacer)

Prediction: Last season's championship team member Harrison will make up for a hole under the Gold Lions' rim while another import, Donnell Harvey, will lead the team's perimeter offense. The newish team will look forward to its best performance in its fourth CBA season.