NBA Blog: Eastern Conference Predictions

The Magic made a lot of roster moves this offseason and I think they have gotten better as a result. They essentially swapped Hedo Turkoglu for Vince Carter, which opens up the three spot for Rashard Lewis to move back out to the perimeter, where he belongs. None of the Magic’s wing players will be the playmakers Turkuglu was, but they will be able to do something he couldn’t… get their own shot. Brandon Bass should compliment Dwight Howard well in the paint. I expect Howard to have the best all around season of his career since he finally had a whole summer off to work on his jump shot.

2.     Boston Celtics

The Magic will finish ahead of the Celtics in the regular season, but no team will be better come playoff time than Boston. Kevin Garnett is back to lead the team after injuring his knee last season and they finally signed a big man with height, Rasheed Wallace, to replace P.J. Brown. The addition of Rasheed will help keep Garnett’s minutes down which will keep him fresh for the playoffs. I also like the signing of swingman Marquis Daniels. He can’t shoot a lick, but he should be able to spell Ray Allen and Paul Pierce effectively while providing good defense. Point guard Rajon Rondo took a huge step forward last season and his continued development will be essential if the Celtics are to win another title.

3.     Cleveland Cavaliers

They added Shaq, but I’m not sure that’s actually a good thing. I think Shaq will slow down their team down and get in the way of LeBron James’ drives to the basket. The good news is they still have James, at least for one more season. James, the most talented player in the league, will lead the Cavaliers to another impressive regular season, but they are absolutely no match for either the Celtics or the Magic.

4.     Washington Wizards

How can a team that features all-stars Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler miss the playoffs two years in a row? With the additions of Head Coach Flip Saunders and guards Mike Miller and Randy Foye, the Wizards offense will be excellent and they will be a top four team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

5.     Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are a team most people don’t expect much from. They lost Andre Miller in free agency, but they are getting forward Elton Brand back and Andre Iguodola should flourish with his increased ball handling role now that Miller is gone. Miller’s replacement at point, Louis Williams is dynamite quick and should provide serviceable minutes. The 76ers are one of the most athletic teams in the league and I think that should translate to good defensive play.

6.     Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have offense. Joe Johnson is a stud, Mike Bibby is a savvy vet and Jamal Crawford can have some explosive games scoring the ball. The problem with this team is the size of their frontcourt. Starting power forward Josh Smith is 6-foot-9, but rail thin. Starting center Al Horford is 6-foot-10, but is better suited for power forward. The Hawks won’t have the rebounding or the defense to compete with the east’s power teams.

7.     Miami Heat

Dwayne Wade is in the same situation Kobe Bryant was in a few years ago. After the departure of Shaq, he has to do everything or the team has no chance to succeed. The good news for the Heat is Wade is really good.

8.     Chicago Bulls

The Bulls lost leading scorer Ben Gordon to the Pistons and they have no offensive presence down low. So why do I think they are going to make the playoffs?

His name is Derrick Rose.

I expect Rose to put on a Dwayne Wade like regular season and force his team to a spot in the tournament.

9.     Toronto Raptors

The Raptors added a lot of talented players: Hedo Turkoglu, Jarret Jack and DeMar DeRozan to name a few. I love Chris Bosh and I consider him the second best power forward in the east behind Kevin Garnett. The Raptors should be a very good offensive team, but I just don’t think they’re tough enough. They should be a pathetic rebounding team with Andrea Bargnani starting at center.

10.  Indiana Pacers

It seems like the Pacers finish in this area every year. Not good enough for the playoffs and not bad enough for top draft picks, they are a team stuck the middle. They signed Dahntay Jones, Earl Watson, Luther Head and drafted Tyler Hansbrough this summer which will lead only to marginal improvements. I expect small forward Danny Granger to have another all star season, but that will be the only bright spot for the Pacers.

11.  Detroit Pistons

The Pistons plan on starting Kwame Brown at center. That’s reason enough for the Pistons not to make the playoffs. They signed sharpshooter Ben Gordon in the offseason, but he plays the same position as their best player, Rip Hamilton. Also, I don’t think Rodney Stuckey is as good as his hype. After Chauncey Billups got traded and Stuckey moved into the starting lineup, he only averaged 13.4 PPG and 4.9 APG. He will have to improve for the Pistons to have any shot at the playoffs.

12.  Charlotte Bobcats

I wished the Bobcats would have signed Allen Iverson this offseason because he would have been a perfect fit there. They have a team full of role players that have no star to play off of.  Flip Murray is not The Answer.

13.  New York Knicks

The Knicks are waiting for the offseason when they hope to sign one of the big time free agents, LeBron James anyone? This is essentially a try out season for the Knicks to see who they want to play with whatever big name they sign next summer.

14.  New Jersey Net

Point guard Devin Harris is one of the best players in the east, center Brook Lopez has a promising future and shooting guard Courtney Lee impressed many with a solid rookie season. The Nets have a promising future, especially with their much rumored sale to a Russian billionaire who would move the team to Brooklyn.  But, the Nets, much like the Knicks, are more interested in free agency next summer than winning games this year.

15.  Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have Hakim Warrick starting at the four, enough said.