NBA Eastern Conference Preview

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Why does the east struggle so much compared to the west? Is it because the talent is not dense enough to cover 30 teams? Is it because of salary caps? Weather? I don't know, but clearly something is wrong when the 6-8th seeds were .500 or worse. Knowing this, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a much easier route through the NBA playoffs than any western team. Like last season, when the Cavs only lost 2 post season games prior to the NBA Finals, they will have a similar route this year, maybe by getting challenged more against Chicago and Atlanta again. Without a doubt, the Cavs will be representing the East in the NBA Finals again unless LeBron goes out with an injury. I have read some things, saying he will watch his minutes this year to be less worn when the playoffs come this year. With that, it won't be likely he will be the MVP of this season, but that doesn't motivate him anymore. Rings do, and if he has to sacrifice a regular season MVP award he most certainly will. I still be believe the Cavs would have won the finals if Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving did not get injured. Much like LeBron's 3rd season in Miami, I think the Cavs are going to cruise through the NBA regular season, barring injury, earning the #1 or #2 seed for the playoffs and return to the NBA Finals again, hungry to win a title.

I think the 2nd best team in the East is up for grabs between the Bulls, Hawks, and Toronto Raptors. I left the Miami Heat out of the top 4 because I think they are being way over hyped and will have to prove they are a top team in the east. Just because Chris Bosh is back doesn't make them a top 3 team. Both Bosh and Wade are injury prone and aging. Dragic is a good PG, but not elite. Hassan Whiteside is a defensive stopper, but still needs an offensive game. They are #5 in my book in the east until they prove they are elite.

The Atlanta Hawks will be good again. Despite losing DeMarre Carroll to the Toronto Raptors, I think the Hawks will take the #1 or #2 seed again, competing for the top spot with the Cavs. With losing Carroll, they picked up the experience center Tiago Splitter and retained Paul Millsap. I don't think they will beat the Cavs in the playoffs, but I think they can easily earn the #1 or #2 seed for the playoffs.

The Chicago Bulls' success will forever rest on the shoulders of Derrick Rose. Even with Jimmy Butler becoming a superstar, Rose is their golden ticket. Seeing reports that the two (Rose and Butler) have had leadership conflict is not good for a squad. Those two together can be nightmares to cover. I do hope Rose gets back to his MVP form, but I will have to stay skeptical until he can stay on the floor. Hiring Fred Hoiberg is another important piece of the puzzle. I'm not sure the Bulls will stay the same hard-nosed, defensive team they had been with Tom Thibodeau at the lead, now with a new coach.

The Toronto Raptors made a big move signing DeMarre Carroll. He may not be a superstar, but he is a very valuable and versatile player. I expect him to fit right it with DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, who has been tearing it up this pre-season. I expect another big year from the Raptors and hopefully a first round series victory that they have longed-for.

The 6-8 seeds will be extremely hard to predict because so many of these teams are right on the brink of making the playoffs. I want to say the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks are locks to make the playoffs, but I can't say for sure. The Wiz lost Paul Pierce, which he may be old, but he did win them a playoff game last year and was a huge part of their success. The team is John Wall's now, and not that I think they won't make the playoffs, I just think the teams I've listed before them are better.

As for the Milwaukee Bucks, they will be fun to watch. With Jabari Parker back after injury and the acquisition of Greg Monroe from the Pistons, they have a serious starting line-up. My concern for them is that they have no shooters and they play more like an AAU team. They will be exciting, but they won't be making it past the first round.

The last team that makes into the Eastern Conference Playoffs will be the Indiana Pacers over Boston, Detroit, Charlotte, Brooklyn, and the Knicks. All 5 could very well be the 7th or 8th seed as we saw last season, how the end of the season finish was crazy to get the last spots. Paul George being back, signing Monta Ellis, and shipping Roy Hibbert to the LA Lakers are all good moves in the right direction. Unfortunately they lost David West to the Spurs, so there goes their front court, but they drafted Myles Turner to hopefully space the floor out rather than West and Hibbert clogging up the lane down low.

The Boston Celtics were the 7th seed last year. Unfortunately, I think they didn't make enough moves to get back to the playoffs this year. Like all these on the bubble teams, they could very well make it, but I doubt it. Good thing for them is that they are gearing up for the future with draft picks and young player.

The Detroit Pistons, much like the Celtics are right on the brink for a playoff spot. Getting Reggie Jackson and drafting Stanley Johnson were great moves. Stanley will be a stud in years to come. Andre Drummond is also an important park to this Detroit core. Too bad they had to part ways with Greg Monroe, but that will open up room for Drummond and others to progress.

The New York Knicks are going to have another losing season. Although I like their move to sign Robin Lopez and Aaron Afflalo, they won't be enough for Carmelo to lead the Knicks back to the post-season. Drafting Kristaps Porzingis might be the biggest gamble of the entire draft, but maybe Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher can see something we can't. Bust in 3 years is my opinion on Porzingis. Shoutout to Derrick Williams, the once #2 draft pick by the MN T-Wolves, for landing $10 million. Proud of you D-Will.

Buzz City! At least they have cool jerseys. The Charlotte Hornets drafting Frank Kaminsky would not have been my first choice with the talent available. They did sign Nicolas Batum, and received Spencer Hawes. Batum will give them some value and Hawes will give them some flow in the hair department. Dumping Lance Stephenson was a blessing as well. They didn't really do anything wrong, but they still aren't ready for the playoffs.

The good thing about the Nets is that they are partially owned by Jay-Z. Cool. They lost their best-player Deron Williams, even if Williams is washed up now. They also lost some of their key role players such as Alan Anderson and Mirza Teletovic. Good role players are hard to come by and even harder when your team is going down the gutter. RIP the Brooklyn Nets season.

Things can't really get much worse for the bottom 2 teams. The Orlando Magic, much like the MN Timberwolves are loaded with young talent like Tabias Harris, Elfrid Payton, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo and top draft choice Mario Hezonja. I definitely approve of Hezonja. Watching his highlights and summer league, the guy is the real deal compared to his European counterpart Porzingis. Give this team a few years and they will be in the playoffs.

Last and very least the Philadelphia 76ers. They know they are the worst team and are so on purpose. They are loading up for the future. Acquiring many draft picks, hoping to draft a superstar in the next few drafts to get their franchise back to a winning franchise. As for this year, Joel Embiid is hurt again, getting him closer to the label ''bust'' before he even plays and one of the worst picks. I'm not sure how they are going to work Nerlens Noels and Jahlil Okafor on the court at the same time. At least this team knows their future rather than thinking they are going to be in the playoffs.

PLAYOFF PREDICTION

Western Conference Playoffs

1. Golden State Warriors

2. San Antonio Spurs

3. Los Angeles Clippers

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

5. Houston Rockets

6. Memphis Grizzlies

7. New Orleans Pelicans

8. Utah Jazz

Eastern Conference Playoffs
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Atlanta Hawks
3. Chicago Bulls
4. Toronto Raptors
5. Miami Heat
6. Washington Wizards
7. Milwaukee Bucks
8. Indiana Pacers

Western Conference Playoffs Round 2
Golden State Warriors vs OKC Thunder: GS wins 4-3
San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Clippers: SA Wins 4-2

Eastern Conference Playoffs Round 2
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors: CLE wins 4-1
Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls: CHI wins 4-3

Western Conference Finals
Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs: SA wins 4-2

Eastern Conference Finals

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls: CLE wins 4-2

NBA Finals

Cleveland Cavaliers vs San Antonio Spurs: CLE wins 4-3

Cleveland Cavaliers are NBA Champions 

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