Are Boston, Knicks & the Magic locks for the playoffs? ESPN experts chime in

[ball junkie 277]

Here's the part that deals with the Magic:

 

quote:

4. Does the addition of Rashard Lewis make the Magic a postseason lock?

 

Abbott: Like Boston, I feel the Magic need a top-flight point guard before they can be considered a reliable top Eastern team. And again, I'm feeling that barring a surprise there aren't a lot of Eastern spots up for grabs.

 

Hollinger: Again, not so fast. The Magic lost nearly as much as they gained between Hill, Darko and Diener, and their neighborhood just got tougher.

 

Stein: A lock, yes. Just because Lewis is way -- W-A-Y -- overpaid doesn't mean I don't like the idea of pairing Rashard with Dwight Howard.

 

Thorpe: Barring injury, probably yes. Especially with the new coach. They can play big or small effectively, and Dwight Howard should only keep growing as a player. Jameer Nelson is obviously a key, as is getting production from J.J. Redick. I like both to have better seasons this year.

 

 

Here's the entire article which is now on the front page of the ESPN NBA section right now.

 

 

 

Writer roundup: Has the balance of power shifted in the East?

 

ESPN.com

 

Updated: August 1, 2007

 

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Boston. Zach Randolph in New York. Rashard Lewis in Orlando. Say what you want about the weak Eastern Conference, but it has definitely improved this summer. So, has the balance of power shifted in the East? Our experts chime in with their early thoughts:

 

 

1. Does the addition of KG and Ray Allen make the Celtics a postseason lock?

 

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Yes, which is really just a comment on the weak Eastern Conference. Rajon Rondo might prove me wrong, but I think they're a bona fide point guard away from being a truly important team. I assume Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, and probably New Jersey will make the postseason, barring injury or unpredictable bizarreness.

 

 

 

John Hollinger, ESPN.com: I hesitate to use the word "lock" because injuries can ravage almost any team out of the blue, especially one as thin as the Celts. But under reasonable scenarios, yes, they're a lock.

 

Marc Stein, ESPN.com: C'mon. They're a lock for 50-plus wins and my favorites to win the East. I know a lot of folks are comparing this trio to the ill-fated Atlanta triumvirate in the late 1980s (Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone and Reggie Theus) or Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen in Houston. But those comparisons overlook the fact that the East of today is insanely weak.

 

David Thorpe, Scouts Inc.: Lock? No, they are now so thin that any injury to one of the big three spells doom. It is more than likely that they make it in, but far from definite unless a few more additions are made.

 

 

 

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2. Any particular player(s) you think the Celtics should target to fill the roster?

 

Abbott: It's tough because they are over the cap, can't be in the mood to move a lot of draft picks, and need someone who is ready to win now. They'll have to gamble on someone else's rejects. I'm sure they're looking at all kinds of free agents who have been playing in Europe, the CBA and the D-League.

 

Hollinger: Wang Zhizhi. Don't laugh. The C's need minimum wage guys who can make open shots. Wang has shot 38.5 percent on 3s for his career and averages nearly a point every two minutes. I really don't understand why he's not in the NBA, and he'd be perfect on this team.

 

Stein: Everything I'm hearing suggests that the Celtics are targeting only minimum-salary guys at this stage because KG, Allen and Pierce will cost more than $56 million alone. So they probably can't get Brevin Knight or any of the top remaining free agents.

 

Thorpe: I like Sarunas Jasikevicius from a personnel standpoint. He is a born leader who excels at passing and shooting (and winning).

 

 

 

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3. Does the addition of Zach Randolph make the Knicks a postseason lock?

 

Abbott: If I'm right that Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, and probably New Jersey will make the playoffs, then there's one spot left. The Knicks may well take it, but they're not a lock for anything. Practically every player on the roster needs the ball to be effective. I hope it'll work out, but I wouldn't count on it. And they'll have to beat out Orlando, Washington, Philadelphia and everyone else.

 

Hollinger: Not with that defense, no. The only lock here is that the Knicks will be a bottom-five defensive team with that Curry/Randolph frontcourt. Maybe they sneak in and maybe they don't.

 

Stein: Even though I thought trading for Zach was a worthy risk for Isiah Thomas, I have to see how Randolph and Eddy Curry co-exist before I buy all the way in. I know Zach can step out and hit jumpers, but there are some questions there.

 

Thorpe: No. We still need to see how Eddy Curry does when the offense does not revolve around him. And they will struggle to defend people inside. Toronto, Orlando, New Jersey, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Boston are all better on paper, leaving just one spot. And Charlotte plus the Hawks will be improved, too.

 

 

 

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4. Does the addition of Rashard Lewis make the Magic a postseason lock?

 

Abbott: Like Boston, I feel the Magic need a top-flight point guard before they can be considered a reliable top Eastern team. And again, I'm feeling that barring a surprise there aren't a lot of Eastern spots up for grabs.

 

Hollinger: Again, not so fast. The Magic lost nearly as much as they gained between Hill, Darko and Diener, and their neighborhood just got tougher.

 

Stein: A lock, yes. Just because Lewis is way -- W-A-Y -- overpaid doesn't mean I don't like the idea of pairing Rashard with Dwight Howard.

 

Thorpe: Barring injury, probably yes. Especially with the new coach. They can play big or small effectively, and Dwight Howard should only keep growing as a player. Jameer Nelson is obviously a key, as is getting production from J.J. Redick. I like both to have better seasons this year.

 

 

 

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5. Besides the Celtics, which '07 East lottery team has the best shot of making the playoffs next season?

 

Abbott: New York is a big possibility, but I wouldn't count out the Sixers. Mismanaged as they may be, they have Andre Miller, and he's really something.

 

Hollinger: Don't sleep on Charlotte. They were wracked by injuries last season and still won 33 games; with the addition of Jason Richardson to the Wallace-Okafor-May-Felton nucleus, they could break into the top eight.

 

Stein: New York has upgraded and so has plucky Charlotte. Milwaukee, if healthy, will be in the mix for No. 8, too. The hard part is coming up with teams to bounce out of last season's top eight.

 

Thorpe: I like Charlotte. Richardson and Wallace on the wings is a great combination, and I think Felton is ready to make serious strides. If May can stay healthy then their chances are solid.

 

 

 

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6. If the Celtics make the playoffs, which '07 East playoff team most likely will not make the playoffs next season?

 

Abbott: Gilbert Arenas could be the guy left standing at the altar, which would be especially troublesome for the Wizards, as he will be heading into free agency.

 

Hollinger: One of the Florida teams. Be great to see Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley slugging it out for the 8 seed on the last day of the season; let's hope the schedule-makers come through.

 

Stein: The team that's about to be wracked with injuries but doesn't know it yet.

 

Thorpe: The Heat are in trouble. Ironically, they are beginning to look like the South Beach Lakers with maybe the best all-around player on the planet in Dwyane Wade, and little else beyond a few solid role players. It's no longer a question of "if Shaq can stay healthy," but "how many games will he miss?" Even if Wade can stay healthy all season, it may not be enough.

 

 

 

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7. Which East team will have the best-regular season record?

 

Abbott: I'll guess Chicago, because they play hard, effective defense and have great young players coming into their prime.

 

Hollinger: I'll go with Chicago by a nose over Cleveland and Detroit right now, although with the caveat that I haven't done all my prognostication homework yet.

 

Stein: Cleveland and Chicago will be a year older and thus theoretically more consistent during the regular season. I see Detroit as a bit of a sleeper because the Pistons' kids (Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson and Cheikh Samb) are underrated and will pump some life into a team that still has a strong core. But I can't deny it: I've got Celtics Fever.

 

Thorpe: The Bulls should hit the ground running and will be a solid threat to be the East's best team. Luol Deng has jumped up to a new level, and the addition of an energetic Joakim Noah should help the bench.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

8. Which team will represent the East in the NBA Finals?

 

Abbott: I'd rather pick this in a few months when we see the rosters settle down, but I'd guess the Bulls. They have been playing together for awhile, they are built for the playoffs, they got a taste of success last year and want more. ... Plus, I'm a big fan of Luol Deng. I think he's only going to get better, and could become the reliable scorer they have lacked.

 

Hollinger: As much as I'd love to spend a week in Boston in June, I'm not banking on it. Chicago and Cleveland are deeper and defend better, and that will put one of them over the top.

 

Stein: There are probably 12 or 13 teams that have legit playoff aspirations in the conference, but my fever is such that I just don't think KG, Allen and Pierce need a lot around them to get to the Finals in this East. As LeBron James just proved.

 

Thorpe: At this point, I like Chicago. Had Detroit not peaked against them and knocked them out, the Bulls could have made the Finals last season. That experience, along with the improved play of Tyrus Thomas and the emergence of a superstar in Deng should add up to home-court advantage throughout the Eastern playoffs and a Finals appearance.

 

 

 

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9. Has the balance of power in the NBA shifted East?

 

Abbott: No. The teams that are a threat to win the title are still concentrated in the West. If Miami figures out a post-Shaq plan that could change things, and Chicago likely will win a title at some point. Toronto is on the right track. But whatever greatness is in Detroit and Boston now won't be around all that long, and at some point the Greg Oden and Kevin Durant effect will kick in. Not to mention, I think the biggest reason the West has been strong is that they have some well-run teams, and that's not changing.

 

Hollinger: Good heavens, no. Forget the Spurs, Mavs and Suns -- find me a team in the East that could even beat Utah. The best team in that conference is still a No. 7 seed out West.

 

Stein:: Let's not start with the balance-of-power questions. The West is still best by a fair distance. But the East desperately -- desperately -- needed a player of Garnett's stature to switch conferences. Allen, Rashard Lewis, Zach Randolph ... they all help, too.

 

Thorpe: Not at all. The West's Final 4 from last season would all be favorites to win the East. And I'll take Portland's and Seattle's future over almost any Eastern team.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=Roundup-EastPower

[ball junkie 277]

Here's the part that deals with the Magic:

 

quote:

4. Does the addition of Rashard Lewis make the Magic a postseason lock?

 

Abbott: Like Boston, I feel the Magic need a top-flight point guard before they can be considered a reliable top Eastern team. And again, I'm feeling that barring a surprise there aren't a lot of Eastern spots up for grabs.

 

Hollinger: Again, not so fast. The Magic lost nearly as much as they gained between Hill, Darko and Diener, and their neighborhood just got tougher.

 

Stein: A lock, yes. Just because Lewis is way -- W-A-Y -- overpaid doesn't mean I don't like the idea of pairing Rashard with Dwight Howard.

 

Thorpe: Barring injury, probably yes. Especially with the new coach. They can play big or small effectively, and Dwight Howard should only keep growing as a player. Jameer Nelson is obviously a key, as is getting production from J.J. Redick. I like both to have better seasons this year.

 

 

Here's the entire article which is now on the front page of the ESPN NBA section right now.

 

 

 

Writer roundup: Has the balance of power shifted in the East?

 

ESPN.com

 

Updated: August 1, 2007

 

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Boston. Zach Randolph in New York. Rashard Lewis in Orlando. Say what you want about the weak Eastern Conference, but it has definitely improved this summer. So, has the balance of power shifted in the East? Our experts chime in with their early thoughts:

 

 

1. Does the addition of KG and Ray Allen make the Celtics a postseason lock?

 

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop: Yes, which is really just a comment on the weak Eastern Conference. Rajon Rondo might prove me wrong, but I think they're a bona fide point guard away from being a truly important team. I assume Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, and probably New Jersey will make the postseason, barring injury or unpredictable bizarreness.

 

 

 

John Hollinger, ESPN.com: I hesitate to use the word "lock" because injuries can ravage almost any team out of the blue, especially one as thin as the Celts. But under reasonable scenarios, yes, they're a lock.

 

Marc Stein, ESPN.com: C'mon. They're a lock for 50-plus wins and my favorites to win the East. I know a lot of folks are comparing this trio to the ill-fated Atlanta triumvirate in the late 1980s (Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone and Reggie Theus) or Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen in Houston. But those comparisons overlook the fact that the East of today is insanely weak.

 

David Thorpe, Scouts Inc.: Lock? No, they are now so thin that any injury to one of the big three spells doom. It is more than likely that they make it in, but far from definite unless a few more additions are made.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

2. Any particular player(s) you think the Celtics should target to fill the roster?

 

Abbott: It's tough because they are over the cap, can't be in the mood to move a lot of draft picks, and need someone who is ready to win now. They'll have to gamble on someone else's rejects. I'm sure they're looking at all kinds of free agents who have been playing in Europe, the CBA and the D-League.

 

Hollinger: Wang Zhizhi. Don't laugh. The C's need minimum wage guys who can make open shots. Wang has shot 38.5 percent on 3s for his career and averages nearly a point every two minutes. I really don't understand why he's not in the NBA, and he'd be perfect on this team.

 

Stein: Everything I'm hearing suggests that the Celtics are targeting only minimum-salary guys at this stage because KG, Allen and Pierce will cost more than $56 million alone. So they probably can't get Brevin Knight or any of the top remaining free agents.

 

Thorpe: I like Sarunas Jasikevicius from a personnel standpoint. He is a born leader who excels at passing and shooting (and winning).

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

3. Does the addition of Zach Randolph make the Knicks a postseason lock?

 

Abbott: If I'm right that Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto, and probably New Jersey will make the playoffs, then there's one spot left. The Knicks may well take it, but they're not a lock for anything. Practically every player on the roster needs the ball to be effective. I hope it'll work out, but I wouldn't count on it. And they'll have to beat out Orlando, Washington, Philadelphia and everyone else.

 

Hollinger: Not with that defense, no. The only lock here is that the Knicks will be a bottom-five defensive team with that Curry/Randolph frontcourt. Maybe they sneak in and maybe they don't.

 

Stein: Even though I thought trading for Zach was a worthy risk for Isiah Thomas, I have to see how Randolph and Eddy Curry co-exist before I buy all the way in. I know Zach can step out and hit jumpers, but there are some questions there.

 

Thorpe: No. We still need to see how Eddy Curry does when the offense does not revolve around him. And they will struggle to defend people inside. Toronto, Orlando, New Jersey, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit and Boston are all better on paper, leaving just one spot. And Charlotte plus the Hawks will be improved, too.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

4. Does the addition of Rashard Lewis make the Magic a postseason lock?

 

Abbott: Like Boston, I feel the Magic need a top-flight point guard before they can be considered a reliable top Eastern team. And again, I'm feeling that barring a surprise there aren't a lot of Eastern spots up for grabs.

 

Hollinger: Again, not so fast. The Magic lost nearly as much as they gained between Hill, Darko and Diener, and their neighborhood just got tougher.

 

Stein: A lock, yes. Just because Lewis is way -- W-A-Y -- overpaid doesn't mean I don't like the idea of pairing Rashard with Dwight Howard.

 

Thorpe: Barring injury, probably yes. Especially with the new coach. They can play big or small effectively, and Dwight Howard should only keep growing as a player. Jameer Nelson is obviously a key, as is getting production from J.J. Redick. I like both to have better seasons this year.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

5. Besides the Celtics, which '07 East lottery team has the best shot of making the playoffs next season?

 

Abbott: New York is a big possibility, but I wouldn't count out the Sixers. Mismanaged as they may be, they have Andre Miller, and he's really something.

 

Hollinger: Don't sleep on Charlotte. They were wracked by injuries last season and still won 33 games; with the addition of Jason Richardson to the Wallace-Okafor-May-Felton nucleus, they could break into the top eight.

 

Stein: New York has upgraded and so has plucky Charlotte. Milwaukee, if healthy, will be in the mix for No. 8, too. The hard part is coming up with teams to bounce out of last season's top eight.

 

Thorpe: I like Charlotte. Richardson and Wallace on the wings is a great combination, and I think Felton is ready to make serious strides. If May can stay healthy then their chances are solid.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

6. If the Celtics make the playoffs, which '07 East playoff team most likely will not make the playoffs next season?

 

Abbott: Gilbert Arenas could be the guy left standing at the altar, which would be especially troublesome for the Wizards, as he will be heading into free agency.

 

Hollinger: One of the Florida teams. Be great to see Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley slugging it out for the 8 seed on the last day of the season; let's hope the schedule-makers come through.

 

Stein: The team that's about to be wracked with injuries but doesn't know it yet.

 

Thorpe: The Heat are in trouble. Ironically, they are beginning to look like the South Beach Lakers with maybe the best all-around player on the planet in Dwyane Wade, and little else beyond a few solid role players. It's no longer a question of "if Shaq can stay healthy," but "how many games will he miss?" Even if Wade can stay healthy all season, it may not be enough.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

7. Which East team will have the best-regular season record?

 

Abbott: I'll guess Chicago, because they play hard, effective defense and have great young players coming into their prime.

 

Hollinger: I'll go with Chicago by a nose over Cleveland and Detroit right now, although with the caveat that I haven't done all my prognostication homework yet.

 

Stein: Cleveland and Chicago will be a year older and thus theoretically more consistent during the regular season. I see Detroit as a bit of a sleeper because the Pistons' kids (Jason Maxiell, Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson and Cheikh Samb) are underrated and will pump some life into a team that still has a strong core. But I can't deny it: I've got Celtics Fever.

 

Thorpe: The Bulls should hit the ground running and will be a solid threat to be the East's best team. Luol Deng has jumped up to a new level, and the addition of an energetic Joakim Noah should help the bench.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

8. Which team will represent the East in the NBA Finals?

 

Abbott: I'd rather pick this in a few months when we see the rosters settle down, but I'd guess the Bulls. They have been playing together for awhile, they are built for the playoffs, they got a taste of success last year and want more. ... Plus, I'm a big fan of Luol Deng. I think he's only going to get better, and could become the reliable scorer they have lacked.

 

Hollinger: As much as I'd love to spend a week in Boston in June, I'm not banking on it. Chicago and Cleveland are deeper and defend better, and that will put one of them over the top.

 

Stein: There are probably 12 or 13 teams that have legit playoff aspirations in the conference, but my fever is such that I just don't think KG, Allen and Pierce need a lot around them to get to the Finals in this East. As LeBron James just proved.

 

Thorpe: At this point, I like Chicago. Had Detroit not peaked against them and knocked them out, the Bulls could have made the Finals last season. That experience, along with the improved play of Tyrus Thomas and the emergence of a superstar in Deng should add up to home-court advantage throughout the Eastern playoffs and a Finals appearance.

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

9. Has the balance of power in the NBA shifted East?

 

Abbott: No. The teams that are a threat to win the title are still concentrated in the West. If Miami figures out a post-Shaq plan that could change things, and Chicago likely will win a title at some point. Toronto is on the right track. But whatever greatness is in Detroit and Boston now won't be around all that long, and at some point the Greg Oden and Kevin Durant effect will kick in. Not to mention, I think the biggest reason the West has been strong is that they have some well-run teams, and that's not changing.

 

Hollinger: Good heavens, no. Forget the Spurs, Mavs and Suns -- find me a team in the East that could even beat Utah. The best team in that conference is still a No. 7 seed out West.

 

Stein:: Let's not start with the balance-of-power questions. The West is still best by a fair distance. But the East desperately -- desperately -- needed a player of Garnett's stature to switch conferences. Allen, Rashard Lewis, Zach Randolph ... they all help, too.

 

Thorpe: Not at all. The West's Final 4 from last season would all be favorites to win the East. And I'll take Portland's and Seattle's future over almost any Eastern team.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=Roundup-EastPower

[Drain-O 369]

You beat me to it so I deleted mine!!

 

ball junkie you are truly the guru of finding Magic articles.

 

It seems between this and the SI article that the consensus of the national media remains the same. The addition of Rashard Lewis minus Grant Hill, Darko, and Diener is about a push.

 

I really, really hope that is not the case.

[ball junkie 277]

quote:

Originally posted by Drain-O:

You beat me to it so I deleted mine!!

 

ball junkie you are truly the guru of finding Magic articles.

 

It seems between this and the SI article that the consensus of the national media remains the same. The addition of Rashard Lewis minus Grant Hill, Darko, and Diener is about a push.

 

I really, really hope that is not the case.

 

I've been slipping lately Drain-O on posting stuff. One because having 3 small children now takes my computer time away and two, because there really isn't a lot of NBA stuff to post right now.

 

I agree with your assesment. It bums me out too! I thought this summer was when our team was supposed to take the big step up to the big boyz of the league.

 

I hope that's not the case also.

 

Hope everything in the Tampa area is going well for you.

[TheJambo 10]

quote:

Originally posted by Drain-O:

You beat me to it so I deleted mine!!

 

ball junkie you are truly the guru of finding Magic articles.

 

It seems between this and the SI article that the consensus of the national media remains the same. The addition of Rashard Lewis minus Grant Hill, Darko, and Diener is about a push.

 

I really, really hope that is not the case.

 

This only proves how un-informed the national media is.

 

Lewis is a lot more valuable and a lot better player than Grant Hill is now. It is not even close. Grant could not even shoot further than 10 feet out and was a SHOOTING guard, Come on people be realistic. I do not particurally like the contract either, but we are much better off.

 

If we pick up Webber or PJ Brown, then we are a lot better off than we were last year with Darko. Darko was inconsistent and lazy at times last year, I agree he has potential, but he has had that potential since being drafted. But, comparing last year production to this year, PJ or Webber is will be better than Darko was if you look at actual production and leadership.

 

Minus Diener, we are equal to last year because he never played.

 

So, over all with one more good addition to the PF spot we will be a lot better than last year, not to even mention our best improvement....Stan the Man!!!!

[davcivic 11]

Again, Diener was a 3rd or actually 4th string PG. He didn't do anything, it was all potential. What sucked was to let him go and not getting anything in return.

 

GHill is not an allstar any more. People still think he is the player he was in Detroit. He is still a very solid leader and role player, but cannot be relied on as a star of the team.

 

Darko is also potential that will probably show this year.

 

I hated losing them, but it's the nature of the business.

 

I am pretty sure we will make the playoffs again, and maybe get bumped in the first round, maybe second. But this is the start of good things, not the end....

[~O~ 565]

This article is so long, I have to agree with them.

[~O~ 565]

Wait a minute...we beat Chicago without Rashard Lewis 2 out of 3 times. What the heck are they thinking? They are forgetting the factor of the Bulls being a youthful team of talented players. Can't guarantee these things yet.

[The Solution 0]

What is surprising is that the best 9 man rotation we have now based on ave. points scored

each game is 10 points more than the 9 best man rotation scored last year. It is true that our defense is worse and that could eat up those 10 points but......

 

SVG is better than Brian Hill by 5 wins easily so I say Orlando will be better by 5 wins than last year. That should be enough to get us 4th or 5th place.

[Skywise316 211]

The media is WAY overestimating New Jersey I think.

 

Last season my prediction for the biggest Eastern Conference dropper was Indiana. I'd say I got that one right.

 

This season's prediction is the New Jersey Nets. I don't think they'll make the playoffs. Nenad Krstic'll be healthy, but they lose Mikki Moore. I think Nened Krstic'll give them not that much more than Moore gave NJ last year. They've basically stayed the same while the rest of the East has gotten better. They were only the 6th seed as it was, now I think they'll be passed by and end up 9th or 10th.

 

1. Cleveland (central winner)

2. Detroit

3. Boston (Atlantic winner)

4. Orlando (Southeast winner.. yeah, I said it.)

5. Washington

6. Chicago

7. Toronto

8. Miami

---------

9. New York

10. New Jersey

 

There ya go. Set it in stone, lol. By the way, Chicago and Detroit could easily flip the other way.. basically I think the top six teams in the East will be the only teams that look like they could compete against Western teams to possibly win in the Finals.

[bhnole 153]

The is a lot more talent in the East than last year, but none of these teams have a lot of roster depth.

 

Injuries will play a major factor on who does well.

 

Detroit, Boston, New Jersey, Cleveland, Miami, and New York are all relying on older vets or injury prone players to compete this year.

 

A key injury to any team in the East outside of Chicago (deepest roster in the East) can easily put them outside of the playoffs.

 

With the East being more balanced, the healthiest teams will likely be the best.

[MilitaryMagic 0]

ABT (about dam time) a media article speaks some truth.

 

Orlando is more or less a lock for the playoffs, there's no way we're taking a step back next season.

 

Teams like Miami, Washington, and New Jersey are much more likely to be taking steps back. These are three teams that have zero depth aroudn their stars and are most likely to fall out of contention if they lose any of their stars.