Here’s my forecast for the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
Yes, it’s that time of year again! The NBA season is back and the Warriors road to the three-peat is underway. There’s a lot to unpack so let’s just straight into it, starting with the Eastern Conference.
1. Celtics- The Celtics are the most well-rounded team in the East after making waves in the playoffs without two All-Star caliber players. They reloaded and got healthy this offseason. If everyone stays healthy come playoff time, this is the team to beat in the East.
2. Raptors- Toronto has a lot to prove with the addition of Leonard. I still think they’re one of the top teams in the East and, if Leonard returns to his pre-injury form, this team can compete for a championship this season.
3. 76ers- Philly is still a very young team. They’ve started to fill in the gaps and grow into their roles. Fultz looks to be playable and Ben Simmons is an All-Star talent. With Embiid and Covington taking another step forward, Philly has the ability to match up with the top teams in the league.
4. Bucks- Giannis is a top 5 player and Milwaukee has solid pieces behind him. The Bucks just need to find a way to build successfully around these young guys. Then they will be ready to compete. But I don’t think they’ve done enough yet to make that jump.
5. Wizards- Washington still has Wall, Beal, and Porter. They’ll make another run for the playoffs. But the addition of Dwight Howard is not nearly enough to make this team interesting for me, and I don’t see this team making much noise.
6. Pacers- Hopefully, Oladipo can keep building on what we saw from him last season. Turner is a solid big man who can hold his own with anyone in the paint. Hopefully, not having to play LeBron as much will give them the extra wins they need to get back into the playoffs.
7. Hornets- Kemba stuck around. Dwight Howard left. They added Tony Parker and Miles Bridges and both should be contributors this season. The Hornets have won 36 games in each of the past two years, earning 7-seed status. I think they will improve from last year if a couple of other teams regress. That, if it happens, should be enough for them to get in.
8. Cavaliers- Losing LeBron may be tough to overcome, but…. Kevin Love is one of the top power forwards in the East. Colin Sexton will be a ROY candidate. They also have many playable guys, from Hood to Hill and from Nance to Korver. While they don’t have the star power or the takeover-the-game threat they’ve had in the past, this team has too many good pieces not to find themselves in the playoff race come spring.
The Playoffs
Opening Round
Celtics-Cavs: Celtics in 5. It’s not really too hard to figure out this one. Celtics are too good and, while I like what the Cavs have, it’s not enough to be a real threat.
Raptors-Hornets: Raptors in 5. I don’t think the Hornets have what it takes to make a playoff run. Parker is too old. Bridges is too young. Kemba may not even be there come playoff time.
76ers-Pacers: 76ers in 6. The Pacers are my dark horse team this year. To help them compete against the Celtics and Sizers, I could see them making a push around the trade deadline to get that one last piece. I don’t know what that move will be and, until I see it happen, I can’t in confidence go with the Pacers.
Bucks-Wizards: Bucks in 7. If the Wizards play up to their potential this season, then they can be a pretty good team. The same goes for the more talented Bucks team. Giannis could very well win the MVP. I see the Bucks having too much for a Wizards, who lost the rim-protecting ability of Dwight.
Round 2 (Boston v. Milwaukee and Raptors v. 76ers)
Celtics-Bucks: Celtics in 6. I like what the Bucks can do, but I don’t know who on this team guards a guy like Tatum or Hayward. The quick athletic wings are too much for slower guys, like Thon Maker. I could see Giannis bringing in a game all by himself, but ultimately he’s not going to be enough for them to take a full series away from Boston.
Raptors-76ers: 76ers in 7. This would be an ‘all-time’ series right here. The Raptors have so much potential with Lowry, Leonard, OG, Green, Ibaka, Monroe, and … well … everyone else. If it all comes together, this team can be scary. On the flip side–and with another year under their belt–the 76ers have more available. Simmons is gaining confidence in his shot. Fultz remembered how to shoot a basketball. The rest of their team has a lot of talent. This team should be something special.
Final (Boston v. Philadelphia)
Two great teams with a young core are ready to make the leap to the championship level — now that LeBron’s stranglehold on the East is over. So which team takes the throne?
Boston just seems to have Philly’s number. They match up well, but just have a bit more experience and leadership. Kyrie Irving will be the best player in this series, and I am not sure Philly can keep up with him. Tatum, if he can build on last year, will take this league by storm. I see him in the MVP discussion in the next three to five years. Between those strong starters and the deep bench of role players–Smart, Rozier, Morris, and Baynes–this team can compete for a ring this season.
Boston in 6.
