Here is how I predict the 2009-2010 season will unfold in the Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1. Boston Celtics
With a healthy and hungry Kevin Garnett the Celtics will end the season atop the Atlantic Division as well as the Eastern Conference. After adding Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels this off-season I see the Celtics ready to rip back their NBA crown.
2. Toronto Raptors
Chris Bosh should be on a mission to prove that he is one of the premier forwards in the league and in doing so would bring the Raptors back to the playoffs after a very disappointing 33-49 record last year. Adding sharpshooter Hedo Turkoglu will provide more firepower in an offense that already features Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Antoine Wright, and the rookie DeMar Derozan.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are one of the East’s rising powers and with their high-flyer Andre Iguodala I expect them to come in third in the Atlantic Division. I do not foresee the Sixers making the playoffs this year unless Elton Brand stays healthy and has a 14.8 million dollar worth year. If not, the Sixers will land just outside of the eighth seed.
4. New Jersey Nets
After trading star veteran Vince Carter I have a hard time seeing the Nets having a successful season this year. They have some fantastic role players in Sean Williams, Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, and Devin Harris. But they don't have a go to guy, many speculate that they are clearing that slot for the MVP LeBron James. But until then, the Nets will find themselves well outside of the playoffs.
5. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks will once again be a bottom feeder in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have middle of the pack role players and nobody that even resembles a leader. When Darko Milicic is your starting center then you know you have some big problems. After leaving the Phoenix Suns, a potent offense with star players; I expect that Mike D'Antoni is seeking some sort of professional help dealing with his current roster, as would anyone.
Central Division
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are arguably the most interesting team in the NBA going into this season; many are interested to see how King James and Shaquille O'Neal (The big witness?) are going to fair together. Personally I think that the Cavs are going to go about as far as they did last year ultimately losing in the conference finals to the Boston Celtics. The Cavs have an extremely deep cast including Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Shaq, Jamario Moon, Delonte West, and Anderson Varejao to go along with LeBron James.
2. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are a team that will be in the playoffs and go to probably the second round, but they have no real shot at the championship. Rising point guard Derrick Rose is expected to make the leap from rookie to superstar and I don't doubt that for one second. The Bulls lost 20 PPG when they lost Ben Gordon to the conference rival Detroit Pistons. However I don't think that his departure will hurt as bad as people are expecting it to, his 20 PPG will be easily distributed among Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and John Salmons. In addition, with Gordon gone I expect that Rose will be taking a lot more shots than he did last year. In the end I give the Bulls one or two more years before they are ready to legitimately contend for the title.
3. Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a good team, they will be relevant and most likely will make some noise in the playoffs, unfortunately for them (much like the Bulls) they don't have what it takes to match up with the Celtics, the Cavs, or the Magic. Adding the streaky scoring Ben Gordon helped their cause but they have yet to see the destruction that he can cause with a basketball. He can shoot you in and out of games, he's capable of bringing you back from the dead and burying you at the exact same time. It just depends which Ben Gordon shows up.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are a mediocre team, they have an all star in Michael Redd and an exciting rookie point guard in Brandon Jennings but they don't have what it takes to make the playoffs this season. Flat out they just aren't talented enough to battle with the Bulls, or Pistons let alone the big 3.
5. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers stink; they have absolutely nobody other than Danny Granger and T.J. Ford. They will be a high lottery team next year and I will be shocked if they win over 30 games.
Southeast Division
1. Orlando Magic
After being eliminated from the NBA finals at the hands of the Lakers, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson waited around to watch the Lakers celebrate on the Magic logo. I think that being so close will only make Howard want it more and after acquiring Vince Carter, the Magic now have their own big 3 in Howard, Carter, and (Rashard) Lewis. However this big three is not as good as the real big three which resides in Boston and for this reason the Magic will not be making a trip back to the Finals this year and not even the Eastern Conference Finals. To get back they are going to have to get maximum performance out of Howard and Carter for seven games and I just can't see that happening against the Celts or the Cavs.
2. Miami Heat
Dwyane Wade is the best guard in the Eastern Conference, when he gets going not many players can stop him. After having a season under their belts I expect Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers to BOTH have big seasons. Many people seem to unfairly look over Chalmers who is a very talented young point guard who also fits extremely well in the Heat's system. I expect the Heat to be right in the mix of things for the 4-8 slots with the Bulls, Hawks, Raptors, and Pistons.
3. Atlanta Hawks
In a seven game series the Atlanta Hawks are as dangerous as anyone out there, those booming dunks by Josh Smith electrify the crowd in the ATL and they make it an extremely hard place to win for other teams. The Hawks are a bubble team and they will most likely make the playoffs, however they are yet another team that has no legitimate shot at the title. Also I expect big things out of Center Al Horford, if he plays up to my expectations the Hawks will be a formidable playoff adversary to any Eastern Conference team.
4. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are a very interesting team to me heading into this season. On paper they are very good but I'm not sure that this team will be able to play together. Back from injury, Gilbert Arenas will be looking to re-establish himself as a force in this league. However in the process he will be hurting his own team. If they play as a team and share the ball they will be in contention for the eighth seed. They have many weapons in Arenas, Mike Miller, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Brandon Haywood. In the end I don't foresee this team clicking and for that reason they are the fourth seed in their division and will not be a playoff team this year.
5. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats have a very talented wingman in Gerald Wallace and a solid surrounding cast but much like the Nets they have no go to guy. They are the worst team in their division and they will be one of the worst teams in the Conference. If LeBron James is considering moving then the Bobcats should be on his radar because if you put LeBron with Wallace and had the Bobcats bench you would have yourself a championship contender. However in my opinion LeBron should stay put and stop whining.
Seeding:
1. Boston Celtics
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Orlando Magic
- Miami Heat
- Chicago Bulls
- Detroit Pistons
- Toronto Raptors
- Atlanta Hawks
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Cavs over Bulls in 5 games
Celtics over Magic in 6 games
Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics over Cavs in 7 games
NBA Finals
Celtics over Lakers in 5 games
