I am sure you have been inundated with various media, blogs, newspapers all telling you how the season will unfold, and ranking the various divisions and conferences. While I would like to change it up and innovate something new, but I will not.
Here is how I think the Eastern Conference will look:
1. Orlando Magic
The magic are the deepest and most talented team in the Eastern Conference. Like many of the other top teams they made a big splash by adding a top level talent in Vince Carter. However, it is moves like acquiring Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson, Matt Barnes and Jason Williams to add to the depth of players like Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus and Jameer Nelson (back to full health) that will make this team one of the toughest to beat in the league.
2. Boston Celtics
I have flip flopped on this team for most of the summer but seeing Kevin Garnett back at full strength along with another season of development for Rajon Rondo and Glen 'Big Baby' Davis would be enough to propel them into the top 3. The additions of Marquis Daniels and Rasheed Wallace eliminates their biggest weakness; depth.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
This is a huge gamble for Danny Ferry (Cavs General Manager) at a time where he had to try to do something to put the Cavs over the edge and hope that a Larry O'Brien trophy will bring LeBron back. This could be a colossal failure, or the missing piece that will propel the team to a championship. Look for injuries and a feeling out process to limit regular season wins but also look for the Cavs to be the most feared team in the playoffs.
4. Atlanta Hawks
This is another team that made a gamble of sorts when they acquired Jamal Crawford. All signs point to the fact that he is embracing his role of coming off the bench and is just looking to help the team. This is a team with no mental toughness though, and if things start to go south the personalities on the team could shut down any chance of success. The talent level is very good, and continued success over the last few years has proven they are not a fluke.
5. Chicago Bulls
The loss of Ben Gordon will hurt the Bulls the most in the playoffs. During the regular season their depth at the wing position with Hinrich, Salmons along with a healthy Luol Deng and the addition of rookie James Johnson should make up for the loss of Gordon. Look for that group of wings to provide more then enough scoring with the frontline providing the defense and an improved Derrik Rose running the point that will all make for a successful 2009/10 campaign.
6. Toronto Raptors
If the stars align and all things come together properly the Raptors could be as high as the 4 seed, they could also be as low as 10 or 11 though. Due to injuries and players missing time to rest the Raptors are a little behind schedule as far as conditioning and cohesion are concerned. Unfortunately the month of November is one of their hardest months. If the Raptors can stay afloat early in the season they could be poised to make a run for the top half of the conference. The first line will score, the second line will defend, but if the two cannot learn to do the others role with any consistency the Raptors could be in trouble.
7. Washington Wizards
Will their version of the big three finally make it through a season together healthy? That is the only key to their success and considering Antawn Jamison is already hurt, it says here they won't. However unlike other years the added depth of Mike Miller and Randy Foye along with the development of Andre Blatche and JaVale McGee will be able to keep them afloat through any minor injuries.
8. Indiana Pacers
This is a team that has more talent then their record has reflected over the last few years. I expect them to finally stay healthy (Mike Dunleavy) and put it together this year to be a very scary team night to night. Troy Murphy might be one of the most underrated big men in the league and with the added depth of rookie Tyler Hansbrough and what I expect will be a big year for Roy Hibbert the Pacers' front-court will be a strength. Do not forget about Danny Granger and the unsung addition of Earl Watson to make up for the loss of Jarrett Jack.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers will have a lot of athleticism with Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Marreese Speights, and Thaddeus Young. They will have scoring with Lou Williams, Willie Green and Jrue Holiday. However they have a high priced piece that doesn't fit in Elton Brand and no one to run the show since Andre Miller left for Portland. Those critical issues will kill them down the stretch of games.
10. Detroit Pistons
Detroit is stuck in the middle of an identity crisis. From the old regime that was based on team work and defense you have Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace. From the new regime of youth and scoring you have Chuck Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. This team may still be good, but it will take time for youth to develop and define the team identity.
11. Miami Heat
Expect Dwayne Wade to do everything humanly possible to make it work, expect development from Mike Beasley but also expect Jermaine O'Neal to continue to be often injured and a shell of a player he once was, and expect Quentin Richardson to enjoy himself in South Beach.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
The additions of Carlos Delfino and rookie Brandon Jennings to help Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut but the supporting cast just doesn't have enough to over compensate for the losses of Ramon Sessions and Chuck Villanueva.
13. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats went on a nice run toward the end of the season but they have two scoring point guards in Augustine and Felton, one of their best players is a walking injury in Gerald Wallace, Boris Diaw has come into this season out of shape and anyone that tells me from a basketball standpoint trading Okafor for Chandler was a good move is a little loopy.
14. New York Knicks
Might be an interesting team to watch with the likes of Nate Robinson (who they didn't really want) and David Lee (who they didn't really want) and Danilo Gallinari (who cannot stay healthy) but they have already decided to sit this season out and hope that someone will want to come to their franchise because it's in New York.
15. New Jersey Nets
Their only hope is the Russians.
- J.Moore
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