2008 NBA Preview: Eastern Conference
Normally, I would insert a joke about the East being the "Leastern Conference" and talk about how badly they suck. Even yesterday I would have done that. But when I sat down and did my research, I was shocked at the result.
"Hmmmmmmm...", I thought. "Am I high, or is the East not that bad this year?"
It's really not. Let me put it this way: the East is more level than the West is. Far more level. The top Four in the West (tomorrow!) are far and away better than the best in the East. But the West really bottoms out after 6 or 8 teams, where as the East really only has one or two terrible teams. It's a marked improvement from last year.
The East still has a long way to go to compete for a title. But...for the first time in a few years, I feel like they are moving in the right direction.
As always, predictions for the final regular season standings, in reverse order:
They're trying, but it's all going to go horribly, horribly wrong for these teams.
15) Milwaukee Bucks
I want to like Milwaukee. I don't know why I do, but I really do. But their best player can score and does absolutely nothing else, their point guard who they vastly overpaid for screams, "CONTRACT YEAR AND I'LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!", and the rest of their lineup is full of mediocre and oft-injured players. Oh, except for the 7'1" 100 pound Chinese guy who refused to play there all summer and who they've promised 25 minutes a night to.
This is going to end very, very badly.
14) New York Knicks
Ah, old faithful. The Knicks at the bottom. Yes, they traded for more talent in Zach Randolph...you know what. Nevermind. I could list the litany of reasons the Knicks are going to suck, but why bother? Just trust me: they're going to suck.
13) Indiana Pacers
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Their best player--who isn't a very good "best player"--still wants to be traded. Somehow...and for the love of everything that is holy, I still can't figure out how...their point guard is still Jamaal Tinsley. This literally blows my mind. How have they not gotten rid of him by now? Forget Ron Ron...he is the killer of this team over the years.
If Danny Granger makes a leap, which is a possibility, and if Marquis Daniels improves from his best Mavericks years, which he should do, then this team might finish a spot or two higher. But those are two big "ifs". Far more likely that O'Neal is traded during the season and this ends up being one of the worst teams this year and the worst team next year.
Frisky...but a year or two away
12) Philadelphia 76ers
I like Iggy. I really do. I think he's going to be an All Star in this league. I think Rodney Carney might have a little something in the future. I think Kyle Korver is a good player to have on a good team. I think Andre Miller is a solid point guard in this league.
That's about it. And that does not make a playoff team. This is a young team that plays hard with pride and passion, but they are 2-3 starters aways from being a good team.
11) Charlotte Bobcats
A lot of people are saying this is Charlotte's year. Maybe...maybe. But I don't think so. I think they're still a year away. If any of the teams in the next class slip, Charlotte will be ready to take their spot. I like the J-Rich trade; even though I think he's overrated as a player, he's the scorer and veteran leader this team needs. I think they're moving up, and honestly I wouldn't be surprised at all if they finish two or three spots higher. But I just don't think they're in the playoffs yet.
Also, I find it hilarious that Jared Dudley--yeah, I don't know who he is either--is ranked above Adam Morrison on the depth chart. Take it from a white boy, NEVER go with the white boy who cries. Ever. Never ever ever. I don't care how good he was in college. Why do people keep doing that?
Potentially good teams with some big question marks
10) Atlanta Hawks
A lot of people have the Hawks as a sleeper team this year. That could very well be true, I say. However...(that's right, its time, the moment you've been waiting for...THE FIRST BULLET POINT LIST! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!)
* I like Anthony Johnson...but as a starting point guard? That's a little hard to swallow. I like Acie Law, but a rookie point guard leading a team to the playoffs? That's a little hard to swallow.
* I know Josh Smith has the tools to do it all...but really? You're going to count on Josh Smith for an entire season? Are you sure?
* I know that Chad Ford is still saying Marvin Williams is going to be a stud...but really? Did you see anything that made you think last year he was anything other than an average player on a bad team?
* I know everyone is high on Al Horford...but really? You want TWO rookies to lead your team to the playoffs now?
Don't get me wrong; I see what everyone likes in this team. But let's give em a year. Let's let the rookies get their feet wet. Let's let the underachieving players reach expectations and play hard all year. Next year let's get excited about this as a legit playoff team. This year...they'll play hard, look good some nights, look bad others, be an outside shot for the playoffs as the season goes on, and just not quite make it at the end.
Next year, if things go right this year, I'll be excited about this team.
9)Orlando Magic
The Magic to me are the embodiment of two steps forward, three steps back. God bless them. They try so hard. But...Keith Bogans is their starting shooting guard. Yes. Keith Bogans.
I'm sorry, but I just can't do it. I don't care if they spent $100 million on Rashard Lewis, who's only a marginal upgrade over Grant Hill last year (and I like Rashard Lewis). I don't care if Dwight Howard has supposedly added an impressive array of offensive moves to his repertoire, even though I was watching him play for Team USA less than two months ago and saw none of these. In fact, I saw him get outplayed by Tyson Chandler. But whatever. I don't care if Jameer Nelson is in a contract year, and he's playing for his possibly murdered father's memory, and this is the year who puts it together, even though he's still a hopelessly undersized two guard playing point guard. I don't care about all that.
I can't put a team that has Keith Bogans as its starting two guard in the playoffs. I just can't.
8) Miami Heat
I can't believe I'm writing this, but I really do like the Antoine Walker for Ricky Davis & Mark Blount trade. Look, this team had a serious lack of talent. This isn't any earth-shattering news. It had old, washed up veterans who may have been good once, but don't bring shit to the table anymore. So they traded the founder of the Antoine Walker Most Overrated Player Award for a 1) crazy but incredibly talented veteran who I can see responding to two supremely talented players/leaders, even if one is over the hill, and 2) a lazy but somewhat talented player who will play harder and put up decent numbers because Shaq will eat him if he doesn't.
I don't think D Wade and Shaq can make the playoffs. But I do think Shaq, D Wade, and Ricky Davis can make the playoffs. End of story.
It's Agent 0's contract year, so fucking anything could happen.
7) Washington Wizards
I'm almost giddy to watch the Wizards, because I'm not kidding. ANYTHING could happen. Gilbert could take his game to another level, which means he goes from being a poor man's Kobe to just as good as Kobe, except with better leadership skills in a worse conference. Or, he could try too hard, it all falls apart, he kills one of his teammates (odds on it's either Brendon Haywood or Etan Thomas...or both), and has a nervous breakdown and never plays basketball again. I swear I could honestly see either happening.
Either way, this team could finish four spots lower, or four spots higher. Just sit back and enjoy the ride people.
Legitimately good teams.
6)Toronto Raptors
Basically, the Raptors are the same team they were last year, except this season they won't sneak up on anybody. They finished fourth (remember, I don't do the gay division format, I do by overall record), and that will cause them to drop a coupla spots in a tight upper echelon.
5) Cleveland Cavaliers
This season just feels wrong to me for the Cavs. They're a year older, and that's not good. They fucked with two of their top 6 players contractually, and now they're showing up not happy. They've made absolutely no changes from the previous year, while everyone else has improved. I just feel like this season ends up being a mess for this team.
They should finish higher, but my gut says they won't.
4) New Jesey Nets
I like this Nets team, and I think there will be three teams that have a legit shot of winning the East come season's end: the Nets, the Celtics, and the Pistons. Then why am I putting the Nets below the Bulls? Because I think they are going to have to get used to having Nenad Kristic back, and that's going to cost them a coupla games early on in the season. And when every team in this area is separated by only 1-2 games, I think it will end up causing them to slip a spot or two. But I feel good about them; I think they stay healthy this year and make some noise.
3) Chicago Bulls
The opposite is true for Chicago. I'm not near as high on them as everyone else. They have a ton of talent, yes. But this team still can't score if the jumpers aren't falling. That means they will have some pretty good regular season success, but they'll hit a point in the season where they go on a pretty big slide when they all go cold at once. This is basketball 101.
Also, I think the Kobe saga is going to surround this team all season long, and it's going to affect their play. At this point the ENTIRE FRICKING TEAM is being rumored to be traded, and that is NEVER good for team morale. The Bulls need to give an ultimatum to the Lakers, and if they don't take it, then just say, "We're out; the team stays as is" otherwise the players will be playing looking over their shoulders all season long.
2) Boston Celtics
I think next year Boston wins the whole thing. And I think if Sam Cassell succeeds in convincing the Clippers to buy him out (can't you see him coming to Elgin Baylor today and saying, "Look, just buy me out now, before I have to throw a fit and make your life miserable for the next 3 months" as KG's ring keeps going off on his cell phone and Elgin just sits there, dazed and confused? It's hilarious in my mind, trust me.) early enough in the season, this team could win it all. But...they're going to need a half a season for all the pieces to get used to each other. I think that the Big Three will mesh great and end up feeding off each other really well, but Rome wasn't built in a day. It'll take a little time.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the roster of this team. So what if Rondo can't shoot; you have one of the best shooters in the history of the game at the 2. James Posey is a solid veteran who does all the dirty work. I still think Glen Davis landed in the perfect situation, as KG will keep his fat ass in shape and he'll actually be able to use his talent. And if Tony Allen recovers from his knee injury and continues on his success last season (you know how I feel about him, that's a HUGE if), then that's a pretty good bench.
Add one or two more veterans hungry for a title...and watch out for this team. GO KG!!!!
1) Detroit Pistons
I'm not a huge Pistons fan, but I just don't see anyone who has improved enough to overthrow the Pistons, especially in the regular season. I do think Rasheed is going to have a better season this year than last, and if Jason Maxiell continues to improve and Amir Johnson, Jarvis Hayes, or Rodney Stuckey are able to give you anything, then this team will be as dangerous as ever.
Tomorrow...the Western Conference, and my beloved Dallas Mavericks.
"Hmmmmmmm...", I thought. "Am I high, or is the East not that bad this year?"
It's really not. Let me put it this way: the East is more level than the West is. Far more level. The top Four in the West (tomorrow!) are far and away better than the best in the East. But the West really bottoms out after 6 or 8 teams, where as the East really only has one or two terrible teams. It's a marked improvement from last year.
The East still has a long way to go to compete for a title. But...for the first time in a few years, I feel like they are moving in the right direction.
As always, predictions for the final regular season standings, in reverse order:
They're trying, but it's all going to go horribly, horribly wrong for these teams.
15) Milwaukee Bucks
I want to like Milwaukee. I don't know why I do, but I really do. But their best player can score and does absolutely nothing else, their point guard who they vastly overpaid for screams, "CONTRACT YEAR AND I'LL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!", and the rest of their lineup is full of mediocre and oft-injured players. Oh, except for the 7'1" 100 pound Chinese guy who refused to play there all summer and who they've promised 25 minutes a night to.
This is going to end very, very badly.
14) New York Knicks
Ah, old faithful. The Knicks at the bottom. Yes, they traded for more talent in Zach Randolph...you know what. Nevermind. I could list the litany of reasons the Knicks are going to suck, but why bother? Just trust me: they're going to suck.
13) Indiana Pacers
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Their best player--who isn't a very good "best player"--still wants to be traded. Somehow...and for the love of everything that is holy, I still can't figure out how...their point guard is still Jamaal Tinsley. This literally blows my mind. How have they not gotten rid of him by now? Forget Ron Ron...he is the killer of this team over the years.
If Danny Granger makes a leap, which is a possibility, and if Marquis Daniels improves from his best Mavericks years, which he should do, then this team might finish a spot or two higher. But those are two big "ifs". Far more likely that O'Neal is traded during the season and this ends up being one of the worst teams this year and the worst team next year.
Frisky...but a year or two away
12) Philadelphia 76ers
I like Iggy. I really do. I think he's going to be an All Star in this league. I think Rodney Carney might have a little something in the future. I think Kyle Korver is a good player to have on a good team. I think Andre Miller is a solid point guard in this league.
That's about it. And that does not make a playoff team. This is a young team that plays hard with pride and passion, but they are 2-3 starters aways from being a good team.
11) Charlotte Bobcats
A lot of people are saying this is Charlotte's year. Maybe...maybe. But I don't think so. I think they're still a year away. If any of the teams in the next class slip, Charlotte will be ready to take their spot. I like the J-Rich trade; even though I think he's overrated as a player, he's the scorer and veteran leader this team needs. I think they're moving up, and honestly I wouldn't be surprised at all if they finish two or three spots higher. But I just don't think they're in the playoffs yet.
Also, I find it hilarious that Jared Dudley--yeah, I don't know who he is either--is ranked above Adam Morrison on the depth chart. Take it from a white boy, NEVER go with the white boy who cries. Ever. Never ever ever. I don't care how good he was in college. Why do people keep doing that?
Potentially good teams with some big question marks
10) Atlanta Hawks
A lot of people have the Hawks as a sleeper team this year. That could very well be true, I say. However...(that's right, its time, the moment you've been waiting for...THE FIRST BULLET POINT LIST! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!)
* I like Anthony Johnson...but as a starting point guard? That's a little hard to swallow. I like Acie Law, but a rookie point guard leading a team to the playoffs? That's a little hard to swallow.
* I know Josh Smith has the tools to do it all...but really? You're going to count on Josh Smith for an entire season? Are you sure?
* I know that Chad Ford is still saying Marvin Williams is going to be a stud...but really? Did you see anything that made you think last year he was anything other than an average player on a bad team?
* I know everyone is high on Al Horford...but really? You want TWO rookies to lead your team to the playoffs now?
Don't get me wrong; I see what everyone likes in this team. But let's give em a year. Let's let the rookies get their feet wet. Let's let the underachieving players reach expectations and play hard all year. Next year let's get excited about this as a legit playoff team. This year...they'll play hard, look good some nights, look bad others, be an outside shot for the playoffs as the season goes on, and just not quite make it at the end.
Next year, if things go right this year, I'll be excited about this team.
9)Orlando Magic
The Magic to me are the embodiment of two steps forward, three steps back. God bless them. They try so hard. But...Keith Bogans is their starting shooting guard. Yes. Keith Bogans.
I'm sorry, but I just can't do it. I don't care if they spent $100 million on Rashard Lewis, who's only a marginal upgrade over Grant Hill last year (and I like Rashard Lewis). I don't care if Dwight Howard has supposedly added an impressive array of offensive moves to his repertoire, even though I was watching him play for Team USA less than two months ago and saw none of these. In fact, I saw him get outplayed by Tyson Chandler. But whatever. I don't care if Jameer Nelson is in a contract year, and he's playing for his possibly murdered father's memory, and this is the year who puts it together, even though he's still a hopelessly undersized two guard playing point guard. I don't care about all that.
I can't put a team that has Keith Bogans as its starting two guard in the playoffs. I just can't.
8) Miami Heat
I can't believe I'm writing this, but I really do like the Antoine Walker for Ricky Davis & Mark Blount trade. Look, this team had a serious lack of talent. This isn't any earth-shattering news. It had old, washed up veterans who may have been good once, but don't bring shit to the table anymore. So they traded the founder of the Antoine Walker Most Overrated Player Award for a 1) crazy but incredibly talented veteran who I can see responding to two supremely talented players/leaders, even if one is over the hill, and 2) a lazy but somewhat talented player who will play harder and put up decent numbers because Shaq will eat him if he doesn't.
I don't think D Wade and Shaq can make the playoffs. But I do think Shaq, D Wade, and Ricky Davis can make the playoffs. End of story.
It's Agent 0's contract year, so fucking anything could happen.
7) Washington Wizards
I'm almost giddy to watch the Wizards, because I'm not kidding. ANYTHING could happen. Gilbert could take his game to another level, which means he goes from being a poor man's Kobe to just as good as Kobe, except with better leadership skills in a worse conference. Or, he could try too hard, it all falls apart, he kills one of his teammates (odds on it's either Brendon Haywood or Etan Thomas...or both), and has a nervous breakdown and never plays basketball again. I swear I could honestly see either happening.
Either way, this team could finish four spots lower, or four spots higher. Just sit back and enjoy the ride people.
Legitimately good teams.
6)Toronto Raptors
Basically, the Raptors are the same team they were last year, except this season they won't sneak up on anybody. They finished fourth (remember, I don't do the gay division format, I do by overall record), and that will cause them to drop a coupla spots in a tight upper echelon.
5) Cleveland Cavaliers
This season just feels wrong to me for the Cavs. They're a year older, and that's not good. They fucked with two of their top 6 players contractually, and now they're showing up not happy. They've made absolutely no changes from the previous year, while everyone else has improved. I just feel like this season ends up being a mess for this team.
They should finish higher, but my gut says they won't.
4) New Jesey Nets
I like this Nets team, and I think there will be three teams that have a legit shot of winning the East come season's end: the Nets, the Celtics, and the Pistons. Then why am I putting the Nets below the Bulls? Because I think they are going to have to get used to having Nenad Kristic back, and that's going to cost them a coupla games early on in the season. And when every team in this area is separated by only 1-2 games, I think it will end up causing them to slip a spot or two. But I feel good about them; I think they stay healthy this year and make some noise.
3) Chicago Bulls
The opposite is true for Chicago. I'm not near as high on them as everyone else. They have a ton of talent, yes. But this team still can't score if the jumpers aren't falling. That means they will have some pretty good regular season success, but they'll hit a point in the season where they go on a pretty big slide when they all go cold at once. This is basketball 101.
Also, I think the Kobe saga is going to surround this team all season long, and it's going to affect their play. At this point the ENTIRE FRICKING TEAM is being rumored to be traded, and that is NEVER good for team morale. The Bulls need to give an ultimatum to the Lakers, and if they don't take it, then just say, "We're out; the team stays as is" otherwise the players will be playing looking over their shoulders all season long.
2) Boston Celtics
I think next year Boston wins the whole thing. And I think if Sam Cassell succeeds in convincing the Clippers to buy him out (can't you see him coming to Elgin Baylor today and saying, "Look, just buy me out now, before I have to throw a fit and make your life miserable for the next 3 months" as KG's ring keeps going off on his cell phone and Elgin just sits there, dazed and confused? It's hilarious in my mind, trust me.) early enough in the season, this team could win it all. But...they're going to need a half a season for all the pieces to get used to each other. I think that the Big Three will mesh great and end up feeding off each other really well, but Rome wasn't built in a day. It'll take a little time.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the roster of this team. So what if Rondo can't shoot; you have one of the best shooters in the history of the game at the 2. James Posey is a solid veteran who does all the dirty work. I still think Glen Davis landed in the perfect situation, as KG will keep his fat ass in shape and he'll actually be able to use his talent. And if Tony Allen recovers from his knee injury and continues on his success last season (you know how I feel about him, that's a HUGE if), then that's a pretty good bench.
Add one or two more veterans hungry for a title...and watch out for this team. GO KG!!!!
1) Detroit Pistons
I'm not a huge Pistons fan, but I just don't see anyone who has improved enough to overthrow the Pistons, especially in the regular season. I do think Rasheed is going to have a better season this year than last, and if Jason Maxiell continues to improve and Amir Johnson, Jarvis Hayes, or Rodney Stuckey are able to give you anything, then this team will be as dangerous as ever.
Tomorrow...the Western Conference, and my beloved Dallas Mavericks.
Labels: NBA Preseason
posted by Michael Pondrom at 10:52 PM
3 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
Very nice as always, a safe call for Detroit at 1, but I can't go with any Flip Saunders coached team to win the conference. I think the Celtics are not only 1, but they're 1 and you move everyone else down about 4 spots leaving an empty 2,3,4 and 5.
KG got a #1 in the West with Cassell and Sprewell, and now he's got 2 borderline Hall-of-Famers. I think Ray Allen is still the 3rd best SG in the league behind Kobe and Wade.
I expect the Celtics to clinch homecourt for the entire playoffs. As Barkley has said, the Rockets trio of Hakeem, Charles and Scottie were all past their primes, and each of the Big Three is now in their prime. It's coming.... Celtics/Spurs in the Finals for one of the most epic battles since the 80s.
And on the other end of the spectrum, Jim O'Brien has a real knack for extracting good play from mediocre talent. I think the Pacers are going to be better than expectations.
Set the breakout watch for: Andrea Bargnani!
Just tell Rajon to get Ray the rock! Nice post. Toronto has great fans and they should finish better than sixth. Please set low expectations for the Nugz.
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