The NBA regular season is upon us. Stars are in their new threads. Rookies are adapting to their new systems. Most of all, story-lines are already heating up. If I asked you who’s going to win the NBA championship, the immediate answer is the Golden State Warriors. If I asked you to rank the teams in the East, then it gets a little harder.
Yes, there are the Raptors and the Celtics, but the conference is much deeper than that. Almost all the teams in the East have legit arguments for a playoff spot. We look to see what gives certain teams a chance for a playoff spot in the East while predicting some seeding as well.
This Eastern Conference preview is split into two parts. Everyone knows or predicts the same top-three teams in the east, but they’ll still be previewed. After those teams, it gets more interesting. It seems like there are five non-obvious playoff spots up for grabs.
#4 Seed – Indiana Pacers
The Pacers ended their season with 48 wins and a game-7 loss to the LeBron-led Cavaliers. This summer, they had one of the most underrated free agent pick-ups in Tyreke Evans. Injuries had him playing only 52 games last season. Nonetheless, the 19 PPG scorer adds to an already deep and slept on Pacers team. After averaging 24 PPG last season, Victor Oladipo is only getting better. Along with him comes the young Myles Turner who’s looking to cement his name as one of the best young big men in the league.
Furthermore with this talented team comes some great bench pieces, Domantas Sabonis, Cory Joseph, and Daren Collison (assuming Oladipo and Evans start in the backcourt). This Pacers team is primed for at least a second-round appearance but never say never in regards to the conference finals.
#5 Seed – Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks always seem to be in the race for a top-three seed in the east, then they underperform. After settling for the seventh-seed last year, this team looks ready for a promising Eastern Conference run.
With all due respect, Jason Kidd is a terrible coach and that paid dividends in his time in Milwaukee. With new coach Mike Budenholzer, who’s no stranger to the top of the East, Giannis and Co. are only getting better. SF Giannis Antetokounmpo has increased his PPG average in every season of his career so far. Not only is last season’s 27 PPG average more than likely to increase, but Giannis is a surefire MVP candidate.
What makes the Bucks special are the pieces around him. Midrange sharpshooter, Khris Middleton returns after averaging a solid 20 PPG last season. Youth also prevails with this team with former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon coming back as well. Talent surrounds this team with Matthew Dellavedova, Thon Maker, Eric Bledsoe, and Shabazz Muhammad. Not to mention the great free agent pickup in Brook Lopez who was much needed at the center position. Giannis and the Bucks will make noise in the east. Watch out.
#6 Seed – Washington Wizards
The Wizards are always that team that people say are slept on and to “watch out” for. Maybe it actually remains true here. PG John Wall has been putting in work. John Wall can rise up as a top-five point guard if he turns into the 20-10 threat we know him for. For this team to really work John Wall can’t be the leading scorer, it must be Bradley Beal. He’s a proven scorer who has shown he can create his own shots on the floor. Otto Porter Jr. is another player who must rise as a top scorer as well.
Then comes Dwight Howard, who was an excellent free agent pickup for this team. The pick-and-roll sequences between him and Wall will be lethal. With an elite point guard in John Wall, maybe we’ll see flashbacks of the old Dwight.
The bench provides Austin Rivers, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Jeff Green among others. Every year it’s the same story with this team but have some faith this year. This Wizards team can definitely compete with the other two teams on this list.
#7 Seed – Miami Heat
They’re not one of the best teams, but they’re certainly not one of the worst. The Heat are good, but it’ll take a lot for them to put up a big fight in the East. However, I do think they’ll secure a playoff spot in the East. It won’t be easy. Miami comes back from a 44-win season and a five-game playoff series loss to the 76ers. The story for the Heat this season will, of course, be Dwyane Wade’s last ride.
Will his last season overshadow Miami’s success? Besides Wade, Miami has good players all around. Hassan Whiteside is not a top-10 center but will get the job done on the defensive side of the ball. Goran Dragic will provide above average scoring for this Heat team as well.
The re-signing of Wayne Ellington provides the Heat with much-needed scoring. Young assets return with Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and Bam Adebayo looking to give adequate production under head coach Erik Spoelstra. This is a tough and gritty team. I expect them to make the playoffs and Dwyane Wade to have a productive last year. However, I don’t expect the Heat to make it past the first round.
The Battle for the 8th Seed
So with ⅞ playoff teams predicted, that leaves us with eight teams for one spot. The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Atlanta Hawks. As far as this is concerned, the eighth seed is up for only four teams on this list.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit isn’t a bad team, they just have some work to do. New head coach Dwane Casey, who certainly knows how to win, can do great things with this squad. You have a versatile front-court in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. The Pistons also has an above average point guard in Reggie Jackson and an up-and-coming great defender in Stanley Johnson. The Pistons have some work to do, but there’s no doubt that they’ll contend for a playoff spot.
Chicago Bulls
In Chicago, don’t sleep on the Bulls, and I mean that. This team is filled with young talent. Zach Lavine, Jabari Parker, Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, and Wendell Carter Jr can make some noise in the East for that eighth seed. But with this team, it’s something we have to just wait and see.
Cleveland Cavaliers
You better put respect on the LeBron-less Cavs. They are the defending Eastern Conference champions, and until someone knocks them off the throne, they’re the kings. This team still is very talented. Rookie Colin Sexton joins the team and is ready to take on any role Tyronn Lue needs. Along with him comes Kevin Love who should be better than ever as the best player on this team. Other pieces include J.R Smith, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, and Sam Dekker.
Brooklyn Nets
Sorry Hornets fans, Kemba Walker and Tony Parker can’t do it on their own. The Nets sucked last year, but this year I’m giving them a chance. Don’t be surprised if a player on this team has a breakout season. D’Angelo Russell looks to lead this team full of young and talented assets. Yes, they only got 28 wins last season but keep the faith. The Nets this season do look better than the Hornets, Knicks, Magic, and Hawks.
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The season is here, and this preview was needed. Did I get the standings wrong? Will a team I didn’t include in a playoff spot be a surprise team? Let me know.