LeBron James dominated the East from 2010-18. No team could beat a LeBron led team during those years. With King James heading to the Lakers, he left the door wide open for a new team to win the East. I’ve pared down the potential winners of the Eastern Conference to three teams with an actual shot.
Philadelphia 76ers
To the surprise of many, the 76ers traded for Jimmy Butler. They lost depth but gained a go-to scoring option to help Embiid and Simmons win the East. They now have last year’s Rookie of the Year, arguably the best center in the league, and Jimmy Butler. With their loss in depth, the starters will have to do a little more if they plan on taking the East. Markelle Fultz has to get his shot going and step up his game to help the team win some games. However, they’re not in desperate need of a PG when Ben Simmons runs the floor on most possesions. It could come down to Markelle getting used to his new role.
Boston Celtics
Boston had a good year last season. They were one game away from stealing the East from the Cavs. This time they have Kyrie and Hayward back on the court. Kyrie had a slow start to kick off the season, but lately, he’s balling like he’s used to. I feel like Gordon Hayward is out of place on the team, and Boston should trade him to a team like the Heat for some picks. They have too many forwards, and they won’t be able to re-sign all of their young players when their contracts are up if they don’t get more cap space. Boston’s best asset is their bench. They have players like Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier who always make big plays for the team and ball out.
Toronto Raptors
With the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors heavily increased their chances of winning the East. In the immediate aftermath of the trade, everyone thought that the Raptors made a bad decision, trading fan favorite DeMar DeRozan for a star with a one-year contract. Kawhi has balled out every night in Toronto and is making an early case for MVP. Kyle Lowry seems to be getting better with age, as he’s averaged 11 assists per game and is a key piece of Toronto’s success.
Verdict
If the 76ers click and play well with Jimmy Butler they’re definitely the best team in the East. However, if I had to bet on someone I’d be in favor of the Celtics. Boston has the best coach in the East and probably the best bench in the entire NBA. They’re the clear choice to face the Warriors in the finals.