So far this summer free agency has shaken up the NBA. Every team is set out to chase LeBron and the Miami Heat to avoid watching a three peat, the first three peat since Kobe and Shaq did it with the Lakers in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Franchises, players and GMs are set to make sure the King no longer sits comfy on his throne.
The Eastern Conference is a very competitive conference. Teams in the East have the first shot at trying to dethrone King James. Here is an early prediction of what the top eight seeds will look like for the upcoming 2013-2014 NBA season.
1) Miami Heat
Record : 62-20
The Miami Heat will be coming back this season looking to repeat exactly what they did last year. Pat Riley is making room for another Larry O’Brien trophy and King James looks to bring Michael Jordan comparisons to life with his first three peat. They will have a tough and competitive schedule in front of them. Last year, the Heat went 66-16; with the return of Derrick Rose, a matured Indiana Pacers and the ‘new’ Brooklyn Nets things will not be so easy. They still can clinch the number one seed come playoffs but I do not expect them to dominate the way the 96 Chicago Bulls did with a 72-10 record.
Courtesy: NY Daily News
2) Indiana Pacers
Record: 56-26
Last season, the Indiana Pacers went 49-32, falling into the third seed in the East. The Indiana Pacers well just short of beating to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals Game 7. The Pacers made a deep playoff run, all while missing Danny Granger. Now that Granger will be in the lineup, this quickly maturing franchise will be much better.
I’m expecting Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West all to have terrific seasons and make a serious playoff push. Last year, the Pacers lead the league in rebounding with 45.9 rebounds per game. I am expecting the them to control the boards in the Eastern conference once again. The Pacers are the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference and I will make a return to the Eastern Conference Finals.
3) Chicago Bulls
Record: 52-30
Last year, the Bulls missed the presence of their superstar Derrick Rose. They suffered from an injured team through the season and playoffs. With the return of Rose, the Bulls are looking a lot more healthy and prepared to make a run in the Eastern Conference.
Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler will be two X-factors for the Bulls. I am expecting Butler to have a breakout season, alongside Derrick Rose.
4) Brooklyn Nets
Record 50-32
The Nets have made a lot of noise this offseason. Brooklyn has been very busy this offseason acquiring Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry from the Celtics. They have their core starters returning and on paper have an amazing lineup. With the addition of Andrei Kirilenko, the Nets have added to their bench as well.
We can’t forget the Nets have a new head coach, Jason Kidd. The Nets have set themselves up to make a championship push for the next three years. This season is Brooklyn’s opportunity to ‘shut up or get out’. They will all need to make sacrifices to play with each other, something Garnett and Pierce have experience with. Thankfully the Nets have the offseason to ‘mesh’ together, but there could be a struggle during the season with all these champions and stars on their roster.
5) New York Knicks
Record: 48-34
Knicks fans will not be happy to hear that they will fall short to their neighbors, the Brooklyn Nets. Last year, they clinched the number two seed with a record of 54-28. The Eastern Conference does not look like it did last year and powerhouse will be pushing the Knicks and Carmelo aside.
Metta World Peace is a nice addition to help defensive play and brings championship experience to the locker room; they did a nice job also acquiring Andrea Bargnani. I am expecting Iman Shumpert to take his game to another level. Carmelo Anthony will be in for another season filled with criticism and struggles. The Knicks have to problems on their roster, J.R. Smith and Amar’e Stoudemire; I do not believe the Knicks have properly surrounded Carmelo Anthony to be in championship contention.
Courtesy: Sporting News
6)Cleveland Cavaliers
Record- 45-37
Right now, the bottom seeds of the Eastern Conference are open for the taking. The Cleveland Cavaliers have done a good job so far this offseason in free agency, by obtaining Jarrett Jack and Andrew Bynum.
Last year, the Cavaliers fell near the bottom with a record of 21-61; this upcoming season, things will be different. The Cavs did an excellent job in the draft, taking Anthony Bennett with the number one overall draft pick. With Kyrie Irving conducting the offense, the Cavs are looking playoff bound.
7) Washington Wizards
Record: 43-39
The beginning of the regular season was especially rough for the Wizards, as they were without John Wall. Things are looking up though for Washington though; with the third overall pick, the Wizards drafted Otto Porter, a 6ft 8in small forward from Georgetown University.
They were 29-53 last year; This young roster is now developing into a solid franchise. I am expecting John Wall and Bradley Beal to have breakout seasons and Otto Porter should have a good rookie year. If the Wizards stay healthy, they should be able to win just over .500% of their games; they will make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
8) Toronto Raptors
Record:41-41
The Toronto Raptors have a good shot at locking in the eighth seed. Last year, the Raptors finished 34-48; with contributions from Rudy Gay and Mickael Pietrus, the Raptors should be able to finish at .500 or just below it, enough to lock the last playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. That is, if the Raptors decide not to tank, to obtain Canadian uber-prospect, Andrew Wiggins. He is supposed to be the number one overall pick in the 2014 draft and is Gatorade’s most recent athlete of the year. Wiggins has expressed the desire to play for his hometown Toronto, but only time will tell where he goes. Let’s allow Wiggins to play some college ball before we talk about his NBA career.
All statistics credited to NBA.com
