Eastern Conference Playoff Prediction

Eastern Conference Playoff Prediction

The Eastern Conference has been able to improve this offseason as a whole. They have 4 or 5 teams that can possibly make a run at the NBA Finals but their sixth through eighth seeds are still weak teams that have no chance at a title.

Courtesy: Bleacher Report

1. Miami Heat
It is pretty much a given that the Miami Heat are going to be the top seed in the Eastern Conference once again. Obviously, they are coming off back to back championships and they still have Lebron James. This offseason they were able to sign Greg Oden who has sat out the last couple of seasons trying to get healthy enough to make an NBA return. If Oden can show some form of the player he was when Portland drafted him 1st overall a few years ago, this move can put Miami over the edge to three peat. The one major deficiency in Miami’s game is rebounding and shot blocking, something that Oden can provide if he remains healthy throughout the season. The only other reason why Miami may be less successful this upcoming season, is Dwayne Wade’s knees. It is no secret that D-Wade is wearing down, and it is just a matter of time before he begins to really decline. If he can make it through this season, somewhat healthy, the Heat are a lock for the first seed.

2. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were a game away from the NBA Finals this past season. This is a young but talented team with a few needed veteran leaders. The majority of last season was played without star Danny Granger, allowing Paul George to establish himself as an upcoming superstar in this league. Roy Hibbert has also been able to prove he is worth the extension he received last offseason with his stellar defense throughout the playoffs. Indiana had a great offseason this year signing former Knick Chris Copeland, and acquiring veteran PF Luis Scola. In addition, the Pacers were able to retain David West, which was their priority going into the offseason. They were also able to strengthen their back court by signing CJ Watson. This team is going to be dangerous this year, and if everyone, (Danny Granger), is able to play the whole season, they may be able a candidate to dethrone the Miami Heat.

3. New York Knicks
Many people are expecting the Knicks to be the 5th seed this year, but I think they improved a lot this offseason. They were able to address the problem they establishing a solid bench player, other than JR Smith, by acquiring Andrea Bargnani via trade for basically nothing. Andrea Bargnani has been included in trade rumors for a while now and this move was a perfect fit for the Knicks. The Knicks only gave up Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, and Quentin Richardson for a guy that can play the game of basketball at a high level. Let’s not forget he average 20 ppg a few seasons ago. Also, they traded away players that barely gave them any production at all. Camby was hurt the entire season, Richardson never played, and Novak couldn’t do anything except for the rare occasion where he was able to get a three point shot off. So in this case NY was able to exchange zero production for a potential stud off the bench. New York then went on to sign SF Metta World Peace, which is a great pickup. Metta can start at the 3 alongside Melo at the 4. He is still a solid defender who brings toughness and leadership to this Knicks team. He doesn’t need to score but can when he has to. Who knows, Tim Hardaway Jr., or CJ Leslie may be able to add some offense as well. The Knicks have a very deep team, that again, if they stay healthy can contend for a berth in the NBA Finals.

4. Chicago Bulls
The only reason the Bulls are this low is because no one knows how Derrick Rose is going to return. If he can return to his old self, this Bulls team has the potential to be the top seed in the East, if he has a slow start, the Bulls may slip. Chicago lost a few key players this offseason in Marco Bellinelli, Nate Robinson, and Rip Hamilton. The loss that could hurt the most is Bellinelli. He played a big role last season playing big minutes and showing off some clutch shooting. I don’t put Nate Robinson in this because he wouldn’t have played so much if it weren’t for Derrick Rose being hurt. He wouldn’t have nearly the same amount of playing time this year if Chicago re-signed him. The Bulls were able to sign veteran swingman Mike Dunleavy. He’s been stuck on the Bucks for years now but he can shoot the three ball. If Chicago is able to put up some more points than last year, which they should be able to with D-Rose, I expect them to be able to play with any team in the NBA including Miami.

5. Brooklyn Nets
All of the hype and money spent on this Brooklyn team is going to buy them nothing better than the 5th seed this season. It is going to take plenty of time for newly acquired Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to find their place on this Brooklyn team. Eventually they will find their way, but it will be too late to secure anything above the 5th seed. However, I expect this team to be comfortable with each other entering the playoffs where they can make a run. Their starting five is full of current and former all-stars, and their bench is loaded with Andray Blatche, Reggie Evans, Jason Terry, and Andrei Kirilenko. The 5th seed will not be any reflection of how well they do in the playoffs. It is a tough thing to ask two guys that were first and second options on the Celtics to become “glorified role players” as Pierce explained.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is back in the playoffs for the first time in the post-Lebron era! That’s if Andrew Bynum can play a complete season and return to his dominant form we saw in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. This team has had a top pick in the draft each of the last three seasons, allowing them to slowly build a young talented core. This offseason, they were able to land a big name in Andrew Bynum, who is when healthy arguably the best center in the NBA. Additionally, they signed Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark to deepen their bench. Not to mention, they still have one of the best upcoming players in the league in Kyrie Irving. We will have to wait and see how No. 1 overall pick, Anthony Bennett pans out, but this team is up and coming. Also, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson can only improve from here on out. I wouldn’t sleep on this young team. They aren’t going to contend this year, but within the next 2-3 seasons, they could be dangerous.

7. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons will be back in the playoffs after a draught and several disappointing years. However, the 7th seed will not be a true reflection of how mediocre this team is going to be. Yes, they signed Josh Smith, and traded for Brandon Jennings but this team is not a good fit together. The paint will be clogged with Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe, and Josh Smith which will ultimately lead to Josh Smith forcing up horrible shots as he did with the Hawks. Brandon Jennings is a great player but still young. Hopefully, newly signed Chauncey Billups will be able to mentor Jennings and help him reach his max potential. The way this team sits now though, they are one trade away from contending. A reasonable expectation for this team is .500 at best.

Courtesy: USA Today

8. Washington Wizards
Much like the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Washington Wizards have been slowly improving through the draft over the past few seasons, starting with star PG John Wall. Speaking of John Wall, Washington was able to ink him to a 5 year, $80 million extension, a move that was at the top of the list for this team. The Wizards are a very young team but they have a lot of talent with a back court of John Wall and Bradley Beal. This year the Wizards used their draft pick to select Otto Porter to fill the SF position. I believe Otto Porter is a perfect fit alongside Wall and Beal with his ability to stretch the floor. The Wizards also signed PG Eric Maynor to backup John Wall. This team is still a few players away, but the core they have now will continue to develop enough to knock off one of the higher seeded teams. It’s good to see teams building strong teams through the draft again.