What’s not to like about the Bucks? Raptors are awesome. Pacers are balanced. Phila is solid. Celts are mysterious.
The NBA’s Western Conference has dominated for the past decade, but this year is different. The top four teams in the East are arguably just as good or better than the top four in the West. The problem now is that those Eastern teams will battle it out to see who makes it to the NBA Finals. In this war of attrition, at least we know one thing: forget about the Cavaliers and Heat!
Milwaukee Bucks
Can you believe it! The Milwaukee Bucks, of all teams, are at the top with the best record (43-14 as of 2/13). Giannis Antetokumpo, who leads the way, is having a monster year. But make no mistake about this: a lot of credit goes to Bucks’ head man Mike Budenholzer. Spacing on the floor enables his guys to shoot a high percentage of threes. That approach gives Giannis driving lanes and room to operate.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto–only 1 game behind the Bucks–is definitely a title contender. Loaded already, the Raptors got even better with Marc Gasol’s acquisition. And let’s not forget Kawhi! He’s averaging 27 ppg, 7.7 rpg, and 4.5 apg–monster numbers. And his play has opened up possibilities for teammates, including up-and-coming star Pascal Siakam. Siakam is having himself a year (17 points, 7 rebounds). The defense is solid, too. Size and length disrupt ball handlers and alter shots.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers–the team that nobody seems to talk about–come in at #3, 5.5 games behind the Bucks. And they are doing it without the services of star player Victor Oladipo, who is out for the season. What makes the Pacers click is that they are solid in every phase of the game. New addition Wes Matthews adds shooting, which the team needed when Oladipo went out. Sabonis has been a monster down low, snatching 9.2 rpg and pouring in 14.2 ppg. He and the guards play the pick-and-roll to perfection, What fun to watch!
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ixers (as I like to call them) made big moves this year–trading for Jimmy Butler and, later, for Tobias Harris, Mike Scott, Jonathan Simmons, Boban Marjanović, and James Ennis. Tobias Harris spaces the floor with his shooting, and also he can make plays on his own. Boban, a backup center, means Embiid can play fewer minutes and stay healthy for the postseason. Scott has upgraded the bench because he’s a nearly 40% 3-point shooter. Simmons and Enis bring grit to the team.
Boston Celtics
Like Philadelphia, Boston is only 6.5 games out of the lead. But the problem with this team is that it seems to be in a weird place. Kyrie runs his mouth to the media, and so does Marcus Morris, This team is just full of distractions. What’s especially troubling is that younger players—Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brown, and Terry Rozier–don’t look like they’re having fun like they did last year during the playoff run, and something isn’t right with Gordon Hayward, who seems reluctant to take over games. If this ‘stuff’ doesn’t get handled, look for the Celts to disappoint on the floor.
