Central Division Predictions

[Q_FBE]

1. Chicago

Point Guard Derrick Rose C.J. Watson    
Shooting Guard Ronnie Brewer Kyle Korver Keith Bogans  
Small Forward Luol Deng James Johnson    
Power Forward Carlos Boozer Taj Gibson    
Center Joakim Noah Kurt Thomas Omer Asik

A team that has helped themselves a lot in the offseason. There is the Center who does his role to perfection, A PG on a par with Rondo, Adding a solid PF and SG to the mix. A Great Coach in Thibs, what is not to like about this team. It ought to be a lot of fun in the Windy City this year.

2. Milwaukee

Point Guard Brandon Jennings Keyon Dooling Earl Boykins  
Shooting Guard John Salmons Chris Douglas-Roberts Michael Redd  
Small Forward Corey Maggette Carlos Delfino Darington Hobson  
Power Forward Drew Gooden Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Ersan Ilyasova Jon Brockman Larry Sanders
Center Andrew Bogut Brian Skinner    

How did Micheal Redd slip to 3rd on the depth chart? What about Boguts injury? This team will be tough to play on the back end of Back to backs.

3. Indiana

Point Guard Darren Collison T.J. Ford A.J. Price   
Shooting Guard Mike Dunleavy Brandon Rush Dahntay Jones Lance Stephenson 
Small Forward Danny Granger James Posey Paul George   
Power Forward Josh McRoberts Tyler Hansbrough Magnum Rolle   
Center Roy Hibbert Jeff Foster Solomon Jones

Nice find toget Darren Collison. Team goes 10 deep here. Not sure that Tyler Hansborough is a backup PF here. James Posey for three!!!! Does Dunleavy get finally get parked on the bench? They will battle Milwaukee for a lower seed this spring.

4. Cleveland.

Point Guard Mo Williams Ramon Sessions   
Shooting Guard Anthony Parker Daniel Gibson Christian Eyenga Manny Harris 
Small Forward Jamario Moon Joey Graham Jawad Williams   
Power Forward J.J. Hickson Antawn Jamison Leon Powe Samardo Samuels 
Center Anderson Varejao Ryan Hollins

Due to the peed off factor of losing Leebron, this team will play .500 ball until Christmas but lack of talent will catch up with this team. I feel sorry for the Cleveland fans here.

5. Detriot

Point Guard Rodney Stuckey Will Bynum Terrico White   
Shooting Guard Richard Hamilton Ben Gordon Tracy McGrady   
Small Forward Tayshaun Prince Austin Daye DaJuan Summers   
Power Forward Jonas Jerebko Charlie Villanueva Greg Monroe Chris Wilcox 
Center Ben Wallace Jason Maxiell   

I don't see this outfit getting much accomplished this season. They really haven't added anybody of note in this offseason and will fall further down the EC ladder.

[mgent]

I'd go Detroit over Cleveland.

[MMacOH]

Cavs are better than people are giving them credit for.  Their up tempo style will cause a lot of teams headaches.  They will be fun to watch

[Donoghus]

I'm not sure who's going to take the top spot in the Central.  Torn between Chicago and Milwaukee.  I guess health and depth concerns are my big question marks there.  Right now, I'm inclined to nudge Chicago ahead of Milwaukee but its far from a solid prediction on my part.  I think Cleveland and Indiana duke it out for the 3rd spot. 

[Chris]

I think Milwaukee is going to be a big disappointment this year.  They overachieved last season, but I think some of the success is going to go to their heads.  Plus, they have a coach who is notorious for wearing out his welcome with teams, and a lot of very even talent that will be fighting for minutes, rather than fighting for wins.  And finally, their best player (Bogut) has said that he did not expect to be 100% this season, and their second best player (Jennings) is an excellent candidate for a sophomore slump.

Detroit on the other hand could overachieve.  They have an interesting mix of veterans who understand how to win, and talented young guys.  If they can get better health from guys like Gordon and Prince, and some of the young guys step up, this could be a playoff team.

[Who]

Chicago is way out ahead of Milwaukee in terms of talent but Carlos Boozer's injury + the timing of it with their annual West Coast road trip to start of the season could give the Bucks a shot of challenging the Bulls for the division ... if Boozer remains out long enough.

I would consider Chicago as a 55 win caliber team. Milwaukee more in that 46-48 win range.