How you see the East ranking next year?

[cman88]

The east(at least the top teams) looks particularly stronger this year, especially with the return of Derrick rose, the Pacers adding scola/Granger and the Nets trade. How do you see the east shaking out?

good thing is, there seems to be a few teams who should be able to give Miami a run for their money as I thought the east seemed weak last year(partly due to most of the injuries).

I could see it being:

1. Heat
2. Pacers
3. Nets
4. Bulls
5. Knicks

after that, there seems to be a large dropoff in talent IMO and any team could jump in...I could see the Pistons making it, and the Cavs if bynum stays healthy

but really, any of those teams could jump up or down the list. Nets have quite the collection of talent, but we need to see if Pierce/Garnett can teach them how to be unselfish and move the ball...will rose be the same player once he returns..

[CelticsFan9]

Miami
Chicago
Indiana
Brooklyn
New York
Washington
Atlanta
Cleveland

[gpap]

Heat
Heat
Heat
Heat
Heat
Heat
and more Heat

Don't you just love the NBA?

[Birdman]

2 things i know for certain
1. Miami will NOT win a 3rd straight title 
2. Celtics wont make playoffs 

[gpap]

2 things i know for certain
1. Miami will NOT win a 3rd straight title 
2. Celtics wont make playoffs 

Really? I think MAYBE Indiana or Chicago dethrones Miami in the East. MAYBE.

I don't see the Knicks or Nets doing anything. I really don't. I think both of those teams are 2nd tier playoff teams and that's it.

With the Bulls, it all depends on Derrick Rose and his health. As for Indiana, they have talent but still seem to lack the proper experience. Maybe they get over the hump this season.

Out west, for some reason I really like Golden State. I think with another year under their belt, they could be the team to beat. I think there will be more Howard problems in Houston next year.

[Who]

I love how the Chicago Bulls are shaping up

G: Rose, Hinrich
G: J.Butler, Snell
F: Deng, Dunleavy
F: Boozer, T.Gibson
C: Noah, N.Mohammed

The size and length of their perimeter players is unbelievable. Rose is 6-2/6-3. Hinrich 6-3/6-4. Big point guards. Jimmy Butler has SF height at SG. Tony Snell is 6-7 with 6-11 wingspan, SF height and length without bulk. Then there is Deng at 6-9 230lbs. And Dunleavy at 6-10. Amazing size and length on the perimeter.

Their defense has been terrific since Thibodeau joined but I think it is going to go to go another level next season with all that size and length on the perimeter.

Then look at the offense. The improvement to their long distance shooting. Hinrich at PG. Dunleavy at SF. Snell was a very good shooter in college. Surrounding D-Rose with more shooters to punish defenses that try to collapse on him. And then there is Jimmy Butler who very much looks to be the answer at SG alongside Rose and Deng. A legitimate two way player. Scoring threat and quality defender.

I am really really impressed with what Chicago has done.

[chambers]

Bulls and Nets have the best chance at de throning Miami in the East.
The Nets are the number one threat if they make it to the playoffs healthy. I mean they are a DEEP team with length and size.
Same with Chicago but Chicago have guys who can be left alone on offense. I can't see anyone on the Nets starting 5 who you can leave alone or over help off.
They are going to be a very tough team to beat.
Consider how much trouble Indiana gave the Heat with just Hibbert and West. Lopez and KG are going to be beastly on both ends and KG stretches the floor.
How do the Heat stop Lopez with KG on the floor?

[nostar]

I don't see the Knicks or Nets doing anything. I really don't. I think both of those teams are 2nd tier playoff teams and that's it.

I agree with you about the Knicks. They did next to nothing in an off-season where their direct competitors got much better...

The Nets, however, look like an all-star team.

Williams
Johnson
Pierce
Garnett
Lopez

with AK, Blatche, JET and Evans coming off the bench. That is a really deep team and probably the most talented starting 5 in the NBA. If their veterans can stay healthy I'm pretty sure they have punched a ticket to a very fun series with the Heat. That is just my take though.

[LilRip]

as usual, it comes down to health. but i really think the rankings will go:

1. Bulls
2. Heat
3. Nets
4. Pacers
5. Knicks
-------------
6. Wizards
7. Hawks
8. Pistons
9. Cavs
10. Raptors
11. Bucks
-------------
12. Celtics
13. Bobcats/Hornets
14. Magic
15. Sixers

Those are the three main groups, with the first 5 being locks for the playoffs, the next 6 fighting for the three remaining playoff spots and could interchange among themselves, and the final four having poor records and could interchange among themselves

[SparzWizard]

2 things i know for certain
1. Miami will NOT win a 3rd straight title 
2. Celtics wont make playoffs 

If Miami signs Greg Oden, all hell will break lose. LeBron will continue his dominance. Wade will deteriorate. Bosh will be Bosh. Birdman, Battier, Ray Allen will be the same I believe.

In short, threepeat.

BUT, I could see Indiana getting by the Heat since they're physical.

[Edgar]

2 things i know for certain
1. Miami will NOT win a 3rd straight title 
2. Celtics wont make playoffs 

If Miami signs Greg Oden, all hell will break lose. LeBron will continue his dominance. Wade will deteriorate. Bosh will be Bosh. Birdman, Battier, Ray Allen will be the same I believe.

In short, threepeat.

BUT, I could see Indiana getting by the Heat since they're physical.

Wade already deteriorate
Bron Bron but will less soul
Bosh... is on his way out
IF Miami gets Odom is as Sad as  IF Celtics get him


I have tons of faith in indiana

[Edgar]

2 things i know for certain
1. Miami will NOT win a 3rd straight title 
2. Celtics wont make playoffs 

If Miami signs Greg Oden, all hell will break lose. LeBron will continue his dominance. Wade will deteriorate. Bosh will be Bosh. Birdman, Battier, Ray Allen will be the same I believe.

In short, threepeat.

BUT, I could see Indiana getting by the Heat since they're physical.

Wade already deteriorate
Bron Bron but will less soul
Bosh... is on his way out
IF Miami gets Odom is as Sad as  IF Celtics get him


I have tons of faith in indiana

aaaaand Broklin

[Celtics4ever]

Be hard to rate until we see how the steroid chips fall.  It could gut some teams.

[ManUp]

Miami
Chicago
Indiana
Brooklyn
NewYork
--------
Detroit
Atlanta
Washington
Cleveland
Toronto
---------
Boston
Milwaukee
Orlando
Charlotte
Philadelphia

Tier 1. Contenders & Pretenders

Tier 2. Play-off hopefuls/1st round fodder

Tier 3. Lottery watchers/woeful for wiggins

[connor]

If you're looking at a tier system:

1) Heat
2) Nets
3) Bulls
4) Pacers
----------
5) Knicks
----------
6) Hawks
7) Wizards
8 ) Pistons
9) Cavaliers
10) Bucks
11) Toronto
---------
12) Bobcats
13) Celtics
14) Magic
15) Sixers

Notes:
1) I don't think the Knicks are at the same level of the other top 4 teams. If Stoudemire could stay healthy then maybe, but even then its an awkward team construction and I hate the Bargnani trade. Can't believe they gave so much up for a guy about to be amnestied.

2) The Cavs look good on paper, but I think they'll run into health issues and Waiters is going to struggle this season.

3) The Wizards and Pistons have too much talent right now for me to count them out. Wall, Beal, Porter Jr is a great young trio and then a healthy Nene and Emeka and they're solid. I hate Smith's game on the Pistons, but with Monroe, Drummond KCP and another year for Knight and Will Bynum they'll be strong.

4) I see the Raptors gearing up to chase Wiggins. I think Gay gets traded early on and they tank. They've got some talent to be a dark horse, but they'll gut the team before Christmas.

5) I think one of the Bobcats and Magic will be ahead of us in the standings by year end. We have such a whole at center that Rondo and Green won't be able to compensate for and Olynyk just won't fill that void. The Magic have tons of talent and if any one of their young prospects breaks out they could be a fringe playoff contender. The Bobcats may have made themselves just good enough to ruin their lottery chances by adding Jefferson and Zeller. Another year for MKG and Walker. They'll be just good enough to stay out of the top 5 of the lottery.