2017-2018 NBA Eastern Conference Standings
From the first game of the year in October to the hot summer days of June, I will predict just about everything for this upcoming NBA season in the eastern conference.
Eastern Conference Standings
1. Cavaliers
There is a very good chance the Wizards could take this spot because LeBron does not care about the regular season because he knows he is going to the finals and there is no need to waste his energy on regular season games. Despite LeBron not playing at his best the Cavaliers have a good enough supporting cast with, Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, and Tristan, Thompson, to not win at least 50 games.
2. Wizards
With John Wall slowly becoming an MVP candidate, Bradley Beal putting his name in all-star talks, and Otto Porter getting paid, it seems inevitable that the Wizards will be a top team in the East. Although the Wizards are a 2 seed they are still one star away from being a true contender.
3. Celtics
Even the Warriors took a while to mesh together and the Celtics are not as talented as the Warriors. Expect the Celtics to start slow and finish the season playing like a contender. Kyrie Irving is a contender for the scoring title as he runs his own team. Gordon Hayward might be a little overlooked on this team. As many people have pointed out when you adjust Gordon's numbers to the pace of play the Celtics play he looks like an MVP candidate. Gordon won't be an MVP candidate this year but he very easily could be a All-NBA player. Many role players such as Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and Aron Baynes bare looking to take the next step this season. Kaylee Brown will average nearly 20 points and be a canadite for the Most Improved Player award. With an aging LeBron this Celtics team is loaded for the future.
4. Bucks
If Giannis plays like the MVP, Jabari gets healthy and plays like a star, Thon Maker establishes himself as a legit starting center in the NBA, and Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and Greg Monroe play like we all know they can then there is no reason the Bucks can't be fighting for a top two seed. But that's a lot of "ifs" for a team that put out the youngest starting five in the playoffs last season.
5. Raptors
It's not that the Raptors got worse but instead that other teams got better players or the players already on the team got better. The Raptors still will be good but are in a weird situation as Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Serge Ibaka, Jonas Valanciunas, CJ Miles, and Norman Powell (recently extended) are all under contract for the next three seasons.
6. Heat
The same team that that went 30-11 in the second half of last season did not change at all. Also the Heat added two solid players in Jordan Mickey and Kelly Olynyk. Obviously this team won't win the 60 games it was on pace to win last season but don't be surprised if Miami stuns a high seeded team in the playoffs
7. 76ersIf, if, if, if, if, if this team can stay healthy there is zero reason why the 76ers can't make the playoffs. Philadelphia has potential superstars like Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid, solid players like Dario Saric, Robert Covington, and Richaun Holmes, and also has veterans such as JJ Redick, Amir Johnson, and Emeka Okafor. If healthy, it is hard to see this team not making the playoffs.
8. Pistons
The Pistons are not that good but the East is awful. I believe in a balanced playoff format with no conferences the Pistons would be the 18-20th seed. Reggie Jackson has not proved he can start never mind be a good starter. Avery Bradley is a great defender but is no all-star. Tobias Harris is a solid player but nothing more. Andre Drummond is this teams only glimmer of hope at age 24. Everyone in the Pistons organization is relying on Drummond to carry their team to the playoffs.
9. Hornets
I initially had the Hornets as high as seven until I heard of the Batum injury. Suddenly the Hornets depth at the forward and guard does not look good. Batum will be out anywhere from 6-12 weeks. With the race between the Hornets and Pistons already tight this injury pushes the Pistons over the edge.
10. Knicks
Just because the Knicks get the ten seed does not mean they will be good. The Knicks are bad just not as bad as other teams in the East. Kristaps will finally get to fully shine without Carmelos 19 shots a game. A successful season for the Knicks would be Kristaps being an all-star, Frank Ntilikina proving not to be a bust and a solid starter, Tim Hardaway to prove hes worth at least 70% of that massive contract he recieved, and young players like Willy Herangomez, Doug McDermott, Ron Baker, and Trey Burke to show growth throughout the season
11. Pacers
The Pacers aren't bad and would be worse (which they want) if they didn't sign solid starters such as Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic. These signings show how clueless management is in Indiana. This team is in obvious rebuild with Myles Turner and Victor Oladipo. Myles Turner may be a superstar someday, but probably not. Oladipo will never be more than in the All-Star conversation. Indiana needs to get a superstar, and they are not getting it via trade or free agency. The best chance for the Pacers to speed up the rebuild is to get a top three pick in next year's draft.
12. Nets
This team is bad but maybe not as bad as other teams in the east. D'Angelo Russell is poised for a break out season and Jeremy Lin will be a solid veteran to help young players. Caris LeVert is another player that will breakout this season. The Nets won't make the playoffs but they won't be bad. If Brooklyn is bad then they will just have to try the chances with their pick. Oh Wait!
13. Hawks
Schroder is the most trade-able player in the NBA. That's the first thing someone should notice when you look at this roster. The Hawks already have three first round picks and with the right team the Hawks should be able to receive a lottery pick and another first. Bazemore should be able to attract a late first round pick. If these trades go through then then Atlanta would have two lottery picks and four non-lottery first rounders, six first rounders in total. If that isn't how you start a rebuild I don't know how you do.
14. Magic
The Magic have solid players like Evan Fournier, Nikola Vucevic, and Terrence Ross. Johnathon Isaac and Aaron Gordon could be near All-Star talents but neither will be superstars. The player on the Magic with the best potential is Elfrid Payton. Payton showed this in the second half of last season getting five triple doubles. Payton can't shoot at all but that is a skill hopefully he can work on throughout his career and develop. Although I have the Magic at 14 they have the best chance to make the playoffs outside the Hornets. If Gordon, Vucevic, and Payton play great together there is a chance the Magic can squeak in to the playoffs.
15. Bulls
This team is bad from the bottom to the top. At the top GarPax (Gar Forman and John Paxson) is the worst management team in the NBA. They traded Jimmy Butler for three questionable players (Injury Prone, Bust, and a Tall White Dude). They signed Wade and Rondo only to release both. The Bulls also have a top three worst coach in the league. Just watch videos of Hoiberg on the court coaching, he looks confused and out of place. Also Hoiberg does not receive respect from players. How many times did we see Butler, Wade, or Rondo refuse to listen to Hoiberg's calls and plays. Management and coaching sucks but most importantly the players suck. LaVine isn't bad if he is healthy and Markkanen at most becomes a starter. Chemistry must be great in the bulls looker room considering Portis punched Mirotic in the face. This team could very well be historically bad this season.
