The NBA’s upcoming season should be as exciting as it’s been ever, and I have come up with equally exciting predictions. The Heat built up on talent, Larry Brown backstabbed Detroit fans by moving to New York, and the rest of the east is just itching to get started. The new season has brought new division contenders and new dismal teams. This is what I’m looking for to happen in this NBA season in the east.Atlantic Division
Overall this division is pretty weak. I expect the New Jersey Nets to take advantage, with the return of R.J. to the hardwood and the late-season pick up of Vinsanity last season the Nets should be able to dominate, especially with J Kidd running the point. Look for the Nets to go a little bit farther into the playoffs then last year.
Last Years Record (42-40) Projected Record (47-35)
Allen Iverson is ecstatic about his new coach Mo Cheeks and the rest of this young team, and he should be. Their young center Samuel Dalembert and other starters Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala have gave Philly fans something to look forward to, but don’t look for anything more than a couple Playoff wins.
Last Years Record (43-49) Projected Record (44-38)
Sorry Boston this will be a rebuilding year. Now that Antoine Walker has left along with Gary Payton there won’t be much to smile about. Paul Pierce is going to have to be better then ever to get this team into the post season, but I’m not to confident that he can handle this team on his shoulders alone. Maybe next year Celtic faithfuls.
Last Years Record (47-35) Projected Record (37-45)
Will Stephon take his team to the post season this year? No. Larry Brown won’t have that much of an impact because of the lack of talent on the roster, but you should see some improvement. Other than that they picked up Quinten Richardson and Eddy Curry, but no one is sure if Eddy will be ready to play by the beginning of the season.
Last Years Record (33-49) Projected Record (36-46)
Toronto, all I have to say is that Jalen Rose is your leading scorer. Other then that this season will be another let down for the Raptors.
Last Years Record (33-49) Projected Record (25-57)
Central Division
The Cavaliers are my turn around team of the year. This year will be the first year of Lebron’s reign, especially because of the new playmakers Damon Jones and Larry Hughes joining the team, who both will help with this team’s poor shooting from the outside. Down low the Cavs should have success also. Z daddy should help this offense funnel the ball around for a good offensive chemistry, and keep the paint a no fly zone on defense.
Last Years Record (42-40) Projected Record (52-30)
Can you say Ron Artest? That’s right, The Pacers are back and with an attitude. With Artest returning, the Pacers should be back to winning deep into the playoffs. Jermaine O’Neal should have his shoulder back to 100% and Stephen Jackson and Jamal Tinsley should keep producing. Look for the Pacers to be a lot more of a complete team this season.
Last Years Record (44-38) Projected Record (50-32)
Larry Brown is gone, I know I said that wouldn’t make much of a difference to have him in New York, but it’s a different story not to have him in Detroit. The Pistons still have everyone returning for this season, but they wont be as successful without Larry. Look for them to still make the playoffs but not dominate like they usually do. Sorry Detriot.
Last Years Record (54-28) Projected Record (46-36)
Losing Eddy Curry was a huge blow to this team. The presence he brought to the paint was too important to this Bull’s offense, and that’s why they may regress and struggle this year. Look for the Bulls to show some weakness on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, and also look for them to miss the playoffs.
Last Years Record (47-35) Projected Record (39-43)
Milwaukee doesn’t have much to be proud about except being able to give Michael Redd the best offer around the league. Other than they shouldn’t be too much better or worse compared to last and should once again miss the playoffs.
Last Years Record (30-52) Projected Record (32-50)
Southeast
Miami has been beefing up since the off-season started. New players Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, and James Posey should lunge this team, in my opinion, to the NBA championship. Shaq says he’s ready to win big this year, and he’s gained 25 pounds of muscle to prove it.
Last Years Record (59-23) Projected Record (65-17)
The rest of this division is only average, starting with the Wizards. The Wizards lost one of their best playmakers in Larry Hughes to Cleveland during the off-season so playoff contention may be out of reach. Look for Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison to anchor this team by themselves, although the acquisition of Chucky Atkins should do some good.
Last Years Record (45-37) Projected Record (43-39)
Orlando showed some good signs of progression last season, but I was pretty confused on where to put them. I have them here since Stevie Franchise is starting to show some signs of slowing down, believe it or not. Other then that Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard showed some flashes of this franchise’s future, and that looks pretty good.
Last Years Record (36-46) Projected Record (41-41)
Charlotte and Atlanta both had some of the worst seasons in basketball history, but I’m giving Charlotte the advantage this season. Now that we know Brevin Knight is an assist machine and that Emeka can dominate at both levels, college and pro, we should see some improvement from last year’s embarrassment. Also look for the North Carolina players Raymond Felton and Sean May to come and help this team immediately.
Last Years Record (18-64) Projected Record (30-52)
Hotlanta is still deep in some trouble coming into this season, and only winning 13 games last year had to be extremely frustrating, but it looks like they’ve made some moves to put this team in a position to actually win some games. Talented draft pick Marvin Williams should come in and immediately produce even though he’s young and Joe Johnson should help with this teams lack of outside shooters. Other than that the Hawks still have the dunk crazy Josh Smith for some excitement.
Last Years Record (13-69) Projected Record (22-60)
Playoff spots for the east:
- Miami Heat
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Indiana Pacers
- New Jersey Nets
- Detroit Pistons
- Philadelphia 76er’s
- Orlando Magic
- Washington Wizards
Winner of the east: Heat
Runner up: Cavs
7 replies on “NBA Eastern Division Preview”
Cavs… your turn around team, I wonder why :).
Haha Yeah, but im serious about it, if you look at my NFL preview i have the browns doing terrible, i try to keep every team equal
When i can only see my articles when i log onto my name does that mean they were put on the section pages? Just wondering
this article only was voted to the section page But people get to the section pages directly sometimes. Or by clicking on one of the links in the middle (top).
Playoff Predictions It seems that you, like many others are extremely optimistic on the Cavaliers “chances” in the upcoming season. A second seed? Very lofty expectations considering that their chances realistically lie on the health of often injured Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Let’s face it, they play in the East, where consistent winning is a direct reflection on the strength of a team’s inside game. Donyell Marshall will be a huge factor, and of the three key acquisitions, has been mentioned the least.
You should consider moving the Detroit Pistons and/or Indiana Pacers as your two sead. Both have deep,experienced rosters. Detroit lost only its coach! Look for Chauncey Billups to hit 30 on a much more consistent basis now that Mr. Larry has left the building. Ron Artest makes an Indiana team that posed problems for Detroit last year, tougher and deeper. Stephen Jackson will become more comfortable in his second season with the Pacers.
Choosing a Cavaliers team that has yet to join the playoffs, in a weak Eastern Conference the past two years is definately a “stretch” at two. Look for the Cavs to swipe a 6-8 seed. It doesn’t really matter though. With their roster, they aren’t built for series play, and will not make much of a playoff push. They will be fun to watch though in the regular season. I liken them to the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks. Great regular season teams, who beat who they are “supposed” to beat in the regular season, but aren’t tough enough or get defensive stops when it counts to win playoff games.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Playoff positioning Your playoff positioning is all wrong, not your opinion… but the actual positioning. The Cavs and Pacers play in the same division. The top 3 seeds go to the 3 division winners. Therefore, the Pacers couldn’t be the #3 seed because Cleveland will win the division in your opinion. New Jersey would be the #3, and Indiana #4. Also, you have Washington with a better record than Orlando, but have Orlando as the #7 and Washington as #8.
also… it’s the Eastern Conference, not Division