Oct

NBA Preview: Eastern Conference Predictions

By Fireman Mike October 27, 2009

Atlantic

1. Celtics (58-24) - The C’s could easily win 65 games with the tem but they will rest ‘The Big 3′ for periods of the season like they have the previous two seasons. In the 60 games that they play together, Boston will go 49-11.
2. Raptors (44-38) - Chris Bosh is in a contract year so don’t be surprised he averages 25pts and 14reb at the end of the year while pushing Toronto into the second round of the playoffs.
3. Knicks (42-40) - New York squeaks into the playoffs but the big news all season is whether or not LeBron is coming to town. He’s not, by the way!
4. 76ers (31-51) - Too young at point guard, too injury-prone in their veterans and too weak in the middle to make the playoffs, even in the East.
5. Nets (22-60) - They have three point guards who can start on a lot of teams and four other starters that would be bench players on contending teams. Nobody knows what the Nets are trying to do.

Central

1. Cavaliers (61-21) - LeBron might have just enough help to lead him to an NBA title this year but the Magic and Celtics will definitely have something to say about that.
2. Bulls (45-37) - Derrick Rose is ready to bring his game to the next level but Tyrus Thomas is the most important player on Chicago’s roster. If he steps up, the Bulls will be alright.
3. Pistons (39-43) - Ben Gordon wanted to go to a place where he was the first option. With Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton and Charlie Villanueva, Detroit sure seems like an odd choice.
4. Pacers (28-54) - Danny Granger is the East’s version of Kevin Durant. He just has to be careful not to become Kevin Martin, a great scorer on a terrible team for his entire career.
5. Bucks (18-64) - 2005: Andrew Bogut, 2006: No Pick, 2007: Yi JianLian, 2008: Joe Alexander, 2009: Brandon Jennings. When you draft like this you’re destined to stay in the cellar.

Southeast

1. Magic (58-24) - Orlando is as deep of a team as you’re going to find in the NBA. They have a great mix of young stars and cagey veterans but they might be a year or two away. Ryan Anderson is going to be an interesting player to watch this season.
2. Hawks (49-33) - Mike Bibby has a backup - Jeff Teague - that he can mentor and not worry about losing minutes too. Both players are going to get better and Atlanta is the ultimate winner. SG Jamal Crawford will finally get to the playoffs.
3. Heat (46-36) - Who is Michael Beasley, Derrick Coleman or Lamar Odom? You can win a championship with one of them while the other will just be a cancer to your team. The Heat’s chances depend on the answer to that question.
4. Wizards (40-42) - This is just a team that doesn’t stay healthy and doesn’t blend well together. As individuals they are fantastic. As a team they are average.
5. Bobcats (15-57) - Name two starters on the Charlotte Bobcats………Don’t be ashamed, we only got Gerald Wallace too.