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NBA Eastern Conference predictions.
The NBA off season is at the calm of the storm, where the focus of sports fans is turned to football, or the final push for the professional baseball season. It's that point when hard core NBA fans are just beginning to tire of the discussion over the slew of trades that happened within the last month or so, and are about ready to see what happens on the court. For those fans, the two to three month wait that still remains will be killer.
This season comes with unique storylines for the Eastern Conference, from Shaquille O'Neal pairing with LeBron James, to the Boston Celtics hoping for a shot at another title with a healthy Kevin Garnett and the addition of Rasheed Wallace.
Like anything based on best guesses, predictions really don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, other than perhaps providing entertainment to those caught in this calm of the NBA off season. For those fans, these predictions may spark enough conversation to get them through the wait.
With that in mind, here's how the Western Conference may look this season:
Atlantic Division
Predicted finishes:
- Boston Celtics 61-21
- Toronto Raptors 40-42
- New Jersey Nets 32-50
- Philadelphia 76ers 31-51
- New York Knicks 26-56
The East is better, but other than the Celtics, the Atlantic Division is weak. The Raptors have quietly added some nice pieces to the mix, including Hedo Turkoglu. Keep a careful watch on newly acquired Marco Bellineli, as this could be the opportunity he's been waiting for. Andrea Bargnani should get better, too. The 76ers are hoping Elton Brand comes back healthy, but losing Andre Miller really hurts. He was better than his stats ever indicated. Miller was a true winner and big game player. Think of him as a Chauncey Billups without the outside shot.
Southeast Division
Predicted finishes:
- Orlando Magic 58-24
- Miami Heat 48-34
- Washington Wizards 45-37
- Atlanta Hawks 44-38
- Charlotte Bobcats 21-61
Losing Turkoglu will mean the Magic won't have the dual forward of Turk and Rashard Lewis to create match up problems for opponents, but they were smart by not paying him the amount he was asking for. Adding Vince Carter will compensate for that loss with a more consistent (yes, Vince is more consistent) penetrator, who's willing to take big shots. Miami is adding weapons to try to persuade Dwayne Wade to sign an extension. Michael Beasley should get better this season, and the addition of Quentin Richardson will help spread the floor, which is something they've desperately needed for a while. The Wizards are expecting to have a healthy Gilbert Arenas this year, and have stockpiled perimeter depth just to be sure. The Hawks haven't lost anyone too significant, and even added Jamal Crawford. However, the division has improved and Crawford, like starting point guard Mike Bibby, is a shoot first point guard who plays little defense.
Central Division
Predicted finishes:
- Cleveland Cavaliers 63-19
- Chicago Bulls 43-39
- Indiana Pacers 39-42
- Detroit Pistons 36-46
- Milwaukee Bucks 19-63
Adding Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavs shouldn't hurt LeBron's game at all. After all, Shaq was able to win titles with Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade, neither whom are as versatile as James. The biggest question for Cleveland is whether or not Coach Mike Brown can grow enough of a spine to coach James and Shaq at once. His authority, at times, were questioned this season. However, if he can take the reins of this team, and if he could limit Shaq's minutes, so that they were split with Zydrunas Ilgauskas, then both centers would likely be at full strength for the playoffs, which would spell danger for other teams.
2010 Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions:
First Round:
1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs 8 Toronto Raptors (Cavs in four)
2 Boston Celtics vs 7Chicago Bulls (Celtics in six)
3 Orlando Magic vs 6 Atlanta Hawks (Magic in four)
4 Miami Heat vs 5 Washington Wizards (Heat in seven)
Second Round:
1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs 4 Miami Heat
2 Boston Celtics vs 3 Orlando Magic
Semifinal Round:
1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs 2 Boston Celtics (Celtics in seven)
The copyright of the article 2009-2010 NBA Eastern Conference Preview in NBA is owned by Phil Partington. Permission to republish 2009-2010 NBA Eastern Conference Preview in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Sep 1, 2009 8:40 AM
Guest :
The Cleveland Cavaliers with the Acquisition of Shaq,Anthony Parker and
Jamario Moon and a healthy Leon Powe returning in time for the playoff
spells defeat for all teams East.Remember: Shaq is in the last year of his
contract as well as Lebron.Jordan did not win a title until his 7th
year.Even mediocre players play better in a contract year.The Celtics have
no answer for Shaq and they are not as hungry as the Cavs having won it all
just 2 years ago.It is Lebron's year,Don't sleep on the Cavs!
Sep 1, 2009 8:58 AM
Phil Partington :
First, you're thinking of the Shaq of old. Shaq's contract year doesn't
matter so much, b/c he's not playing for a contract. This may be his last
stint, so money's not really his concern.
If the Celtics play
the same kind of defense they played a couple years ago, Shaq wouldn't be
much problem. He'll have a few games here and there, but his defense is on
serious decline, b/c he's slow. Hell, the Pistons made short work of him
when he was in his prime. Perkins, Sheed and KG should be able to handle an
old Shaq.
LeBron's a different story. He's a beast.
I don't think having the Cavs make it to the conference finals and losing
to a healthy Celtics in seven is "counting them out."
Sep 15, 2009 5:58 AM
Guest :
Milwauke Bucks going 19-63? Yes, they lost Sessions, Villanueva and
Jefferson, but Redd and Bogut are ruteurning from injuries, and they added
Hakim Warrick and Carlos Delfino, plus Jennings from the draft. Expect
Meeks to be a good scorer off the bench, and even Roko Ukic will contribute
to the defense. Skiles will find a way to make these guys work to their
full potential, and if everyone stays healthy there's no reason the Bucks
shouldn't win at least 35 games. Playoffs are probably too much to ask for
in the "new" Eastern Conference but 19-63 is a bit ridiculous.
Sep 25, 2009 9:13 AM
Phil Partington :
Could I be wrong about the Bucks? Sure, but losing Jefferson, Villanueva
and Sessions is huge, and the rest of the East (not just the elite teams)
is getting better. The Bucks, on the other hand, got worse. Somebody has to
slip and I think it'll be the Bucks. Health is always a factor for them,
too.
Is it really unreasonable to think the Bucks could slip
this far? The Wizards did, after all...and while their slippage was due to
injuries, the same could easily happen to Milwaukee. These are predictions,
not prophecy. If you don't agree, that's fine. You could be right. It's
just one scenario. Health will determine a lot of things.
One
thing's for sure, the Bucks will be an awful, awful team next season.
Oct 22, 2009 5:40 PM
Guest :
I would say that this time Shaq and Lebron will not work out because Lebron
James is not as versatile as Wade and Bryant. Why? he does not have a jump
shot like wade and bryant, why do you think they loaded the cavs with
shooters. now in days veratile. Lebron just runs the middle or baseline and
then kicks it out or takes it to the rim strong. Versatile means
well-rounded. I would say of he had a jump shot he would be as well rounded
as kobe and dwayne.
Oct 22, 2009 11:33 PM
Phil Partington :
That's absurd and based on nothing in particular.If we're talking about
range, let's look at trey numbers.
LeBron averaged 1.6 threes
per last season at a respectable 34.4%. Wade averaged 1.1 per at 31.7% and
the year they won the finals had a HORRIBLE outside shot, shooting under
30% from beyond the arc. Kobe shot 35% from beyond the arc last year. As
for jump shots, LeBron's jumper has improved every season and is pretty
damn good. No idea where you're getting you argument there.
Oct 22, 2009 11:34 PM
Phil Partington :
...plus, Wade and Shaq were most successful when they ran the pick and
roll. The biggest challenge LeBron and Shaq might have will be Shaq's age.
Is he quick enough to be that big of a factor anymore? Egos might come into
play, too, but I think that'll be less of an issue unless Brown can't
handle it.
Oct 29, 2009 9:03 AM
Laura Steiner :
I think the Raptors could potentially win the division. The Celtics to me
are relying on an older trio of players, where one injury could finish
their hopes.
The Cavs... let's face it Lebron is their offence.
Shaq is there primarily as an inside force, while Lebron can do it all.
Also there are players like Andrea Bargnani who can really tire Shaq out
trying to keep up with them.
I would raise the Raptors' win
total judging from their season opener. They have depth on their bench,
and when Bargnani is firing on all cylinders they're unbeatable. Even if
Turjkolu doesn't score much, his impact is felt. I'm going to say a 45 win
season for them, and a second division title.
-Laura
Oct 29, 2009 9:08 AM
Phil Partington :
I think you have high, unreasonable hopes, but I guess anything's possible.
First, the Celtics may be "trying" to rely on "an older trio
of players," but let's face it, they're doing a damn good job at it.
The Raptors don't hold a candle to them. Second, the Cavs aren't in their
division, and it's silly to base an entire argument off of one game. If the
Cavs and the Raptors play each other 10 times, the Raptors might win 2-3 of
those times if they're lucky.
I think 45 wins isn't
unreasonable, but 45 wins will not win this division. Even if Garnett can't
stay healthy, the Celtics are easily above a 50-win team. And Turk didn't
score much b/c he was guarding LeBron.
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