NBA Eastern Conference Preview

Playoff Seedings and Lottery Teams From the East For 2007/08

Oct 29, 2007

The Eastern Conference is catching up with the talent of the West. Here is a look at who will make the playoffs and who is bound for the lottery.

Playoff Teams and Seedings

1) Chicago Bulls: With players of the ilk of Hinrich, Gordon, Deng and Nocioni on the outside, combined with Wallace, Tyrus Thomas, Joe Smith and rookie Noah inside they have a very solid nucleus to win a lot of games. Inside scoring is a worry and Kobe trade rumors persist but at this point the Bulls look good enough for a top three position in the East.

2) Boston Celtics: No other team matched the Celtics for offseason moves. Bringing in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to go with leader Paul Pierce gutted the team as far as bench quality goes but should those three stay injury free, they will lead the C’s to the playoffs with lots of confidence. They have looked great together in the preseason and there may be no better three-headed monster in the league.

3) Detroit Pistons: Although not as hyped as previous years, the Pistons still have a formidable lineup capable of a deep playoff run. Billups, Hamilton, Wallace and Prince are experienced and high quality veterans and the young supporting cast is developing nicely. Playoffs are a certainty – how far they go will depend on seeding and matchups.

4) Washington Wizards: Injuries crippled the Wizards season down the stretch in 2006/07. Missing Arenas and a much-improved Caron Butler relegated them to an early exit from the playoffs. With that duo healthy and combined with Antawn Jamison they will be looking to make up for that disappointment. Depth could prove a problem but if Arenas gets hot he has the ability to win several games a season on his own.

5) New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd will be keen lead Jersey back to the playoffs this year. Vince Carter is Vince Carter – a superstar with questionable focus. Richard Jefferson has toyed with injuries two of the last three seasons and a lot will depend on his health. With Nenad Krstic back in the middle, their decent starting five should push for a low playoff seeding.

6) Cleveland Cavaliers: After maybe one of the most unlikely runs to the NBA Finals in recent memory, the Cavs followed up with no off-season moves and, as a result, have set themselves a benchmark way to high to reach. LeBron James will be a superstar again but the team just doesn’t have the quality supporting cast to go as deep this season.

7) Toronto Raptors: Euroball is alive and well in Toronto. Bargnani, Garbajosa and Calderon are joined by leader Chris Bosh and point man TJ Ford in a team that is capable of a return to the playoffs. A tougher Atlantic Division may make things harder but another solid season is on the cards.

8) New York Knicks: Sometimes things are considered so crazy that they just might work. Welcome to New York basketball. Interesting offseason trades have been made and legal battles have been making headlines which wont help, but if this team somehow manages to click then they are stacked with talented players and can win some games. They just need to work out who gets the shots amongst a team of shoot-first players. And someone needs to play defense.

Lottery Time (no particular order)

Miami Heat: Injuries to the star (Wade), an ever-aging legend (Shaq) and integrating new blood (Ricky Davis) will see the Heat miss out.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard is a beast and Rashard Lewis will make an impact (despite being way overpaid) but that won’t be enough this season.

Milwaukee Bucks: Ravaged by injury last year, they are looking healthy but are a season or two away from being a power.

Charlotte Bobcats: Two season-ending injuries to key men will hurt. Adding Jason Richardson to a team containing Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor will ensure fans see some highlights but not necessarily masses of wins.

Atlanta Hawks: Stockpiling lottery picks seems to be their forte. Actually picking guys who develop into stars is the problem. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith aren’t enough but they are headed in the right direction.

Indiana Pacers: Tough times for Pacers fans. Jermaine O’Neal says he is happy but at some point they have to start winning to keep him in Indiana. Like Jordan, Larry Bird was a much better player than GM.

Philadelphia 76ers: The post-Iverson era continues and the Sixers are the better for it. A long way to go yet however.

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