Rank The Eastern Conference 1-15

[Laimbeer]

There's a thread in GD, but I thought it'd be interesting to get our takes in a quieter place.

[BadMofoPimp]

Detroit Against the World = #1

[zeebneeb]

1.)Cavs
2.)Bulls
3.)Pistons
4.)Heat
5.)Hawks
6.)Wizards
7.)Raptors
8.)Bucks
9.)Pacers
10.)Celtics
11.)Charlotte
12.)Orlando
13.)NY
14.)Philly
15.)Brooklyn

I also believe that the playoff threshold will be higher than last year, and teams at the top will be winning alot more games. Surprises, and disappointments abound.

Just quoting myself from the general board.

Someone asked why, and here was my reply;


People are sleeping on this team, and I feel that they will flip the script, and go 50-32. (Though maybe a little higher)

When further pressed, here was my reply;


Well, there's no doubt, I could be off in seed, but I feel Detroit is going to 48-55 wins. It's hard to figure what seed that could be. It could be 4th, or even 5th in thier final place. I believe what you stated, is indeed true, but more so when it comes to the playoffs. No matter how many wins they end up with, the 2nd round is maximum for them, as they are so young. Odds are, even at a high seed, youth could get them booted in the 1st.

They have a solid starting lineup, and, a killer bench, IF it all comes together, and Jennings accepts his role as killer 6th man, and isn't to seriously screwed after his injury.

Lot of question marks, but I firmly believe that they put it all together this year, as there is just to much talent and depth to be a 32-38 win team. Last year, they demonstrated that in really impressive stretches.

Those are my thoughts.

[russkopp]

Let's see...
1) Cavs
2) Heat
3) Bulls
4) Hawks
5) Wizards
6) Bucks
7) Raptors
8) Pistons...gulp
9) Celtics
10) Hornets
11) Pacers
12) Magic
13) Nets
14) Knicks
15) The Tankers

I feel the Raptors, Pistons and Celtics can all be interchanged in those spots.

[Kilo]

Cleveland
Atlanta
Miami
Chicago
Milwaukee
Washington
Toronto
Detroit
Charlotte
Indiana
Boston
Orlando
Brooklyn
NYK
Philadelphia

[treefi]

1. Cavs: C-Thompson, PF-Love, SF-LeBron, PG-Irving, SG-JR Smith, Bench: C-Mozgov, G-Mo Williams, G/F-Shumpert, G-Dellavedova
2. Bulls: C-Noah, PF-Gasol, SF-Dunleavy, PG-Rose, SG-Butler, Bench: PF/C-Taj Gibson, PF-Mirotic, SF-McDermott, G-Brooks
3. Raptors: C-Valanciunas, PF-Patterson, SF-Carroll, PG-Lowry, SG-DeRozan, Bench: G/F-Ross, G-Joseph
4. Heat: C-Whiteside, PF-Bosh, SF-Deng, PG-Dragic, SG-Wade, Bench: C/PF-Stoudemire, F/G-Winslow, G/F-Gerald Green, G-Chalmers
5. Hawks: C-Horford, PF-Millsap, SF-Sefolosha, PG-Teague, SG-Korver, Bench: G- Schroder, C-Splitter, G-Hardaway Jr.
6. Pistons: C-Drummond, PF-Ilyasova, SF-Marcus Morris, PG-Jackson, SG-Caldwell-Pope, Bench: F-Stanimal, G-Jennings, PF/C-Baynes
7. Bucks: C-Monroe, PF-Parker, SF-Antetokounmpo, PG-Carter-Williams, SG-Middleton, Bench: C-Henson, G-Mayo, G-Vasquez
8. Pacers: C-Turner, PF-Hill, SF-George, PG-Hill, SG-Ellis, Bench: G-Rodney Stuckey, G-C.J. Miles, C-Ian Maninmi
9. Wizards
10. Magic
11. Hornets
12. Celtics
13. Nets
14. Knicks
15. 76ers

[treefi]

I think Orlando could surprise everyone and shoot into the top 6 this year.. but I thought they would be better last year too.

C - Nikola Vucevic / DeWayne Dedmon
PF - Aaron Gordon / Channing Frye
SF - Tobias Harris / Mario Hezonja
PG - Elfrid Payton / C.J. Watson
SG - Victor Oladipo / Evan Fournier

If Gordon comes into his own and Hezonja thrives off the bench... Look out!

[mattao313]

1. Cavs- No need for a explanation.

2. Heat- Really good starting 5 with a decent bench this time should have no problem becoming the #2 seed.

3. Hawks- With all the other teams getting better and losing Carrol i think they take a step back but not a big one.

4. Bulls- IDK but they might fall off since last year their second best players was Pau Gasol, but for right now I think they are good enough to be the 4 seed.

5. Wizards- Didn't get better or worse so they stay put.

6. Raptors- Don't trust this team got better on paper but has a terrible coach and SG that is really inefficient.

7. Bucks- Call me bias or a hater but I just don't think Greg catapults them into the top 5.

Teams below besides the Sixers all have a chance to the 8 seed IMO.

Hornets- Got better shooting and probably will be healthy, may have gotten worse defensively but still not a team to sleep on.

Pacers- No front court but trying to go that route like the Knicks when they play Melo at the 4 with Paul I don't think he is strong enough tho. Did get better on offense.

Magic- Overrated team but they have talent.

Pistons- Got better depth and fit players no need to explain and more.

Celtics- Was there last season and didn't lose anyone.

Knicks- Got better and with a healthy Melo should be 10x better.

Nets- Everyone like to make fun of the Nets but Lopez is no joke if he is health they have a chance.

15. Sixers- Everyone knows why.

[treefi]

1. Cavs- No need for a explanation.

2. Heat- Really good starting 5 with a decent bench this time should have no problem becoming the #2 seed.

3. Hawks- With all the other teams getting better and losing Carrol i think they take a step back but not a big one.

4. Bulls- IDK but they might fall off since last year their second best players was Pau Gasol, but for right now I think they are good enough to be the 4 seed.

5. Wizards- Didn't get better or worse so they stay put.

6. Raptors- Don't trust this team got better on paper but has a terrible coach and SG that is really inefficient.

7. Bucks- Call me bias or a hater but I just don't think Greg catapults them into the top 5.

Teams below besides the Sixers all have a chance to the 8 seed IMO.

Hornets- Got better shooting and probably will be healthy, may have gotten worse defensively but still not a team to sleep on.

Pacers- No front court but trying to go that route like the Knicks when they play Melo at the 4 with Paul I don't think he is strong enough tho. Did get better on offense.

Magic- Overrated team but they have talent.

Pistons- Got better depth and fit players no need to explain and more.

Celtics- Was there last season and didn't lose anyone.

Knicks- Got better and with a healthy Melo should be 10x better.

Nets- Everyone like to make fun of the Nets but Lopez is no joke if he is health they have a chance.

15. Sixers- Everyone knows why.

I dunno Bucks growth seems natural to me. They are adding Greg Monroe(and the center spot is his, 16&10 no problem) and Jabari Parker. Another year under Jason Kidd. Plus the Greek Freak could suddenly be their best player next year. If Khris Middleton's year was no fluke.. This is a good team imo. I have them at 7 too but wouldn't have a problem putting them #5.

[treefi]

Really, the Bucks best player next year could be any of the following 4: Middleton, Parker, Antetokounmpo, Monroe... That's gotta be pretty exiting being a Milwaukee fan.

[Mr. Krabs]

1) Cleveland
2) Chicago
3) Atlanta
4) Miami
5) Milwaukee
6) Washington
7) Toronto
8) Indiana
9) Boston
10) Detroit
11) Charlotte
12) Orlando
13) New York
15) Brooklyn
14) Philadelphia

[zeebneeb]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

[DetroitPistons]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

I can't wait to see Monroe try to stop the RG/Drummond P&R

[MotownMadness]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

I think so too, I just don't think you win games with Monroe. He has to be a very ball dominant player to be effective. He really offers nothing off the ball.

[DetroitPistons]

1. Cavaliers
2. Heat
3. Hawks
4. Bulls
5. Raptors
6. Wizards
7. Pistons
8. Bucks
9. Magic
10. Celtics
11. Hornets
12. Pacers
13. Nets
14. Knicks
15. 76ers

[treefi]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

How does anyone?

[MrBigShot]

Cavs
Bulls
Heat
Hawks
Bucks
Wizards
Raptors
Pistons
--------
Celtics
Magic
Pacers
Knicks
Hornets
Nets
Sixers

It would not be completely shocked if the Celtics were ahead of us though for what it's worth, since they did make the playoffs last year with even less talent than they will have this year. Brad Stevens is a pretty good coach, and Isaiah Thomas is among the most underrated players in the league, but I expect us to be ahead of them.

Could also see Heat #2. They've got great talent...more than us at positions 2/3/4 and slightly less talent at the 1 and the 5.

[zeebneeb]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

I can't wait to see Monroe try to stop the RG/Drummond P&R

Well, what makes me chuckle a little, are all the breakdowns from every other board, discussing, and explaining how good the Bucks look, e.t.c., without ever mentioning Monroe's defense. Thier team on offense (defensive problems you could write a book on)also is going to have massive problems. Spacing of course being number 1. You have one good shooter in the starting lineup, and two who play around the rim, one of which can't shoot outside of 5 feet.

I am just confused by that teams makeup right now. Horrific offensive spacing, horrific pick and roll defense.

[Laimbeer]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

I dunno if they got worse, but it's hilarious how good that forum thinks they're going to be. Monroe was a nice pick up, but he brings his liabilities, as we all know. Getting him when he was rumored to be going to big market teams made them think it was more a coup than it really was.

[zeebneeb]

The Bucks to me got worse. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but against teams like the Pistons? We will absolutely shredthier defense on the pick and roll.

Seeing as how that is the most played offense in the league, thus the reason for the 8th seed.

How do they gaurd the Pistons pick and roll exactly?

I dunno if they got worse, but it's hilarious how good that forum thinks they're going to be. Monroe was a nice pick up, but he brings his liabilities, as we all know. Getting him when he was rumored to be going to big market teams made them think it was more a coup than it really was.

For how good everyone on realgm seems to think Monroe is, there wasn't a frenzy around his signing, because those in the know (GMs coaches)knew he came with problems, two of which are huge, but can be partially covered, with the right teammates around him. (Shooting, defense) Milwaukees problem, is that his new team, and starting group, is not, in any way shape or form, conducive to Monroe, and his strengths, and weaknesses.

Well, maybe Monroe has worked on his jumper? That would make him so much more valuable on the floor, and in the Bucks current situation, allow thier offense to work. Defensively though, they are going to be doing ALOT of switching. Good grief.