Predict the Eastern Conference Standings 2013/14

[JimmyBuckets89]

1 Heat- Could be surpassed in wins by either IND or CHI, but the champs will be as solid as ever when the playoffs roll around
2 Pacers- People saying this team hasn't improved are sadly mistaken, they actually have a bench now. Scola, Watson, Granger, Mahimni are all solid contributors. Granger a strong 6th man of year candidate if that is his role
3 Bulls- Should rack up the wins in the regular season, but I see them being a one and done in the playoffs
4 Nets- If this freakishly loaded squad can jell quickly they could easily jump up these standings
5 Knicks- Had to fight myself not to put Atlanta here, but I assume the Knicks and their complete iso offense will get them about 45 wins
6 Hawks- This is going to be a way better team oriented team with the addition of Milsap and subtraction of Jsmoove. The bench is the only question mark
7 Cavs- Have all the depth in the world in the frontcourt and Kyrie will be Kyrie.
8 Wizards- We all know what this team did when Wall was playing, no reason why they shouldn't continue that trend for a whole season.

Just to take it a step further my prediction on the eastern championship is Indiana over Miami. Larry Bird and his boys are about to have a big year.

[hands11]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... -on-miami/

This would have us 6th.

March 4, 2013
John Wall and Bradley Beal Are NBA's Next Star Backcourt
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1552 ... -backcourt

Wall and Beal complement one another like peanut butter and jelly. Wall's quickness and court vision create plenty of spot-up opportunities for Beal and the rookie's ability to consistently knock down 20-footers gives Wall more room to operate in the halfcourt set, giving them a symbiotic relationship that creates matchup nightmares for opposing teams on defense.

The ever-growing chemistry between the Wizards' backcourt mates has also spread to the rest of the team. Whenever Wall and Beal are on the court simultaneously, the Wizards shoot nearly 48 percent as a group, convert more than 43 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc and average 101.2 points per 100 possessions.


In terms of Net Rating (points scored per 100 possessions less points allowed per 100 possessions), the Wizards' lineup of Wall/Beal/Martell Webster/Nene/Emeka Okafor is the fifth-best in the NBA.

As a unit, they grab 56.4 percent of all rebounds (the sixth-best mark for any five-man rotation in the league) and are limiting opponents to an effective field-goal percentage (eFG) of just 37.4 percent.

With Wall and Beal leading the charge, a franchise that has endured nothing but darkness over the past three decades now has the makings of a bright and promising future.

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013 ... l-and-beal

The Wizards were only able to have Wall, Beal and Nene for 22 games, and that trio led the team to a 10-2 record at home and a 5-5 record on the road.

[LyricalRico]

A few excerpts from ESPN's latest 5-on-5 article about the Eastern Conference:

1. Which team in the East will make the biggest jump in 2013-14?

Dan Feldman, PistonPowered: Washington Wizards. The Wizards don't need to get dramatically better to make the East's biggest jump. They just need to stay healthy. Despite its 29-53 record last year, Washington would have made the playoffs if John Wall, Nene and Bradley Beal had even average injury luck. With Wall: 24-25. With Wall and Nene: 22-19. With Wall, Nene and Beal: 15-7. That's a playoff team lurking.

Israel Gutierrez, ESPN.com: Cleveland Cavaliers, by a smidge over the Wizards. Both Washington and Cleveland have rosters that appear prepared to take any of the seemingly wide-open final three playoff positions in the East.

<snip>

Jeremy Schmidt, Bucksketball: Wizards. The Wizards seem the safest bet to make a double-digit improvement in wins. They closed last season strong, added a well-regarded/ready-to-play-now draft pick in Otto Porter and should get a full season from a Wall with something to prove. Eclipsing .500 in a still-weak East doesn't seem unreasonable.

Nice to see some love for the Wiz in the national media. Also, nice to see someone finally agreeing with me on the Knicks (although my reasons go beyond Bargnani):

2. Which team will take the biggest fall in the East in 2013-14?

<snip>

Sunnergren: New York Knicks. A fact that will surely befuddle future historians is that in 2013, the dawn of the age of analytics, a team that thought itself a contender traded for a frontcourt player who couldn't defend, shot 39.9 percent from the floor, and finished dead last among centers in rebounding rate, then proceeded to give him minutes. "Andrea Bargnani," a young student will say with a laugh, shaking his head, before blinking and shutting his history book.

The Wizards actually make another appearance in the article!

3. Which team are you most excited to watch in the East in 2013-14?

<snip>

Gutierrez: Wizards. It's a tough call, but I'm always looking for new and exciting. And with Wall coming into the season healthy, Beal, Porter and a quality frontcourt, the Wizards should be fun. And they might win.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-o ... conference

Unfortunately, nobody picked us for "5. Which team is the favorite to win the East in 2013-14?". Next year!

[hands11]

Hoopsworld has us ranked 8th in the East.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/ranking-the-e ... nce-so-far

Wow, they've got NY over CHI?



I also think they (and others) are overrating Cleveland. Their primary additions over last year's team are:

1) Bennett - A #1 overall pick whose impact could be limited because he plays the same position as one of their young starters (Thompson).
2) Bynum - I don't think you can really count him in your projections. Anything he gives them is gravy IMO.
3) Jack - Third guards do not contenders make (except when Harden was in OKC).
4) Verajao - Counting him as an "addition" since he missed so much of last season. He might have the biggest impact, but he's still primarily an energy player.

I really don't see anything that takes them from having the 3rd worst record on the league to a 6th seed as Hoopsworld is projecting. That would almost certainly be a 20 game swing in wins, which has only been done like once in NBA history (I think when SA has the Robinson injury and Duncan pick scenario). Seems like more runaway Kyrie Irving hype IMO.

Yeah, you counting on Injured mop head, injured immature Bynum, a rookie that hasn't played in a while and is a lazy defender, and Jack who I really like. He really helps the guard rotation. Thats the big addition.

They should be better because their young players from last year should be better and they have Jack. Plus I like Sergey Karasev.

15 games would be a huge leap for them and that might get them into 8th. Maybe.

They get a lot of love because of Kyrie and Bynum is a big name. And Jack was huge in the playoffs. Can't believe he left Indy to play for CLE.

The press are getting sucked in. We'll see.

[closg00]

8. Washington Wizards: The Wizards made some curious financial decisions this summer, giving point guard John Wall a five-year, $80 million extension a year before they had to and doling out a four-year, $22 million deal to small forward Martell Webster despite drafting Otto Porter just days earlier and already having Trevor Ariza. But this team should be fun to watch. A healthy Wall will steer what should be a potent up-tempo offense that will also feature shooting guard Bradley Beal, who improved as his rookie year progressed before a leg injury ended his season in early April. Washington went a respectable 24-25 when Wall returned from a knee injury last season. If Wall stays healthy (and shoots a little better from the perimeter), the Wizards should make the playoffs.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/ne ... z2c8Rl5FRB

[hands11]

Here is how I see it as of today.

Miami
Brooklyn
Chicago
Indy
New York
Wizards
Atl
MIL

DET
CLE - Mop head and Bynam are injured to much. Might even do worse then this.

TOR
ORL
CHA
BOS
PHY


Wall vs D Rose in round one of the playoffs and its a pretty good match up.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Not sure I'm ready to gulp the kool aid just yet.

Perhaps it's my broken psyche from 40+ years watching this franchise, perhaps it's the rampant injury concerns (Nene's foot, JWall's knee, BB's ankle, Martell's back, Al's knee, Jan's brain), perhaps it's a sense that our roster is still unbalanced and not quite as deep as it should be.

I also think the improvement of some other teams is going underrated. I think Cleveland will be legitimately good. Atlanta may be on a treadmill, but the new pieces they've brought in are at least as good as the old ones. Detroit easily could be in the 6-8 range.

So, I think 8th seed is a strong possibility, even if our coach has one of the worst (if not the worst) career record of all NBA coaches.

Miami
Brooklyn
Indy
Chicago
New Yawk
Cleveland
Atlanta
Wash/Detroit


All in all, I'd take the eighth seed and be happy... with the hope that we see a few surprising leaps forward from a couple of young 'uns.

Will Otto establish himself as a legitimate, future starter in the league? Will JWall take that next step (shooting, limiting turnovers, understanding the flow of the game)? Will BB be more like a younger Dwayne Wade or more in the competent 2-guard mold of Ron Harper? Can one of Ernie's kids prove to not be a complete bust?

[1AndDone]

Miami, Indy, Chi, BKN
NY, Cleve, ATL, Detroit
Wash, Bos, Toronto, Mil
Charlotte, ORL, Philly

[hands11]

ESPN HoopTV
We name the next Team Turnaround.

http://espn.go.com/nba/

Wizards get named. 5th seed in the East.

Biggest turnaround. Wiz in the East. Min in the West.

Questioning the Cavs. Their read on Bynum is the same as I have been saying for years. I would never invest in a player like that. Fools gold. Predicted he would bust in Philly, he did. Now he will bust in Cleveland. Kid just isn't focused on basketball enough and his knees are likely shot.

So who do they turn to ?

You think Nene has injury problems. Look at this guy.
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/i ... on-varejao

So that leaves Zeller at center.

Hmm. Kyrie, Jack, Waiters, CJ Miles, Tristan, Earl Clark, Bennett, T Zeller

That's their core 8 with spot minutes from Bynum before he is off the team come Jan. For me, it all comes down to Varejao. If he can bounce back from his 31, 25, 25 game production and give them 75 games, they will look decent and challenge for the 8th seed. If not, they are hurting. They still need to build out their front court. I actually think they are more vulnerable moving forward then the Wizards are. The more I look at their line up, the less I see them being good this year. Just to young and to much injury concern at center. Guards are good though. Easily could finish last in their division again.

DET or MIL could end up better then the Cavs.

Just not seeing it. They are just to young and where they need help at center. With another season and offseason, they should be able to get to where the Wizards are this year if they play their cards right.

[nate33]

Holy crap! Check out how much Hibbert has bulked up this offseason:

[hands11]

Holy crap! Check out how much Hibbert has bulked up this offseason:

Ra Roooo

That is a big ass dude.

He Shaq sized himself.

[closg00]

Holy crap! Check out how much Hibbert has bulked up this offseason:

WOW!!! But will this slow him down further. If-only JaVale would do the same......

[nuposse04]

Hopefully Hibbert's legs can handle the extra weight throughout the season. If they can, he may solidify himself as the most dominant 2 way center in the east. He might be unguardable for small teams now. I remember emeka actually played him well in some of our games, might not be so easy this time around now.

He's added some considerable girth, no homo.

[dckingsfan]

By regular season standings

BKN, MIAMI, CHI, Indy
NY, WSH, CLE, ATL
DET, TOR, BOS, MIL, ORL, CHAR, PHILLY

BKN beats ATL in 5
Miami beats CLE in 5
CHI beats WSH in 7
Indy beats NY in 5

BKN beats Indy in 7
CHI beats Miami in 6

CHI beats BKN in 6

[Ruzious]

Holy cheezewiz, Hibbs. His body has made a couple 180's over the years. If adding the size doesn't slow him down, he's going to be the top center in the game. Hmm, he can opt out of his contract after the 14/15 season...

[nate33]

Hmm, he can opt out of his contract after the 14/15 season...

Yeah, but why would he? Indiana is a strong organization with a good foundation for long term success. They'll have to find a way to replace David West eventually, but that should be easier if Hibbert adopts a bigger role in the offense.

I think the odds of Durant or Love leaving in 2015 are higher than Hibbert leaving. Both guys might look around at their roster in 2015 and conclude that they really have no shot at a title.

[hands11]

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/8/27 ... s-shooting

Great read.

Wasn't sure where to put it. Lots was about Wall, but its really about the team.

So they are a top corner 3 shooting team. Maybe most efficient in the league.

But they need more points inside.
And they need more offensive rebound if they miss.
And they need to either separate Nene and Okafor or one of them need to shot much better from outside.

So with player improvement, Wall, Beal, Nene healthier, etc. Will that stuff get addressed ?

Plus this is Randys second off season with them and year two of Trevor A, Webster, Okafor and Nene. They should play better as a team. Everyone should know their roles better.

Al should help as well. Inside and out.

Walls improved outside shooting will open things up for him to drive and drive and dish. More open 3s

Also, with Al, hopefully they can split up Nene and Okafor more often. And if they do that, that allows them to have more center depth by playing one of Nene or Okafor there at a time.

If things break right, they could really bust out this year. Cuz once a team gets it rolling and the spacing opening up, everything is easier. Player that are limited in some areas all the sudden don't have those limitations exposed as much.

So they added a S4, a better PG to run the 2nd line, Wall should be better. Same with Beal. Nene healthier. All that alone could be enough. Now if Kevin can actually do some beast mode in the post and Ves can add a respectable mid range.

Things about get real interesting.

[rockymac52]

http://www.bulletsforever.com/2013/8/27/4662250/john-wall-effect-washington-wizards-shooting

Great read.

Wasn't sure where to put it. Lots was about Wall, but its really about the team.

So they are a top corner 3 shooting team. Maybe most efficient in the league.

But they need more points inside.
And they need more offensive rebound if they miss.
And they need to either separate Nene and Okafor or one of them need to shot much better from outside.

So with player improvement, Wall, Beal, Nene healthier, etc. Will that stuff get addressed ?

Plus this is Randys second off season with them and year two of Trevor A, Webster, Okafor and Nene. They should play better as a team. Everyone should know their roles better.

Al should help as well. Inside and out.

Walls improved outside shooting will open things up for him to drive and drive and dish. More open 3s

Also, with Al, hopefully they can split up Nene and Okafor more often. And if they do that, that allows them to have more center depth by playing one of Nene or Okafor there at a time.

If things break right, they could really bust out this year. Cuz once a team gets it rolling and the spacing opening up, everything is easier. Player that are limited in some areas all the sudden don't have those limitations exposed as much.

So they added a S4, a better PG to run the 2nd line, Wall should be better. Same with Beal. Nene healthier. All that alone could be enough. Now if Kevin can actually do some beast mode in the post and Ves can add a respectable mid range.

Things about get real interesting.

Just read that article as well. Very good points are brought up, I'd recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

At the very least, it helped me feel better about the Harrington signing. Obviously for the vet min it was a quality signing, but as for Harrington as a player, I was skeptical at first. However, if Harrington can provide us with not only depth, but a quality above the break shooter, then that signing could seriously help us.

I'm not so worried about the lack of shots taken at the rim. All that does is confirm to me that while Nene and Okafor are solid, they aren't serious offensive threats down low. We all know we could use a true stud big man to be a force down low offensively. If we can acquire such a player, great! If not, it's not the end of the world, and I think we can still be very competitive.

What needs to change in order for that to happen is either (1) Wall has to develop a legit above the break 3 point shot, or at least continue to improve his mid-range jumper, or (2) another player, perhaps Harrington, has to help give us a consistent above the break threat. We all know Wall would be a lot better with a better jumper, that's beyond obvious at this point. But if he can't progress much more in that regard, then we're going to NEED to find an impact scorer from above the break and/or a truly dominant offensive big man. In the grand scheme of things, none of this should be news to anyone here, but the article did a good job of providing more "proof" that those are the types of players this team is lacking.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I don't have a lot of faith in Seraphin, but I do think he can score reliably from the low block.

Vesely is also decent at finishing lobs.

Maybe lightening will strike twice and both young guys have good seasons.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[closg00]

Bumping for current thoughts, I think the 8th seed is wide-open right now.