Official East Conference Prediction Thread - updated 10/25/16

[Prez]

Monroe has really destroyed perception of the Bucks around here. I see people predicting us to do even worse than last year and land bottom 3 in the conference, it's baffling to me. It's gonna be interesting how that changes after we trade him in the next couple weeks.

[SouthernFried]

What I find absolutely funny is the amount of time I saw this earlier in the thread:

1. Cleveland
2. ?????? (Insert Random Team here...Bos, NY, Ind)
3. Toronto

It's like, dudes are just trying to put someone in front of Toronto for the heck of it. It has subsided as of late though.

Anyway, it's nice to know that I have until the 31st to adjust my rankings....

EDIT: I'll just do it right now.

It's funny, realGM hates the Raptors. For the past 3 years it's always been they're going to be 7th or 8th seed, or miss the playoffs, and they've always ended up as the 2-4 seed. Like do they not know 3/5 teams in our division have been tanking for the past 3 years? Meanwhile people give IND the benefit of the doubt, expecting a ridiculous jump from 7th to 2nd while their defense at the most important spot got worse. Turner could make a huge jump, but I don't expect the team will. BOS I could see going toe to toe with TOR and ending up as 2nd, I could totally see that. But NYK and CHI, both made really questionable signings. I actually think CHI will be worse than last year, they lost key rotation players with getting no defensive players back in return.

Hating the Raptors? Because they struggled against PG, the corpse of Monta Ellis, and the rookie Turner? Because it took a Whiteside and Bosh injury to reach the Conference Finals? I doubt it's a crime to suggest they'd revert to the mean.

[steamed hams]

What I find absolutely funny is the amount of time I saw this earlier in the thread:

1. Cleveland
2. ?????? (Insert Random Team here...Bos, NY, Ind)
3. Toronto

It's like, dudes are just trying to put someone in front of Toronto for the heck of it. It has subsided as of late though.

Anyway, it's nice to know that I have until the 31st to adjust my rankings....

EDIT: I'll just do it right now.

It's funny, realGM hates the Raptors. For the past 3 years it's always been they're going to be 7th or 8th seed, or miss the playoffs, and they've always ended up as the 2-4 seed. Like do they not know 3/5 teams in our division have been tanking for the past 3 years? Meanwhile people give IND the benefit of the doubt, expecting a ridiculous jump from 7th to 2nd while their defense at the most important spot got worse. Turner could make a huge jump, but I don't expect the team will. BOS I could see going toe to toe with TOR and ending up as 2nd, I could totally see that. But NYK and CHI, both made really questionable signings. I actually think CHI will be worse than last year, they lost key rotation players with getting no defensive players back in return.

Hating the Raptors? Because they struggled against PG, the corpse of Monta Ellis, and the rookie Turner? Because it took a Whiteside and Bosh injury to reach the Conference Finals? I doubt it's a crime to suggest they'd revert to the mean.

You're cherry picking statements, I can make them too. Lowry was injured, Derozan shooting historically bad, both those teams faced the corpse of Luis Scola, rookie in Powell, one legged and played 10 games all season Carroll, JV injury when he was dominating Miami, etc. That's not my point though. Look at last seasons prediction and the season before that's prediction threads, they both had wild and ridiculous predictions for 7th-10th (which is not reverting to the mean) and several for a 6th place finish this year, and again giving wild predictions for the Knicks, Bulls and Pacers.

[MrBigShot]

Monroe has really destroyed perception of the Bucks around here. I see people predicting us to do even worse than last year and land bottom 3 in the conference, it's baffling to me. It's gonna be interesting how that changes after we trade him in the next couple weeks.

I have you guys making the playoffs at 8 atm. I don't agree with people placing you bottom 3 but If I were a bucks fan it wouldn't come as a shock to see people not viewing my team favorably. It's a very similar team as last year that won 33 games. Maybe that will change when MCW and Monroe no longer play there, as MCW just sucks and Monroe sucks outside of situations where he has a frontcourt partner who can cover all of his weaknesses.

I general I wouldn't put too much stock in what neutral fans who don't even watch highlights of the team, much less games. I've seen people on the GB say the Heat will be 2nd seed (after losing Wade), Pistons will be 12th place, Knicks/Bulls will be 2nd seed yadyada.

[giberish]

Cle
Tor
Bos

Char
Atl
Indy
Det
Chi
Wash
Mil

Mia
NYK
Orl

BK
Philly

I wouldn't be shocked if Toronto or Boston actually ends up with the best regular season record. Cleveland may have less depth than last year and they know they can win game 7 on the road so their regular season motivation may be very weak.
#3-10 looks very close at this time, that group could be reshuffled a lot without any surprise.
I won't trust Orlando to be near .500 until it happens, I still don't see the really good player(s) to lead even an average team. I don't think Knicks fans are ready for how bad Rose has become.

[Chuck Everett]

Brooklyn is unequivocally now the worst team in the NBA. I expect them to finish 13-69. No Crabbe, no TJ. Gonna be a long year. Boston may end up with top 4 pick no matter what. Ainge will screw it up, I'm sure, but still, not good at all.

[LUKE23]

Monroe has really destroyed perception of the Bucks around here. I see people predicting us to do even worse than last year and land bottom 3 in the conference, it's baffling to me. It's gonna be interesting how that changes after we trade him in the next couple weeks.

I have you guys making the playoffs at 8 atm. I don't agree with people placing you bottom 3 but If I were a bucks fan it wouldn't come as a shock to see people not viewing my team favorably. It's a very similar team as last year that won 33 games. Maybe that will change when MCW and Monroe no longer play there, as MCW just sucks and Monroe sucks outside of situations where he has a frontcourt partner who can cover all of his weaknesses.

I general I wouldn't put too much stock in what neutral fans who don't even watch highlights of the team, much less games. I've seen people on the GB say the Heat will be 2nd seed (after losing Wade), Pistons will be 12th place, Knicks/Bulls will be 2nd seed yadyada.

If they can trade Monroe it's much different than last year. Our three biggest chemistry issues were Monroe, Bayless, and Mayo. The latter two are gone and I expect Monroe will be as well.

Bucks were 1st in paint points but last in 3s. Added Teletovic and Delly there, both were top 20 in league for 3% of guys who hit at least 90. That gives them 3 of the top 20 with Middleton. All the guys they added are high character.

The biggest reason they likely make a jump is Giannis/Parker. Both looked ready to explode post ASB last year and I think it carries over. I think Giannis just goes off this season.

Think the Bucks win at least 45. Time will tell.

[hoophabit]

Coming to the general board and expecting not to read some comments that are unflattering about their favorite team/players? I say, welcome to realgm newbie!

[Down To Buck]

Seeing ORL placed in the 3rd/4th worst slot in the east is bizarre.

I'd assume most folks here aren't aware when it comes to the Magic.

Folks are aware that every single offseason there are aspirations of playoffs, and every single offseason the Magic come up way short. I've been an optimist for them for a long time, wondering why they weren't better. This year, though, I just don't see their acquisitions elevating them very far (and they traded Nicholson, dammit, he's gonna be a beast just you wait), so they have to hope for Gordon to bust out to have a good season.

[ORL_on_FIRE]

Seeing ORL placed in the 3rd/4th worst slot in the east is bizarre.

I'd assume most folks here aren't aware when it comes to the Magic.

Folks are aware that every single offseason there are aspirations of playoffs, and every single offseason the Magic come up way short. I've been an optimist for them for a long time, wondering why they weren't better. This year, though, I just don't see their acquisitions elevating them very far (and they traded Nicholson, dammit, he's gonna be a beast just you wait), so they have to hope for Gordon to bust out to have a good season.

It's been a rebuild for over 4 years. This offseason was the first time they have made moves to take the next step forward. Maybe last year there was playoff aspirations due to the good start in the beginning but never were there any in the seasons before that after Dwight left.

They won 35 games last season and to be honest could've won many more considering how close every game was with huge holes in their roster.

When I look at the roster now I see depth, defense, balance and athleticism. If Orlando isn't fighting for a bottom seed this year id be surprised.

[PhillyNj]

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

Chicago is not going to be a 13th seed with 2 all stars.

Indiana is not that great. Toronto will take a step back.

sry but I see Chicago on a plunge towards the bottom.
Wade can't possibly match last year!
Butler is Also very injury prone
and loosing Gasol probably there MVP is going to kill them

[MrBigShot]

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

You guys have a bright future, especially if Embiid stays healthy, but the 10th seed this year won 41 games this season. A 31 win improvement is just not realistic.

[Bosnian Diehard]

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

[nbafan341]

1.cleveland
2.toronto
3. atlanta
4. boston
5. indiana
6. chicago
7. charolette
8. orlando
9. detroit
10.knicks
11. miami
12. washington
13. milwauke
14. brooklyn
15.philly

[watpho71]

East

1. Cleveland
2. Toronto
3. Boston
4. Indiana
5. Detroit
6. Charlotte
7. Atlanta
8. Washington

9. New York
10. Orlando
11. Milwaukee
12. Chicago
13. Miami
14. Philadelphia
15. Brooklyn

[MagicStarwipe]

Seeing ORL placed in the 3rd/4th worst slot in the east is bizarre.

I'd assume most folks here aren't aware when it comes to the Magic.

Folks are aware that every single offseason there are aspirations of playoffs, and every single offseason the Magic come up way short. I've been an optimist for them for a long time, wondering why they weren't better. This year, though, I just don't see their acquisitions elevating them very far (and they traded Nicholson, dammit, he's gonna be a beast just you wait), so they have to hope for Gordon to bust out to have a good season.

Being soft as pudding inside and having zero interior defense were huge factors.

[Statlanta]

Feels like the prediction this offseason is boring af because of the absolute superiority of Cavs and Ws in their respective conferences, plus the weakened / less of progress from the West top tier. At least last year we had Pierce/Smith-ed LAC, LMA-ed SAS, Lawson-ed HOU, KD-ed OKC, and a promising MEM squad.

There was parity coming into last season because there were like 6-7 50 win teams and OKC wasn't even in the playoffs so it looked very optimistic. Durant's decision, age and injuries have restructured the Western hierarchy so 2-8 in the West is now looking like 2-13 in the Eastern conference with parity and less focused talent in areas. The Cavs and Warriors are basically stacked in that they have the two best players in the league and on top of that they have at least 2 other players who will be All-Stars on other teams which is crazy from a competitive standpoint. After that though the balanced fight to see who will fill those 2nd tier team spots below them will be exactly why general fans should tune into the NBA on those non-Cavs/Warriors nights.

[JF5]

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Clearly number one... Nobody is threatening them.

2. Indiana Pacers - Though not a fan of the roster they look pretty good all-around. Definitely an improved team...

3. Toronto Raptors - Take step back... They had and amazing season last year but they seemed to over achieve with the caliber of Star players/style of play.

4. Washington Wizards - Massive step forward but they have been looked over as they've consistently had core players (Bradley Beal) go down with injury which ultimately prevented them from making the playoffs. This is where they belong (When Healthy) so I don't expect much to change.

5. Detroit Pistons - Team to watch for the future but this is clearly another group that can make an impact now. Drummonds to me has a fairly low ceiling due to his low BBIQ. But with SVG being able to mold a team around him and having the young guys improve naturally they should win a few more games going into next season.

6. Atlanta Hawks - Gotten worse but still have the vets/roster/coaching to slip into the playoffs rather easily.

7. Boston Celtics - Fall back as their another team I feel like has probably overachieved. Can't keep this up forever with a sub par roster. They're a bubble team that may or may not make the playoffs. But they've got a better trajectory than those who are looking in.

8. Chicago Bulls - Bubble team as they do have the vets/talent necessary to make the playoffs compared to the others. Injury factor is well documented. Which is why they're as low as I've projected them.

9. Charlotte Hornets
10. Orlando Magic
11. Milwaukee Bucks
12. New York Knicks
13. Miami Heat
14. Philadelphia 76ers
15. Brooklyn Nets

[JF5]

Folks are aware that every single offseason there are aspirations of playoffs, and every single offseason the Magic come up way short. I've been an optimist for them for a long time, wondering why they weren't better. This year, though, I just don't see their acquisitions elevating them very far (and they traded Nicholson, dammit, he's gonna be a beast just you wait), so they have to hope for Gordon to bust out to have a good season.

It's been a rebuild for over 4 years. This offseason was the first time they have made moves to take the next step forward. Maybe last year there was playoff aspirations due to the good start in the beginning but never were there any in the seasons before that after Dwight left.

They won 35 games last season and to be honest could've won many more considering how close every game was with huge holes in their roster.

When I look at the roster now I see depth, defense, balance and athleticism. If Orlando isn't fighting for a bottom seed this year id be surprised.

That's what bad teams do as they manage ways lose games.

Now as a Magic fan I'm not saying they won't make the playoffs. But I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't... The team is too much of a wildcard right now.

[New_Hawks_Era]

Why are people expecting atlanta to make the playoffs... They lost their two best players...

Really, when did Millsap get traded?