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

[yoyoboy]

1. CLE 58-24
2. TOR 53-29
3. BOS 50-32
4. DET 46-36
5. ATL 44-38
6. IND 43-39
7. MIL 42-40
8. WAS 40-42

9. CHA 39-45
10. ORL 38-46
11. CHI 36-46
12. NY 35-47
13. MIA 33-49
14. PHI 19-63
15. BKN 17-65

[Bluewaterheaven]

1. Cle
2. Indy
3. Bos
4. Chi
5. Tor
6. NY
7. Det
8. Atl
------------
9. Mil
10. Orl
11. Cha
12. Phil
13. Wash
14. Mia
15. Bkn

[fatlever]

1. Cleveland
2. Boston
3. Toronto
4. Indiana
5. Detroit
6. New York
7. Charlotte
8. Chicago

9. Atlanta
10. Milwaukee
11. Washington
12. Orlando
13. Miami (assuming Bosh doesn't play much)
14. Brooklyn
15. Philadelphia

The gap between 2 and 12 is razor thin and will likely be decided by injuries, chemistry and coaching. If anyone one of those teams in that range loses a significant starter for a decent period of time, that could be enough to push them out of the playoffs.

I think the vets in New York and Chicago will grind their way to enough victories to make the playoffs, at least for this year. That being said, I hate that both teams tried to go this route rather than a proper rebuild. I have no clue how Chicago's roster fits, with Rondo, Wade and Butler all needing the ball and two of them being awful playing off the ball. Still, there's too much talent and experience for them not to be able to figure it out enough to win 40 or so games.

I've been predicting Atlanta to have a down year and miss the playoffs for about 8 straight seasons. One of these days I'm going to be correct. I'm probably dead wrong on this prediction. Millsap is awesome and they have a great coach.

Charlotte is a team with a high floor, but a low ceiling. They bring back all of their starting lineup and brought back 2 former point guards behind Kemba. Plus they are entering their 4th year under a really good coach, who, at the very least will have them playing defense, rebounding and winning the FT battle on most nights. Their entire core is in their prime. Just like any of the teams in the 2-12 range, a serious injury to Kemba or Batum would be very damaging, enough to knock them out of the playoffs.

Milwaukee and Washington are just two teams that I can't get a good read on. It would not be surprising to see either bounce back and finish in the top 6. The talent is there, no doubt.

Orlando has improved, but it will take some time to gel under a new coach and massive changes to the roster. Also, still a lot of young guys to work into the rotation. Obviously they could surprise, but I'll initially bet on the teams with more continuity and experience.

[yoyoboy]

1. CLE (60-65 wins)
2. TOR (55-60 wins)
3. BOS (50-55 wins)
4. CHI (45-50 wins)
5. IND (45-50 wins)
6. DET (42-48 wins)
7. ORL (40-46 wins)
8. CHA (40-46 wins)

9. ATL (38-44 wins)
10. WAS (35-42 wins)
11. MIL (32-38 wins)
12. NY (30-35 wins)
13. PHI (25-30 wins)
14. BKN (20-25 wins)
15. MIA (15-20 wins)

You really expect the Heat to be that bad, gom? Are you betting on Bosh sitting out a lot of games? Because I'd think having Bosh, Whiteside, Dragic, Richardson, and a second-year Winslow, even surrounded by absolute scrubs, could get more than 15-20 wins.

[ken6199]

The only chance Heat finishing below 20W is Bosh out, and Whiteside after his pay day suddenly turning into a Larry Sanders, so they shut down Dragic as well. There is just no other way as long as one of them is producing throughout the regular season.

Bottom of the East is bad as usual, you get a bunch of free wins one way or another.

[tmorgan]

Post-Wade to CHI
Post-Boban! to DET

Raptors
Cavaliers
Celtics
Pistons
Bulls
Hawks
Pacers
Bucks

Magic
Hornets
Wizards
Knicks
Heat
Sixers
Nets

[Shady Franchise]

1. CLE 55+
2. TOR 50+
3. IND 50+
4. BOS 45+
5. DET 45+
6. ATL 40+
7. ORL 40+
8. CHA 40+

9. CHI 40+
10. WAS 40+
11. NYK 35+
12. MIL 30+
13. MIA 30+
14.PHI 15+
15.BKN 10+

[gom]

1. CLE (60-65 wins)
2. TOR (55-60 wins)
3. BOS (50-55 wins)
4. CHI (45-50 wins)
5. IND (45-50 wins)
6. DET (42-48 wins)
7. ORL (40-46 wins)
8. CHA (40-46 wins)

9. ATL (38-44 wins)
10. WAS (35-42 wins)
11. MIL (32-38 wins)
12. NY (30-35 wins)
13. PHI (25-30 wins)
14. BKN (20-25 wins)
15. MIA (15-20 wins)

You really expect the Heat to be that bad, gom? Are you betting on Bosh sitting out a lot of games? Because I'd think having Bosh, Whiteside, Dragic, Richardson, and a second-year Winslow, even surrounded by absolute scrubs, could get more than 15-20 wins.

yoyoboy, we are completely screwed. There is no evidence that Bosh will play or that he will be approved. We'll have our MVP McRoberts there. WInslow & Richardson are good, but can't carry the team, even with Dragic & Whiteside. It's pretty bad, man.

Nothing we didn't deserve though. You just can't take things for granted. I understand Wade's side.

[yoyoboy]

1. CLE (60-65 wins)
2. TOR (55-60 wins)
3. BOS (50-55 wins)
4. CHI (45-50 wins)
5. IND (45-50 wins)
6. DET (42-48 wins)
7. ORL (40-46 wins)
8. CHA (40-46 wins)

9. ATL (38-44 wins)
10. WAS (35-42 wins)
11. MIL (32-38 wins)
12. NY (30-35 wins)
13. PHI (25-30 wins)
14. BKN (20-25 wins)
15. MIA (15-20 wins)

You really expect the Heat to be that bad, gom? Are you betting on Bosh sitting out a lot of games? Because I'd think having Bosh, Whiteside, Dragic, Richardson, and a second-year Winslow, even surrounded by absolute scrubs, could get more than 15-20 wins.

yoyoboy, we are completely screwed. There is no evidence that Bosh will play or that he will be approved. We'll have our MVP McRoberts there. WInslow & Richardson are good, but can't carry the team, even with Dragic & Whiteside. It's pretty bad, man.

Nothing we didn't deserve though. You just can't take things for granted. I understand Wade's side.

Yeah I could definitely see Miami tanking if Bosh can't play. Haven't seen any updates about his condition, so I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Either way, it'll be good to see how Winslow and Richardson fare in bigger roles, and a high draft pick can't hurt.

[Worm122]

CLE
BOS
TOR
ATL
IND
DET
MIA
NYK

MIL
ORD
WAS
CHI
CHA
BKN
PHI

[LeMasta]

CLE
BOS
IND
TOR
ATL
ORD
DET
MIL
______________

NYK
CHI
WAS
MIA
CHA
PHI
BKN

[TheGOATRises007]

1. CLE 58-24
2. TOR 53-29
3. BOS 50-32
4. DET 46-36
5. ATL 44-38
6. IND 43-39
7. MIL 42-40
8. WAS 40-42

9. CHA 39-45
10. ORL 38-46
11. CHI 36-46
12. NY 35-47
13. MIA 33-49
14. PHI 19-63
15. BKN 17-65

What is your reasoning for the Bulls being 6 games worse the upcoming season?

[yoyoboy]

1. CLE 58-24
2. TOR 53-29
3. BOS 50-32
4. DET 46-36
5. ATL 44-38
6. IND 43-39
7. MIL 42-40
8. WAS 40-42

9. CHA 39-45
10. ORL 38-46
11. CHI 36-46
12. NY 35-47
13. MIA 33-49
14. PHI 19-63
15. BKN 17-65

What is your reasoning for the Bulls being 6 games worse the upcoming season?

Their spacing is going to be atrocious. Rondo and Wade is just a bad fit in the backcourt and both are defensive liabilities at this point in their careers. They also lost Pau, and no matter how you feel about his allegedly poor defense, the numbers actually refute that and show that he's having a positive impact on both ends. Furthermore, I don't expect anyone else on their roster to take a significant leap forward, and you certainly can't expect much if any contributions from rookies like Valentine. Finally, much of the rest of the East improved, which automatically puts Chicago in a worse position.

[deggett]

1.Cleveland Cavaliers
2.Toronto Raptors
3.Boston Celtics
4.Charlotte Hornets
5.Indiana Pacers
6.Detroit Pistons
7.Orlando Magic
8.Atlanta Hawks

9.Washington Wizards
10.Milwaukee Bucks
11.Chicago Bulls
12.New York Knicks
13.Miami Heat
14.Philadelphia 76ers
15.Brooklyn Nets

[rallydurham]

Cle
Boston
Toronto
Hornets
Pacers
Pistons
HawKs
Magic

Heat
Bucks
Wizards
Knicks
Bulls
Nets
Sixers


You guys sleeping on the hornets are nuts btw

[KnightofHyrule]

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.

[Green Backpack]

Cle
Boston
Toronto
Hornets
Pacers
Pistons
HawKs
Magic

Heat
Bucks
Wizards
Knicks
Bulls
Nets
Sixers


You guys sleeping on the hornets are nuts btw

I personally liked the Hornets better with Al Jeff, Lee, and Lin over their replacements. Obviously MKG being healthy should give them a good boost though.

[cammac]

Really early
#1 Cleveland
#2 Toronto
#3 Boston
#4 Indiana
#5 Atlanta
#6 Charlotte
#7 Pistons
#8 Washington

#9 Milwaukee
#10 Orlando
#11 Chicago
#12 NYKs
#13 Miami
#14 Nets
#15 Philedephia

[The Explorer]

How are people saying the Bulls won't make the playoffs when they have 2 all stars? Doesn't make any sense.

Toronto will take a step back. They over achieved last year and lost a critical piece in biyombo.

I don't see much in Indiana outside of George and Teague.

Cleveland and Boston are clear 1-2, then after that everyone is in the same tier.

[ken6199]

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.

People will get cute, get used to it. I also have the feeling of guys first slotted Houston at #9 position for the sake of it, then started putting random teams above it

It's all good. We are all entitled to our opinions, honest, or legit trolling. If they insist hammering Toronto at #3 and end up eating crow, they lose points...