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Of course it's early, but who do you think plays in the Eastern Conference Finals next season?

I've got Clev and Orl-at this point. ATL could be interesting too. Of course, if Embiid is healthy the Sixers would have a good shot.

I think the West (OKC) looks like heavy favorites already

Knicks are Finals or bust. Cleveland is as well. Any other Eastern Conference team would be pleased as punch to make the conference finals.

Gun to my head Cavs-Knicks but wouldn't be shocked to see Philly somehow there

Going with the Cavs/NY in the ECF and it is not even close. Bucks, Celtics and Pacers all have key players all all season and unless these teams have some major injuries no excuses why they should not be in the ECF.

I guess we are back to the team Lebron years where we know even before the season starts, how the east us going to end up. Only difference is we don't know what team is going to lose to OKC in the finals.

Dino353 wrote:Gun to my head Cavs-Knicks but wouldn't be shocked to see Philly somehow there

How in the world will philly get there with PG cooked and Emiid slated to miss AT LEAST 40 games.

Miami is my homer pick. Detroit if healthy is poised to take the next step.

We will see a Pacers-Knicks rematch. The Pacers will hold steady with their deep team, Nembhard taking point for the year and Mathurin getting to start. Haliburton will come back right before the playoffs and they'll shock the world AGAIN and win the 2026 NBA title.

Knicks Celtics rematch

Free agency hasn’t started, not sure of any team right now.

The_Ghost_of_JB wrote:Going with the Cavs/NY in the ECF and it is not even close. Bucks, Celtics and Pacers all have key players all all season and unless these teams have some major injuries no excuses why they should not be in the ECF.

I guess we are back to the team Lebron years where we know even before the season starts, how the east us going to end up. Only difference is we don't know what team is going to lose to OKC in the finals.

Dino353 wrote:Gun to my head Cavs-Knicks but wouldn't be shocked to see Philly somehow there

How in the world will philly get there with PG cooked and Emiid slated to miss AT LEAST 40 games.

Joel is supposed to be ready for training camp.Assuming he plays at least 65-70 games Philly will be in the mix, Maxey is more than capable of carrying that team

Dino353 wrote:

The_Ghost_of_JB wrote:Going with the Cavs/NY in the ECF and it is not even close. Bucks, Celtics and Pacers all have key players all all season and unless these teams have some major injuries no excuses why they should not be in the ECF.

I guess we are back to the team Lebron years where we know even before the season starts, how the east us going to end up. Only difference is we don't know what team is going to lose to OKC in the finals.

Dino353 wrote:Gun to my head Cavs-Knicks but wouldn't be shocked to see Philly somehow there

How in the world will philly get there with PG cooked and Emiid slated to miss AT LEAST 40 games.

Joel is supposed to be ready for training camp.Assuming he plays at least 65-70 games Philly will be in the mix, Maxey is more than capable of carrying that team

Embiid has never played 70 regular season games and and has played 65 games twice in his 11 year career. On top of that he has missed 106 out of 164 games over the past 2 season. Zero chance he plays 65+ games. Philly will be lucky if he can even play 40 games.

I'm telling you right now as a magic fan.. I'm not scared of any team out east. The magic when firing on all cylinders can beat any team they want too beat. Now if that actually translates to anything of substance and the magic make a deep run is another story.

Injuries and match ups play a key role in determining who makes deep runs in the post season as well. So we'll see.

jowglenn wrote:We will see a Pacers-Knicks rematch. The Pacers will hold steady with their deep team, Nembhard taking point for the year and Mathurin getting to start. Haliburton will come back right before the playoffs and they'll shock the world AGAIN and win the 2026 NBA title.

0% chance Hali is playing next season lol

3ddman23 wrote:I'm telling you right now as a magic fan.. I'm not scared of any team out east. The magic when firing on all cylinders can beat any team they want too beat. Now if that actually translates to anything of substance and the magic make a deep run is another story.

Injuries and match ups play a key role in determining who makes deep runs in the post season as well. So we'll see.

As long as Mosley is the head coach, the Magic aren't going anywhere in the playoffs.

In a pace & space NBA that guy's mind is stuck on grit & grind. Dead last pace and dead last 3pt %, just a terrible philosophy for 2025 basketball.

JujitsuFlip wrote:

3ddman23 wrote:I'm telling you right now as a magic fan.. I'm not scared of any team out east. The magic when firing on all cylinders can beat any team they want too beat. Now if that actually translates to anything of substance and the magic make a deep run is another story.

Injuries and match ups play a key role in determining who makes deep runs in the post season as well. So we'll see.

As long as Mosley is the head coach, the Magic aren't going anywhere in the playoffs.

In a pace & space NBA that guy's mind is stuck on grit & grind. Dead last pace and dead last 3pt %, just a terrible philosophy for 2025 basketball.

I guess we'll find out. But again no one in the east scares me as a magic fan. They can compete with anyone, especially this season.

Right now I have Magic-Knicks, subject to change based on free agency and seeding

I think two of Knicks, Cavs, or Orlando make the ECF.

Voted Orlando vs Cleveland.

Cleveland has an excellent, talented starting 5, a solid bench and continuity.

Guessing Orlando stays healthier this season, and get natural improvements from Franz/Paolo/Suggs, plus obviously addition of Bane.

NY takes a step back after getting Dolaned out in the middle of nowhere.

Should be a fun regular season in the east. I would say tiers looks like
CLE, NY
IND, ORL
BOS, DET, ATL, MIA

Dino353 wrote:Gun to my head Cavs-Knicks but wouldn't be shocked to see Philly somehow there

lol what Embiid is never going to be healthy again

Orlando - Cavs.