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ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Aug 9, 2010 4:30 pm
by HMFFL
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Miami Heat 61 21 .744 47 35 .573
Meet the Miami Globetrotters -- with the rest of the East playing the part of the Washington Generals. Our panel says the Super Friends should run circles around the rest of the conference, except perhaps for Orlando. Then again, Boston eliminated both D-Wade and King James a year ago, so that's why they play the postseason …
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Orlando Magic 56 26 .683 59 23 .720
The Magic stumbled vs. the Celtics in the East finals, but this is much the same team that won five series the past two postseasons. Orlando might have some magical maneuvers left, perhaps shipping out Vince Carter and/or finding a way to get Chris Paul. Until then, given Miami's summer, Orlando reverts to dangerous sleeper status.
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Boston Celtics 51 31 .622 50 32 .610
The C's showed the regular season means nothing to them, beating the Cavs and Magic despite starting on the road, and almost doing the same to the Lakers. So it matters little that Boston is projected to win "only" 51 games, as long as it can get KG, Perk and the other Men in Green healthy for April, May and June.
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Chicago Bulls 50 32 .610 41 41 .500
The East's second tier welcomes a new member: Chicago. The Bulls swung and missed on LeBron, D-Wade and CB4, but they did get Carlos Boozer, a deeper bench and a new coach, Tom Thibodeau. That and the sharp ascent of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah mean that Chicago's sellout crowds finally have something to see.
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Atlanta Hawks 48 34 .585 53 29 .646
Amazingly, Atlanta has improved for five straight seasons, but our panel says the streak ends here. The Hawks are a solid team that seems stuck in no man's land, having failed to make the conference finals for 40 years -- since the Lakers swept them in the 1970 Western Division finals -- and that probably won't change in 2011.
Link
My biggest concerns with our team is the lack of size and possibly chemistry issues that have been reported over the last couple months. When the season started last year it appeared that our team had a good vibe, but I think things changed as the season continued, so I hope our chemistry improves.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Aug 9, 2010 11:01 pm
by KJizzle
i don't really put to much stock into the chemistry issues
i mean who isn't gonna have chemistry issues when you get blown out every game
in the second round
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Aug 9, 2010 11:08 pm
by saloonyk8
Problem is we're an ankle sprain or two from being the 7-8 seed. And conversely, if 1-3 sprain some ankles, we still don't sniff those positions...
but to be honest, with the new look east...I'd be happy with a 5 finish, we'd be competitive against Chicago in a series too...although not sure if we could win...
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 1:11 am
by HoopsGuru25
I don't get these rankings. The Celtics are obviously a top 3 team in the East...but I find it highly unlikely that they finish with a top 3 regular season record in the East.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 2:19 am
by ATL DirtyBird
No way we win 48 games. The East got better while the Hawks didnt. It will make for an interesting season but I dont see us stacking up well with our main competitors.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:05 pm
by td00
I think Milwaukee steps over both Chicago and us.
They have made good changes; they look like a team throwing all their cards in for a run now.
Would anyone be surprised to see them 3rd in a heated battle with Boston?
The Bucks have some good cohesiveness and have added huge bench depth. Their 2nd team matches up well with everyone.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:55 am
by ATL DirtyBird
td00 wrote:I think Milwaukee steps over both Chicago and us.
They have made good changes; they look like a team throwing all their cards in for a run now.
Would anyone be surprised to see them 3rd in a heated battle with Boston?
The Bucks have some good cohesiveness and have added huge bench depth. Their 2nd team matches up well with everyone.
Disagree. I love Chicago next year. Not sure I trust Salmons next year for the Bucks. Thats the only question I got, oh and their bench. But that seems to be a question for every team right now.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 10:21 am
by dms269
td00 wrote:I think Milwaukee steps over both Chicago and us.
They have made good changes; they look like a team throwing all their cards in for a run now.
Would anyone be surprised to see them 3rd in a heated battle with Boston?
The Bucks have some good cohesiveness and have added huge bench depth. Their 2nd team matches up well with everyone.
I definitely would be surprised. People assume that because we didn't make any major signings that we are exactly the same team, and since the Bucks pushed the Hawks to 7 games they are better. You have Teague who saw improvements and you also have a new coach, which means new system. The Bucks killed us with their speed at the point and because of our gimmick defense. Put Teague in there and you won't get beat as easily.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:55 pm
by NWO4Life
My Rankings at the end of next year...
Miami
Orlando
Atlanta
Milwaukee
Boston
Chicago
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 3:47 pm
by evildallas
NWO4Life wrote:My Rankings at the end of next year...
Miami
Orlando
Atlanta
Milwaukee
Boston
Chicago
I may be wrong but I think under current rules that would result in the 5th seed in the playoffs as division winners are guaranteed a top 4 position. We'd open the playoffs at Boston while Milwaukee would host Chicago.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:11 pm
by azuresou1
evildallas wrote:NWO4Life wrote:My Rankings at the end of next year...
Miami
Orlando
Atlanta
Milwaukee
Boston
Chicago
I may be wrong but I think under current rules that would result in the 5th seed in the playoffs as division winners are guaranteed a top 4 position. We'd open the playoffs at Boston while Milwaukee would host Chicago.
Boston in the first round? Yes please.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:18 pm
by HMFFL
azuresou1 wrote:evildallas wrote:NWO4Life wrote:My Rankings at the end of next year...
Miami
Orlando
Atlanta
Milwaukee
Boston
Chicago
I may be wrong but I think under current rules that would result in the 5th seed in the playoffs as division winners are guaranteed a top 4 position. We'd open the playoffs at Boston while Milwaukee would host Chicago.
Boston in the first round? Yes please.
I felt better about facing Boston the last couple seasons, but the new additions concern me, because we continue to lack size. They probably just take the regular season easy and blow up on teams during the playoffs.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:26 pm
by azuresou1
I'm actually worried less about them now than before. Shaq and JO worry me less than Sheed turning it on and lighting it up from 3.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 1:18 am
by Wise1
td00 wrote:I think Milwaukee steps over both Chicago and us.
They have made good changes; they look like a team throwing all their cards in for a run now.
Would anyone be surprised to see them 3rd in a heated battle with Boston?
The Bucks have some good cohesiveness and have added huge bench depth. Their 2nd team matches up well with everyone.
I'd agree with this. With a healthy Bogut, the Bucks will be as tough to beat as any team in the league. Great coaching. Great rebounding. Great defense. Great depth. I have them finishing a full 5 games ahead of Chicago in the central.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:02 am
by Harry10
i understand the Rose hype, but this Boozer is hype is idiotic
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:06 am
by Harry10
td00 wrote:I think Milwaukee steps over both Chicago and us.
They have made good changes; they look like a team throwing all their cards in for a run now.
Would anyone be surprised to see them 3rd in a heated battle with Boston?
The Bucks have some good cohesiveness and have added huge bench depth. Their 2nd team matches up well with everyone.
a healthy 7 footer is very rare... Bucks might win games, but head to head, Horford usually dominates Bogut.
Re: ESPN: East Rankings
Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:26 am
by dms269
I also think with Teague emerging as more of a role and less defensive switches will help us a lot with the Bucks. That killed us that whole series, Bibby would get caught up with a switch and Ridnour or Jennings would just fly to the basket untouched. I think Teague can stay with those faster point guards and cut off that lane.