Who's out of the East playoffs?

[Gant]

The Dwyane Wade thread got me thinking. It would help any team that wanted to attract Wade if Miami didn't make the playoffs since that make him unhappy.

Four teams are locks to be in: Boston, Cleveland, Orlando and Atlanta.

Here are the other playoff contenders: Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Washington and Philly. Four get in, two don't.

Who makes it? Who falls out?


(The others: Charlotte, Indy, Milwaukee, NJ, and NY.)

[sutrick]

I think Det and Philly are the biggest question marks.

Det -- Still don't understand the lack of any quality bigs and how BG and Rip fit together in a line-up.

Philly - No PG and does EB really change the pace of the game.

Toronto and Wash could be pretty good or they could be just marginal playoff teams. Wash looks good on paper ( especially if it was three or four years ago) but they neither play defense nor have a low post scorer/rebounder. Toronto is physically very weak and too much of an outside shooting team. They will live an die with the 3 pointer which means inconsistency.

[TheOGJabroni]

Not to nit-pick, but I would not say Atlanta is a "lock", the same way that Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando are. Barring major injury to any of those three teams, it's still extremely unlikely any would miss the playoffs. An injury to Joe Johnson, and I'm not sure ATL can say the same.

But to answer your question, I see this:
Boston
Cleveland
Orlando
Atlanta
Toronto
Chicago
Washington
Miami

[BRUNiNHO91]

I think the Wizards will get the 5th seed behind Cleveland, Boston, Orlando and Atlanta. Dwyane Wade will take Miami to the playoffs. He is too good to not make it. And Miami isn't all that bad..they got Jermaine O'neal and Beasley. Toronto and Detroit will make it too. The other spot is for Chicago.

Cleveland
Boston
Orlando
Atlanta
Washington
Toronto
Detroit
Chicago

[hairybyrd]

But to answer your question, I see this:
Boston
Cleveland
Orlando
Atlanta
Toronto
Chicago
Washington
Miami

Completely agree, bosFcelts, although I hope that Detroit or another team plays well enough to edge out Miami. If the Heat fail to make the playoffs then Wade is as good as gone (which only increases Boston's currently low chances of procuring the dude). We should expect some big-time player to get injured so the larger question is whom? Hopefully it's not KG.

[GuyClinch]

I just have a feeling Toronto might be in trouble. They just seem to soft outside of Evans - and while Hedo might help some teams I don't think he is a great fit for Toronto. They seem intent on playing FIBA basketball instead of NBA ball. Chicago could actually slip back.. Washington makes it if Gilbert is really back. Miami makes it if Wade is healthy..

[Mahoney_jr]

I think every team in the East has it in them to make the playoffs besides the Nets. It depends on injuries. From the ten teams Gant mentioned I would say Detroit and Philadelphia. Washington is a lock on Atlanta's level.

[sunshinekids99]

I'll take a guess on the rankings.

Cavs
Celtics
Magic
Hawks
Wizards
Pistons
Raptors
Heat

And my guess on the West

Lakers
Spurs
Nuggets
Mavs
Blazers
Hornets
Jazz
Suns

[sully00]

I am not going to lie I can't make heads or tails out of the East after the top 3 teams, Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando is a pick'em at the top if Boston is healthy they likely are the best, then CLE because they can win without even playing well, ORL will just have to iron out the changes before they get it clicking they will have 3 different starters than they did in the post season.

After that what is there to say. ATL didn't shred their team so they should still be able to win half their games but I don't know if that collection of talent is going to win more than 45. Washington if healthy could be a 50+ win team and even make a run at the top 3 but that hasn't happened in 3 years so why should it change. I am actually tucking Miami in here just because they have the same roster as last year and one great player.

CHI and DET weren't very good last year and both lost their best player for better or worse. I think CHI is going to struggle quite a bit at the end of games, unless Deng or Rose become a go to player they have that Clipper look to them and they aren't alone. DET has players still but their front court is gross I think they will score some points and look great some games and awful others.

Then there is PHI who just wins more games than you expect them to. I expect them to be the 8th seed with one of the previous 8 gagging.

In a death match for the 8th seed I would also take IND roster, flawed as it may be, and their coach. It ain't pretty but they have continuity and a great player on the rise. They lost a ton of close games even buzzer beaters they turn that around and they could send CHI or DET packing.

TOR could win 50 or lose 50 I just hate their roster and don't really care to waste time analyzing it. To me the most interesting thing about the Raps is when they give Chris Bosh back to the United States.

Nets have players but are little too young. The Bobcats nuked what could have been a playoff team with that trade and not getting AI. They could make a deal that would change it but I think that thing is going to crash and burn, Larry Brown not withstanding. The Knicks on the upside could win 35 games and on the downside may not win 5 games and just forfeit the season and remodel MSG for next year when they try and convince everyone that Josh Howard and TMac is totally the same as LeBron and Amare.

[chakdaddy]

Detroit, without a doubt; maybe Philly.

Of course, I thought Denver would drop out of the West playoffs last year without a doubt.

[SilverQuick]

celts
cavs
magic
hawks
wizards
heat
bulls
pacers