What eight teams will make the playoffs in the east?

[carlos1223]

The east is getting a lot better now, especially considering the moves Torono, Milwaukee, and Indiana made. Detroit is on the decline IMO. Toronto should be better if JO is healthy. Atlanta will definietly be better next year with Bibby having more time to jell with the teamThe Sixers IMO will stay the same if they dont make any moves. Washington is also in the deline i think.

My prediction
1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Orlando
4. Detroit
5. Toronto
6.Atlanta
7. Philadelphia
8. Washington

[dockingsched]

milwaukee will bump out the sixers

[HeatFanSince87]

^

A team with Wade back healthy and with vegence, Beasley, and Marion wont make the playoffs? Not to mention Zo, Mario Chalmers, Haslem, Wright, and Cook..

I think people are underestimating the Heat next season..

[Cybulski37]

Chicago should also bounce back. i think this year was an abberation.

[TheRaptor!]

I don't think the raptors are done yet, I expect them to be good enough for the 3rd seed when they are done.

[CBS7]

Chicago? Worst coaching in the league last year, players should bounce back, new "players" type coach.

They could fail but I see them making the playoffs as a 6-8 seed.

[HarlemHeat37]

there's still free agency and trades left..

[HeatFanSince87]

there's still free agency and trades left..

Exactly..

[CBS7]

On top of that every team in the East probably thinks they have a legit chance at the playoffs. Except maybe the Knicks fans and possibly Pacer fans.

[boogydown]

Boston was not suppose to get to the playoffs, but they ended up winning it. Lets wait until free agency ends.

[Kosta]

Boston
Detroit (rebuild coming?)
Toronto (More trades coming?)
Orlando
Cleveland


The rest is up for grabs. Chicago should be better, but are still real young. Washington should be in the top 8, they probably need some retooling though, what's happening with Arenas? The Bucks just got a lot better with R.J, but R.J/Redd is a worse fit than V.C/R.J, they need to seriously retool that team. Atlanta is up and coming still, but what's going on with Josh Smith? If they keep their core together, they should make the playoffs again next season and continue to improve. The Heat's playoff chances rely solely on Wade's health, and does Marion stay? How good is Beasley in his rookie season?

Still too early to tell, a lot more moves to play out.

[Kosta]

On top of that every team in the East probably thinks they have a legit chance at the playoffs. Except maybe the Knicks fans and possibly Pacer fans.

Nets fans...

[cold5]

1. Boston
2. Orlando
3. Toronto
4. Detroit
5. Washington
6. Miami (if healthy)
7. Cleveland
8. Atlanta/Indiana/New Jersey/ Milwaukee/Chicago with a distant chance (up for grabs)

[durka]

1. Boston

They're just to good.
2. Toronto

If they can get a Maggette/Jackson/J.Howard type swing they'll make some noise. If not 3-5.

3. Miami

A healthey threesome of Wade, Beasley and Marion is just flat out scary. Add in some glue guys like Haslem and give Riley free agency I think they'll make a drastic jump. 3's probably a little rediculous though

4. Orlando

Dwight's just sick

5. Clevland

With the East getting tougher, Lebron's going to need some help.

6. Detroit

Change is coming, but they're on the downfall. If they decided to do this 1 or 2 years earlier then Rasheed and Billups would have alot more value then they probably have now

7. Washington

A threesome of Arenas/Butler/Jamison is good, but we've seen it before and they weren't elite.

8. Atlanta

I can't see this team being much different next year, and if they are then it will be that Josh Smith isn't there. If that's the case either Philly or Chi-town

[GJense4181]

DETROIT'S BEEN DECLINING FOR FOUR YEARS EVERYBODY!

[bigdog34]

As of right now I can't see the Bucks making the playoffs with their current roster, however I am in full belief that by the end of this summer, you all will see a much different squad being represented by the Bucks. The bucks have no PF other than Charlie V which isn't saying much. I am in full belief that Hammond will make more trades to land either Hienrich and/or Haslem/Marion.

With a line up of Hienrich/Redd/Jefferson/Haslem/Bogut....I will change my vote here and say the Bucks could be the 4-6 spot.

[Manocad]

Boston
Cleveland
Orlando
Toronto
Atlanta
Philadelphia

The last two spots are up for grabs. Detroit is another year older, another year slower, another year declined, so obviously it's another #1 or #2 seed and an ECF appearance for them. That leaves one spot that I haven't decided on yet.

[kyphi]

barring injuries, Miami will be there

[celticfan42487]

LOL, untill DET makes any moves they are just as likely to have the best record in the NBA and win the title then any other team in the NBA.

CLE hasn't made any moves yet.

MIL got better, they were a horrible team last year now maybe playoff team in the East.

CHI may have gotten better or this may be the start of some trades and they could take another year to gell with a new system and new, young, young players.

The only team that is noticably better right now is TOR and that's because they had a good core to start next year. I think CLE will make a similar move before the season starts. And I don't think MIL or CHI or others are done yet.

[hoop_head]

As things stand this morning, I think these are EC playoff teams:

Boston
Detroit
Orlando
Toronto
Cleveland
Miami

The last two spots could be taken by anyone, except the Knicks. They aren't ready for primetime.