11 NBA experts rank the Eastern Conference

[HMFFL]

The Orlando Sentinel asked 11 NBA experts from around the country to rank Eastern Conference teams. A team ranked first on a ballot received one point, while a team ranked second received two points and so on. The team with the lowest overall point total finished first overall.

Panelists: Sam Amico, editor, ProBasketballNews.com; Ric Bucher, NBA analyst/reporter, ESPN; Chris Colston, NBA writer, USA Today; Sean Deveney, writer, The Sporting News; K.C. Johnson, Chicago Bulls beat writer, Chicago Tribune; Steve Kyler, editor and publisher, HOOPSWORLD; Johnny Ludden, NBA editor, Yahoo! Sports; John Schuhmann, interactive writer, NBA.com; Barry Stavro, NBA editor, Los Angeles Times; Bill Walton, member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and analyst for ESPN; Lang Whitaker, executive editor, SLAM. Compiled by Josh Robbins

(First Place Votes) Total Points
1 Cleveland (5) 17
2 Boston (6) 20
3 Orlando 30
4 Atlanta 52
5 Washington 68
6 Toronto 70
7 Chicago 72
8 Miami 80
9 Detroit 102
10 Philadelphia 106
11 Charlotte 127
12 Indiana 131
13 New York 143
14 Milwaukee 147
15 New Jersey 155

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[raleigh]

4 Southeast teams in the playoffs, eh?

[tncnz]

The Hawks are still closer to 7th as they are from third.

[killbuckner]

Its sort of an interesting question whether people think that the Hawks have a better chance getting a top 3 seed or missing the playoffs.

[Damu]

I think Orlando will not be as good as they were last year just a guess so we could finish in the top 3

If we maintain consistency through the year we are better than everyone else outside of the top 3

[joeshmoe]

The Hawks are still closer to 7th as they are from third.

maybe. But there is also a pretty big gab between the hawks at 4 and the 5th team.

[azuresou1]

I hope so... Washington made major upgrades, and the LOLRaptors have made some moves that could push them up, although it may just be another Brand to Philly move.