Potential Contenders in the Eastern Conference Next Season

ChartFiction · Post #1 » by **ChartFiction** » Wed May 28, 2014 1:17 pm

Are there any besides Miami? I'm starting to think Melo going to the Bulls would be not only good for him, but good for the league as a whole. Good for the league because watching Miami coast through the regular season and playoffs, especially when Indiana was suppose to be the team to give them a challenge and all of a sudden the team just collapses mid season, sucks.

If you add in Melo's offense to the defense they got over in Chicago, that could be an interesting team that could pose a challenge. Pacers will have Lance heading into free agency, Paul George's contract jumping up to 10 million higher, West turning 34. I only see them getting worse. Melo with the Bulls is the only hope I see on the horizon.

LofJ · Post #2 » by **LofJ** » Wed May 28, 2014 1:31 pm

The Wizards have more cap flexibility than the Bulls do right now, so I'd go with them as the number 2 team in the East next year. If Carmelo does end up going to the Bulls though you'd have to bump them up to that spot. The Hornets, Raptors, Hawks, Cavs, and Pistons are all going to be better next year too. So regardless of whether there is a legitimate contender to the Heat in the East next year the top to bottom competition level will be higher.

DK-All Day · Post #3 » by **DK-All Day** » Wed May 28, 2014 1:55 pm

The Celtics with Rondo and Love.

AlexCRO · Post #4 » by **AlexCRO** » Wed May 28, 2014 1:59 pm

i would laugh so hard to this thread if somehow Melo ends up in Miami lol

robi · Post #5 » by **robi** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:30 pm

Toronto Raptors

Loud_city · Post #6 » by **Loud_city** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:31 pm

AlexCRO wrote:i would laugh so hard to this thread if somehow Melo ends up in Miami lol

If that happened they should just give the heat a bye to the finals.

Loud_city · Post #7 » by **Loud_city** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:33 pm

It's going to be the Heat, Pacers, Wiz, Bulls and maybe the raptors if they get Lowry back with the hornets, hawks and cavs rounding up the playoffs,

PowerSteele · Post #8 » by **PowerSteele** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:38 pm

The team with LeBron

/end

TheGameChanger · Post #9 » by **TheGameChanger** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:39 pm

Bulls are the only real challenge. Also Washington if Wall hits superstar level.

Higga · Post #10 » by **Higga** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:43 pm

Bulls if they get Melo. Wiz if Wall/Beal take another step up although we'd need Porter to offset some of the Ariza loss.

Prokorov · Post #11 » by **Prokorov** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:48 pm

ChartFiction wrote:Are there any besides Miami? I'm starting to think Melo going to the Bulls would be not only good for him, but good for the league as a whole. Good for the league because watching Miami coast through the regular season and playoffs, especially when Indiana was suppose to be the team to give them a challenge and all of a sudden the team just collapses mid season, sucks.

If you add in Melo's offense to the defense they got over in Chicago, that could be an interesting team that could pose a challenge. Pacers will have Lance heading into free agency, Paul George's contract jumping up to 10 million higher, West turning 34. I only see them getting worse. Melo with the Bulls is the only hope I see on the horizon.

there are 3:

1. Miami
2. Any team lebron leaves miami to go to
3. the bulls if they reload with carmello

the pacers werent, are not now, and will not be a contender

AlexCRO · Post #12 » by **AlexCRO** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:48 pm

Until someone knocks the champ its all talking by other teams, players and fans...

AlexCRO · Post #13 » by **AlexCRO** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:49 pm

Loud_city wrote:
AlexCRO wrote:i would laugh so hard to this thread if somehow Melo ends up in Miami lol

If that happened they should just give the heat a bye to the Championship.

FIXED

Hidden Eye · Post #14 » by **Hidden Eye** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:55 pm

The Hawks

They were really good until Horford went down and Teague has really improved.

Illmatic12 · Post #15 » by **Illmatic12** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:56 pm

TheGameChanger wrote:Bulls are the only real challenge. Also Washington if Wall hits superstar level.

I think the X-factor is Beal, not Wall.

Wall's raw stats probably aren't going to change much, ~20/9 is pretty much what you can expect for the rest of his career (with higher efficiency, lower TOs over time)

Beal has a lot more room to improve statistically. He went from 14ppg as a rookie, to 17ppg this season, and averaged 20ppg in the playoffs. It seems likely that he's going to be a 20ppg+ scorer at some point.. though next season may be too soon for that leap

Intza · Post #16 » by **Intza** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:56 pm

Toronto could maybe reach that level in a couple of years. It all depends on Valanciunas, if he becomes an all-star level center, toronto will be very dangerous.

ZUDAMAGIC · Post #17 » by **ZUDAMAGIC** » Wed May 28, 2014 2:58 pm

Bulls will be the best team in east next year. Miami can only get worse from here

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Illmatic12 · Post #18 » by **Illmatic12** » Wed May 28, 2014 3:03 pm

Hidden Eye wrote:The Hawks

They were really good until Horford went down and Teague has really improved.

People forget ATL was the clear 3rd seed with Horford, they were on a 50+ win pace.

Idk what roster changes they'll be making (preferably sending that scrub Pero Antic back to Europe) but the team they had last year had some good pieces, and Millsap/Horford is a beast combo

mcfly1204 · Post #19 » by **mcfly1204** » Wed May 28, 2014 3:05 pm

I think people are jumping the gun regarding Chicago next season. Sure, they will be a solid team, but a contender? Can they get a big-time scoring FA? Will that one guy actually play a game? A lot of things have to happen for them to take make a for contention.

ThereIsNoSpork · Post #20 » by **ThereIsNoSpork** » Wed May 28, 2014 3:07 pm

Heat......

Pacers, maybe Bulls if they get Melo. I dont see the East being much better.