Early Top 8 in the East projections.

[gstephanopulos]

1.Indiana
2.Cleveland
3.Atlanta
4.Chicago
5.Miami
6.Toronto
7.Brooklyn
8.Hornets

[Jvaughn]

Is this a joke? This team has shooters and the best frontcourt in the league. Both Gasol and Gibson are better than 2011 Boozer.

When somebody starts calling Taj Gibson a "talent" or "better than somebody" is just about the time lunacy has taken over the conversation and it's time to step out. Also, when you talk about Pau Gasol as if It's 2010 and not 2014 - that's a time to end the conversation. That team will not be nearly as good as you think it will.

Both those players would easily be the 2nd best player on the Knicks.

[SIC]

The only thing I learned from this thread is

1- CHI - If Rose is Healthy
2- IND - If they re-sign Stevenson
3 - WAS - If PP plays defense like Ariza
4 - BKN - If Lopez and Dwill are healthy
5 - CLE - If Lebron gels with the young group
6 - TOR - If Lowry plays like he did last year during a CONTRACT year, RAP in 4.
7 - ATL - If Horford comes back healthy and he WANTS to play Center
8 - CHA - If people stop calling them Bobcats (ooops)

Honorable mention
9- DET - If SVG can stop drinking Diet Coke and trade SMith before awkward pre warm up interview
10- NYK - If People start taking the Knicks and their fans seriously it is hard because a lot of KNick fans are so delusional.

[catsfan]

dammit guys. we aren't the bobcats! we are the hornets!

your name is "catsfan"

[guess_wh0]

1) Cleveland - Rd 2, Lebron is better, the team is better, East is about the same. #1 is a lock.
2) Chicago- Even with Gasol, they'll still have a hard time scoring even if Rose comes back.
3) Miami- Still a dangerous and a well coached team. Lebron or no Lebron.
4) Toronto- Deepest team in the atlantic, only injuries can stop them from repeating as the Division champs.
5) Indiana- Expecting the 2nd Half Pacers back and they don't scare anyone.
6) Washington- Pierce should compensate the loss of Ariza but can Nene, Gortat and Beal stay healthy?
7) New York Knicks- Things can only go north from last season. Calderon is an underrated pickup.
8) Atlanta- A decent squad. Could go as high as 3rd with Horford healthy and Teague & Milsap improving.

9) Charlotte- Losing McBob will hurt more than they think. He was their best passer.
10) Brooklyn- Lost Pierce & Livingston. Have no talent & no future. Sucks to be them.
11) Detroit - If Stan can get these guys playing, they'll be tough to beat and the east gets very interesting.

[dangermouse]

Indy
Wiz
Cavs
Raps
Bulls
Hawks
Heat
Knicks

[MoneyMitch]

1. Bulls- best team in the East, probably the deepest as well
2. Cavs- best player, youth and quality coaching
3. Knicks- best team in the Atlantic IMO, motivated Melo, new staff, solid role players
4. Wizards- best team in the Southeast, best backcourt in the league
5. Pacers- depends on Hibbert, Lance and getting a shooter
6. Hornets- man I like this team, Kemba takes a step
7. Heat- solid depth but it truly depends on Wade and Deng's health
8. Hawks- Horford back and guys should improve

Bulls def Hawks 4-1
Cavs def Heat 4-3
Knicks def Hornets 4-2
Pacers def Wizards 4-3

Bulls def Pacers 4-3
Cavs def Knicks 4-3

Bulls def Cavs 4-1

[Paz]

1. HEAT - best team in the whole NBA because I root for them. My Fandom has been the driving factor to all success experienced by this franchise.
2. Pacers - Lance helped this team last year and if he comes back then they are a shoe in for #2, if not then I see them limping into the playoffs.
3. Bulls - If Rose stays healthy. If not then it's lottery time.
4. Knicks - The paycut taken by Melo will help them round this team out nicely.
5. Cavaliers - They have to get beat in the playoffs in order to learn how to win in the playoffs.
6. Raptors - They play hard to stay warm... it physics.
7. Hornets - Everyone is afraid of Hornets. They look like bees but they are much more ruthless.
8. Pistons - Nothing else to do in DET during PO time.

/dry humor

[Troubadour]

With Lance Stephenson going to Charlotte...(assuming Rose is healthy and Kevin Love is still in Minnesota). I will also preface this by saying the two best teams in the Eastern Conference for the past two years have been dismantled or have lost a core piece.

1) Chicago (50-56 wins)
Adding Gasol, Mirotic, McDermott and Rose's return should push them into the top seed.

Edit: I realize we were all saying the same thing about Rose last season, but he's a former MVP. You have think about this team with the expectation that he will come back and have at least some of the impact he once had. Even Penny Hardaway/Grant Hill had moments of health.

2) Cleveland (49-55 wins)
LeBron will carry what was a 10th seed just last season to homecourt advantage in the playoffs, but there are still question marks on the roster. Varejao's health, Dion Waiters playing within a team concept, and an actual big rotation are all big ifs.

3) Toronto (48-54 wins)
In my opinion, one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. With so much youth on the roster, this team could make a step forward similar to the one made by Indiana not so long ago. Adding young veterans in Lou Williams, James Johnson makes this team even deeper.

4) Charlotte (46-50 wins)
Adding Lance Stephenson gives this team a lot more depth and makes them a threat to advance in the Eastern Conference.

5) Miami (45-50 wins)
The big question mark on this team will be how far Bosh can take this roster. Adding Deng and McRoberts should weather the storm and Spoelstra's one of the league's best coaches.

6) Washington (44-49 wins)
Washington suddenly plays in a very tough division, but should have no trouble making the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

7) Atlanta (42-50 wins)
The Hawks could win the Southeast, which is an indicator of just how competitive that division has become. Don't see them missing the playoffs.

8) Indiana (42-48 wins)
Without Stephenson, their leading facilitator, I don't see how this team scores anymore. Lance pushed the ball in transition, created shots through his playmaking, and could add a spark when the offense got stale. Paul George is not the kind of scorer that can carry a team on a nightly basis. I expect this season to be a drop off for the Pacers. On the other hand, losing Lance may resolve their chemistry issues. We'll see.

Bubble:
Nets, Knicks, Detroit

[DaeDae]

Based On seeding

Bulls
Wizards
Raptors
Cavs
Pacers
Heat
Bobcats
Hawks

Barring Injuries, I believe that Regular Season Records WILL matter this year for Central Division seeding purposes. Lebron James returning to the Central Division means it is VERY VERY likely that the two best teams in the conference will reside in the same division, which almost certainly means they will meet in the second round as opposed to the Conference Finals where they should.

I have the Bulls coming out of the east, but it will be a rugged road. Cavs in Round 2 and Wizards in the Conference Finals sounds about right.

[DaeDae]

3. Knicks- best team in the Atlantic IMO, motivated Melo, new staff, solid role players

By the way, Only one central division team can be a top 3 seed.

[Hello Brooklyn]

The Bulls are getting hilariously overrated. Even if they do get Rose back, they do not have the talent that their team had in 2011.

And no way does Rose magically transform into an MVP type player so quickly. They are not gonna be a 1 seed.

And I don't get why everyone is underrating the Pacers. They were still the 2nd best team in the East last year and nearly won 60 games.

As far as everyone saying the Nets will miss the playoffs, because we let Paul Pierce leave. LOL.

[Troubadour]

The Bulls are getting hilariously overrated. Even if they do get Rose back, they do not have the talent that their team had in 2011.

And no way does Rose magically transform into an MVP type player so quickly. They are not gonna be a 1 seed.

And I don't get why everyone is underrating the Pacers. They were still the 2nd best team in the East last year and nearly won 60 games.

As far as everyone saying the Nets will miss the playoffs, because we let Paul Pierce leave. LOL.

They added Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, and *may* have a *healthy* Rose back.

I agree with you, though. Historically, players who miss two straight seasons after two severe injuries do not return to form. With a talent like Rose, however, you have to think there's a chance he comes back. My gut is he won't...but I'm not ruling it out.

The Pacers will be terrible offensively next season. Atrocious. It's going to be Paul George iso after Paul George iso. Hibbert will pout and they'll post him up for a shot he hits 40% of the time. I don't know how that team scores more than 80ppg.

[TDotsfinest97]

The Bulls are getting hilariously overrated. Even if they do get Rose back, they do not have the talent that their team had in 2011.

And no way does Rose magically transform into an MVP type player so quickly. They are not gonna be a 1 seed.

And I don't get why everyone is underrating the Pacers. They were still the 2nd best team in the East last year and nearly won 60 games.

As far as everyone saying the Nets will miss the playoffs, because we let Paul Pierce leave. LOL.

Lol without Pierce and Livingston you guys wouldn't be in the second round and you lost them both.

[TheWhiteMamba]

The Bulls are getting hilariously overrated. Even if they do get Rose back, they do not have the talent that their team had in 2011.

And no way does Rose magically transform into an MVP type player so quickly. They are not gonna be a 1 seed.

We clearly miss the superstar Keith Bogans.

I agree that Rose is still a huge question mark, and that we have a lack of wing scorers, but let's face it, the Eastern Conference is absolute trash, so if Rose come back at a border-line allstar level, with Thibs as head coach, Chicago has a very good chance being a top seed.

[Illmatic12]

The Bulls are getting hilariously overrated. Even if they do get Rose back, they do not have the talent that their team had in 2011.

And no way does Rose magically transform into an MVP type player so quickly. They are not gonna be a 1 seed.

And I don't get why everyone is underrating the Pacers. They were still the 2nd best team in the East last year and nearly won 60 games.

As far as everyone saying the Nets will miss the playoffs, because we let Paul Pierce leave. LOL.

Indy will see a dropoff going from Lance to CJ Miles or whoever. I think they fall hard in the conference, especially in the division they're in.

[snoopdogg88]

Amazes me that people still think Indiana would be the best team in the East.

Gonna be a huge drop off from them this year.
The run is over. Back to back ECF losses. Couldn't quite get over the hump.

[Troubadour]

The Bulls are getting hilariously overrated. Even if they do get Rose back, they do not have the talent that their team had in 2011.

And no way does Rose magically transform into an MVP type player so quickly. They are not gonna be a 1 seed.

We clearly miss the superstar Keith Bogans.

I agree that Rose is still a huge question mark, and that we have a lack of wing scorers, but let's face it, the Eastern Conference is absolute trash, so if Rose come back at a border-line allstar level, with Thibs as head coach, Chicago has a very good chance being a top seed.

The East is going to be deeper next season now that Indiana and Miami have taken a step back. I don't think any one team is going to run away with the conference. One break or untimely injury will choose the winner.

[StunnaStan]

1. MIA- I feel that people forgot how dwayne wade and bosh used to dominate. I heard wade already begun a diet to lose weight to take pressure off of his knees. Bosh will be 20 10 and I see them having a good year. dont sleep on luol.

2. Cleavland- If the cavs play to their potential, they'll be the best team in the league. Lebron plus the #1 pick from the last 3 drafts. On paper they should be better than the miami's original big 3.

3. Chicago- I think the gasol signing and a healthy rose with be big for chicago. I think Dougie Mcbuckets will avg 15-19ppg if he is starting alongside rose. The sg position will be key for the bulls sucess. I would rather snell then butler as the starter for the shooting.

4. Wizards- John wall and Brad Beal are dependable for the most part. Paul Pierce and Nene health i think are going to be the biggest factors in what type of season washington has.

5. Atlanta- Last season showed me how good of a team atlanta is. No 7 footer and no horford and still managed to push indy to 7. Buldonhzer is a popovich diciple so he will prepare them for sucess. they still have some $ so maybe they try to get a slashing wing or a center big enough to push horford back to his normal position of pf.

6. Raptors- I think jonas valusunis (i know i spelled it wrong) and derozon need to take up a bigger role on this team. Im very high on derozon and feel he is a top 3-4 sg (yes he is better than paul george) and think he can make that next step. Jonas just needs to keep working hard and lifting. he is a true big man and seems to already have an array of moves. with some size, he could be a very tough cover. cut john salmons lol

7. Pacers- maybe if roy hibbert drinks some tough juice and stops playing like hes 5'7 the pacers can still make some noise. im worried that no lance= more paul george chucks. I have no problem with "stars" who take alot of shots. I have problems with "stars" who shoot under 45%. if they somehow obtain dragic, that could be quite scary.

8. Milwalkee- I think the jabari parker effect on milwalkee will be more profound than when denver drafted carmelo anthony. People say wiggins is the best prospect since lebron but i would say jabari is. You dont see people his size with moves like he has. I think it would be interesting if jason kidd went with a starting lineup of brandon knight, jabari parker, giannis adetekunbo, john henson, and larry sanders. If you go by matchups, i would say that milwalkee matches up with cleaveland the best out of all the east teams. wiggins vs giannis, lebron vs parker.

Loser of the season for the East- Knicks
jose calderon avg 2pts more and 1ast less than raymond felton last season. Samuel Dalemdummy is a bum. I dont see this team getting to many rebounds. will carmelo have a better(more efficient) year? derrick fisher hs no coaching expierience. they have a couple of bums trying to run the triangle offense -__-. maybe all theyre 3 point chucking pays off this year.

[Troubadour]

DeRozan is the Raptors' highest usage player. How much more of a role do you expect him to have? haha