East standing predictions

[bstein14]

I agree it seems like the Hawks are for sure a playoff team if they remain mostly healthy.

Cavs, Bulls, Raptors, Hawks, Wizards, Hornets, Miami


Those 7 teams all seem like they make the playoffs barring major injutry...

I think the Pistons will be fighting with Indiana, New York, New Jersey for the 7th or 8th seed... and one of the above teams will fall out due to injury, chemistry, or I got a big payday and now I'm not that good issues.

[theBigLip]

Raptors, Hawks, Hornets, Wizards all played above expectations last year. I don't see them as a lock. Very likely, but not a lock.

Cavs and Bulls seem to be the cream of the crop, and one of the two are likely going to the NBA Finals. But I think 3-10 spots will be a lot closer than we think.

Indiana, New Jersey and the Pistons could all get in the playoffs. New York? I don't think so.

[Kilo]

#1-Bulls. Rose looks to be back. Bulls look ready to roll.
#2-Cavs. Assuming Love is traded here for Wiggins, Bennett and pick(s). Bulls get edge because Cavs have too many new parts that need to work themselves out that could have rough(er) early season.
#3-Bulls. Wade, Bosh, Deng. I still like em here.
#4-Wizards. Might be most complete starting five in the East.
#5-Raptors. Little iffy on Lowry now that he has contract, but DeRozan is real deal. Would have liked more help rather than bringing back the band, and project first rounder in deep draft hurts in short term.
#6-Hawks. Team battled to a play-off spot last year without Horford for most of season. Love Payne pick as well. Struck out in FA though.
#7-Charlotte. Has talent, but this team could be combustible. I think they were a bit of a fluke last season to be honest but added talent in Stephenson, Vonleh and Hairston. I wonder if they would have drafted PJ if they knew they would sign Lance.
#8-Nets. Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, KG, Jack, Plumlee and better coaching with Hollins.
#9-Pistons. We go as far as Drummond can carry us. I'm not nearly as high on him as most here though. How does Monroe situation play out yet?
#10-Knicks. Melo isn't enough over the long season.
#11-Pacers. George injury guts them. I think they roll over here and fall apart.
#12-Magic. A year or two away yet. Could surprise just the same.
#13-Celtics. Slow start, trades Rondo and goes into tank mode.
#14.Bucks. Enjoy Kidd the nutter. No point guard will drive him nuts - Player coach attempt with him? Have talent, just wrong coach and circus around hiring.
#15.Sixers. Dirty tankers. Hope Lady Karma is watching.

Charlotte, Brooklyn, Detroit, Knicks will battle for #7 and #8 seeds. I think our floor is probably #11th, ceiling being #7, with the floor being more likely of the two IMO.

[epheisey]

#1-Bulls. Rose looks to be back. Bulls look ready to roll.
#2-Cavs. Assuming Love is traded here for Wiggins, Bennett and pick(s). Bulls get edge because Cavs have too many new parts that need to work themselves out that could have rough(er) early season.
#3-Bulls. Wade, Bosh, Deng. I still like em here.
#4-Wizards. Might be most complete starting five in the East.
#5-Raptors. Little iffy on Lowry now that he has contract, but DeRozan is real deal. Would have liked more help rather than bringing back the band, and project first rounder in deep draft hurts in short term.
#6-Hawks. Team battled to a play-off spot last year without Horford for most of season. Love Payne pick as well. Struck out in FA though.
#7-Charlotte. Has talent, but this team could be combustible. I think they were a bit of a fluke last season to be honest but added talent in Stephenson, Vonleh and Hairston. I wonder if they would have drafted PJ if they knew they would sign Lance.
#8-Nets. Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, KG, Jack, Plumlee and better coaching with Hollins.
#9-Pistons. We go as far as Drummond can carry us. I'm not nearly as high on him as most here though. How does Monroe situation play out yet?
#10-Knicks. Melo isn't enough over the long season.
#11-Pacers. George injury guts them. I think they roll over here and fall apart.
#12-Magic. A year or two away yet. Could surprise just the same.
#13-Celtics. Slow start, trades Rondo and goes into tank mode.
#14.Bucks. Enjoy Kidd the nutter. No point guard will drive him nuts - Player coach attempt with him? Have talent, just wrong coach and circus around hiring.
#15.Sixers. Dirty tankers. Hope Lady Karma is watching.

Charlotte, Brooklyn, Detroit, Knicks will battle for #7 and #8 seeds. I think our floor is probably #11th, ceiling being #7, with the floor being more likely of the two IMO.

Completely agree with this list. Specifically the part about Drummond. I love the kid, but he's nowhere near ready to carry a team on his own.

[DCintheD]

We're gonna shock the nba world and nab that 4-5 seed. We will be better or as good as Washington, Toronto, Charlotte, and Atlanta. The Van Gundy effect will be that strong.

[BadMofoPimp]

#1-Bulls.
#2-Heat
#3- Cavs.
#4-Wizards.
#5-Charlotte.
#6- Pistons.
#7- Raptors.
#8- Hawks.
#9- Nets.
#10-Knicks.
#11-Pacers.
#12-Magic.
#13-Celtics.
#14.Bucks.
#15.Sixers.

I predict the Pistons will be neck and neck with Charlotte for that 5th spot.

[Coherence]

Still so many working parts but only the contenders for the East matter-

Those in order are-

1. Cavs - After the Love trade clearly the best team in the East
2. Bulls - Only here if Rose can stay healthy all year, huge if
3. Heat - How far they can go falls on how healthy D Wade can be.

In conclusion - The East still sucks for the most part.