Right now i only have the east done.
Still tweaking as the preseason goes along and i see more from these younger players and new additions and how they can possibly fit teams but....
1. Heat - IMO people really ignore the value of Deng. They also seem to forget that Granger has been relatively healthy since his injury and could potentially go back to form. Which he really didnt have a chance to do with the Pacers or Clippers, but he will here. Chalmers steps it up, i think he starts putting up 15/8 or so. I think Wade will take off less then 20 games but the team will be fine. Bosh will obviously go back to bits of Craptors.
2. Cavs - They wont contend this first year, they might make the ECFs and maybe even the finals depending on who is healthy in the easy-east. But theyre not winning a title with LBJ being the only guy with any kind of experience (and part time Varejao).
IMO trading Wiggins was a huge mistake. Personally i would have kept him for his defensive abilities. Its a guard dominated league and you need someone to stay in front of CP3, Westbrook, Wall, Curry, etc. Irving cant do this and Lebron cant do it full time, especially when they dont have forward/low post defense.
If they insisted on trading for a PF, it hink they could have waited it out and gotten Love for TT, Waiters, AB and a first. OR, taken a shot at Al Horford who might also be on the table. Point is, i think they rushed this trade.
3. Bulls (if healthy) - I dont want to spend to much time on these guys. Healthy = Eastern contenders. Unhealthy = out of play offs.
4. Hornets - +Stephenson. Nuff said. If you dont understand the impact this kid has then you should not be talking basketball.
5. Detroit - Adding Stan to that roster in the East = a top 6 seed, even in the first year. These guys can potentially make the finals within the next year or so with Stan there. Jennings reminds me a lot of Nelson (except with a better skill set then Nelson) and Drummond could become MIP as a result of Stans new scheme.
6. Wizards - IMO Beal and Wall are the best guard duo in the league (outside of Spurs) but PP cannot do what Ariza did and i dont trust Nene's health or his consistency. He always seems to be a great piece but at the same time, often a non-factor.
7. Pacers - Defense wins, especially in the east. A lot of people have these guys out of the play offs, i dont know why. Hibbert, another MIP candidate, will probably return to low post form. Stuckey will give them extra production. West will step it up. They wont be contending, but with the defense and an ability to hit 90 every night theyre fine. Although they do have a chance to tank and solidify this team for years. ..... But who knows, maybe they will let that guy go too.
8. Knicks or Nets - Im not sold on this Nets team, especially with a new coach (even if it is LH, its going to take at least a season to instill his system on them). DWill has proven to be a product of Jerry Sloan, they have next to zero defense, JJ is getting older but still JJ and their depth is.... not that good. I dont know why they got rid of Tayshaun Taylor, the team seemed to react better to him then they did DWill, but whatever.
The Knicks have defensive issues but if they do run the triangle and they are successful, im wrong at putting them at 8, it would probably be 5 or 6. Another one of those "if" factors is Hardaway jr. If he takes that second year leap with this offense, he could easily become MIP and a year away from potential all-star consideration.
I also see them being able to move pieces fairly early on. Amare, Shump, JR maybe.