Who is the 3rd best team in the East?

[AK47MVP]

Richardson is a defintely a better player than Reddick. That really shouldnt be a discussion.

Stats say otherwise, at least for last season. Unless you counting on Richardson to improve his shooting and scoring. Richardson is better defender but that's not what Philly will be missing with Redick.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1_hint=J.J.+Redick&player_id1_select=J.J.+Redick&y1=2019&player_id1=redicjj01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Josh+Richardson&player_id2_select=Josh+Richardson&y2=2019&player_id2=richajo01&idx=players

[Asif16]

Richardson is a defintely a better player than Reddick. That really shouldnt be a discussion.

Stats say otherwise, at least for last season. Unless you counting on Richardson to improve his shooting and scoring.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1_hint=J.J.+Redick&player_id1_select=J.J.+Redick&y1=2019&player_id1=redicjj01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Josh+Richardson&player_id2_select=Josh+Richardson&y2=2019&player_id2=richajo01&idx=players

Reddick is a better shooter no doubt, but I just mean in terms of overall Basketball play...Richardson is the far better player now.

But yes Richardson's shooting and Lack of Playmaking/Ballhandling needs work. He's not bad at any of them, but he's not very good at them either.

[AK47MVP]

Reddick is a better shooter no doubt, but I just mean in terms of overall Basketball play...Richardson is the far better player now.
.

I am looking at the fit with the team and style of play. Redick was perfect complimentary piece to Simmons and Embiid with his catch and shoot game, moving through screens and getting open. Richardson is completely different player and I do not see him having as much impact on offense as Redick had.

[BBallFreak]

For Toronto, I honestly have no faith in them. Without Kawhi I just don't see them being the team to fear. They'll be OK, but unless Siakam or FVV become that guy, I don't see them as more than a solid team.

Having "that guy" is more important in the playoffs than in the regular season.

Raps went 17-5 without Kawhi in the lineup. Raps played good team ball and Siakam/Lowry picked up the scoring load in his absence.

Not saying the Raps are guaranteed to finish 3rd, but they will be in the mix.

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

[sixerswillrule]

Richardson is a lot better than Redick, and our bench is a lot better too

LMAO. Ok, lets wait for the season to start to see who is right. Can't believe how underappreciated Redick's shooting was for Philly.

You don’t think Richardson is better than Redick? LMAO indeed...

When you can’t dribble, pass, or defend and consistently get exploited in the playoffs, you have to shoot better than 39.7 from 3 to earn your keep.

Constantly being wrong about the Sixers (and just being wrong in general) is his thing, pay no mind.

Terrible trade for Raps. Gasol is old and is one injury away from being done. Good luck JV, hopefully you will finally get minutes you deserve.

based on their respective record with Raptors before and after trade answer is clear. Raptors are worse with Gasol than with JV.

[Asif16]

Reddick is a better shooter no doubt, but I just mean in terms of overall Basketball play...Richardson is the far better player now.
.

I am looking at the fit with the team and style of play. Redick was perfect complimentary piece to Simmons and Embiid with his catch and shoot game, moving through screens and getting open. Richardson is completely different player and I do not see him having as much impact on offense as Redick had.

Its a fair point. Cant argue that.

But you can also make a point that Reddick could never create his own shot as he barely handled the ball. Which put more pressure on Simmons to be the primary facilitator, espeically when Guards are just all over Reddick coming off screens.

Richardson can at least put it on the floor and create for himself here and there.

[OakleyDokely]

For Toronto, I honestly have no faith in them. Without Kawhi I just don't see them being the team to fear. They'll be OK, but unless Siakam or FVV become that guy, I don't see them as more than a solid team.

Having "that guy" is more important in the playoffs than in the regular season.

Raps went 17-5 without Kawhi in the lineup. Raps played good team ball and Siakam/Lowry picked up the scoring load in his absence.

Not saying the Raps are guaranteed to finish 3rd, but they will be in the mix.

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

Siakam hasn't been an unknown for a while. He got better as the season went on even though he was receiving more attention.

[Duffman100]

For Toronto, I honestly have no faith in them. Without Kawhi I just don't see them being the team to fear. They'll be OK, but unless Siakam or FVV become that guy, I don't see them as more than a solid team.

Having "that guy" is more important in the playoffs than in the regular season.

Raps went 17-5 without Kawhi in the lineup. Raps played good team ball and Siakam/Lowry picked up the scoring load in his absence.

Not saying the Raps are guaranteed to finish 3rd, but they will be in the mix.

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

The idea that other teams weren't scheming for Siakam is ridiculous. It was well known what he was doing and he was still able to deliver.

The Raptors are underestimated every season and every season they outperform the projections. This season will be no different. Their top 7 is just as good if not better than Boston, Indiana and Brooklyn. They just need one or two of McCaw, Stanley Johnson, RHJ, Matt Thomas, Terrence Davis to deliver some quality 8 or 9 man minutes.

[JustLucky]

If Phillips bench was any good the Raptors would not be 2019 champa

[GeorgeMarcus]

Reddick is a better shooter no doubt, but I just mean in terms of overall Basketball play...Richardson is the far better player now.
.

I am looking at the fit with the team and style of play. Redick was perfect complimentary piece to Simmons and Embiid with his catch and shoot game, moving through screens and getting open. Richardson is completely different player and I do not see him having as much impact on offense as Redick had.

Richardson attempted 45% of his FGs from 3 last year. He'll slide into Redick's offensive role just fine. He was being guarded as a #1 option instead of a 4-5 like he'll be in Philly, so I expect his efficiency to improve as well. The important thing is that he can defend both guard positions, unlike JJ who could defend neither.

[Curmudgeon]

The 3rd best team in the East isn't listed in the poll.

[ballup]

I think there are 5 candidates: Heat, Nets, Raptors, Celtics, and Pacers.

The Heat have upgraded from Richardson to Butler. Factor in better health and they could be in the high 40s in wins.

The Nets upgraded DLo into Kyrie. Whether or not they adapt to a new style or Kyrie plays in line with the one they ran this past season determines if they reach their better outcomes. Other things to wonder are whether LeVert is back and if they can continue getting good minutes at the 4.

The Raptors did well without Kawhi in the regular season as they still had talent and a good system. The concerning thing is that they no longer have as big of a cushy depth as before and two of their best 3 players are getting up there in age. Low 50s in wins is a reasonable range.

The Celtics lost quite a bit in Kyrie, Horford, Baynes, and Morris. Better chemistry and better play from the Jays can make up a good portion or even more offensively. If Hayward becomes an actual player again instead of dead weight, this team's offense can really click. Depth and defense are a concern though. Steven may already have the defensive blueprint in working around Kanter. These guys are potentially a high 40s win team.

Pacers are a weird team, but I can see them being the #3 if things fall into place but it's a lot of conditional marks. First they have to figure out if the Sabonis and Turner tandem truly works, survive without Oladipo, and continue excellence with Oladpio back into the roster. This team has the most variability with 46 wins as the average but 50+ for the best case scenario.

The Raptors are the most known product of this bunch and that's what gives them the vote of confidence to be 3rd in the east standings

[Forte IV]

Boston winning this poll is extremely surprising to me. They're gonna get roasted defensively. My unpopular pick are the Heat. They had a real weird year last season where they couldn't win at home but had enough road wins to be close to a 50 win team. If they have a healthy year they should be good.

[BBallFreak]

Having "that guy" is more important in the playoffs than in the regular season.

Raps went 17-5 without Kawhi in the lineup. Raps played good team ball and Siakam/Lowry picked up the scoring load in his absence.

Not saying the Raps are guaranteed to finish 3rd, but they will be in the mix.

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

The idea that other teams weren't scheming for Siakam is ridiculous. It was well known what he was doing and he was still able to deliver.

I'm sorry, knowing what he can do, and devoting the attention to stop him as the main scorer are two very different things. Siakam is the guy who's going to draw all that attention that Kawhi got last year. How he handles that, rather than being the guy to benefit from the attention Kawhi got, will determine the outcome of your season IMO...

[ProcessDoctor]

I voted Boston with Toronto probably a win or two behind. I think if Miami trades for CP3 they jump to 3.

[itrsteve]

I'm not convinced Milwaukee or Philly are an absolute lock for 1 and 2. Also, I'm not convinced that Toronto took a such a significant loss that they're out of the conversation to be in the mix. Even though I believe Leonard is the most impactful player in the NBA today, I will not write off a battle-tested team.

It's a new season, let it play out before writing obituaries.

I'm just glad Boston is an underdog again, it's a better fit.

[orlando_joe]

Having "that guy" is more important in the playoffs than in the regular season.

Raps went 17-5 without Kawhi in the lineup. Raps played good team ball and Siakam/Lowry picked up the scoring load in his absence.

Not saying the Raps are guaranteed to finish 3rd, but they will be in the mix.

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

The idea that other teams weren't scheming for Siakam is ridiculous. It was well known what he was doing and he was still able to deliver.

The Raptors are underestimated every season and every season they outperform the projections. This season will be no different. Their top 7 is just as good if not better than Boston, Indiana and Brooklyn. They just need one or two of McCaw, Stanley Johnson, RHJ, Matt Thomas, Terrence Davis to deliver some quality 8 or 9 man minutes.

that's counting on a bunch of old guys to play same..dont see it...also counting on no old guy not to have injury..also don't see it..season coming soon time will tell and catches all

[HoopsterJones]

Could be any of the Celtics, Raptors, or Pacers. Maybe a surprise team emerges like the Nets, but I doubt it without KD.

[Duffman100]

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

The idea that other teams weren't scheming for Siakam is ridiculous. It was well known what he was doing and he was still able to deliver.

The Raptors are underestimated every season and every season they outperform the projections. This season will be no different. Their top 7 is just as good if not better than Boston, Indiana and Brooklyn. They just need one or two of McCaw, Stanley Johnson, RHJ, Matt Thomas, Terrence Davis to deliver some quality 8 or 9 man minutes.

that's counting on a bunch of old guys to play same..dont see it...also counting on no old guy not to have injury..also don't see it..season coming soon time will tell and catches all

So right after a title, Lowry , Gasol and Ibaka are randomly going to plummet?

[Duffman100]

I don't particularly buy it, but whatever. To paraphrase, sample size matters and Pascal Siakam is no longer an unknown. You better believe defenses will be keying on him hardcore. It will be interesting to see what he does given the change in circumstance. Can he step up and lead, or will he lead Toronto to the top of the East? I look forward to finding out...

The idea that other teams weren't scheming for Siakam is ridiculous. It was well known what he was doing and he was still able to deliver.

I'm sorry, knowing what he can do, and devoting the attention to stop him as the main scorer are two very different things. Siakam is the guy who's going to draw all that attention that Kawhi got last year. How he handles that, rather than being the guy to benefit from the attention Kawhi got, will determine the outcome of your season IMO...

So when Kawhi sat last year, teams didn't scheme to stop him as the main scorer?