The race for the east

[ikeziskash]

I think the Nets, Bucks, and Heat are a cut above us (if they stay healthy).

But we're in that next group with the Hawks/76ers/Knicks.

The Bucks are WELL ahead of the Nets. I'd put us with the Heat and Knicks and the 76ers and Hawks are a level below.

[TheSuzerain]

I think the Nets, Bucks, and Heat are a cut above us (if they stay healthy).

But we're in that next group with the Hawks/76ers/Knicks.

The Bucks are WELL ahead of the Nets. I'd put us with the Heat and Knicks and the 76ers and Hawks are a level below.

I think the Heat are ahead of us from a playoff perspective. They have some elite line-ups they can put together.

[ikeziskash]

I think the Nets, Bucks, and Heat are a cut above us (if they stay healthy).

But we're in that next group with the Hawks/76ers/Knicks.

The Bucks are WELL ahead of the Nets. I'd put us with the Heat and Knicks and the 76ers and Hawks are a level below.

I think the Heat are ahead of us from a playoff perspective. They have some elite line-ups they can put together.

Go check Demarr's stats vs. Kyle Lowry and then go look at all the "experts" who gave them an A vs. giving us a C.

Also, I think we are pretty even with Miami personally.

[TheSuzerain]

The Bucks are WELL ahead of the Nets. I'd put us with the Heat and Knicks and the 76ers and Hawks are a level below.

I think the Heat are ahead of us from a playoff perspective. They have some elite line-ups they can put together.

Go check Demarr's stats vs. Kyle Lowry and then go look at all the "experts" who gave them an A vs. giving us a C.

Also, I think we are pretty even with Miami personally.

Derozan's playoff track record is pretty miserable.

And the Heat are easily #1 right now by SRS despite Lowry's slow start scoring. It's basically the same team that made the finals with Lowry and PJ Tucker instead of Dragic and Crowder.

[Ice Man]

And the Heat are easily #1 right now by SRS despite Lowry's slow start scoring. It's basically the same team that made the finals with Lowry and PJ Tucker instead of Dragic and Crowder.

The Heat are better than 2 years ago. Even though he has been rotten so far, Lowry is clearly better than Nunn, and the Heat have shored up their forward depth with Morris and Dedmon. Plus Herro looks to be making a big step forward in Year 3.

That said, that doesn't mean the Heat will make the Finals again -- that bubble run was pretty fluky.

[Am2626]

IMO, the class of the east is Milwaukee.

Everyone else has warts. The Nets are old and rather thin. With the new foul rules, Harden has been really neutered and Kyrie might be gone.

Outside of that, I think Miami, Philly, Atlanta, New York, the Brooklyn team and yes Chicago can finish anywhere from 2 to 7.

Brooklyn's fate changes considerably if Irving decides to get vaccinated.

The fact that he hasn’t done it yet doesn’t put much confidence that he will do it and he if isn’t playing this version of the Nets is what should be expected this year.

[Am2626]

We are officially the #1 seed in the league...

I can’t believe this team is one DeRozen made shot away from being undefeated. They were undefeated in the preseason too. What impresses me the most is their defense. As long as they have that they will be in any game.

[GoBlue72391]

If you want to get technical, we're 10-1 if we include the preseason. The only game we lost this season is the one I attended. Typical.

[Butler4thewin]

I think 76ers are overrated I think the heat and bulls are top tier teams and hardens new impact with the new rules might put the nets in this group also .....top team has to be the bucks ....bulls heat nets knicks then 76ers hawks and others

Not in any order just groups

[sco]

looks like Embiid will be back for our game, but Green and Harris will be out.

[Butler4thewin]

looks like Embiid will be back for our game, but Green and Harris will be out.

We need to curb stomp them then

[Axolotl]

I don't know what these guys base their ratings on, but it does make a pretty picture

Read on Twitter

[MGB8]

Bulls, IMO, are where I thought they'd be - a legit 2nd tier team in the east along with a bunch of other legit 2nd tier teams - and clearly behind the Bucks, Nets, the Sixers if Simmons comes back strong or they get a decent return on him, and possibly the Hawks.

The Heat and Knicks look better than I thought that they would --- but much of my concern for both teams was age / injury over the course of a long season's grind. Knicks already showing kinks in that regard, my guess is the Heat will, too, before too long.

Bucks and Nets will almost certainly round out to form - especially if Kyrie rejoins the Nets.

[ImSlower]

There are by my count twelve East fanbases who believe their team has the ability to be a top 6 team. Injury will likely ruin someone's run - that cruelest mistress in sports. Assuming complete health, I still wouldn't dare put money on predicting spots 3 through 10.

It's been a wild first two weeks. Tell you what, this is going to be a wild playoff chase come April and May.

[kodo]

The new officiating has been a big boon to defensive teams like Miami and (surprise) the Bulls, Philly, Raps. Gunning teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, and especially Boston have really started slow. I wonder if this trend will continue or if we'll see officiating reverting back to normal.

[bad knees]

The new officiating has been a big boon to defensive teams like Miami and (surprise) the Bulls, Philly, Raps. Gunning teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, and especially Boston have really started slow. I wonder if this trend will continue or if we'll see officiating reverting back to normal.

I agree, and was recently thinking the same thing. I sure hope that the referees keep on doing what they have been doing. It's good for the NBA, the fans, the game, and (most importantly, of course) the Bulls.

[GoBlue72391]

The new officiating has been a big boon to defensive teams like Miami and (surprise) the Bulls, Philly, Raps. Gunning teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, and especially Boston have really started slow. I wonder if this trend will continue or if we'll see officiating reverting back to normal.

I think the reffing will eventually revert back to what it used to be. I hope I'm wrong, but as long as some of the league's biggest stars keep complaining to the media about the reffing affecting their slow starts and career-low stats they'll eventually cave. It's a star-driven league, and as much as I've enjoyed this smoother, more pure form of basketball, I don't expect it to last forever.

Hopefully I'm wrong, but remember when the league was supposed to start fining players who flop? How long did that last? A couple weeks?

[Michael Jackson]

The new officiating has been a big boon to defensive teams like Miami and (surprise) the Bulls, Philly, Raps. Gunning teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, and especially Boston have really started slow. I wonder if this trend will continue or if we'll see officiating reverting back to normal.

I think the reffing will eventually revert back to what it used to be. I hope I'm wrong, but as long as some of the league's biggest stars keep complaining to the media about the reffing affecting their slow starts and career-low stats they'll eventually cave. It's a star-driven league, and as much as I've enjoyed this smoother, more pure form of basketball, I don't expect it to last forever.

Hopefully I'm wrong, but remember when the league was supposed to start fining players who flop? How long did that last? A couple weeks?

Ratings will dictate what the officials do. Good news is Chicago and New York have big influence on the ratings. Bad news Nets are in New York too.

[FriedRise]

All EC teams now have at least 2 losses, so at least we're not alone and there's no clear juggernaut.

Atlanta is starting the season slow, but I expect them to pick it up at some point IF Trae figures out how to game the new rules. His impact is so marginalized now that he's not getting 9 free throws per game. One related note, when facing a player like Trae (34% 3P career) and Luka (33% 3P career), I would just let them shoot it since they take so many 3s and make so few. Guard everyone else.

Knicks and Wizards came back down to earth a bit. Orlando and Detroit are who we all thought they would be. Miami's early season surge seemed to be 100% dependent on Tyler Herro's shooting. If he's cold, their offense stagnates and they get whooped. Jimmy's still a star tho and knows how to bait you to foul him, kinda like DeRozan on our side.

The Sixers are shorthanded, but looks like they found a star in Seth Curry and possibly another one in the making in Maxey. Can't tell if it's just an early season surge or if these two are for real, but so many of their role players averaging double digits in points, and some are staying hot shooting from deep. If it continues, they might just be better off without Simmons and his non-shooting. They're already #1 on offense without his playmaking, and that's without anyone averaging more than 4.5 assists per game; they're doing PG by committee like we do here.

The surprising one to me is Toronto being on a 5 game winning streak after losing to us. On a similar note, the only loss for the Jazz was also us last week (they're on a 3 game winning streak).

[Michael Jackson]

All EC teams now have at least 2 losses, so at least we're not alone and there's no clear juggernaut.

Atlanta is starting the season slow, but I expect them to pick it up at some point IF Trae figures out how to game the new rules. His impact is so marginalized now that he's not getting 9 free throws per game. One related note, when facing a player like Trae (34% 3P career) and Luka (33% 3P career), I would just let them shoot it since they take so many 3s and make so few. Guard everyone else.

Knicks and Wizards came back down to earth a bit. Orlando and Detroit are who we all thought they would be. Miami's early season surge seemed to be 100% dependent on Tyler Herro's shooting. If he's cold, their offense stagnates and they get whooped. Jimmy's still a star tho and knows how to bait you to foul him, kinda like DeRozan on our side.

The Sixers are shorthanded, but looks like they found a star in Seth Curry and possibly another one in the making in Maxey. Can't tell if it's just an early season surge or if these two are for real, but so many of their role players averaging double digits in points, and some are staying hot shooting from deep. If it continues, they might just be better off without Simmons and his non-shooting. They're already #1 on offense without his playmaking, and that's without anyone averaging more than 4.5 assists per game; they're doing PG by committee like we do here.

The surprising one to me is Toronto being on a 5 game winning streak after losing to us. On a similar note, the only loss for the Jazz was also us last week (they're on a 3 game winning streak).

Toronto doesn't really surprise me. They are just always a team that is solid and Barnes was a good pick obviously. Siakim, FVV, OG and Barnes are guys any team would want and they have good culture. Both our losses to the Knicks and Philly are fine too as they both are winning teams.