Mar 13, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Detroit Pistons forward
(10) drives past Portland Trail Blazers center
Robin Lopez(42) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
With a chaotic NBA free agency period in the books, we re-ranked the entire Eastern Conference playoff picture
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NBA Free Agency has (pretty much) come and gone — even though nothing is entirely set in stone, as we saw yesterday with DeAndre Jordan — and the NBA has again seen a bit of a shakeup. Even in the Eastern Conference.
A few of the bigger moves that went down involved the Milwaukee Bucks, one of the NBA’s young up and coming teams, snagging Greg Monroe away from the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers securing all of their own, with the exception of J.R. Smith (so far), and the Miami Heat bringing Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic back, regardless of the rumors that were flying around in the weeks leading up to free agency.
The Eastern Conference (health permitting) should be much stronger this season, compared to last year’s abomination.
In an effort to preview the 2015-16 NBA season, we re-ranked the Eastern Conference playoff seedings.
Next: Honorable Mention: Orlando Magic
Apr 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Magic defeated Timberwolves 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Orlando Magic
2014-15 Record: 25-57
2015-16 Projected Wins: 30-40
I’m taking a blind swing here, mostly because I simply don’t know who’s going to finish as the No. 8 seed in the East, but why not the Orlando Magic?
The have a plethora of young talent and two cornerstones of the franchise in Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic. Elfrid Payton might not be able to shoot, but he he sure knows how to be effective despite that. Aaron Gordon looks good — really good — during NBA summer league and Mario Hezonja looks like he has a bright future in the NBA.
If this Magic team takes the necessary steps this summer, who’s to say that they can’t squeak into the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference?
Next: No. 8 Toronto Raptors
Apr 26, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and Wizards guard John Wall (2) look on in the third quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 125-94, and won the series 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Raptors
2014-15 Record: 49-33
2015-16 Projected Wins: 35-45
In the end, last season, the Toronto Raptors proved what we all believed they were to be — pretenders. They were swept out of the playoffs by the Washington Wizards is simple fashion. They didn’t put up much of a fight, nor did they look like they deserved the right to be on the same floor as the Wizards.
Now, there’s the question if the Raptors have actually already peaked with this core. Kyle Lowry hasn’t been the player we all expected him to be last summer when he signed an extension with the Raptors, and DeMar DeRozan appears to be on his way out of Toronto. Mostly because I don’t think the Raptors want to pay him top dollar, which he’ll probably be asking for.
Toronto might’ve seen better days. They’ll still sneak into the playoffs, though.
Next: No. 7 Indiana Pacers
Apr 14, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) runs up the court as the crowd cheer after George made a clutch basket with under a minute to go in the first overtime against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 99-95 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers
2014-15 Record: 38-44
2015-16 Projected Wins: 40-50
I’m a bit less optimistic on the Indiana Pacers because I don’t think anyone knows what Paul George is going to look like coming off injury. We saw a bit of George last season, but if that’s the George we’re getting for 82 games, the Pacers are going to take a step back.
The additions of Myles Turner and Monta Ellis will definitely help, but losing David West and having a less than Paul George-ian leader will ultimately hurt the Pacers more than any of the former can compensate for.
If Indiana is healthy, and we see a close to 100 percent Paul George, this team could very well be a top-4 team in the East. Right now though, I just don’t see it.
Next: No. 6 Washington Wizards
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) dribbles past Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards
2014-15 Record: 46-36
2015-16 Projected Wins: 40-50
While I understand that the backcourt combination of John Wall and Bradley Beal is probably one of the best young duos in the NBA, I also understand how big Paul Pierce was for this team — and that was clearly evident in the playoffs.
Th question is, did the Wizards do enough this summer to compensate for that loss.
Washington acquired Jared Dudley, signed Gary Neal and Alan Anderson — after losing Pierce to the Los Angeles Clippers. In the end, losing Pierce might not even matter. I’m just not ready to fall under that assumption.
Next: No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks fans hold up a sign during the game against the Chicago Bulls in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 120-66. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Bucks
2014-15 Record: 41-41
2015-16 Projected Wins: 40-50
Coming off a season in which the Milwaukee Bucks shocked nearly every basketball mind in America, they look to take the next step this season. And they kicked that process off with snagging one of the biggest free agent fishes in Greg Monroe.
While Monroe isn’t going to be the difference between the Bucks winning the East and them bowing out in the first round, he’s that low post scoring option that the Bucks lacked all of last season.
Even though Monroe has his shortcomings on the defensive end, the plethora of length and big men behind him should be enough to mask his deficiencies. Michael Carter-Williams running the point does concern me with this team, but I’m sure Jason Kidd will figure that out too.
After all, he’s figured everything else out with this team thus far.
Next: No. 4 Miami Heat
Dec 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (right) talks with center Hassan Whiteside (left) after Whiteside committed a foul during the second half against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat
2014-15 Record: 37-45
2015-16 Projected Wins: 40-50
If the Miami Heat can remain healthy, and that’s not guarantee by any stretch of the imagination, I firmly believe that this Heat team could even be better than this fourth slot. Considering that even if healthy, Dwyane Wade is probably going to rest a good 15-20 games this year, I think (record-wise) they’ll end up as the fourth best team in the conference.
Once they get in the playoffs however, depending on how the bracket shakes out, I think this Heat team is talented enough to push any team in the Eastern Conference Finals.
If they get a few bounces, I wouldn’t even be surprised if they managed to win the East. Yes, I’m that high on this team.
Goran Dragic, Wade, Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside, Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, Justise Winslow is a heck of a top-7 for any team in the NBA, let along in the Eastern Conference.
Next: No. 3 Atlanta Hawks
May 24, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) blocks the shot of Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during overtime in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks
2014-15 Record: 60-22
2015-16 Projected Wins: 45-55
DeMarre Carroll is at least worth a good 5-10 games per season for this Atlanta Hawks team, right? Under that thinking, I predict the Hawks to fall a bit back to the pack after a historical tear through the Eastern Conference in the regular season one year ago.
The good thing for the Hawks is that they managed to re-sign Paul Millsap. And if it really came down to either Millsap or Carroll, I believe that they made the right choice.
The Hawks are going to be good this season, if they can remain healthy, I just don’t think they’re going to be as impressive as they were a season ago. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Next: No. 2 Chicago Bulls
May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls
2014-15 Record: 50-32
2015-16 Projected Wins: 45-55
If the Chicago Bulls can get a healthy Derrick Rose for the majority of the season, which would be something to unwisely assume, the Bulls have a chance to be the second-best, if not push the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot, in the Eastern Conference.
The key for the Bulls though, in my opinion, is whether we’re going to see good or bad Joakim Noah this season. And if we do see good Noah, how long will it last?
We got to the point last season where Noah couldn’t even make a simple layup. If that Noah is the one that Chicago is banking on this season, the Bulls could be looking at another early playoff exit, despite what Rose looks like.
Next: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers
Apr 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket while Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers
2014-15 Record: 53-29
2015-16 Projected Wins: 60-65
The current construction of this Cleveland Cavaliers team, with one year under their belts and a few offseason additions, is good enough to win at least 60 games this upcoming season. I would put their regular season floor and 55 wins and their postseason floor at the Eastern Conference Finals.
From 1-5, this team is as talented as it gets. After receiving somewhat of a pass this past season, after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, I’m under the assumption that anything short of winning this year’s NBA Championship would come off as a failure.
It’s championship or bust for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Don’t be surprised if they win 65 regular season games en route to said first championship.
Next: NBA Free Agency: 5 Players That Will Make The Most Impact On Their New Teams