NBA: Way-too-early playoff seeding predictions for 2022
By Dan Knitzer
The top 6 in the NBA’s Eastern Conference
1) Milwaukee Bucks – Even without much Giannis Antetokounmpo, and with Khris Middleton playing at a subpar level, the Bucks are only 2.5 games behind…
2) Brooklyn Nets – The Nets will fall because of chemistry issues re-integrating Kyrie Irving to the road game lineups, and health.
3) Maimi Heat – They will get healthier, especially Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, and head coach Erik Spoelstra will continue to be an elite coach.
4) Chicago Bulls – Expect more of the same quality ball.
5) Atlanta Hawks – After a rough start to the season, the Hawks should be able to rebound during the second half of the season.
6) Philadelphia 76ers – Some team, somewhere, will offer Darryl Morey a trade worth at least most of Ben Simmons’ value. It won’t be an All-NBA level guy, and maybe not even a fringe All-Star, but a top 50 player will ensure this team evades the play-in.