2010 Cavalier Preview With Eastern Conference Predictions

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It’s basketball time at the Q.

And thank God.  Not that I don’t love the Browns and Indians—but come on, Shaq plays in C-Town now.

The pain is (kinda sorta) alleviated from the Cavs’ game six loss to Orlando; all that is left now is memory and a pretty kickin’ computer-background of LeBron’s game two buzzer-beating over Turkoglu.

General Manager Danny Ferry had two needs—acquire big, defensive, athletic swingman and a dominating presence inside.

Enter Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, and O’Neal, and in a couple of weeks Cleveland has been Magic-proofed (I can’t shake the image of Ferry holding a metaphorical Lysol spray-bottle with Dwight Howard’s glaring, shiny teeth on the side). He virtually didn’t give anything up (besides Wally’s high-fives…they will be greatly missed) for those pieces to the puzzle, vastly improving a 66 win team.

The Cavaliers are better, the Celtics (Rasheed Wallace) are better, the Lakers (Ron Artest for Trevor Ariza) are most likely better, the Spurs (Richard Jefferson) are better and the Magic (Vince Carter in, Hedo Turkoglu out) are possibly better.

There now sits a real top five in the NBA in 2010—the order is disputable, but only those five teams are allowed up the extra-high step-ladder and into the extra-fun tree house.

The East as a whole boasts three of the top five teams, and is—baby step after baby step—beginning to catch up to the West, even with the top seven picks in the draft going to western teams (Minnesota throwing away their fifth pick on Ricky Rubio was a nice touch).

Preseason predictions are so pointless. There’s no credibility with most people, the results don’t come in until 5-6 months after the fact…but it’s too much fun. I’m giddy with excitement.

Giddy up.

The East:

1. Boston – Rasheed is overrated, he has the mindset and temper-tantrums of a six-year-old, but he’s still a damn nice commodity to a now healthy (even KG) Boston team. And, unfortunately, he fits into the Celtics system (physically and mentally) quite nicely. Even though the big three are all over the age of 32, it’s still not the time for them to slow down. Boston will be on fumes come June, but there’s too much talent here.

2. Cleveland – Positives: Addition of Shaq, Z to the bench means less wear-and-tear on his feet, the progression of Hickson, the addition of Leon Powe sometime in early 2010, the addition of Anthony Parker (still underrated as both a defender and shooter) and Jamario Moon.

Negatives: ? Sorry Sasha, Wally and Ben. It was fun while it lasted.

Cleveland is loaded with as much talent as any team before it, and is now built for postseason series’ with Boston and Orlando.

3. Orlando – Personally, the Magic took a step back, especially in the long run. Vince Carter is undoubtedly a better player then Turkoglu, but he doesn’t fit as well into Orlando’s sharp-shooting system. Then again, Vince has never played on a team with this much talent—so maybe it remains to be seen how he will impact the Magic, who still rely more on their system than overall talent. Matt Barnes is a nice acquisition, but Courtney Lee is a future all-star. Their window is open right now.

4. Washington – Of all the teams who should make positive leaps in 2010, it would bring me the most gladness (quick note—gladness should not be a word, but I guess it is) if it be the Wizards. I love the Cleveland-Washington rivalry—more so than Detroit. It’s not often in basketball and baseball that the every member of both organizations buy into the rivalry, and truly hold revulsion for the other. I love it, I eat it up, I hope Gilbert and LeBron meet in the playoffs once again.

Washington finishing fourth in the east easily has the biggest “if” attached, resting with Arenas’ knee. The combination of Arenas, Butler and Jamison form a formidable punch, and the addition of sharp-shooting Mike Miller spreads the floor even more. Their success relies on health and an inside presence. If someone other than Brendan Haywood was at center, the Wizards might be able to join the conversation with the top three teams.

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