NBA Playoffs 2012: How Eastern Conference Will Look If Derrick Rose Is Done

The Chicago Bulls have arguably been the best team in the NBA and are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference. Much of the reason for the Bulls success is their star point guard and 2011 NBA MVP, Derrick Rose. 

However Rose has had trouble staying healthy this season and its been reported that he will see a specialist for the recent back spasms that have kept him off the court. It is unknown how long the injury will keep Rose out of play, but the Bulls have to be concerned that this could mean a significant amount of time without their most valuable player.

Here is a hypothetical look at how the 2012 NBA playoffs will look if Derrick Rose is out for the remainder of the season.

1. Miami Heat

Final Record: 51-15

This shouldn't be a surprise, as the Heat are currently second in the Eastern Conference by only a game. If the Bulls are without Rose, the Heat will undoubtedly take over the conference. 

Aside from the Bulls, the Heat are really the only team that is dominant enough to win the conference.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will win their first Eastern Conference together.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

Final Record: 46-20

The Philadelphia 76ers are probably the biggest surprise team this season. They snuck into the playoffs last year, and have built on that momentum to emerge as a top team. 

The 76ers have gone a different route than franchises who have built their team around two or three big star players. Think the Nuggets of the Eastern Conference. They are a complete team with quality players at each position. 

Philly has played well as a team and will continue to win games throughout the season.

3. Orlando Magic

Final Record: 43-23

This depends on how Dwight Howard saga plays out but assuming he stays with the Magic for the remainder of the season, the Magic will end the season in third place in the conference.

Dwight Howard will dominate down the stretch and the Magic could try to make a deal that convinces him to stay with the team. The Magic finished in second place in the conference in the 2009-10 season and in fourth place in the 2010-11 season.

4. Chicago Bulls

Final Record: 41-25

The Chicago Bulls, without Derrick Rose, will struggle but continue to win games. Expect them to beat struggling teams and lose to the top teams, which is what we have seen already in the last two games the Bulls have played without Rose. The Bulls defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, the worst team in the NBA, before losing to the Boston Celtics.

The Bulls have 36 games remaining, and if they win half of those games they will end with a 41-25 record.

5. Atlanta Hawks

Final Record: 40-26

Behind the Miami Heat, the conference is wide open. For the purposes of this exercise, the Atlanta Hawks will end up in fourth place. 

The Hawks have been better than many thought this season, but they've been a solid team for a few years now with their talented core of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford.

Unfortunately, the Hawks lost Horford in January to a pectoral injury that likely will keep him out for the rest of the season. So far, though, the effects haven't been felt, as the team continues to win games. However expect the Hawks to hit a small rough patch without Horford and finish somewhere around fourth in the Conference.

6. Indiana Pacers

Final Record: 40-26

Like the 76ers, the Pacers are winning with a complete team. The addition of David West and play of Danny Granger and All-Star center Roy Hibbert has put the Pacers in fifth place in the division.

Expect the Pacers to continue to win and Danny Granger to have a strong second half this season.

7. New York Knicks

Final Record: 36-30

Jeremy Lin saved the New York Knicks' season. They got off to a very disappointing start, but in the absence of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, a star emerged. 

Jeremy Lin has become an overnight sensation and over the past week has played as well as any player in the NBA. The question is whether the Knicks will continue to win when their two star players return and how well will they gel together. 

Lin's ability to get to the basket will open up mid-range shots for Anthony and Stoudemire.

8. Boston Celtics

Final Record: 35-31

The Boston Celtics have been a top team in the NBA since they acquired their own "Big Three." Now they are an older team who is struggling to remain healthy and consistent.

I expect the Celtics to be back in the playoffs in 2012, but in the eighth spot. This prediction is barring any major moves that the Celtics could possibly make—if the team feels that they are not going to win this year they could look to trade some of their talent in order to start rebuilding.