NBA Forecast 2010-11: Heat Begin Their Comeback in the East

James BondmanAug 9, 2010

The Eastern Conference Forecast calls for a Heat wave domination with a side of Magic in the air, strong winds in Chicago, and a little Celtic luck for the 2010-11 NBA season.

With the majority of NBA rosters set, I figure we start off by chronicling the Eastern Conference which has gotten stronger with the additions of rookies Evan Turner, John Wall, and Derrick Favors. And of course a few free agent additions in the way of Amar'e Stoudamire to the Knicks, and Chris Bosh and LeBron James joining teammate Dwyane Wade in South Beach.

We can't leave the Western Conference in the wake, its forecast will come soon but the focus is on the new "Beasts of the East" and how its about get a whole lot hotter this fall and wInter.

We will go over the teams additions and subtractions and give teams an overall grade on that and also give their projected starting five, standings, as well as where they'll finish in the Eastern Conference and in their division. And here we....go!

Miami Heat

1 of 16

MIAMI THRICE

Clearing cap space for a complete roster makeover seems kind of odd but when it's in the hands of Pat Riley, a Hall of Fame mind, there is no doubting him. Especially when he made the biggest free agent splashes in NBA history by getting Chris Bosh and LeBron James to join Dwyane Wade in Miami. It shocked the basketball world and it is sure to create a Heat Wave in the Eastern Conference. They won't set the record for the best regular season record but they will come close.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Mario Chalmers
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Chris Bosh
C: Žydrūnas Ilgauskas

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

G Mike Miller
F Udonis Haslem
F Juwan Howard
G Carlos Arroyo
C Joel Anthony

KEY ACQUISITIONS

LeBron James (from Cleveland; via Sign and Trade)
Chris Bosh (from Toronto; via Sign and Trade)
Mike Miller (from Washington; via free agency)
Zydrunas IIgauskas (from Cleveland; via free agency)
Eddie House (from New York Knicks; via free agency)

KEY LOSSES

Michael Beasley (to Minnesota; via trade)
Daequan Cook (to Oklahoma; via trade)
Jermaine O'Neal (to Boston; via free agency)
Quentin Richardson (to Orlando; via free agency)

OFFSEASON GRADE: A+

PROJECTED RECORD: 70-12 (47-35 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 1st

[1st in Southeastern Division]

Orlando Magic

2 of 16

MAGIC KINGDOM

The Orlando Magic didn't need to strip their roster to the bare bone to get back into contention; they stayed pat keeping Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis to go along with guard Jameer Nelson and of course superstar center Dwight Howard. Reportedly, Orlando flirted with making some serious offseason magic happen by trying to acquire Chris Paul from New Orleans, for now at least, that has not happened. The Magic will move into a new kingdom, the Amway Center, this upcoming season, perhaps it gives them an extra boost, the home field advantage but for now there magic number is second.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Vince Carter
PF: Rashard Lewis
C: Dwight Howard

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Michael Pietrus
F/C Marcin Gortat
G Chris Duhon
G Quentin Richardson
F Brandon Bass

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Chris Duhon (from New York; via free agency)
Quentin Richardson (from Miami; via free agency)
Daniel Horton (from NBA Draft; 29th overall)

KEY LOSSES

Matt Barnes (to Los Angeles Lakers; via free agency)

OFFSEASON GRADE: B+

PROJECTED RECORD: 58-24 (59-23 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 2nd

[2nd in Southeastern Division]

Chicago Bulls

3 of 16

BULLS-EYE!

Behind the Miami Heat's perfect offseason, the Chicago Bulls weren't far behind, signing Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, and three-point specialist Kyle Korver to join forwards Luol Deng and Joakim Noah along with superstar point guard Derrick Rose. I expect Derrick Rose to have an even better season with the new additions, but they lack the presence down the middle which gives the three spot in the East behind Orlando.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Ronnie Brewer
SF: Luol Deng
PF: Carlos Boozer
C: Joakim Noah

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Kyle Korver
F Taj Gibson
G C.J. Watson
F Kurt Thomas
C Omer Asik

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Tom Thibodeau (from Boston; new head coach)
Kyle Korver (from Utah; via free agency)
Carlos Boozer (from Utah; via sign and trade)
Ronnie Brewer (from Memphis; via free agency)
C.J. Watson (from Golden State; via trade)
Kurt Thomas (from Milwaukee; via free agency)

KEY LOSSES

Kirk Hinrich (to Washington; via trade)
Hakim Warrick (to Phoenix; via trade)
Brad Miller (to Houston; via free agency)

OFFSEASON GRADE: B+

PROJECTED RECORD: 53-29 (41-41 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 3rd

[1st in Central Division]

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Boston Celtics

4 of 16

AGING SHAMROCKS

Shortly after their NBA Finals Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, they faced the prospect of losing Ray Allen to free agency and coach Doc Rivers. Paul Pierce opted out of his contract and Rasheed Wallace announced he is not returning to the NBA next season. Yet they have managed to get Pierce, Allen, and Rivers back on board for another run and add a pair of O'Neals (Shaq and Jermaine) to shore a front court that lost Kendrick Perkins with a knee injury in the Finals. The big question will come in the playoffs, they are a good regular season team but does their aging front court of KG, Jermaine, and Shaq have enough juice to be clutch in the playoffs?

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Shaquille O'Neal

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F/C Jermaine O'Neal
F/C Glen Davis
G Nate Robinson
C Kendrick Perkins (injured)
F Marquis Daniels

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Jermaine O'Neal (from Miami; via free agency)
Shaquille O'Neal (from Cleveland; via free agency)
Avery Bradley (from NBA Draft; 19th overall)

KEY LOSSES

Tony Allen (to Memphis; via free agency)
Shelden Williams (to Denver; via free agency)

OFFSEASON GRADE: A-

PROJECTED RECORD: 49-33 (50-32 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 4th

[1st in Atlantic Division]

Atlanta Hawks

5 of 16

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?

While Atlanta has gotten better the past five seasons, it is hard to project them any higher in a Southeastern Division loaded with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, John Wall, Dwight Howard, and Jameer Nelson. The Hawks will be the middle of the pack but they have to be lucky that Joe Johnson is returning after all, he was itching to perhaps join Amar'e Stoudamire in New York and could have but decided to take more money in Atlanta, bad choice? Maybe, Atlanta overpaid for him but Johnson is in a better spot to win. The Hawks enter the season with a new coach, Larry Drew, and pretty much the same team.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Mike Bibby
SG: Joe Johnson
SF: Josh Smith
PF: Marvin Williams
C: Al Horford

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

G Jamal Crawford
G Jordan Crawford
C Jason Collins
C Zaza Pachulia
F Maurice Evans

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Josh Powell (from Lakers; via free agency)
Jordan Crawford (from NBA Draft; 27th overall)

KEY LOSSES

Josh Childress* (to Suns; via trade)

OFFSEASON GRADE: B-

PROJECTED RECORD: 47-35 (51-31 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 5th

[3rd in Southeastern Division]

Milwaukee Bucks

6 of 16

BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS

The Milwaukee Bucks made subtle moves this offseason, adding Keyon Dooling, Drew Gooden, and Corey Maggette to their core of Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut. They are going to head back to the playoffs but they'll need their stars to stay healthy, Bogut has been hit with the injury bug the last couple of seasons and Brandon Jennings can't afford to be injured or the Bucks playoff hopes will take a big hit. They should be able compete with the Bulls in the Central Division and perhaps the playoffs. Michael Redd's injury shouldn't affect their chances to compete but if and when he comes back in 2011, he should be a factor.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Brandon Jennings
SG: Corey Maggette
SF: John Salmons
PF: Luc Mbah a Moute
C: Andrew Bogut

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Carlos Delfino
F Drew Gooden
G Chris Douglas-Roberts
G Keyon Dooling
C Ersan Ilyasova

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Corey Maggette (from Golden State: via trade)
Drew Gooden (from Los Angeles Clippers; via free agency)
Larry Sanders (from NBA Draft; 15th overall)
Keyon Dooling (from New Jersey; via free agency)

KEY LOSSES

Luke Ridnour (to Minnesota; via free agency)
Kurt Thomas (to Chicago; via free agency)
Charlie Bell (to Golden State; via trade)
Darnell Jackson (to Sacremento; via trade)

OFFSEASON GRADE: B+

PROJECTED RECORD: 46-36 (46-36 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 6th

[2nd in Central Division]

New York Knicks

7 of 16

RISE OF NEW YORK

Since the last time there was a playoff berth with the Knicks, the Giants and Yankees have each won titles and the Knicks have been one of the worst teams in the NBA throughout that stretch. Now Knicks fans can rejoice because there team will make the playoffs this season but it won't be in style. The addition of Amar'e and a few others will make them a very athletic run and gun team and help them get over 40 wins but it won't be enough yet. Channeling Carmelo in 2011? I think so, it has to be their master plan for champion contender for the future and beyond.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Raymond Felton
SG: Wilson Chandler
SF: Danilo Gallinari
PF: Anthony Randolph
C: Amar'e Stoudamire

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

G Kelenna Azubuike
G Toney Douglas
F Ronny Turiaf
F Bill Walker
C Timofey Mozgov

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Amar'e Stoudamire (from Phoenix; via sign and trade)
Raymond Felton (from Charlotte; via free agency)
Anthony Randolph (from Golden State; via trade)
Kelenna Azubuike (from Golden State; via trade)
Ronny Turiaf (from Golden State; via trade)
Timofey Mozgov (from Russia; via free agency)

KEY LOSSES

Chris Duhon (to Orlando; via free agency)
Al Harrington (to Denver; via free agency)
Eddie House (to Miami; via free agency)
David Lee (to Golden State; via sign and trade)

OFFSEASON GRADE: B

PROJECTED RECORD: 43-39 (29-53 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 7th

[2nd in Atlantic Division]

Washington Wizards

8 of 16

WALL THE PLAYOFF WIZARD

The Wizards made great moves this offseason (drafting John Wall) and adding Kurt Hinrich and Yi Jianlian for nothing. The Wizards are the 2008-09 version of the Chicago Bulls, who had another top pick in Derrick Rose. That team made the playoffs as an eighth seed going up against the Boston Celtics and almost beating them. The Wizards will not have an easy task in a tight Atlantic Division with the Hawks, Heat, and Magic projected to be within the top five seeds. With Arenas coming back and clean and Wall entering the picture, they will be a sleeper team, and a playoff one too.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: John Wall
SG: Gilbert Arenas
SF: Josh Howard
PF: Yi Jianlian
C: JaVale McGee

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Al Thornton
C Hilton Armstrong
G Kirk Hinrich
G Nick Young
F Kevin Seraphin

KEY ACQUISITIONS

John Wall (from NBA Draft; 1st overall)
Kirk Hinrich (from Chicago; via trade)
Yi Jianlian (from New Jersey; via trade)
Hilton Armstrong (from Houston; via free agency)

KEY LOSSES

Mike Miller (to Miami; via free agency)
Randy Foye (to Los Angeles Clippers; via free agency)
Shaun Livingston (to Charlotte; via free agency)

OFFSEASON GRADE: A-

PROJECTED RECORD: 41-41 (26-56 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 8th

[4th in Southeastern Division]

Charlotte Bobcats

9 of 16

SITTING OUT

Sorry MJ and Gerald, the Bobcats won't be making the playoffs this season, not in the crowded division that they're in. The Bobcats peaked last season and lost some key players in the process but did get some good ones as well, yet, they lost more than they gained. That all means the Bobcats hopes are out the door, they are relying on the same roster while most of their division foes made key additions. Sorry again.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: D.J. Augustin
SG: Stephen Jackson
SF: Gerald Wallace
PF: Boris Diaw
C: Erick Dampier

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Tyrus Thomas
G Gerald Henderson
G Shaun Livingston
C Nazr Mohammed
C DeSaganna Diop

KEY ADDITIONS

Erick Dampier (from Dallas; via trade)
Matt Carroll (from Dallas; via trade)
Eduardo Najera (from Dallas; via trade)
Shaun Livingston (from Washington; via free agency)
Dominic McGuire (from Sacramento; via free agency)

KEY LOSSES

Raymond Felton (to New York; via free agency)
Tyson Chandler (to Dallas; via trade)

OFFSEASON GRADE: D+

PROJECTED RECORD: 38-44 (44-38 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 9th

[5th in Southeastern Conference]

Philadelphia 76ers

10 of 16

TURNING THE TABLES

Philadelphia is reloaded with top draft pick Evan Turner and a new head coach Doug Collins but it won't be enough just yet. The 76ers have a very dysfunctional roster at the moment loaded with bad contracts (i.e. Elton Brand) and an overload at guard and small forward. Evan Turner will turn heads but this team doesn't quite have yet but perhaps very soon they will. I wouldn't be surprised if they made the playoffs but its not going to happen this season. I would compare this team to when Kevin Durant broke in with the then Seattle Sonics.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Jrue Holliday
SG: Andre Iguodala
SF: Evan Turner
PF: Elton Brand
C: Spencer Hawes

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Thaddeus Young
G Louis Williams
F Marreese Speights
F Andres Nocioni
G Willie Green

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Doug Collins (new head coach)
Evan Turner (from NBA Draft; 2nd overall)
Spencer Hawes (from Sacremento; via trade)
Andres Nocioni (from Sacremento; via trade)

KEY LOSSES

Samuel Dalembert (to Sacremento; via trade)

OFFSEASON GRADE: B

PROJECTED RECORD: 36-46 (27-55 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 10th

[3rd in Atlantic Division]

Detroit Pistons

11 of 16

ANY MO MOTOWN MOJO?

The Pistons drafted Greg Monroe and beyond that nothing much in the Motor City. The Pistons are relying on a healthy Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince and for Ben Gordon to step up. Last season, the Pistons were looking like a playoff team with their additions but ended up coming way short, this season the Pistons look to fall short yet again in a now talented Eastern Conference.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Rodney Stuckey
SG: Richard Hamilton
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Jason Maxiell
C: Greg Monroe

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

G Ben Gordon
C Ben Wallace
F Austin Daye
G Will Bynum
F Charlie Villanueva

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Greg Monroe (from NBA Draft; 7th overall)

KEY LOSSES

None

OFFSEASON GRADE: D+

PROJECTED RECORD: 35-47 (27-55 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 11th

[3rd in Central Division]

New Jersey Nets

12 of 16

YOUNG AND EAGER

I say young and eager because they are. The New Jersey Nets are eager to prove many wrong and I believe so. Yes, they did lose 70 games last season, but perhaps 10-15 of those losses came because they just gave up last season.

And why not? After starting 0-18 last season, you might as well. The Nets have the roster to be a 30-win team this season without a doubt, and they have a new head coach, Avery Johnson, who has the highest winning percentage as a head coach in NBA history, to get it done. Did you know both Avery Johnson and Mikhail Prokhorov are both 45 years of age? That's why the Nets are young—not just on the court, but off it too.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Devin Harris
SG: Courtney Lee
SF: Anthony Morrow
PF: Derrick Favors
C: Brook Lopez

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Terrence Williams
G Jordan Farmer
C Johan Petro
F Travis Outlaw
G Quinton Ross

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Avery Johnson (from ESPN; new head coach)
Derrick Favors (from NBA Draft; 3rd overall)
Jordan Farmer (from Los Angeles Lakers; via free agency)
Travis Outlaw (from Los Angeles Clippers; free agency)
Anthony Morrow (from Golden State; via trade)

KEY LOSSES

Keyon Dooling (to Milwaukee; waived)

OFFSEASON GRADE: C

PROJECTED RECORD: 32-50 (12-70 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 12th

[4th in Atlantic Division]

Indiana Pacers

13 of 16

NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE PACE

Outside of their drafting they made zilch moves on the free agent market and let no players escape. Indiana kept their roster in tact for another run with Danny Granger and company but with every other team making moves in the East, the Pacers won't creep up into the seeding in the East. They are a team on a hoping binge with expiring contracts galore next offseason.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: T.J. Ford
SG: Brandon Rush
SF: Danny Granger
PF: Troy Murphy
C: Roy Hibbert

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

F Tyler Hansbrough
G Mike Dunleavy
F Paul George
G Dahntay Jones
C Jeff Foster

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Paul George (from NBA Draft; 10th overall)

KEY LOSSES

None

OFFSEASON GRADE: D-

PROJECTED RECORD: 30-52 (32-50 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 13th

[4th in Central Division]

Toronto Raptors

14 of 16

ANDREA'S THE MAN

With the departure of Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu in the offseason there is no hoping this team makes the playoffs. How ironic that the two teams that lost the biggest players on the market (Cleveland the other) would end up at the bottom? Toronto has the better talent and therefore settles in at 14th. The Raptors hope is that Bargnani can further develop into the Dirk Nowitizki-type player many projected, but for now fans could keep dreaming until this team makes an add that'll stick versus leaving.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE

PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Marco Belinelli
SF: DeMar Derozan
PF: Ed Davis
C: Andrea Bargnani

KEY BENCH PLAYERS

G: Leonardo Barbosa
C: Soloman Alabi
F: Reggie Evans
F: Amir Johnson
G Jarrett Jacks

KEY ACQUISITIONS

Leandro Barbosa (from Phoenix; via trade)
Ed Davis (from NBA Draft; 13th overall)
Soloman Alabi (from NBA Draft; 50th overall)

KEY LOSSES

Chris Bosh (to Miami; via sign and trade)
Hedo Turkoglu (to Phoenix; via trade)

OFFSEASON GRADE: F+

PROJECTED RECORD: 27-55 (40-42 in 2009-10)

EASTERN CONFERENCE PRESEASON PICK: 14th

[5th in Atlantic Division]

Cleveland Cavaliers

15 of 16

FROM FIRST TO WORST

How depressing is it to see Cleveland at the cellar of the Eastern Conference after being top dogs for the last couple of seasons. It's odd and I'm sure Antawn Jamison is pretty unhappy to see his former teammate LeBron James leave Cleveland for South Beach. Cleveland is going to drop big time, but not as far as the Nets last season. Dan Gilbert better hope his has is bank is big enough after forecasting his team would be a champion before Miami would. One things for sure, they are not playoff bound, you can take that to the bank.

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: