NBA Eastern Conference: 15 Bold Predictions and Power Rankings
It is no secret that tomorrow marks the tip-off of yet another unpredictable and exciting NBA season. With tons of offseason player movement, the Eastern Conference found itself chock full of star power for the first time in years. From top to bottom, the East is full of talent and filled with many players capable of not only changing a game, but an entire team's season.
Let's take a look at my preseason Eastern Conference power rankings and predictions:
1. Miami Heat - Would it be crazy to assume LeBron James approaches numbers close to a triple-double in Miami? Okay, maybe...how about this: Each of the new "Big Three" will start in the All-Star game and justify it by earning spots an on All-NBA team this season.
2. Orlando Magic - Quentin Richardson learns a thing or two from Rashard Lewis and re-finds his touch from deep, making the Magic even more dangerous. Team averages over 40 percent from three for the season.
3. Boston Celtics - Each of the old "Big Three's" numbers decrease, but the ever increasing effectiveness of Rajon Rondo reminds everyone why Boston is still in the running for the championship. Oh, and Luke Harangody will be more effective than anyone had ever imagined (think this year's DeJuan Blair).
4. Chicago Bulls - Carlos Boozer returns and teams up with Joakim Noah late in the season to create a frontline power in Chicago. The Bulls finally return to the Conference Finals led by star PG Derrick Rose.
5. Atlanta Hawks - They make the playoffs despite finishing third in their division. People finally realize what they already knew. Joe Johnson's good, but he isn't $120 million good. Hawks lose in the first round to a much better Magic team.
6. Washington Wizards - This is where things get really screwy people. Dare I say Gilbert Arenas and John Wall team up to combine for 40 points and 14 assists per game? That, or Arenas will be gone before Christmas.
Extra Note: JaVale McGee emerges as a dominant force defensively and on the break.
7. Charlotte Bobcats - It takes Michael Jordan until November to realize he messed up bringing in Kwame Brown...twice.
8. Philadelphia 76'ers - An in-his-prime Andre Iguodala teams up with future star Jrue Holiday and a healthy Elton Brand to lead the Sixers to a (very) short lived postseason matchup in South Beach.
9. New York Knicks - Amare Stoudemire puts up numbers...big numbers, but still not enough to win games for the mediocre Knicks.
10. Detroit Pistons - Improve on last season's major imperfections, but still have a ways to go. They only finish this high because of front-court improvements made from moving both Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton before the turkey's on the table.
11. Milwaukee Bucks - John Salmons, Brandon Jennings and even Michael Redd team up to show you that it is possible to shoot so many times you may be able to offset your major defensive shortcomings...sometimes.
12. Indiana Pacers - Darren Collison shows Pacers players and fans alike what a fast break looks like en-route to winning the league's Most Improved Player award.
13. New Jersey Nets - Improve from last year's woeful season enough to sell out an entire section of the stands. Brook Lopez calls brother Robin and asks if they can trade places.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers - Dan Gilbert gets frustrated with team's lack of production and suits up for the Cavs...wearing jersey No. 23.
15. Toronto Raptors - Demar Derozan buys a calender to count down the days until his rookie contract expires, thus buying himself a ticket out of Toronto.
