NBA Eastern Conference Surprises: Chicago Is the True No. 2

After all the fireworks had died down and all was signed and done, the preseason rankings in the Eastern Conference were as follows: #1 Boston Celtics, #2 Miami Heat, #3 Orlando Magic and #4 Chicago Bulls.

These rankings were slightly influenced by the fact that the Celtics won the Eastern Conference Championship last year, even though eventually falling in game 7 to the Lakers, and the assembly of the Big 3 in South Beach.

But, as the season trucked on, we found this list to be less than accurate. Why? Because Chicago without a doubt, is higher than number four.

Boston does not falter in its position at the top, there is no valid debate for that. Their on court chemistry, which Lebron has often alluded to, is beyond that of any team in the Eastern Conference. A healthy Celtics team is almost undefeatable, almost.

So that leaves the floor open for number two. Unfortunately for every Heat fan in America, that position does not belong to Lebron, Wade or Bosh.

Derrick Rose has been slept on as a competitor and a pure athlete long enough. The fact that he used the off-season to perfect his jump shot and has become a monster from the field is enough to validate an argument for an MVP run.

He has also improved in every category and sense of the word. With the addition of Carlos Boozer, the absence of Joakim Noah has barely been remembered. Now that it is speculated he will make an early return, the Chicago Bulls will make a run for the Eastern Conference Championship ahead of Wade and the gang.

Miami has a problem with depth. If the Big 3 cannot stay healthy, the team cannot win games. As clutch as Eddie House can be in important situations, he is not a go to guy. He is not consistent and neither is the starting point guard, Mario Chalmers.

His ball control is mediocre and his passing game needs a lot of practice. With point guards like Rose, Rondo and even Jameer Nelson in the same conference, the Heat needs to establish more of a presence at that position.

Orlando made a good adjustment with trading Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus and Rashard Lewis for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas.

In the same breath, if the Magic team wants to be in true contention instead of the number four spot they need to figure out how to differentiate Nelson and Arenas positions.

Who is going to play the number one and two spots while they are on the floor? When they figure this out, the team will vibe perfectly and will be able to have a more successful rotation.

As dependable as J.J. Redick has been in the past with his clutch three-pointers, he cannot save the outcome of every game, and letting Lebron dump 51 points on a powerhouse like Dwight Howard will not get the job done either.