Another Boston Three Party? Or The King's Court?

The 2008-2009 NBA season kicks off Tuesday night with an Eastern Conference Semi's rematch between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.  After a heated Seven game series and sending Lebron home in May, The Boston Celtics look to continue their dominance of the Eastern Conference.  However, this may not be such an easy task with an improved Cavalier team with a bitter taste in their mouth, among the veteran Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and several up and coming teams it won't be easy.  

Regular Season Standings

1. Boston Celtics (62-20) - The Boston Celtics will remain a regular season power due to the obvious reasons of the intensity that Kevin Garnett brings to the team, but their are several other factors that will allow the celtics to run away with the East once again. It's "the truth" Paul Pierce is a superstar. There is no doubting that now, and Pierce's new swag will have a positive effect on the younger members of the team, namely Rajon Rondo. Lets not forget about the other member of the "Big 3" either.  The ghost of Ray Allen that was spotted numerous times during the postseason will be forgotten as Ray Allen returns to his deadly, veteran form.

2. Orlando Magic (57- 25) - The Orlando Magic are solid. They have the best Center in the East, along with two versatile forwards who can shoot lights out in Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.  Jameer Nelson is steady at the point and a rotation of solid guards fill the two spot.  After Competing with the Pistons in the playoffs the Magic are ready to take the next step forward and will have a very impressive regular season.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) - We know the Cavs have the superstar and the frontcourt, but now they have a second scorer and one of the deepest benches in the entire league. Not to mention they have been consistently a top rebounding team in the league each of the past 3 seasons. The Cavs can lock down and muscle you up, and now with the energy of Mo Williams and a veteran supporting cast, ESPN can finally talk about a solid regular season to go along with Lebron's MVP numbers. Cavs win the division and overtake Detroit. 

4. Detroit Pistons (56-26) -  All the talk about the Pistons falling off because of age is going to be forgotten when Rodney Stuckey, Aaron Afflalo, and Jason Maxielle provide scoring, energy, and relief to the consistent starting lineup we've known for the last 7 years. 

 5. Philadelphia 76ers (50-32) - A career 20 points, 10 boards, and 2 blocks, and a forgotten MVP candidate is what's filling up the paint in Philly this season. After giving the Pistons a scare in the 1st round, While Philly might not ready to be a postseason force, they won't be a surprise when they are fighting for home court late in the season. They have the definition of solid in point guard Andre Miller and improved shooting with Louis Williams and Kareem Rush off the bench. I spy a surprise rookie star in Marreese Speights.

This is where things get messy...

6. Washington Wizards (45-37) - Gilbert's out...again, Haywood is out for significant time, thus we will not see the true Wizards until 2009.  However, lets not forget the last time this team was fully healthy (the other big 3 and co.) they were atop the Eastern Conference. Javale Mcgee (Who?) looks like a beast and the Wizards will put up the points. The question is can they play defense and avoid Lebron in the 1st round. If they can't, it could cost Eddie Jordan his job.

7. Atlanta Hawks (44-38) - No pressure took the Celtics to 7 games. High expectations might cause a slight setback. However, not enough to miss the playoffs. The Hawks are young, talented, fast, and fearless. With a weak bottom half of the conference and a new swag to feed off of, they won't find themselves giving away as many games to lower competition.  

8. Toronto Raptors (43-41) - As much as it kills me to keep Dwayne Wade out of the playoffs, the Toronto Raptors will sneak in at the end. The duo of Bosh and O'Neal look lethal so far in the preseason, and the rest of the team remains the same, consistent, boring, foreign, role players that they are. The Raptors will gel early and remain consistent while a midseason trade of Shawn Marion will bring in draft picks and not enough experience to carry the Heat into the post season. 

Playoff Results

1st Round: 

Celtics over Raptors - I'm not going to waste your time, the Raptors have no chance. Celts cruise and 4.

Magic over Hawks - The Magic are feelin' good. They cruised comfortably the last week of the season to the 2 seed and are ready to prove they are for real. The Hawks take 2 and make it interesting, but can't rekindle last years "magic." Orlando takes it in 5.

Cavs over Wizards - "There is no God!" screams Eddie Jordan. Somehow, some way, the Cavs and the Wizards meet in the first round for the fourth time in a row. The only difference this time around is that it goes the distance. Lebron is too much in the end as he was all series. Sorry Gilbert you won't get a chance to win it at the buzzer. Cavs in 7.

Pistons over 76ers - Another rematch of last years playoffs gets even better this time around. Last year the Sixer surprised everyone, this year they are well on the Radar of the Pistons. Behind Elton Brand, the Sixers play with pride but can't get it done in the end. DETROIT BASKETBALL...Pistons in 7.

Eastern Conference Semi's:

Celtics over Pistons - Detroit looks a little better then they did last year but Boston is too much. Kevin Garnett dominates the paint and the improved youth off the bench plays their role. The Pistons make it a series but realize a breakup is immanent. Boston in 6.

Cavs over Magic - Orlando is for real. By May, the Cavs will have figured this out. One of the most competitive matchups of the post season puts two of the games best up against one another.  Superman lets the world know he's here for the long haul but Lebron is on a mission. Cleveland has the front-court to rebound with Orlando. Z is playing harder then ever in what may be his last run at a title. The Cavs have the best guards on the court and the best player in the league. Many dunks and trey's later, Cleveland wins in 7.

Eastern Conference Finals:

Cleveland over Boston - I'm crazy right? Let me explain. Boston took the series from Cleveland after one of the most memorable games in a long time. A back and fourth game 7 duel between two of the games superstars.  If Cleveland doesn't let the first two games of the series slip away there is no ESPN instant classic, there is no Celtics/Lakers finals, Kobe may have a ring on his own. Lebron misses a layup (A LAYUP!) at the buzzer in game 1 and game 2 Cleveland falls apart after building a big lead. By no means did the Cavs hand Boston the series but it could have turned out a lot different. This year Cleveland's improved shooting, intense defense, and new look offense overcome the big 3. It takes 7, but Lebron makes it back to the finals.

Western Conference preview coming soon.