Indiana Pacers and the Other Top Starting Lineups in the Eastern Conference

Last season, the Indiana Pacers gelled at just the right time. After suffering through a six game slide in early March, Indiana was able to right the ship finishing 11-7; enough of an improvement to sneak into the playoffs. 

The turnaround can be attributed to Frank Vogel stabilizing the lineup and favoring one starting five over the rotating carousel favored by coach Jim O'Brien who was replaced midway through the season.

The steadiness brought by Vogel allowed the young Pacers squad to find their rhythm and comfort with one-another and allowed the group to focus more on opposing teams than each other's strengths and weaknesses.  

The difference was most evident during the Pacers' gritty first round series with Chicago, a series they should have won. In pushing the Bulls to five games the Pacers showed the importance of a complete starting five capable of playing team basketball. 

Here are the top eight starting lineups in the Eastern Conference.

* Player stats are based on prediction for this season 

* Teams are based on current starting lineups pre-lockout

8. New Jersey Nets

Washington, Milwaukee and Detroit could all make a case to replace New Jersey, but with Williams and an emerging front court, the Nets safely makes the list. 

PG: Deron Williams

SG: Anthony Morrow

SF: Travis Outlaw

PF: Kris Kardashian, er Humphries 

C: Brook Lopez

Weakness link: Travis Outlaw. He's athletic and a decent defender but not a scorer and doesn't add much else. 

Strongest starter: Deron Williams. One of the top 10 players in the game. 

Most underrated player: Kris Humphries. Known more for his failed marriage, Humphries averaged a quiet 10 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in 17.89 per.

Breakout star: Brook Lopez. Already a good player averaging 20.4 points and six rebounds, at only 23 years of age, look for Lopez to focus more on his rebounding and see his scoring improve as well with a full year alongside Williams.

Why we like them: They are long, big and athletic. Now with Deron Williams they have a proven scorer and facilitator.

Why we don't: The primary role for a small forward is scoring and Outlaw provides little in that department. 

7. Orlando Magic

Because of Dwight Howard, Orlando will finish much higher in the Eastern conference standings than on this list. Don't be fooled, that doesn't make them a compete starting five.

If Howard were to go out with an injury, the Magic would be in big trouble. At the moment there just aren't that many more quality pieces than Howard, which is incidentally why he will probably bolt for New York. 

PG: Jameer Nelson

SG: Jason Richardson

SF: Hedo Turkoglu 

PF: Brandon Bass

C: Dwight Howard

Weakest link: Hedo Turkoglu. Only scores 10 points per game and doesn't provide anything else. No defense to speak of.

Strongest starter: Obviously, Dwight Howard. He is far and away the best center—and one of the best players—in the league. 

Most underrated player: Jameer Nelson. Consistently one of the most underrated floor generals, Jameer Nelson doesn't get the publicity but makes the Magic go.

Breakout star: Brandon Bass. Last year he averaged a career high 11.2 PPG. He's been in the league six years now, so youth is no longer an excuse. If he hopes to take his game to the next level, this is his last year to do it before he's hit with the "chronically underperforming" label.

Why we like them: Dwight Howard. Period. Without Howard the Magic are a 30 win team. With him they can win close to 50.

Why we don't: Everyone else. Richardson and Nelson are above average compliments but neither is going to take you to the next level. 

6. New York Knicks

New York has two superstars but little else and will go only as far as Carmelo and Amar'e can take them. If there is an offseason, major moves are expected, but right now this is a starting five full of question marks.

PG: Chauncey Billups

SG: Landry Fields

SF: Carmelo Anthony

PF: Amar'e Stoudemire

C: Ronny Turiaf

Weakest link: Ronny Turiaf is not a starting center. The fact that he sees so much playing time tells you how much the Knicks rely on their top two stars. 

Strongest starter: Carmelo Anthony. Melo is a top five player in the league. That being said, running mate Amar'e Stoudemire isn't far behind and will be equally important to New York's success. 

Most underrated player: Landry Fields. The Knicks will need him to step up big time if they hope to have a shot of really competing in the East. His 6.4 rebounds per game are surprisingly high for a guard and welcomed on a team that is vastly undersized. Expect his points per game to increase from 9.7 PPG to the 12 per game range.

Breakout star: Landry Fields. The Knicks will be surprisingly dependent on the success of Fields. As good as they are, New York's super two are not enough to carry the Knicks deep into the postseason. Look for Fields to have a big year and take some pressure off Melo and Amar'e.

Why we like them: Melo and Amar'e. Any other reasons really necessary?

Why we don't: Billups is aging and already overrated and unless Fields steps up, the Knicks are shockingly thin. Turiaf wouldn't crack the top eight on half the teams (certainly playoff teams) in the league. So the Knicks are desperate for help up front. Expect them to address the issue in free agency. 

5. Indiana Pacers

If the Pacers could add a quality power forward such as David West, they would vault past the Atlanta Hawks on this list and likely in the standings as well. As it is, they have developed a young, strong and cohesive starting five.

PG: Darren Collison

SG: Paul George (playing out of position)

SF: Danny Granger

PF: Tyler Hansbrough

C: Roy Hibbert

Weakest link: Tyler Hansbrough. A classic sixth man that provides energy and hustle, Hansbrough is not an ideal starter. Unfortunately for the Pacers, he's spent the majority of his career in the starting role.

Strongest starter: All-Star Danny Granger. Hibbert could push Granger for this title, but right now it's Granger's team. One of the league's top scorers and an underrated defender, Granger is going to have to take on more of a leadership role to help the Pacers get to the next level.

Most underrated player: Darren Collison. The former Hornet who came over in a trade before last season, Collison is the glue to this team and a critical component of their success. Still developing, Collison has a chance to stake a claim as one of the game's 10 best point guards with a big year.

Breakout star: Paul George. One of the league's potential future stars, George has the chance to be an All-Star level player. Playing slightly out of position, starting George at the shooting guard position gives the Pacers incredible length and defense on the wings. Expect George to take on a bigger role in the offense and come close to doubling his 7.8 points per game output from last season.

Why we like them: Hibbert and Collison are two young top talents at the two most important positions. Granger provides more than 20 points per game in scoring from the wing and Paul George is brimming with potential.

Why we don't: The Pacers are still young and unproven, Hansbrough isn't a true starting power forward and George is playing slightly out of position. Otherwise there isn't much to dislike with this starting group. Expect a breakout year from the Pacers. 

4. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have a lot of talent, but also several holes as well. It's hard to imagine Kirk Hinrich holding off Jeff Teague for the starting job. Otherwise the Hawks are primed for another year. If they can't solve their center situation, they could be pushed by Indiana for a top four spot in the East.

PG: Kirk Hinrich (for now)

SG: Joe Johnson

SF: Josh Smith

PF: Al Horford

C: Zaza Pachulia 

Weakest link: Zaza Pachulia. 4.4 PPG and 4.2 RPG are pretty woeful numbers for a starting center. 

Strongest starter: Al Horford. A perennial All-Star, Horford is probably Atlanta's best player. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith might have something to say about that, though.

Most underrated player: Josh Smith. None of the players on the Hawks really fit the underrated role but Josh Smith doesn't get enough credit.

Breakout player: Jeff Teague. He's not a full time starter yet, but he will be pretty early into the season. Expect the third year pro to be much improved.

Why we like them: The Hawks are a balanced team that rebound the ball and can score from numerous positions.

Why we don't: Zaza Pachulia. He seriously starts? 

3. Miami Heat

Now we are getting into the elite ranks of the Eastern Conference.

Miami might be the best team of the bunch, but they are not the best starting five. No matter how good their big three are, basketball is fundamentally a team game, a lesson Miami learned the hard way in Dallas. 

PG: Mario Chalmers

SG: Dwyane Wade

SF: LeBron James

PF: Chris Bosh

C: By Committee (Big Z?)

Weakest link: Their centers. They have no legitimate center in a group of about four guys who rotate in-and-out. 

Strongest starter: LeBron and D-Wade. Can you go wrong with either? They are arguably the top two players in the league. 

Most underrated player: They don't have one. You know what you get with Miami. Three really good players and nobody else. 

Breakout player: There won't be one. Same as above, unless Chris Bosh counts, which he doesn't.

Why we like them: They have the top two players on one team and Chris Bosh is one of the league's best power forwards.

Why we don't: Besides Wade, LeBron and Bosh, there is no talent on the roster. Sorry Chalmers. 

2. Chicago Bulls

They most talented team in the East, the Bulls don't have the best starting lineup. It's certainly close, but Boston's big four edges them out. Chicago, Miami and Boston will all battle for the right to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals, and look for Chicago to come out on top.

PG: Derrick Rose

SG: Keith Bogans

SF: Luol Deng

PF: Carlos Boozer

C: Joakim Noah

Weakest link: Keith Bogans. Having Keith Bogans as your weak link is not a bad problem. He's not great, but there are several teams that would love to have him.

Strongest starter: Derrick Rose. Without a question Rose is the leader of this team. While Rose won the MVP, I still think Wade and LeBron are the top two players in the game but had trouble adjusting to each other. Regardless, few players are as skilled as Chicago's star.

Most underrated player: Joakim Noah. It's hard to say Noah is underrated, but if somebody was on the Bulls it would be Noah who still does not get the credit he deserves for his defense, rebounding and leadership.

Breakout star: Rose is going to keep getting better, but otherwise we already know how talented a group the Bulls are.

Why we like them: Rose is the reining MVP, Boozer provides rebounding and scoring, Deng is a versatile wing player that does everything well and Noah is a proven leader and great defender. Those seem to be good enough reasons right?

Why we don't: The Bulls need a more dynamic guard than Bogans. If they can find a true scorer and shooter at the off guard spot, they will be the most complete, well rounded and dominant team the league has seen in years. 

1. Boston Celtics

Boston earns the top spot because of their "ubuntu" philosophy of playing together as a team.

While the Kendrick Perkins trade really hurt Boston and cost them a shot at the title run, there is no lineup that is more complete, accomplished and skilled at positions 1-4.

They are not as flashy and explosive as Miami, or as tough and gritty as Chicago, but Boston's big four have a chemistry that is unparalleled. 

If age and a thin bench don't catch up to Boston this year, a title run is a definite possibility. Right now, though, Chicago and Miami have to be the favorites.

PG: Rajon Rondo

SG: Ray Allen

SF: Paul Pierce

PF: Kevin Garnett

C: Jermaine O'Neal

Weakest link: Jermaine O'Neal. The last time O'Neal was a dominant big man was six years ago for the Pacers. He is beyond washed up.

Strongest starter: It's been Paul Pierce for the past decade. This may be the year Rondo overtakes him.

Most underrated: Ray Allen. People seem to never fully appreciate Allen's scoring and ability to change a game with a dagger three pointer. Perhaps it's because he's ageless and people are always predicting his pending decline, but his 16.5 points per game should not be discounted. He's also arguably the most clutch shooter in the history of the NBA. 

Breakout star: Unless O'Neal manages to resurrect his career, this category doesn't apply to the Celts. They're an experienced bunch who have perfected their roles on the team.

Why we like them: They are the definition of unselfish team basketball. No one does it better. You have Rondo the distributor, Allen the shooter, Pierce the scorer and defender, KG the scorer, defender and tough rebounder and O'Neal...the always injured. Four-out-of-five, close enough. Plus Allen, Pierce and KG are consummate leaders as well, a trait which is rubbing off on Rondo. If the Celts can add a legitimate center, then they might once again be the team to beat. 

Why we don't: They have to be getting old, right? And O'Neal's knees are constantly giving out. In hindsight that was a poor trade sending Perkins to OKC, as it really messed up the Celts' moxie. Will it continue to haunt them this year? We'll wait and see.