2014 - 2015 Eastern Conference

[Anglefan]

lets revisit this after Miami fills all its rosters spots. considiering they only have 5 roster spots filled its difficult to evaluate their depth.

They don't have the cap room or the backlog of recent draft picks to have depth. It's not possible.

 

[mixman]

The Hornets are bringing in Marvin Williams! :chuckles:

But really, if you look at just the big numbers, Marvin was about equal to McBob in pts/rbs last year. He seems like an ok replacement. But 2/14mil is waaaay to much.

Honestly, if the Heat bring in Deng I do think they have a chance to be in the 3-6 seed range. It will be interesting to see how Wade reacts. His lack of playing time and production in the finals was a large part of the narrative that the Heat don't have enough around Lebron. Now Wade had learned to take a backseat to Lebron, but will he be able to do the same for Bosh, who at this point really should be the focal point. Or who knows, maybe Wade gets pissed and goes HAM and looks like 2006 Wade. Either way it will be interesting.

 

[kevin02]

Re: 2014 - 215 Eastern Conference

I think you may be underrating Miami. Wade-Bosh-Deng is pretty good. I expect them to be right in the mix for the top 4 seeds.

Nah, I agree with him. I think many people are overrating this team just because Bosh and Wade are still big names. LeBron held that team together and now that he's gone I just don't think Deng will be enough to keep Miami respectable. They may fight for a bottom playoff spot just because it's the east but top 4 seems way to optimistic.

Still, we will learn a lot about what exactly both Wade and Bosh can still do now that we will be seeing them without LeBron.

 

[ajz20]

If healthy, you guys are over looking Atlanta as a 7-8 seed. They are very solid inside.

 

[Plaxicofan7]

Locks to make the playoffs: CHI, CLE, IND, WSH, MIA, TOR
Fighting for the last 2 seeds: ATL, CHA, BKN, NYK, DET

 

[Tornicade]

They don't have the cap room or the backlog of recent draft picks to have depth. It's not possible.

You sure they dont have cap room? We dont know how much Wade signed for.. if the Heat acquire Deng thats around 12 million. they still havent used their mle or any other exception and they have a possible chance at a S&T for Deng.

They can operated under the cap or under the tax apron. The heat have alot of options

 

[mixman]

You sure they dont have cap room? We dont know how much Wade signed for.. if the Heat acquire Deng thats around 12 million. they still havent used their mle or any other exception and they have a possible chance at a S&T for Deng.

They can operated under the cap or under the tax apron. The heat have alot of options

So did McBob and Granger officially sign under cap room or are they holding off until the cap is full so they can use the MLE?

I think With Lebron gone Wade's number shoots up. Maybe still not the max but I think Riley will reward him with something similar to Kobe.

 

[Soar]

There is no super team in the East, but the level of competition will be a lot better given that more teams are evenly matched within the conference.

Pacers- I have them at the top for now. Miles was a solid add. Rudez might give them some 3s. Stephenson is the key here. With him, they have to be at the top. But without, they probably drop below the Bulls. Hibbert is also a major X factor.

Bulls- Gasol was a big add. McDermott fills a role. Already a deep team with Noah, Gibson, Dunleavy, Butler, Snell etc. Rose is the key here.

Cavs- LeBron is back. We have to be in the top 4. But as constructed, we lack experience to make a push to the very top. I think this will change though. If we add Love and keep Wiggins, look out.

Heat- They decided against the major tank. Bosh is going to have an opportunity to show what he can really do. Wade if healthy will still impact games. McBob is a solid add for them. I'm sure Riley polishes off that roster. If they add Deng, they will be a solid team.

Raptors- Under the radar last year. Derozan emerged last year. Lowry was a good retention. They are a tough team. But they lack that star power keeping them outside the top 4.

Wizards- Interesting roster. Wall and Beal are a very intriguing young backcourt. Gortat is good but I'd expect him to fade. Nene and Pierce are good pieces. Not much bench depth right now. But they can easily rise depending on how big of a jump Wall and Beal can take.

Hawks- They will be solid. Horford and Milsap is a solid front-court. Korver is lights out. If they add Deng or another solid piece, they could move up.

Knicks, Nets, Hornets battle for the last slot. Detroit might be a darkhorse.

 

[kevin02]

Chicago - Most talented team that has also shown stability
Cleveland - LeBron
Toronto - Another team that has stayed together and should be fairly consistent throughout the season
Indiana - Assuming Stephenson returns, they are still a very good team despite their end of year struggles last season
Atlanta - Always overlooked but was playing very well last season until Horford went down
Washington - Similar to Toronto they should have a similar season to last year. Pierce to Ariza is a downgrade though.
New York - More stability next year will be enough to push them into the playoffs in a weak East.
Charlotte - Lost McRoberts, added Vonleh. They aren't a great team but they definitely could fight for a playoff spot.

 

[ajz20]

Locks to make the playoffs: CHI, CLE, IND, WSH, MIA, TOR
Fighting for the last 2 seeds: ATL, CHA, BKN, NYK, DET

Miami is not a lock if wade sits out 25 games plus this year. If they do indeed get Deng that helps. They better secureDeng today because Wade is not playing every night. Deng also has lost a step as well. Still a very solid player, but not an all star anymore IMO. Still remains to be seen if Bosh can carry the team on his back when needed. His Toronto teams never exactly set the world on fire.

 

[Scholar]

Re: 2014 - 215 Eastern Conference

I thnk its 2014 and I watch basketball. I also no the team was 6 points better defensively when Bosh was on the court.

you want numbers I can bring the numbers. Depsite a small sample Indiana was 8 points better defensivelye when he was on the court.

with LA his offensive efficiency shot up and he was often lined up with Turk very small sample again.

A healthy Granger is a productive granger and while he most likely wont find his all star form ever again he can certainly be a productive guy on the court.


The ky here is BOSH who hasnt lost any of his game but changed it. Bosh is a legitimate superstar whose took the biggest hit reputation wise by forming up with the big three.

This years Miami wont be the same roster that they had last year and it looks to have a bit more depth. even with mediocre backcourt play their frontcourt will get them some wins.

I listed the players ages to show i had a full understanding of what year it is and while the Heat may not be contender status they certianly arent going anywhere.

This wont be like when Lebron left Cleveland Miami willl be able to set up their roster around Bosh

He'll never regain his all star form. He lost it BEFORE blowing out his knee. He has been in a steady decline since he made that all star game in the 2008-2009 season. I didn't want him in previous seasons when people on this forum talked about trading for him. I see nothing that has happened to change my view on him. He's done. If Miami is real lucky he'll give them some back up minutes, perhaps, be effective as spot up shooter. Torn, any images of "old school" Granger should be flushed from your thoughts. That guy no longer exists.

 

[CavsHomer]

Bulls will have a really good team. But I don't know yet, if Pau is THAT much of an upgrade (over Boozer).
I mean, he's 34, his defense wasn't great the past few seasons, his scoring numbers were up, because Lakers didn't really have another (great) offensive option and his rebounding numbers were pretty close to Boozers...
Then of course, you don't know if Rose will be a shell of his former self and/or if he can finally stay healthy...

IMO, IF we get Love, our frontcourt is as good as theirs. The strength of the Bulls forntcourt was always hustle and rebounding. We would have that as well...

So Bulls, for me, are the biggest question mark so far. They are lacking depth and natural scorers. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[tn819]

People are sleeping on Atlanta in a major way. I view them as being a solid playoff team in the east and with a savvy trade or two we could see tem rumble into a 4-5

 

[tn819]

Re: 2014 - 215 Eastern Conference

The competitiveness of the bulls and pacera depends on many factors. They are hardly certain commodities. Pau Gasol is getting way too much love as an ex-laker. Rose is a complete unknown at this point. Pacers have to lock up lance but will lose depth. West is a year older but so is Paul George. They might have to shed depth and rely more on hibbert, which is a worrying sign. Can't really say anything about the upcoming season with this many moving parts in a nutshell! Should be a fun regular season though.

 

[JohnnyEightball]

Washington & Miami will be better than you expect