Atlanta: A starting lineup back at it again (with Horford healthy), yet aside from 2 lateral moves (Thabo and Kent Vs. Martin and Louis), there's once again barely any real movement. Good enough for a 5-8 seed, but unless they get a real difference maker, hard to see them going beyond the first round.
Boston: Best acquisition is Smart, who shares a position with Rondo, their best point guard. Between their talent of those two and Bradley, pray one or two can also become elite shooters. They have depth at the front court, but they need to operate at a high level constantly (2-3 guys need to step up per night) and there's risk with a few of them. I expect them to grow thank to their coach and could potentially see them hitting wins in the forties.
Brooklyn: After the mess they made this off-season, it would be relief if Lionel can at least led them to the similar record as last year. They have for the most part the same roster, but losing Paul (no matter how) and Shaun (no matter the damage) hurt. Hopefully, Jack and Sergey can make that up with their skill sets. Biggest weakness: Window of opportunity and health. If they do well and everybody is healthy, I could see a +50 win record and a trip to the second round, maybe even the conference finals.
Charlotte: Key word for the Hornets: Growth. Improve, get better, develop your skills. You have a few difference makers in Jefferson and Kemba. If MKG can find his inner Gerald Wallace, you might have a really solid second round team very soon. But my best case scenario (based on your team's grinder D) is a max win season of 50. But your team needs to be perfect for that to happen.
Chicago: The most difficult team to predict. Could very well be the deadliest with the best record (PG: Rose, Kirk; SG: Butler; SF: Doug, Dunleavy; PF: Taj, Pau, Noah) and have a good amount of depth to spare. The biggest issue is having a hard-driving coach along with players who can be considered somewhat fragile. Based on how they respond, they could a record in the 60s. No lower than semi-finals but how far afterwards is based on the circumstances.
Detroit: I don't know what's going on with them... With Stan back, I could expect just about anything. A mix of old basketball styles. He'll probably try to teach Drummond to be an eraser defensively. It seems they're gathering as much talent and rely on that. But making this team work will be a tall task since they don't do things as told. They could sneak into the playoffs if everything clicks but I expect closer to wins in mid-30s and under.
Indiana: They will be a contender. 55-60 can be expected, but they'd be best served to compensate for the talent drop off IF Lance leaves. It'll be hard to replace. Aside from that at this point barring collapse, they are seen as top 2 in East.
Miami: A large question mark. Hypothetically, they should be able to go top 2-4 in the East since they have one of most talented (if not aged) rosters. But injury concern and depth will be telling how far they'll go. If Luol can do anything to somewhat compensate for LeBron's production, it may not hurt as badly. Regardless, they got more work to do, as losing the best in the league does not make them a sure thing anymore.
Milwaukee: I feel they have good, yet uneven talent. Potentially can scare teams with their athleticism combined with motor and skills. Having Jason on the sidelines, how matter how much a dick he is, will give them an advantage as he is someone who will command respect as a hall of famer and former champion. Side note: Watch out for Jabari.
New York: I would consider somewhat a "Journeyman of all Trades" as a team. They all have certain skill sets, talents, and abilities that demonstrate the ability to win. They just can't seem to put it together consistently night in and night out. With Jackson's entry into the foray and Anthony's contract situated (for now), perhaps they are a mid 40s playoff team. But that's what I see as their best at this point, they'll need to prove otherwise against the real juggernauts.
Orlando: To be frank, I don't know what to expect. What they lack in elite talent, they make up for in athleticism and potential. If the group comes together, they could steal games and make it to the first round of the playoffs. But that requires sustaining a level of play for the whole year that requires 80+% execution. There is absolutely no margin for error. If they fall 10 games out of 500, I expect them to head for the tank for 2015, possibly after Philly.
Philadelphia: I'm skeptical of Noel. For a player who's coming back, I see a lot of risk and he may have to sit out extended periods. But keep the health at 70+% for the season and I see them winning more than 25 games, perhaps as many as 35 if they're talent comes together to play as a team and not stats. That's the best I got for yet another future lottery team.
Toronto: Playoff team. Potential 2nd rounder, but can't see anything beyond top 4. That's because I see Miami, Chicago (without Rose), Indiana, and maybe a team like Brooklyn or Washington outplaying them in a seven game series. And that doesn't includes teams with significant future impact.
Washington: These guys are a threat. The only question I have is why it took Wittman so f#ckin' long to make ONE team relevant. Regardless, I could see between 45 and 55, again based on circumstance. Never count a team out with 3 months before any real games are played.
Eastern Conference Final Tier: Miami, Chicago (with Rose), Indiana
Eastern Conference Semi-Final Tier: Brooklyn, Washington
Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Tier: Atlanta, Charlotte, Toronto
Borderline Playoffs: New York
Stuck in the Middle: Detroit, Milwaukee
Mediocre: Boston
Basement Dweller: Philadelphia, Orlando
These aren't set in stone and can easily change. I'll update closer to October, look forward to it. It'll be worth it. Especially when I gather the info on the Cavs.
