Eastern Conference prediction thread.

Here is an east prediction thread for you guys. Have at it.

1. Heat
2. Brooklyn
3. Pacers
4. Knicks
5-8. Lesser teams that wouldn't even come close in the West. Blah.

1. Heat

2. Nets

3. Celtics

4. Pacers

Does it really matter after that?

Rumor has it, the Bobcats could be getting Tracy McGrady. THat has to move them up. Oh wait, this is the 2012-13 season? Gosh, I thought we were still in 2003-04. Okay, forget that idea then.

okay, in all honesty. I see the conferences are so freaking lopsided. Remember, the 2003-04 season? Who can forget that season? Might have been my favorite team. Jazz go 42-40 when they were supposed to compete for the worst record ever. (How Sloan did not get COY that year, still makes me upset.) I still remember watching Denver clinch the last spot against the Kings. So frustrated that night. I still remember before that season my teammates on the basketball team were making fun of the fact I was a jazz fan, and they knew Utah would be horrible.

Anyways it will be that year all over agin. Miami, with then rookie DWade, got home court in the first round with the amazing 42-40 record. The west won 99 more games then the East. This is where I think ESPN overrated the East. They only have the West winning like 40 something more games then the West. Look at the 07-08 standings, and GS missed out with 48 wins!!!!

Anyways, here it is.

1. Miami (in a class of their own)
2. Boston (Biggest threat to knock off Miami)
3. Indiana (the fact that they can be the #2 team shows how bad the East is.)
4. Brooklyn
5. Philly
6. NY (NY might be where dreams come to fruition, but the Knicks are a nightmare.)
7. Milwaukee (Gosh, this is getting really bad)
8. Atlanta (It is sad when a team that just got rid of everybody, can still be in the playoff talk.)

No love for Bulls? I think they will be in playoffs even if Rose comes back after All-star break only.

Calgary Jazz wrote:

No love for Bulls? I think they will be in playoffs even if Rose comes back after All-star break only.

Bulls 6th or 7th. Forgot them.

1. Bobcats
2. Wizards
3. NO
4. Cleveland
5. Toronto
6. Detroit
7. Bucks
8. Philly

Now that there is a stacked E. Conference playoff juggernaut machine. Look out WC!

Calgary Jazz wrote:

No love for Bulls? I think they will be in playoffs even if Rose comes back after All-star break only.

People are saying that, that the Bulls will still make the playoffs, but I just dont see it. I think they more do like the Spurs did back in the day when Robinson went down and they just tanked the season and added a number 1 the next season.
During the season, Boozer can't lead anyone, and if Deng is your best player then he's not that difficult to stop. Unless I'm forgetting someone, a lineup with Deng/Noah/Boozer/ Hinrich and Hamilton isn't scaring me at all, and dont seem them getting past anyone. A bench of Taj, Nazr Mohammed, Belinelli and Nate Robinson is weak as well.
Even in the Eastern Conf, I dont seem them being able to dig out of that hole, and the team not seeing the point either. Then in the draft they'll add a sick youngster to DRose, and that'll be scary.

Mutangclan wrote:

Calgary Jazz wrote:

No love for Bulls? I think they will be in playoffs even if Rose comes back after All-star break only.

People are saying that, that the Bulls will still make the playoffs, but I just dont see it. I think they more do like the Spurs did back in the day when Robinson went down and they just tanked the season and added a number 1 the next season.
During the season, Boozer can't lead anyone, and if Deng is your best player then he's not that difficult to stop. Unless I'm forgetting someone, a lineup with Deng/Noah/Boozer/ Hinrich and Hamilton isn't scaring me at all, and dont seem them getting past anyone. A bench of Taj, Nazr Mohammed, Belinelli and Nate Robinson is weak as well.
Even in the Eastern Conf, I dont seem them being able to dig out of that hole, and the team not seeing the point either. Then in the draft they'll add a sick youngster to DRose, and that'll be scary.

Just as big as losing rose was, losing their bench was just as bad, and not many talk about it. Don't get me wrong, Rose, Hamilton, Deng, Boozer, Noah is a good starting lineup. However, nobody, and i mean nobody had a better bench than CJ Watson, Brewer, Korver, Gibson, and Asik. It lacked a dynamic 6th man, but seriously, nobody had the depth the Bulls had. They lost the 2 things that made them good. Their bench and Rose.

In the west, they do not even sniff the playoffs. However, in the East they make it. Let's not forget Tom Thibodeau though. He is a defensive mastermind. (Illustrated by the fact that they were a top defensive team even with Boozer as a starter.) This is a reason why he will probably be my prediction for COY. I still think he can get them to .500 without Rose.

Mutangclan wrote:

Calgary Jazz wrote:

No love for Bulls? I think they will be in playoffs even if Rose comes back after All-star break only.

People are saying that, that the Bulls will still make the playoffs, but I just dont see it. I think they more do like the Spurs did back in the day when Robinson went down and they just tanked the season and added a number 1 the next season.
During the season, Boozer can't lead anyone, and if Deng is your best player then he's not that difficult to stop. Unless I'm forgetting someone, a lineup with Deng/Noah/Boozer/ Hinrich and Hamilton isn't scaring me at all, and dont seem them getting past anyone. A bench of Taj, Nazr Mohammed, Belinelli and Nate Robinson is weak as well.
Even in the Eastern Conf, I dont seem them being able to dig out of that hole, and the team not seeing the point either. Then in the draft they'll add a sick youngster to DRose, and that'll be scary.

I don't know, I think they took a step back with their offseason moves as well, but I think they are still at least a .500 team even if Rose sits most of the season, and in the east that's probably good enough for 6th or 7th.

I think the east playoff race is actually pretty interesting, I think it shakes out like this...

1. Heat
2. 76'rs
3. Celtics
4. Pacers
5. Nets
6. Knicks
7. Bulls
8. Wizards

Like I said in the Western Conf thread, I think the west has the entire upper-middle class of the NBA, the east has one elite team and a buch of midling ones. The only team I think could legitimately challenge Miami in a playoff series is Boston, and that is only if Rondo, KG, and Pierce are 100% come playoff time.

The Wizards are my dark horse pick to make the playoffs this year, they have made some sneaky good moves and have put together a decent roster that reminds me a bit of last seasons Jazz team.

TheMagnus wrote:

Mutangclan wrote:

Calgary Jazz wrote:

No love for Bulls? I think they will be in playoffs even if Rose comes back after All-star break only.

People are saying that, that the Bulls will still make the playoffs, but I just dont see it. I think they more do like the Spurs did back in the day when Robinson went down and they just tanked the season and added a number 1 the next season.
During the season, Boozer can't lead anyone, and if Deng is your best player then he's not that difficult to stop. Unless I'm forgetting someone, a lineup with Deng/Noah/Boozer/ Hinrich and Hamilton isn't scaring me at all, and dont seem them getting past anyone. A bench of Taj, Nazr Mohammed, Belinelli and Nate Robinson is weak as well.
Even in the Eastern Conf, I dont seem them being able to dig out of that hole, and the team not seeing the point either. Then in the draft they'll add a sick youngster to DRose, and that'll be scary.

I don't know, I think they took a step back with their offseason moves as well, but I think they are still at least a .500 team even if Rose sits most of the season, and in the east that's probably good enough for 6th or 7th.

I think the east playoff race is actually pretty interesting, I think it shakes out like this...

1. Heat
2. 76'rs
3. Celtics
4. Pacers
5. Nets
6. Knicks
7. Bulls
8. Wizards

Like I said in the Western Conf thread, I think the west has the entire upper-middle class of the NBA, the east has one elite team and a buch of midling ones. The only team I think could legitimately challenge Miami in a playoff series is Boston, and that is only if Rondo, KG, and Pierce are 100% come playoff time.

The Wizards are my dark horse pick to make the playoffs this year, they have made some sneaky good moves and have put together a decent roster that reminds me a bit of last seasons Jazz team.

I agree that teh Wizards have made some good moves. The foundation for a player is set in their early years, and it is hard to get out of the losing spirit once its ingrained. The Wizards must be thinking that its now or never for JWall. He has the tools. I think he will be much better now that they got rid of knuckleheads like blatche, and mcgee. (Although, I think McGee will breakout this year.)

JWall
Beal
Ariza
Okafor
Nene

that is an above average starting lineup. If they can develop the bench, this could be a dangerous team in the playoffs. They just had a poisonous locker room. I think getting some new blood was very good.

Those are good predictions, Lakers won't be a 2 seed though, probably 3 or 4.

Mutangclan wrote:

People are saying that, that the Bulls will still make the playoffs, but I just dont see it. I think they more do like the Spurs did back in the day when Robinson went down and they just tanked the season and added a number 1 the next season.
During the season, Boozer can't lead anyone, and if Deng is your best player then he's not that difficult to stop. Unless I'm forgetting someone, a lineup with Deng/Noah/Boozer/ Hinrich and Hamilton isn't scaring me at all, and dont seem them getting past anyone. A bench of Taj, Nazr Mohammed, Belinelli and Nate Robinson is weak as well.
Even in the Eastern Conf, I dont seem them being able to dig out of that hole, and the team not seeing the point either.

therawns wrote:

Just as big as losing rose was, losing their bench was just as bad, and not many talk about it. Don't get me wrong, Rose, Hamilton, Deng, Boozer, Noah is a good starting lineup. However, nobody, and i mean nobody had a better bench than CJ Watson, Brewer, Korver, Gibson, and Asik. It lacked a dynamic 6th man, but seriously, nobody had the depth the Bulls had. They lost the 2 things that made them good. Their bench and Rose.
In the west, they do not even sniff the playoffs.

funny to look back at this and hey.... Bulls sitting in 4th place and with better record then the Jazz. In the West they would be in 6th place. And Rose is close to return.
Thibs is amazing coach. I would be more then thrilled to have him on the Jazz.

Hahahahahaaha, classic Bonehead Boozer move!! 32secs left, down 2 and on a loose ball, Booz does that two-handed to the back/completely obvious shove for a loose ball foul.
Hah!!! So glad he's out of a Jazz jersey, I couldn't stand his bonehead plays.

Mutangclan wrote:

Hahahahahaaha, classic Bonehead Boozer move!! 32secs left, down 2 and on a loose ball, Booz does that two-handed to the back/completely obvious shove for a loose ball foul.
Hah!!! So glad he's out of a Jazz jersey, I couldn't stand his bonehead plays.

Funny stuff. The big question is, did he yell "and one!"?