It's been a long time coming, but the lockout delayed season that looked like it may not happen finally gets underway on Christmas Day. The Mavericks stunned everyone (especially the Heat) to win it all last season, and it's time to start all over again. This preview will be in three parts, this one will look at the Eastern Conference. The second will look at the Western, and the third and final part will look at my predictions for the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
Last Year: 1st (Lost in Conference Semifinals)
Prediction: 1st
New Jersey Nets
Last Year: 4th
Prediction: 5th
New York Knicks
Last Year: 2nd (Lost in Conference 1st Round)
Prediction: 2nd
Philadelphia 76ers
Last Year: 3rd (Lost in Conference 1st Round)
Prediction: 3rd
Toronto Raptors
Last Year: 5th
Prediction: 4th
Analysis: The Celtics dominated the division last year, and I expect more of the same this time round. The Knicks will run them closer this season, but in a shortened season, the quality that the Boston team have will not have time to rest on its laurels. Rajon Rondo will have an MVP candidate year, and the only thing going against the Celtics is thir age. Carmelo Anthony will have a good first full season in New York, and Baron Davis is a good pickup for the team, but the Knicks will fall just short of taking the division, although will get themselves a high wildcard seeding. The 76ers will put themselves in contention for the playoffs again, and I feel that the Nets in their last season in New Jersey before moving to Brooklyn, will take the wooden spoon from the improving Raptors.
Central Division
Chicago Bulls
Last Year: 1st (Lost in Conference Finals)
Prediction: 1st
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Year: 5th
Prediction: 4th
Detroit Pistons
Last Year: 4th
Prediction: 2nd
Indiana Pacers
Last Year: 2nd (Lost in Conference 1st Round)
Prediction: 5th
Milwaukee Bucks
Last Year: 3rd
Prediction: 3rd
Analysis: This is quite simply the Bulls' division. Derrick Rose was league MVP last year and is still getting better, and his teammates have a lot of talent themselves - see Noah, Joakim; Deng, Luol; Boozer, Carlos. The Pacers finished second in the division last year, but they have no depth in their squad, and a single injury to Danny Granger or Roy Hibbert and they are done. The Cavs won't be as bad as they were last year when they won just 19 games, but can't rely on their #1 Draft Pick Kyrie Irving, a teenager with just 11 college games under his belt. The Pistons will return to the playoffs while the Bucks will be be just there. Again.
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks
Last Year: 3rd (Lost in Conference Semifinals)
Prediction: 2nd
Charlotte Bobcats
Last Year: 4th
Prediction: 4th
Miami Heat
Last Year: 1st (Lost in NBA Finals)
Prediction: 1st
Orlando Magic
Last Year: 2nd (Lost in Conference 1st Round)
Prediction: 3rd
Washington Wizards
Last Year: 5th
Prediction: 5th
Analysis: The Hawks will run them fairly close, but I can't see past the Heat taking this division again. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are a trio up there with Jordan, Pippen and Rodman in pure talent, and they will go a long way this year. The Hawks will build on their Confgerence semifinal appearence from the spring and go onto the playoffs again. I particularly look forward to seeing what Joe Johnson can produce. The Magic will suffer from Dwight Howard not wanting to be there, and I expect him to leave through the season. It depends what kind of deal the Magic can do in the trade, but their season will suffer. The Bobcats and the Wizards will plod along as usual, but the division belongs to Miami.
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