When the Miami Heat won the NBA Championship in June, it looked like a dynasty could be being built. The finals the year before where they lost to an inspired Dirk Nowitski and the Dallas Mavericks, and then a crushing win over the brilliant Oklahoma City Thunder to take the title to South Beach, with the talented trio of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh at the heart, serious questions were asked of who could beat them over the season and in a seven game series. Has the first (almost) half of the 2012-13 changed opinions? Here we grade the 15 Eastern Conference teams' mid-season performance. Western Conference Reports are coming on Sunday.
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics (18-17) The Celtics haven't had the best of starts to the season, but in an Eastern Conference that isn't as competitive as it could be, a .500 record will probably be enough to sneak into the playoffs. They're a team in transition, but could come good later in the season, especially if Rajon Rondo can turn on the style.
Grade: C+
Brooklyn Nets (20-15) The Nets first season in Brooklyn started off so well as they raced out to an 11-4 start. They struggled in December, but are currently riding a four game winning streak. The team has stabilised following the firing of Avery Johnson under the interim stewardship of PJ Carlesimo. They should be a postseason team for the first time since 2007.
Grade: B
New York Knicks (23-12) When was the last time the Knicks were this good? Probably 1994 when they reached the finals. This team looks better than their 1998-99 side who also made the finals, as it looks like the roster has clicked and the talents of Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler are working well together with the experience of Jason Kidd. There have been slip ups along the way, but the Knicks can count themselves genuine contenders.
Grade: A
Philadelphia 76ers (15-22) The Sixers have really struggled for consistency this year, and that comes as a disappointment after their solid playoff run last time round. With Andrew Bynum injured, Jason Richardson is struggling to carry the team on his own, and without some major improvement (or trades) post-season basketball won't be coming back to Philly this year.
Grade: C-
Toronto Raptors (13-22) No-one expected the Raptors to do anything this season, and the fact that they're only five games back from a playoff position is actually a pretty good place for them to be. Their young roster is going to take some shaping, and it's unlikely that they'll be bothering the playoff picture this year, but they are an improving side, who could be pushing in the next few seasons.
Grade: B-
Central Division
Chicago Bulls (19-14) The Bulls are really, really missing Derrick Rose. After finishing first in the Eastern Conference last year, they fell straight out of the playoffs when Rose got injured, and although they're well in the playoff hunt again, without Rose they don't seem the same team. Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah should have the talent to carry the team through, but the sooner they get Rose back, the better.
Grade: B-
Cleveland Cavaliers (9-28) It's becoming more and more obvious that Kyrie Irving is a very special player. It's also becoming more and more obvious that he needs some serious help to improve the Cavs. There is some serious young talent in the Cleveland locker room, but the team s failing to gel, and there's only so much Irving can do on his own. Big changes required.
Grade: D
Detroit Pistons (13-23) The Pistons are very clearly in a rebuilding season, carrying a league high five rookies on their roster and with just two signed players over the age of 30. There's signs that this could be a very good team, but it's just not happening yet. If the Pistons fans can cope with a couple of years rebuilding, there's nothing wrong with this approach, but it could be a long couple of seasons.
Grade: C
Indiana Pacers (22-14) The Pacers are having a great season. Tyler Hansbrough is playing as well as he has done since college, and the acquisition of his unheralded younger brother Ben has been an inspired piece of business. The Pacers lead the Central Division in just about every stat, and are putting together an excellent team, capable of challenging the big boys come the playoffs.
Grade: A-
Milwaukee Bucks (18-16) The Bucks could well make the playoffs this year, but it's more to do with the lack of strength in the teams below them in the standings than themselves being a particularly good team. There's not much actually wrong with the way that they're playing, but they don't look like a team who are likely to cause anyone any major problems in a seven game series. Decent, but could be better.
Grade: C+
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks (20-14) The Hawks are in a tough position being in the same division as the Heat. They can win games, go on great runs, but are always likely to play second fiddle to the big boys from South Beach. This is exactly what has happened this year, but it's actually suited them down to a tee. The Heat get all the attention and the Hawks just slide under the radar, quietly building themselves a fine record.
Grade: A-
Charlotte Bobcats (9-25) The Bobcats are hopeless. They've been hopeless since they entered the league in 2004 in all honesty - other than their 2009-10 playoff season, where they were pretty decent. They have won more games already this season than they did last, so that's something. But they'd be better off with their 49 year old owner Michael Jordan on the court than some of their current players. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist must wish he'd stayed in college another year.
Grade: D-
Miami Heat (23-11) The Heat lead the Eastern Conference, but they do so without actually being all that brilliant. When they've been at their best they have been excellent, but when they've been bad, they really have been awful. One of their losses was to the five win Wizards, something that shouldn't be happening to a title contender. But the Heat have done enough to show that they are one of the strongest teams in the NBA, and will be there or there abouts come championship time once again.
Grade: A-
Orlando Magic (12-23) They lost Dwight Howard, who was pretty much the only bright spot they had the past few years. There are two teams in Florida, and they are very much number two. Having seen the Magic a few times this year, it actually amazes me that they've even managed to win 12 games so far. Disappointing at best.
Grade: C-
Washington Wizards (5-28) Washington are on course to win 12 games this season. These Wizards need some magic.
Grade: F
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