Eestern Outlook

Alright hoop fans, our favorite time of the year is upon us, opening night. For the fourth straight year, the Miami Thrice are still the team to beat, but I think anyone will agree that the gap has closed quite a bit and there's not one but 3 legit contenders in the east as well as young clubs that may not beat them, but will steal some games in the regular season and will make the opening round a challenge and not a cake walk. For fans and haters alike, it should be a fun season.

After going down the 2013-14 schedule day by day and calculating final win Tally, based on talent, past history (curses?), and emotional games I came up with the following. Let's start in the Least that while improved, still will employ playoff bound team with losing records. From worst to first, here they are:

#15  Orlando Magic.  Last Year: 20-62 missed playoffs for first time in 7 years.
        Projected finish: 18-64, continue rebuilding, lotto bound again, get used to it.

Orlando has some young talent that are exiting to watch along with vets like Afflalo and contender hold up Nelson, but seriously, they're gonna be the kind of team that other teams use to rest some of their players, young core, no bench, long frustrating season again.

#14  Toronto Raptors: Last Year 34-48, 10 in Least, missed playoffs, 5th straight year
        Projected finish: 20-62, miss playoffs for 6th straight year

I challenge any non-Raptor NBA fan to name the Raptors starters plus 6th man. Yeah, not very promising. While not horrible, I just don't think this collection of players will mesh together in time to even dent their conference. They'll contend but will have plenty shortcoming.

#13  Philadelphia 76ers: Last Year 34-48, 9th seed, missed playoffs
        Projected finish: 21-61, miss playoffs

Gone is All-star Holiday and hopeful savior Bynum. Expectations are low for the Sixers, so I think any victory they can get will be cherished. Many questions await this ball club but I still don't believe they're the worst club in the Least, rookie sensation MCW has good size, speed and ability, together with Turner, Hawes, Young, and Anderson they should contend, specially if their Rook is able to play in control and work on turnover prone reputation. Last we heard other Rook Noel will not be available all season, hey, that means more touches for Kwame!

#12 Milwaukee Bucks: Last Year 38-44, 8th seed, swept by Super Friends
        Projected Finish:  25-57, back to lotto

Mayo & Ellis traded places and Gumby will no longer be chucking up shots for the deer. This team can easily go and win in the low 30s, I feel they're gonna be very unpredictable and while they have some established vets, it's just not enough against an improving Least with younger players.

#11  Charlotte Bobcats: Last Year 21-61, missed playoffs
        Projected Finish:    29-53, Not quite there yet, back to lotto

Mr. Jordan's club will play it's last season as the Kittens and go back to their more successful Hornet name, let's see if that transcends to a change in team culture. If healthy, the 'Cats should have a better season but still not really impose fear on anyone contending. Big Al gives them a legit go to big man and Kemba and MKG best years are yet to come. An improved bench led by vets Gordon and Sessions will make this the best 'Cat team since they made the playoffs in '10

#10  Leprechauns: Last Year 41-40, 7th seed, end of new big three era in bean town
        Projected finish: 31-51, miss playoffs for first time since '07

Even without Rondo, Boston has a solid core that will not make things easy for opponents. One thing I find funny though is while the Lakers playoff hopes are questionable, there is no doubt the Leprechauns are headed back to the lotto according to majority opinion, yet, is not hot topic, even though it is the most decorated franchise in history, or so we keep hearing. Again the two most storied franchises, sure don't get judged the same.

#9  Atlanta Hawks: Last Year 44-38, 6th seed, dismissed by Pacers
      Projected Finish: 32-50 could sneak into playoffs and be out again in first round

The Hawks six year post season run may come to an end not because they took a step back but because other teams got better. Still they should be in the playoff battle if only to get swept by one of the real contenders. The Hawks will look good against bottom feeders but fail to hang with the Varsity clubs

#8  Detroit Pistons: Last Year 29-53 missed playoffs for 3rd straight year
      Projected Finish: 33-49, back to post season since '09

Only reason they make playoffs is they play in Least. Still it should be fun for the Motor City to get back to playoffs. The front line of Drummond, Monroe, and Smith is going to be a beast, add streaky shooters like Gumby and Mr. Big Shot you got a team, you're gonna have to take seriously. Improved play from role players will define how much noise Deeeeeeeetroit basketball will make.

#7 Cleveland Cavaliers: Last Year 24-58 curse of 'Bron continues
     Projected Finish: 34-48, curse of 'Bron ends, well at least lotto trips end

Another team benefiting from playing in Least. None the less Kyrie has shown he is a bonafide star in this league and he will now the best collection of players with him in his young career. Jarret Jack brings a fearless attitude off the bench that will help young players, Clark's play last year earned him a chance to start in Cleveland if he can contribute it will turn out to be a good investment. They have the #1 pick Bennet and Waiters continues to improve. Now if former Laker Bynum can come in and use his size even in limited minutes it will open up opportunities. The possibility of a Heat/Cav first round series is now very possible, that would be epic.

#6 Washington Wizards: Last Year 29-53, missed playoffs
      Projected Finish: 43-39, only other Least team with winning record besides top 5

With the newly acquired Polish Hammer in DC, the Wizards now become legit spoilers in Least and the Nation's capital a place with competitive basketball again. Wall & Beal are among the best back court duos and are not even halfway to their ceiling. The arrival of Gortat moves Nene to the 4 spot and gives the Wiz their own set of skilled twin towers. Add a selection of role wing men and you got an possibly exciting team in DC.

#5 New York Knicks: Last Year 54-28, 2nd seed, Atlantic Crown, lost in semis
     Projected Finish: 57-25, tough 4/5 match up, toss up

The Knicks feel this is their year, on paper their state rivals Brooklyn looks better, and they can match the athleticism and speed of the top 3.  Still NY will contend if healthy, they still have many experienced role players that unfortunately have their best years behind them but can just do enough to make a difference. It also feels that if they don't go deep in playoffs, the once perfect of marriage of Melo and NY will end in forgettable fashion. Good ball is back at the mecca, but also in Chicago & Indiana.

#4 Brooklyn Nets: Last Year 49-33, back to playoffs, first round exit
     Projected Finish: 59-23, Atlantic Crown, 4/5 match up, toss up

On paper this team looks legit, but so did last years' Lakers, unlike Lake show though, the big time players DO want to be here. Unfortunately desire can't make you younger and this is an older team. But if healthy and if they find chemistry fast ala Boston '08, this will a team to be reckoned with. The starters are solid and their bench is solid, if as good as advertised the Nets will win the NY battle but fall short against a younger hungry Indy team.

#3 Miami Heat: Last Year 66-16, best in league, repeat champions
     Projected Finish: 59-23, Southeast crown again, see below.

The 2 time defending champions are chasing dynasty status but now face not one by 4 legit threats and 4 more young squads that will make them work for their place in history. With an aging Wade, Allen, and questionable Beasley & Oden additions, other teams now have a chance to sneak up on the Heat and make them work for every W. As if being champions is not enough to put a target on your back, the Heat are hated, and I don't think any team would mind playing a part in their demise. That reason is why I have them not winning 60 games this year, they have played long post season for 3 years, other teams have improved and their target on the back just got bigger. Sure they still employ the best player in the game, but he can't do it all, Indy showed last year what a talented athletic wing can do to the reigning MVP, and they still have not fixed their nagging issues of PG and big man defense. The Heat are still favorites, c'mon it's the Heat, but the gap is closing fast.

#2  Chicago Bulls: Last year 45-37, 5th seed, lost in semis vs. Heat, broke their 27 game win streak
      Projected Finish: 62-20, Final Four

Even without D Rose the Bulls remained competitive and were still a beast defensively. They were able to break the Heat's streak without their big guns and for 4 games give Miami all they had. Now their leader, the only other person to win MVP in the Lebron Heat ear is back, and ever better than before.  Under Thibs the Bulls have been a very good regular season team, no reason why that's gonna change, It's simple the Bulls must play the same type of defense they've played for 3 years and let D Rose be the MVP caliber player he can be on offense. The end of the Finals drought is not far fetched.

#1 Indiana Pacers: Last Year 49-32, central crown, took champs to 7 games.
      Projected Finish: 63-19, Final Four

Like the Pacer teams of Miller time, these team has the talent and attitude to dethrone the reigning champs, let's hope that unlike Reggie's teams, these Pacers don't fall short. The Pacers bring back their core along with an improved bench with the addition of Luis Scola, CJ Watson, but most importantly Danny Granger will return, the once go to player comes in and should be an great combo with rising all star Paul George. If the starters continue playing where they left off last May and the bench can produce as expected, there will be a new Least Champion.

Eastern Playoff Outlook:

IND
DET   IND

BRO  BRO 
NY               IND   IND
                     CHI
CHI
CLE  CHI

MIA  MIA
WAS