Everyone knows that the Eastern Conference is weaker than the Western Conference but with that being said we have still seen some surprises in the East. The New York Knicks (26-14) and the Brooklyn Nets (26-17) have both overachieved this season while the Boston Celtics (20-23) and Philadelphia 76ers have both underachieved. Half of the season is now gone and we now have a better idea of who each team is so without further ado I give you my predictions for the East.
8. Milwaukee Bucks- The East is a very weak conference and that is the only reason the Bucks even have a chance to make the playoffs this season. The only team that could possibly take their spot is the 76ers and without Andrew Bynum it does not look like those 76ers are going to make any noise this season.
7. Atlanta Hawks- The Hawks have been an inconsistent team all season. They got off to a good start in the beginning of the season to find themselves in 3rd place at one point but have struggled and currently find themselves in 6th place and now, without Lou Williams for the rest of the season and Josh Smith trying to do too much (taking 3 pointers) the Hawks will find themselves towards the bottom of the East.
6. Boston Celtics- The Celtics are a surprise team this year for the wrong reason. In the beginning of the season I had the Celtics as a second seed and possibly even making it to the Eastern Conference Finals but now expectations are lower for the struggling Celtics. I find it hard to believe that the Celtics will not go on a run and go up 2 or 3 spots in the standings because they still do have the talent but as far as Eastern Conference Finals go this team is not built for it.
5. Brooklyn Nets- The Nets have had a lot of hype around them this whole season and I never bought into the hype. Now I see the Nets and they are better than I thought they would be but I still do not believe they are contenders for the Eastern Conference Finals and definitely not for the championship but they do have potential and will get there in a couple of years. As for now The Nets are a top five team only because the East is so weak but they can make some noise in the playoffs and make it to the second round but that's all they will do.
4. Chicago Bulls- The Bulls have impressed me thus far with their 26-16 record without Derrick Rose. Their defense has been amazing only allowing 91.2 points per game and that has helped them to this point. Their problem is their offense, they only score 93.8 points per game and that is where the return of Derrick Rose will help them.....maybe. Rose is expected to come back soon after the All Star game but after coming back from an ACL injury I do not think he will be the same this year. Rose depends on his athleticism to help him score baskets and that athleticism will not all be there this year and that is why the Bulls are not a championship team, at least not this year.
3. Indiana Pacers- The Pacers did not have a great start to the season without Danny Granger but they have improved currently having a 26-17 record. Their defense is one of the best I've seen only allowing 89.3 points per game and that is really the only thing helping them in games becaue they only score 91 points per game. Once Granger returns he will definitely help the offense and he will help the Pacers become a top 3 team.
2. New York Knicks- The Knicks have surprised many this year but not me. They currently have a 26-14 record and the reason is because they have a great offense led by Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks have one of the deepest teams in the league, an MVP candidate, a sixth man of the year candidate, and the reigning defensive player of the year on their team. How can a team that has those types of players not be a championship contender? That is why the Knicks can contend and that is why they will be in the Eastern Conference Finals to battle the Miami Heat.
1. Miami Heat- The defending champions are basically a lock for the number one seed and for the Eastern Conference Finals. With the reigning MVP, LeBron James, on the team it is going to be tough to stop the Heat even if Dwayne Wade is struggling a bit this season. I will not go as far as to say the Heat will go to the Finals because I do believe the Knicks can give them some problems but are they the favorites to go to the Finals? Definitely.
