1.Chicago Bulls (2010-2011: Finished 62-20, first in East, lost in Eastern Conference Finals)
Key Additions: SG Rip Hamilton, SG/SF Jimmy Butler
Key Losses: SG Keith Bogans, C Kurt Thomas
Projected Starting Five:
PG Derrick Rose
SG Rip Hamilton
SF Luol Deng
PF Carlos Boozer
C Joakim Noah
Reigning MVP Derrick Rose and the Bulls look to recapture the number one seed in the Eastern Conference after a solid offseason in which they signed free agent Rip Hamilton, a huge upgrade over former starter Keith Bogans at shooting guard. Hamilton, who averages 17.7 points per game for his career, will help shoulder the scoring load on offense so that Rose can focus more on running the offense and setting up his teammates like a true point guard. Power forward Carlos Boozer needs to step up on both sides of the ball after his subpar playoff performance and live up to his 5-year, $76 million contract. However, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are both solid starters and fit their roles well, playing standout defense on the team that ranked first in the league in defensive efficiency in 2010-2011. Omer Asik and Taj Gibson come off the bench to provide tough interior defense.
2. Miami Heat (2010-2011: Finished 58-24, second in East, lost in NBA Finals)
Key Additions: SF Shane Battier, PG Norris Cole
Key Losses: PG Mike Bibby, C Jamaal Magloire
Projected Starting Five:
PG Mario Chalmers
SG Dwyane Wade
SF LeBron James
PF Chris Bosh
C Joel Anthony
After a crushing loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals in which LeBron James failed to rise to the occasion, the Heat should be as hungry as any team in the league to win a title. LeBron and Dwyane Wade are 2 of the top 5 players in the world, so while defenses are preoccupied with them, look for Chris Bosh to have a hot start to the year. Norris Cole, a rookie point guard out of Cleveland State, should push Mario Chalmers for his starting spot, and newly acquired small forward Shane Battier is one of the top perimeter defenders in the league. The most talented team in the league has improved from last year, and maybe the only thing keeping them from a title is LeBron having another psychological meltdown.
3. Boston Celtics (2010-2011: Finished 56-26, third in East, lost in second round)
Key Additions: PF Brandon Bass, C Chris Wilcox
Key Losses: PF Glen Davis, PF Troy Murphy
Projected Starting Five:
PG Rajon Rondo
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O’Neal
The Boston Three Party comes back for one final run at a title, but the chances are looking bleak. After having his name mentioned in trade rumors in the offseason, Rajon Rondo may be second guessing how the Celtics feel about him. However, look for him to get his head straight and do what he does best, which is passing to three future Hall of Famers, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. The Celtics recently found out small forward Jeff Green will miss the season, which hurts their depth more than anything. Boston will have some stretches this season when it seems that they are coasting, but will win enough games to get a decent seed in the playoffs. Brandon Bass, acquired in a trade for Glen Davis, is an upgrade at the backup power forward position and will get a lot of minutes so that Boston can rest their starters. The rigorous 66-game schedule will take a toll on the aging Celtics, but if they manage minutes correctly, they should be ready come playoff time.
4. Orlando Magic (2010-2011: Finished 52-30, fourth in East, lost in first round)
Key Additions: PF Glen Davis, SG Von Wafer
Key Losses: PF Brandon Bass, PG Gilbert Arenas
Projected Starting Five:
PG Jameer Nelson
SG Jason Richardson
SF Hedo Turkoglu
PF Glen Davis
C Dwight Howard
Orlando made it through the offseason without trading the best center in the league, Dwight Howard. Howard averaged 27 points and 15.5 rebounds against Atlanta in the playoffs last year, but could not get any help from his teammates, who shot 26 percent on three-pointers for the series. Jason Richardson, Jameer Nelson, and Hedo Turkoglu will need to make open shots to take the pressure off of Howard if the Magic hopes to advance deep into the playoffs. Trading for Glen Davis may have been a move to make Howard happy, but Davis is overhyped and is not a legitimate starter on a playoff team. There is a difference between a fan favorite and a good all-around player, and Davis does not stand out in any specific area on offense or defense. Orlando will also rely on reserves Ryan Anderson and Quentin Richardson to knock down open shots.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (2010-2011: Finished 35-47, ninth in East)
Key Additions: SG/SF Mike Dunleavy, SG/SF Stephen Jackson
Key Losses: SF Corey Maggette, SG John Salmons
Projected Starting Five:
PG Brandon Jennings
SG Stephen Jackson
SF Carlos Delfino
PF Drew Gooden
C Andrew Bogut
The Bucks came into 2010-2011 with high hopes of making noise in the playoffs, but unfortunately were bit hard by the injury bug. Andrew Bogut and Brandon Jennings missed a combined 36 games due to injury, and once they came back they never really had time to mesh. When healthy, Bogut is one of the best all-around centers in the game. He can dominate on offense with his back to the basket, and is a decent shot blocker on defense. Brandon Jennings hopes to return to his rookie form after suffering through a sophomore slump last year. He saw a significant decline in his field goal percentage, partially due to poor shot selection. The Bucks struggled shooting the ball last season, so they added Stephen Jackson and Mike Dunleavy. Jackson is a solid third option on offense, and should bolster the already stingy Bucks defense. After a disappointing season last year, the Bucks hope to bounce back and stay healthy, and should finish in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference.
6. New York Knicks (Finished 42-40, sixth in east, lost in first round)
Key Additions: PG Baron Davis, C Tyson Chandler
Key Losses: PG Chauncey Billups, C Ronny Turiaf
Projected Starting Five:
PG Toney Douglas
SG Landry Fields
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Amar’e Stoudemire
C Tyson Chandler
New York has star power, but it is not ready to be a championship contender. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire can score with anyone, but until they decide to put forth effort on defense, New York will not make it further than the second round of the playoffs. Head Coach Mike D’ Antoni has never had a center that can protect the rim, so the Knicks brought in Tyson Chandler, a key piece of the Mavericks title run. Chandler did a great job individually defending Chris Bosh in the Finals, and also defended the paint, making it harder for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to get to the rim. However, he can only do so much and it will take leadership from Anthony and Stoudemire for the Knicks to be a respectable defensive team. The Knicks picked up Baron Davis in free agency, who can be an impact player if he gels quickly with the team. The Knicks have the talent to beat any team in the league, but will underachieve until their stars are motivated to play defense.
7. Atlanta Hawks (Finished 44-38, fifth in East, lost in second round)
Key Additions: SF Tracy McGrady, PF Vladimir Radmanovic
Key Losses: SG Jamal Crawford, SF Damien Wilkins
Projected Starting Five:
PG Jeff Teague
SG Joe Johnson
SF Marvin Williams
PF Josh Smith
C Al Horford
The Hawks did not make any significant moves in the offseason, sticking with the same core they have been for several years. With the loss of Jamal Crawford, the Hawks have some offense to make up for, as they struggled at times last year with Crawford on the bench. Jeff Teague will need to build off of his breakout performance in last year’s playoffs, and newly signed Tracy McGrady will have the opportunity to come off of the bench for instant offense. Joe Johnson is the leader on this team, but needs to bounce back from a year in which he was somewhat inconsistent. Josh Smith is a very good player when he stays inside the three point line, and although Al Horford is out of position at center, he is one of the premier big men in the East. At times last year, the Hawks went through stretches in which they looked disinterested, but they showed that they have the potential to do some damage in the playoffs by defeating the Magic last year.
8. Philadelphia 76ers (2010-2011: Finished 41-41, seventh in East, lost in first round)
Key Addition: PF Nikola Vucevic
Key Loss: SG Jason Kapono
Projected Starting Five:
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Jodie Meeks
SF Andre Iguodala
PF Elton Brand
C Spencer Hawes
Doug Collins made strides with the 76ers in his first year as head coach, taking them from 23rd in defensive efficiency to 8th. Resigning top sixth man Thaddeus Young was a smart move, as he provides a spark off the bench along with Lou Williams and Evan Turner. Point guard Jrue Holiday is poised for a breakout year, and knows when to create for his teammates and when to score. Even at age 32, Elton Brand is still an efficient scorer. However, the 76ers best all around player is Andre Iguodala, who is a fine player but is not going to make them a championship contender. The 76ers should battle with the Pistons and Pacers for the eight seed in the East.
9. Indiana Pacers: Has good combination of young pieces and veterans, headed in the right direction, will push for the final playoff spot.
10. Detroit Pistons- New coach Lawrence Frank hopes to put the D back in Detroit, has talent but no clear best player, Greg Monroe only 21 years old rising star.
11. New Jersey Nets- Dwight Howard or bust, Deron Williams will win them some games they shouldn’t, lost second best player for months to injury (Brook Lopez).
12. Washington Wizards- John Wall has shown flashes of being a great point guard but has to put it together, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee need to be more of post presence.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers- Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson must become stars, should be improved from last year, need to draft well next year because no stars will come to Cleveland.
14. Charlotte Bobcats- Most young players just need experience (Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson, Bismack Biyombo), Maggette is leader for now, headed in right direction.
15. Toronto Raptors- Front line does not scare anyone, will get killed on the glass, DeMar DeRozan is best player (problem), hoping Jonas Valanciunas is a franchise player. Yikes.
- Phillip Bullock
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