I think we win 25 games or so. Just the way I see it. I see Milwaukee as the only team clearly worse than Boston in the East (though Orlando and Philly certainly could be).
You don't think having Rondo alone for an entire season vs. the few games we had him for is worth a few more wins?
I see them as a 30 win team and that is thought of this thread...never said playoff...just think they have more depth and Rondo for a full year and should win a handful more games because of it.
The Celtics should be at least better than the Bucks, Magic and the Sixers. They not are THAT bad.
I think Orlando is going to be much improved this year. I really like the Gordon and Payton selections. I think Oladipo is going to make a huge jump this year. I like the Frye signing and him next to Vucevic.
I also really like Noel for Philly. I think he is going to be a star in the league. MCW will improve. Wroten will get better. They still have Thad Young.
I would put Philly and Orlando in the 22-28 win range, same as Boston.
The Bucks should be in the 18-22 win range.
Boston is going to be bad this year. All of the problems they had last year, they still have this year. No interior defense, no go to scorer, no great rebounders (in fact losing Hump makes that worse). A healthy Rondo with a bit more depth, isn't going to fix this team. It is by and large still the deeply flawed team it was last year.
Eastern Tiers as I see them
fighting for #1 odds bad - Milwaukee
clearly not playoff team - Boston, Orlando, Philadelphia
possible playoff team - Atlanta, Detroit, Charlotte, New York
low level playoff team - Toronto, Brooklyn
clear playoff team - Washington, Indiana, Miami
favorites - Cleveland, Chicago
Obviously injuries, trades, future free agent signings, etc. could affect this stuff (for example if Monroe leaves Detroit they would drop down to the out of the playoffs tier).