This is how I'm currently seeing it.
Chicago
Cleveland
Washington
Miami
Toronto
Charlotte
Boston
Detroit
Brooklyn
Atlanta
New York
Milwaukee
Indiana
Orlando
Philadelphia
Chicago I see as prepped to be a strong team on both sides of the floor and Rose seems to be looking good.
Toronto, I've honestly been underestimating this team. There's a side of me that is still insisting that what they showed last year was fool's gold, but I've been impressed so far this season on their ability to make shots, particularly tough ones, that has me reevaluating.
Charlotte, really worried about their depth situation. They're very thin with their bigs. If I were them I'd make a play to acquire Bass and solidify their depth situation. So while they should be very good while healthy, they have very little margin for error.
Boston, I really like our roster, too bad we're missing the legit reliable center still. But I think our depth will help a lot, particularly since our margin for remaining at their level of play has a big margin for error due to this. I'm really counting on our perimeter defense, particularly if the coach decides to press on defense. We have the depth to do it and the defenders to do it. And the X-Factor of Rondo, who no one (either optimists or pessimists) knows how he'll come to play. Early signs, injury aside, seem promising to me.
Detroit is my surprise for the last spot. I have a feeling that this year they'll put it together a bit. They have plenty of talent on that team for them not to make it work somehow, and Pope seems like he's made great strides to become a dangerous and reliable scorer... who's injured now of course.
Atlanta, I just don't like their roster at all. I'm still scratching my head on how they made the playoffs last year. I like Horford, still a major injury concern.
Brooklyn, worse roster than last year and still have their injury concerns. Maybe the new coach will put them to work more effectively, but 2 coaches in 2 years doesn't necessarily make it for a smooth transition. I honestly don't know what to make of them. They have talent, they have severe issues despite of that. Wouldn't surprise me if they're at the top of the conference, wouldn't surprise me if they're at the bottom.
Indiana - I don't see it. Don't like their roster, I think they're on a downward spiral, the loss of Stephenson is going to be felt, and the injury of Paul George will keep them out of the picture. Without George or Stephenson I don't see their defense being up to task, which was their main weapon.
Topic: Eastern Conference Predictions (Read 6169 times)