It's almost October guys and we all know that along with baseball season coming into the spotlight more than ever with the playoffs and World Series that means basketball and hockey. Being that basketball is my favorite sport to watch, yes basketball, I am very hyped for the upcoming season. What gets me hyped more than anything about basketball this year is the NBA and its revamped Eastern Conference. It would be very easy to focus on the newly crowned "Love of the League" but you would miss way too much and as a capper or bettor; whatever you call yourself, missing things is not what you should be wishing for. So, let's discuss so that we may better inform one another as much as possible before the teams even take the floor. Let's start by focusing on the bottom dwellers and the IF teams.
Let's start with the bottom dwellers
1 Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh is gone. They will now feature a team with 0 all-stars or former all-stars. Enough said? Not really, it must also be said that they have never shown a passion for defense and they did not make any obvious additions to upgrade defensively. There major addition is Linas Kleiza who is a good scorer at the 3 or 4 spot and re-enters the league from overseas.
2 Cleveland: I am sure that Cleveland fans around the world (if there are any left) are looking at the good side. Which is? Seriously Lebron leaves Cleveland as a bottom dweller. A team led by Mo Williams and Antawan Jamison strikes me to be in the same boat with the Wizards of last year before they traded Butler and the before mentioned Jamison, just bad. They did pick up Ramon Sessions so there is hope in the form of a in-season trade to move Mo Williams and possibly get something of value for him as this team falters.
Next let's look at the IF Teams
1 Philly: Philadelphia definitely has young talent in Iguodola, Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Craig Brackins, Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young and on and on and on. If Evan Turner and Iguodola can both share the ball and make others better they have plenty of talent to make better. If the times have not passed Doug Collins bye then maybe he can put it all together. If they come together and become the best team they can be they might make it into the 7th or 8th seed of the playoffs, but not very likely without any inside defensive presence.
2 New Jersey: New Jersey is just as much of a bottom dweller as an IF team. If they don't get Carmelo or some top 10 NBA talent they are a bottom dweller. New Jersey does have pieces though with Devin Harris being a former all-star and some thinking Brook Lopez is close to being a all-star. They had some good additions this offseason with Anthony Morrow, Troy Murphy, Jordan Farmar, Travis Outlaw, and draft picks of Derrick Favors and Damion James. This team should be improved from last years horrible season if they can stay healthy. They will have to find a defensive identity and with Troy Murphy and Brook Lopez most likely being your starting big men, I just think that is way too soft to be anything other than a non-playoff team. There improvement will hinge largely on how quick Derrick Favors becomes a legit beast both on the offensive and defensive end down low.
3 New York: New York is a much talked about team because of there location. The addition of Amare Stoudemire gives there fans hope and they do have a couple of young players like Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Raymond Felton. They also hope that Anthony Randolph will have a break out year and stay healthy but this team like New Jersey will struggle to develop a defensive identity. Stoudemire has never really had the defense first attitude and I don't expect for that to change. I think this team has a chance to sneak into the 7th or 8th seed just off of offense, but they are not that much more talented than any of the other IF teams, if those teams put it together on both ends of the court they could be better than New York. Could be a big letdown for those hoping for a return to the playoffs unless they can make a move for another All-Star.
4. Indiana Pacers: The addition of Darren Collison could be big for this team but they are still soft on the interior and need big man help. Roy Hibbert improved but he still gets beasted by much smaller and more talented guys on a nightly basis. They have no interior defense like most of the teams on this IF list. I think they will be slightly improved but they are one of those teams who will wonder if there star, Danny Granger; is not suited to play second fiddle somewhere else by mid-season. Unless they make a major move to add another All-Star to Granger they will most likely have a slightly improved year but will not see the playoffs.
5. Detroit Pistons: The Pistons have a wealth of experience, add a couple of quality young talents most notably there draft pick of Greg Monroe and the Pistons could be back in business if healthy. Monroe is a really good passer for a big man and could really help the offense if all the components are healthy. Richard Hamilton, Prince, and Ben Wallace are still around, add Rodney Stuckey and you could have a team with enough toughness and atleast the will to play defense to get that 7th or 8th spot if healthy. On the other hand, they could try to move Prince and maybe Hamilton to get some young pieces and start building for the future. The Pistons may be the ultimate IF team in the East.
6. Charlotte Bobcats: I can't see how the Bobcats will be as good as last year considering there will be no Tyson Chandler or Raymond Felton, nor Theo Ratliff. Larry Brown loves tough noes defense and I seriously think that aspect will take a hit, but it will not be as big as some think. This team will still be tough with players like Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace but this team is not an offensive jugernaut and they will struggle to score with DJ Augustin trying to run the show. Augustin is basically a smaller version of Mike Bibby, which means he is a spot up shooter and that's it. They really don't have any great 1 on 1 guy on there team, does not look like they will be stiff enough on the interior either. Looks like a slide from the playoffs could be in the works for this team unless Larry Brown can work his magic with what looks to be a very unappealing squad. Can Larry work magic, that's the big IF.
7. Washington Wizards: This team is in the race for the biggest IF team. John Wall was selected #1 overall and could have an instant impact even though he turns the ball over too much and is overly hyped if you think he is in the same class as say Derrick Rose, but even bigger than any of that he is a PG which just happens to be the same position that there best player, Gilbert Arenas plays. IF they can share the ball then they will definitely have a much talked about backcourt. IF Josh Howard who is a former All-Star in Dallas can have a bounce back year after struggling with injuries and if Javal McGee can make his athletic ability pay off consistently by defending the rim and rebounding, this could be a much improved team who has some defensive capabilities. The fact that they have a 7ft guy who has shown some defensive capabilities and there rookie PG is thought of well defensively may make the Wiz the if team to watch.
Finally, which IF team will turn there possibility of having a good season into a playoff run? There will be atleast two as it is hard to see the Heat, Celtics, Magic, Hawks, Bulls, and Bucks not being head and shoulders above these teams.
My prediction: The Knicks will catch a lucky break this year as there offensive talent will beat out that of many Eastern Conference teams. A starting lineup that includes Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Gallinari, and Stoudemire will be too much on offense for a lot of teams on a lot of nights. The Wizards, Pistons, and Bobcats will most likely battle for the 8th spot, but I believe at some point in the season the Pistons will find it better to trade Prince and maybe Hamilton and basically kill there own chances. The Bobcats will simply not have enough fire power unless they make a big trade. That leaves the Wizards with the much hyped #1 overall pick. Yes, the Wiz will have a very intriguing backcourt, some athletic wings and a 7 ft guy that does not mind rebounding and blocking shots, not a bad combo.
Knicks 7th seed
Wizards 8th seed
Let's start with the bottom dwellers
1 Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh is gone. They will now feature a team with 0 all-stars or former all-stars. Enough said? Not really, it must also be said that they have never shown a passion for defense and they did not make any obvious additions to upgrade defensively. There major addition is Linas Kleiza who is a good scorer at the 3 or 4 spot and re-enters the league from overseas.
2 Cleveland: I am sure that Cleveland fans around the world (if there are any left) are looking at the good side. Which is? Seriously Lebron leaves Cleveland as a bottom dweller. A team led by Mo Williams and Antawan Jamison strikes me to be in the same boat with the Wizards of last year before they traded Butler and the before mentioned Jamison, just bad. They did pick up Ramon Sessions so there is hope in the form of a in-season trade to move Mo Williams and possibly get something of value for him as this team falters.
Next let's look at the IF Teams
1 Philly: Philadelphia definitely has young talent in Iguodola, Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Craig Brackins, Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young and on and on and on. If Evan Turner and Iguodola can both share the ball and make others better they have plenty of talent to make better. If the times have not passed Doug Collins bye then maybe he can put it all together. If they come together and become the best team they can be they might make it into the 7th or 8th seed of the playoffs, but not very likely without any inside defensive presence.
2 New Jersey: New Jersey is just as much of a bottom dweller as an IF team. If they don't get Carmelo or some top 10 NBA talent they are a bottom dweller. New Jersey does have pieces though with Devin Harris being a former all-star and some thinking Brook Lopez is close to being a all-star. They had some good additions this offseason with Anthony Morrow, Troy Murphy, Jordan Farmar, Travis Outlaw, and draft picks of Derrick Favors and Damion James. This team should be improved from last years horrible season if they can stay healthy. They will have to find a defensive identity and with Troy Murphy and Brook Lopez most likely being your starting big men, I just think that is way too soft to be anything other than a non-playoff team. There improvement will hinge largely on how quick Derrick Favors becomes a legit beast both on the offensive and defensive end down low.
3 New York: New York is a much talked about team because of there location. The addition of Amare Stoudemire gives there fans hope and they do have a couple of young players like Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Raymond Felton. They also hope that Anthony Randolph will have a break out year and stay healthy but this team like New Jersey will struggle to develop a defensive identity. Stoudemire has never really had the defense first attitude and I don't expect for that to change. I think this team has a chance to sneak into the 7th or 8th seed just off of offense, but they are not that much more talented than any of the other IF teams, if those teams put it together on both ends of the court they could be better than New York. Could be a big letdown for those hoping for a return to the playoffs unless they can make a move for another All-Star.
4. Indiana Pacers: The addition of Darren Collison could be big for this team but they are still soft on the interior and need big man help. Roy Hibbert improved but he still gets beasted by much smaller and more talented guys on a nightly basis. They have no interior defense like most of the teams on this IF list. I think they will be slightly improved but they are one of those teams who will wonder if there star, Danny Granger; is not suited to play second fiddle somewhere else by mid-season. Unless they make a major move to add another All-Star to Granger they will most likely have a slightly improved year but will not see the playoffs.
5. Detroit Pistons: The Pistons have a wealth of experience, add a couple of quality young talents most notably there draft pick of Greg Monroe and the Pistons could be back in business if healthy. Monroe is a really good passer for a big man and could really help the offense if all the components are healthy. Richard Hamilton, Prince, and Ben Wallace are still around, add Rodney Stuckey and you could have a team with enough toughness and atleast the will to play defense to get that 7th or 8th spot if healthy. On the other hand, they could try to move Prince and maybe Hamilton to get some young pieces and start building for the future. The Pistons may be the ultimate IF team in the East.
6. Charlotte Bobcats: I can't see how the Bobcats will be as good as last year considering there will be no Tyson Chandler or Raymond Felton, nor Theo Ratliff. Larry Brown loves tough noes defense and I seriously think that aspect will take a hit, but it will not be as big as some think. This team will still be tough with players like Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace but this team is not an offensive jugernaut and they will struggle to score with DJ Augustin trying to run the show. Augustin is basically a smaller version of Mike Bibby, which means he is a spot up shooter and that's it. They really don't have any great 1 on 1 guy on there team, does not look like they will be stiff enough on the interior either. Looks like a slide from the playoffs could be in the works for this team unless Larry Brown can work his magic with what looks to be a very unappealing squad. Can Larry work magic, that's the big IF.
7. Washington Wizards: This team is in the race for the biggest IF team. John Wall was selected #1 overall and could have an instant impact even though he turns the ball over too much and is overly hyped if you think he is in the same class as say Derrick Rose, but even bigger than any of that he is a PG which just happens to be the same position that there best player, Gilbert Arenas plays. IF they can share the ball then they will definitely have a much talked about backcourt. IF Josh Howard who is a former All-Star in Dallas can have a bounce back year after struggling with injuries and if Javal McGee can make his athletic ability pay off consistently by defending the rim and rebounding, this could be a much improved team who has some defensive capabilities. The fact that they have a 7ft guy who has shown some defensive capabilities and there rookie PG is thought of well defensively may make the Wiz the if team to watch.
Finally, which IF team will turn there possibility of having a good season into a playoff run? There will be atleast two as it is hard to see the Heat, Celtics, Magic, Hawks, Bulls, and Bucks not being head and shoulders above these teams.
My prediction: The Knicks will catch a lucky break this year as there offensive talent will beat out that of many Eastern Conference teams. A starting lineup that includes Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Gallinari, and Stoudemire will be too much on offense for a lot of teams on a lot of nights. The Wizards, Pistons, and Bobcats will most likely battle for the 8th spot, but I believe at some point in the season the Pistons will find it better to trade Prince and maybe Hamilton and basically kill there own chances. The Bobcats will simply not have enough fire power unless they make a big trade. That leaves the Wizards with the much hyped #1 overall pick. Yes, the Wiz will have a very intriguing backcourt, some athletic wings and a 7 ft guy that does not mind rebounding and blocking shots, not a bad combo.
Knicks 7th seed
Wizards 8th seed
