Eastern Conference Preview

Atlantic Division

An improved Philadelphia side combined with a Celtics team that won’t hit last season’s Everest heights mean the Atlantic will be a lot closer this year. Paul Pierce will still lead his side to the Division title, with Philly and Toronto also making the playoffs. 

One liners

Boston: Pierce still classy although KG not as hungry and RayRay a year older and slower: 1st in East

Philadelphia: Brand adds toughness and scoring inside, still lacking shooters: 6th

New Jersey: Young, talented but they want LeBron and are headed for a high lottery pick this year: 14th

New York: D’Antoni will do well here but his first season with a roster that includes Curry and Randolph will end in April: 13th

Toronto: Ford has gone freeing up Caledron, while O’Neal may offer Bosh some frontcourt help, may make some noise come playoff time: 5th 

Central Division

Cleveland again had a quiet off-season and are unlikely to surpass the Pistons this year. Milwaukee are my dark horses for the East with a defensive coach in Skiles and a great offensive player on each wing (Redd and Jefferson) but I liked them last year too and look what they did. 

One liners

Chicago: Awful season last year, they will be better this time around but still lack a big man: 11th

Cleveland: LeBron will again carry them, still needs some help if he is going to get that chip in his hometown: 3rd

Detroit: Deeper than last year with youngsters developing and they may have a better coach, watch out for Rodney Stuckey this year: 2nd

Indiana: Led by TJ Ford this club will surprise some teams but still won’t make the playoffs: 12th

Milwaukee: Jefferson and Redd mean this team will have no problem scoring, problem is there isn’t much else on the roster: 8th 

Southeast Division

Dwight Howard and his improved Magic squad should take the division but it is Atlanta who could become more dangerous come playoff time. Washington and Miami are my two question mark teams, I can see both missing out on the playoffs or getting home-court advantage, depending on injuries and attitude. 

One liners

Atlanta: Despite loss of Childress they will be better than last year. Law and more importantly Horford are a year older: 7th

Charlotte: Solid group of youngsters but with rookie point DJ Augustin likely to get major minutes, they may still  be a few years off their first playoff place: 15th

Miami: Could finish anywhere from 3 to 15, Wade is obviously the key but it will be interesting to watch soon to be BEAST Michael Beasley: 9th

Orlando: Pietrus adds to their starting line-up although can Hedo be that good again?: 4th

Washington: Fitness questions surrounding Arenas and Jamison are big for this roster, expect Butler to be as good as ever: 10th