The Rise Of The East?

by Jeff Clark on Jul 28, 2008 8:43 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

I'm going to steal this post from KnickerBlogger to generate some discussion today. Is the East on the rise?

This NBA offseason seems to have benefited the East. Lost in the Baron Davis/Elton Brand/Clippers story was that the Sixers were the big winners. Between Dalembert, Iguodala, and Brand Philadelphia might have one of the league’s best defenses. If Brand is healthy, the Sixers go from a middle of the road team to an Eastern powerhouse. The Chicago Bulls were a 49 win team two seasons ago and ended up with the #1 overall pick this year. Derrick Rose should give them production at the point guard position where Kirk Hinrich regressed heavily. Similarly the Miami Heat added the #2 pick, and Michael Beasley combined with a full season from All Stars Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion could make them a strong rebound candidate in 2009. Meanwhile there are a few Eastern teams led by young stars that could take a step forward next year, like Orlando, Cleveland, and Toronto.
Last year the league’s two best teams were in the East. The Celtics won 66 games and the Pistons won 59. Although Boston has already lost a key role player (Posey), Detroit’s roster remains largely unchanged. If one or two of the other Eastern teams can break the 55 win barrier, then it’s likely that the gap between conferences may no longer exist.

The team that is forgotten about here (and pretty often really) is the Wizards. They have been snake bit by injuries and the lack of defense is always their achilies heal, but that didn't stop the Suns from becoming a Western powerhouse (even if they never made it to the Finals. I think the Wizards make some noise this year.

I agree that the top 2 draft picks will eventually help out the Bulls and Heat (who were both hurting for some good luck). I think in the short term, though, we'll be seeing more and more from the Magic and Raptors. Cleveland really needs a huge trade, which they can pull of with the expiring contracts, but they need a seller first.

Who do you think is on the rise in the East? Do you think the balance of power is shifting?

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At this point Orlando scares me more than Detroit. They’ve done a great job at adding depth this offseason - and i think they would have been even better/more dangerous if they’d taken JJ Hickson over Courtney Lee… and I like Lee.

Cleveland scares me in the playoffs, just b/c of Lebron James — i think he, not Kobe is the best player in the NBA. But they continue to flounder at adding talent around him.

I like what Toronto has done this offseason and agree with you that WAS continues to be overlooked. I would rank the east thusly this far out:

1. Boston
2. Orlando
3. Detroit
4. Philadelphia
5. Washington
6. Toronto
7. Indiana
8. Cleveland

by Gainesville Celtic on Jul 28, 2008 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

also of note is the big dogs out West falling back some – used to be that you could count on the Mavs, Suns, and Spurs duking it out for the WCF, but now the Lakers, Hornets, and Jazz seem to be crashing the party

the Mavs added a too old Kidd, the Suns added a too old Shaq, and the Spurs are just plain too old

by Jeff Clark on Jul 28, 2008 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

Toronto will never be a true contender until they add a star threat opposite Chris Bosh. Calderon may look pretty dishing the ball but he’s no star – they even had difficulty deciding between him and TJ Ford when Ford was healthy during a tight playoff race. Bargnani hasnt turned out as hoped and I don’t expect him to be anything more than he is now. A big man who hits the occasional three. His ceiling could be Mehmet Okur talent, but he seems a bit too lackadaisical for that to be the case so he’s just another wasted 7 footer. Bosh should make a youtube video preaching for another star instead of for himself carrying the load.

by Slick on Jul 28, 2008 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

Oh and how could I forget. Jermaine O’Neal is not that guy. He’s too slow to work with this young raptors team. His presence down low may even clog up the lane for Bosh on offense. He does however give them a formidable defensive look on the block with both him and bosh as two of the best shot blockers in the league. But why go for a big man with the same skillset as Bosh and working on much older knees? Doesn’t make sense.

by Slick on Jul 28, 2008 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

As for my rankings for the top in the nba next year
1.Boston
2.Lakers
3.New Orleans
4.Philadelphia (surprise! Brand will make them elite)
5.Utah
6.San Antonio
7.Orlando
8.Detroit
9.Dallas
10.Houston

by Slick on Jul 28, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

I think Cleveland is the second best team in the league right now.

They play the type of defense that can take down any of the Western powerhouses. Only we outmatch them – Lebron alone can outplay Detroit and no one poses a tougher challenge to Dwight Howard than the front court tandem of Big Z and Big Ben.

by D Dub on Jul 28, 2008 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

we had a 2 year window and we did it in one. now we’re old and a bit diminished without the pose. injuries and old guys not coming back soon enough is what scares me but we will be very competetive. i hope there is that hunger there and doc and the coaches have to stay onthese guys’ toes. philly^ and will be one tough team. only 2 years past ai-good for them.

by nazzbo on Jul 28, 2008 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Naz… This is why we need to be thinking about the future like now.

by The Village Idiot on Jul 28, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

The team that’s on the rise in the East is Philadelphia. It’s not just Brand, its everyone else to go along with him, plus Mo Cheeks.

The Wizards are going nowhere. It’s not the talent or the coaching (Eddie Jordan is a good coach). It’s the way the egos fit together. Players like Arenas, Butler and Haywood are not ready to sacrifice for the good of the team.

by Brickowski on Jul 28, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions