- Boston Celtics- Well, no surprise here....the defending NBA Champs get my top spot... They return the entire rotation sans James Posey, and while that's a significant loss, they bring in rookie Bill Walker, take a flyer on Darius Miles, and bring in a Project Big Guy in Patrick O'Bryant (I love this move for the record). The Big 3 along with an emerging Rondo, and an ever-improving Kendrick Perkins should take this team back to the playoffs with 60+ wins barring any injury setbacks or a complete collapse from Ray Allen. I don't see that happening....
- Cleveland Cavaliers- I'm gonna bite....I like the Mo Williams addition because it provides a legitimate threat in the backcourt for the first time in Lebron's career (sorry Larry Hughes)...the frontcourt is quite deep, and while not supremely talented, I like the mix if they play it correctly (the problem is Mike Brown....yikes).....Lebron is playing at an absurd level, and while it is impossible to expect the sort of defensive effort he was giving in the Olympics, the sign that he can do it intrigues me....
- Philadelphia 76ers- Another bite from me....Full disclosure in the fact that I'm a big-time believer in what Elton Brand can bring...Although this was the only move of consequence (other than drafting Marreese Speights who I like alot potential-wise), the other core players are quite young overall....the next step from Thaddeus Young (as well as Louis Williams) combined with an above-average PG in Andre Miller have me seeing this team on paper as a potential contender.....The rotation of Dalembert, Brand, Speights, Young, Iggy, Kareem Rush, Miller, and Lou Will is one that I like alot....
- Detroit Pistons- Ah, the standard....this is the deepest team in the conference with 10 legit rotation guys (and, no that doesn't include Kwame Brown)....but I actually see a bit of a fall from the past few year's level....The younger big guys (Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson) are crucial to the team's success, and while Rodney Stuckey showed serious signs of being a player last year, he's still buried behind Billups and Rip....Another solid season..
- Toronto Raptors- I actually like the O'Neal signing...he sures up the interior defense and allows Bargnani to remove the pressure from his shoulders...The problem is still in the backcourt with no legit backup to Calderon (who I love) and the Anthony Parker/Hassan Adams duo at the 2....If J O'Neal is anyone near what he used to be (a big IF), this team has a shot at homecourt and maybe more, and although I like the makeup of the team generally, Bargnani and O'Neal are big enough question marks where this is as high as I can go....
- Miami Heat- I know what you're thinking...this team was flat-out awful last year....The issue is at the bookends....The PG situation is a bit of a mess with Chris Quinn, Mario Chalmers, and Marcus Banks (ewww) and the center spot is locked by the immortal Mark Blount....That said, Dwyane Wade looked like the D-Wade of old all summer, and the forwards have the look of a top-flight unit with Marion, Beasley, and Haslem....There's a definite ceiling given the roster limitations, but I'm higher on them than most....
- Orlando Magic- Here's a team I like less than most....the starting 5 is elite-level quality with really no holes with Nelson-Pietrus-Hedo-Lewis-Dwight....but their 6th man is....JJ Redick? Adonal Foyle? This is the worst bench for a supposed contender in the entire league....and the 3s can't drop every night....Yes, Dwight is there....but I think Hedo comes back to earth a bit and Rashard Lewis is....well, Rashard Lewis....40-45 wins here
- Chicago Bulls- Alot of this pick is depth-related....but Vinny Del Negro definitely has his hands full with that guard rotation....Ben Gordon doesn't fit....at all....and yet, he's going to be busy jacking at the same rate....Rose will make rookie errors because rookie PGs nearly always do, but Kirk Hinrich will be solid, and they should get marked improvements from Joakim Noah and Ty Thomas....and I also think Luol Deng is closer to the 06-07 version than the 07-08....just a hunch
- Atlanta Hawks- The same roster returns for the most part....enter Maurice Evans for Josh Childress (large downgrade) and Flip Murray for Salim Stoudamire (ehhhh).....Mike Bibby is in the picture for the entire year (unless they flip him at the deadline) and Acie Law should, in theory, make a significant improvement....The season comes down to Marvin Williams IMO in that he must become the solid option they need....I'm gonna say this....This is the 2nd best starting five in the conference (behind Boston), but the bench is such a step-down that unless Acie Law emerges big-time, and some pieces fall into place....back to the lottery
- Indiana Pacers- Mucho talent at the 1, 2, and 3 spots....but a pretty huge drop up front with the exception of Troy Murphy....TJ Ford is forgotten about, but is a near top-line PG when healthy and getting starter's minutes and I love everything about Danny Granger....but too much to overcome in the way of front-court depth to make a serious run....maybe Josh McRoberts will have a coming out party? Laughter....
- Washington Wizards- Whoa, this seems low right? Ehhh....I'm not sold....Agent Zero could miss half the season and the loss of Brendan Haywood for the majority of the season can't be understated...he played at an extremely high level last year (his best year), and you can't just lose him for that long without notice....JeVale McGee has big-time upside but isn't there yet, and while I like Andray Blatche, he can't be your #1 center right now....and we know nothing about Etan Thomas after an entire year off.....The loss of Arenas is just too much....Yes, yes, I know Jamison and Butler are very talented, but I see the drop off coming... (Caron Butler, NBA All-star isn't a fluke though)
- Charlotte Bobcats- Some people are very high on Charlotte....I've seen them as high as #5 in people's projections....don't see it...They seem set on playing Okafor at the 4, which is fine....except when your center rotation is Nazr Mohammed and Ryan Hollins....ouch....The keys, to me, are how the PG situation shapes out with lottery pick DJ Augustin trying to pry minutes from incumbent Ray Felton.....the other is Gerald Wallace...stay on the court for all 82...or at least close to it....Don't forget about Adam Morrison either.....just saying
- Milwaukee Bucks- First of all, there is alot of talent on this roster....guys you like....like Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson, Andrew Bogut.....but without a floor leader at point guard (the 3-man swinging door of Luke Ridnour, Tyronn Lue, and Ramon Sessions) and the duo of under-achieving Charlie Villanueva and rookie Joe Alexander at the 4....pass.....Andrew Bogut is an elite Center though....just thought you should know
- New Jersey Nets- Let me take a minute to boo Rod Thorn or whoever is running the Nets player personnel....BOOOOO.....okay, done...Bright spots: Devin Harris (love him), Sean Williams....and that's it....Vince Carter isn't the same guy he was.....and he tries even less....the other swingmen are Bobby Simmons, Trenton Hassell, and Jarvis Hayes.....yikes....and the front-court has alot of bodies...but exactly zero of them are proven to have any marketable skills (save Williams' defense)....I'm wildly intrigued by Brook Lopez....their depth chart doesn't even list him in the top 4 players at PF/C....word? He's gotta play....alot...
- New York Knicks- Here we go again....You know the story....some pretty good talent....none of which matches together...no leadership....no defense up front....I'm hoping D'Antoni will put David Lee on the court...he's about the only guy who I thinks fit this system....Marbury is done....I do like Chris Duhon as a player...just not as your starting PG....Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford....shoot alot? yea, that...and don't get me started on the sloppy/fat/lazy/non-defending frontcourt duo of Randolph and Curry....5 to 1 says Mike D'Antoni wants to throttle Eddy Curry with a belt within a month..........Was that preview bad enough for you? lol...At least Isiah's gone....
Okay, that's that.....West to come....and Pre-season award/playoff predictions to follow
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