NBA Preview: Eastern Conference

Vacation mode is slowly starting to kick in. Those sleepless and anxious school nights are a thing of the past (but I’m still thinking about my grades huhu). I’ve had time to catch-up on sleep after those tireless nights studying. I’ve had ample time getting my butt kicked in 2k15. I’ve also had time to reading all those bookmarked tabs under the ‘Read Later’ tab of my Internet browser.

However, the most exciting thing about this vacation—for a basketball fan such as I—is that I can finally watch NBA games live on TV again especially after another exciting offseason filled with ridiculous moves. 

LeBron James once again dominated the offseason headlines by announcing his return to the Cavs. Not only does he return to his hometown team as a two-time champion but he also returns as a much better basketball player. He’s become a much more efficient scorer, a deadly low-post threat, and still is one of the best passers and defenders in the league. With the addition of Kevin Love, the Cavs boast the best ‘Big 3’ in the league fully capable of taking over the game with their offensive prowess. However, defensively? They’re far from that.

With some extra time on my hands, I’ll be writing three different NBA Previews: one for each conference and the last one with just some predictions. I will really try my best to feature all the teams but I don’t think anyone will read this past 500 words. Oh well...

Let’s get started.

Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference remains weak as ever. Every contending playoff team is just one catastrophic injury away from seeing their postseason hopes go down the drain (eg. Paul George and the Indiana Pacers). With a lot of teams looking to build on the future and maintain cap flexibility, I have a feeling that six or seven teams that made the playoffs last season will make it again this season with Cleveland getting in the mix and a potential surprise ala-last season’s Phoenix Suns (except that they might make the playoffs).

Chicago Bulls

On paper, the Chicago Bulls are the front-runners to win the East especially with the return of Derrick Rose and the additions of Pau Gasol, and rookies Nikola Mirotic, and Doug McDermott. With almost every integral piece from last season’s playoff team returning, it is only logical to see the Bulls improving. The Bulls possess one of the deeper teams in the league with a solid ten to twelve man rotation. They also possess the best passing frontline (Gasol and Noah) and enough energy guys and two-way players to change the course of the game.

A lot of what the Bulls can do is shouldered around the performance and health of D-Rose. If Rose, God forbid, misses considerable amounts of time this season due to injury, the Bulls will have a hard time winning ballgames because of their lack of scoring options. We can say that defense does win championships but you can’t make it to the championship if you can’t score enough points. The game of basketball is played rather simply, the team who wins is the one who puts the most buckets through the hoop.

Miami Heat

After making the NBA Finals for the last four seasons, cracks begin to appear in the Heat’s armor. LeBron James couldn’t carry a team that lacked the offensive firepower present in the championship-winning teams. Dwyane Wade’s health has been questionable and the Heat’s daunting trapping defense has been a considerably slower due to age.

Pat Riley desperately tried to save the Heat’s playoff hopes by resigning Chris Bosh to a max-five year deal and resigned Dwyane Wade along with the other ‘Heat Lifers’ (Chalmers, Haslem, Andersen) but, just like the Bulls, a lot is anchored upon Wade’s production and how many games he does play.

Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, and Danny Granger are solid additions to try to replace the production of LeBron but coach Erik Spoelstra has to go back to the drawing board and try to find creative ways to manufacture points with the kinds of players he has at his disposal.

The Heat will still remain a playoff team but not an elite team anymore. It’s really hard to replace the production of the world’s greatest player and especially if your franchise player is constantly in and out of the lineup. 

Washington Wizards

The Wizards took a considerable leap last season after making it to the playoffs. The young backcourt combination of John Wall and Bradley Beal along with the health and the stellar play of both Marcin Gortat and Nene, the Wizards posed both inside and outside threats which gave their opponents difficult decisions to make.

After resigning Marcin Gortat this offseason, the Wizards retained the core of a team which made a surprising second-round appearance in the playoffs. However, after losing Trevor Ariza to free agency, the Wizards bolstered their line-up with the addition of former Finals MVP Paul Pierce who could help manufacture some points for the Wizards especially that Bradley Beal is out with a wrist injury.

Bench production will still be an issue for the Wizards but the improved play of Glen Rice Jr. and Otto Porter could be something they can build on.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs struck gold this summer with LeBron James coming back and nabbing Kevin Love from the Timberwolves even if that means giving up the last two #1 overall picks in Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins. With a new coach and a retooled line-up, don’t expect the Cavs to dominate right off the bat as they try to find their identity as a team.

Questions and Answers

Indiana Pacers?

With Paul George down with possibly season-ending surgery and with Lance Stephenson gone because of free agency, the Indiana Pacers will struggle to find offensive fire power. We can expect their defense to still remain top-notch but don’t expect them to finish where they were last season.

LAAAAANNNCCCEEEE?

Last season, Lance Stephenson made strides last season as a dynamic two-way player. He is great and crafty off the dribble and a dog on defense but his antics and ‘immaturity’ have others asking whether he is ready to take the next step in becoming a great NBA player.

Lance is a talented player but trying to fit in a team who had just made the playoffs last season with two ball-dominant players in Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker, it would be interesting to see if Lance can help the Hornets make the next level.

The Bucks and Jabari?

The Bucks will still stink. Jabari’s going to win Rookie of the Year.

Which team last season will have the least chance of making it this year?

The Hawks because of their current situation or the Pacers because of the lack of scoring.

Will age hamper the Nets?

With Lionel Hollins as their new coach, expect the Nets to carve their identity on the defensive side of the court. A lot is hanging on the shoulders of both Deron Williams and Brook Lopez to produce and lead the team back to the playoffs. Both need to stay healthy for the Nets to have a chance to stay afloat.

How many wins will the Sixers have?

Probably their on the verge of setting an NBA record for least wins. #tanking

Does Rajon Rondo get traded before the trade deadline?

YES.