Last Word on Sports’ 2014-15 NBA Season Preview begins with a look at the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture.
The 69th NBA season is less than a week away and what has been a busy summer with free agency and the FIBA Championships, only a few things are certain in the NBA. To start there has been in shift in power in the Eastern Conference with each of last year’s Eastern Conference finalists seeing significant roster changes that will determine their chances at competing for an NBA Championship.
Losing Lebron James, arguably the best player in the NBA, to free agency left Pat Riley and Co. scrambling to salvage the core of the team and to remain competitive. The Heat were able to re-sign both Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade and able to strengthen a diminished roster with the signings of Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, Danny Granger, and Shannon Brown. With a roster full of veterans who have seen better days due to injuries (Wade, Deng, Granger) only a hunger to prove they still have plenty of quality years left in their careers will keep them competitive. Bringing back the majority of the core and acquiring quality veterans will present the Heat a chance to stay competitive in the East but the key will be for Bosh and Wade to play like the stars they were before playing together and to stay healthy.
The Pacers found themselves in worse shape than the Heat losing their top two scoring threats. Lance Stephenson signed with the Charlotte Hornets and Paul George went down with a fractured right leg during a scrimmage leading up the FIBA championships. That injury will cost him a large portion 2014-15 season if not all. The Pacers will continue to remain competitive with a defense that rank 2nd in the league holding opponents to 92.3 points per game. A defense anchored by their big man Roy Hibbert will struggle to remain competitive because of their inability to score. An offense that ranked 24th league in points per game and 17th in field goal percentage will be depleted with the likes of George and Stephenson out of the lineups.
Despite being swept in the first round by the Eastern Conference Champs, the Charlotte Hornets were able retain their young core and acquired versatile guard Lance Stephenson. They hope that with Stephenson leading the young team, they can make it even further this upcoming season. Will Lance Stephenson step into the role as leader of the team or sucumb to the pressures?
The Washington Wizards are one of the more intriguing squads in the East with two dynamic stars in John Wall and Bradley Beal, making one of the more lethal backcourts in the league. A supporting cast of big men and newly acquired proven veterans in Nene, Gortat, and Pierce give the Wizards the pieces to make a deep playoff run. This will only occur if the Wizards can stay healthy and if their two dynamic guards can develop into more efficient shooters and better ball handlers.
Another team hoping to make a stand this upcoming season are the Toronto Raptors who went 7 games against a heavily favored Brooklyn Nets but came up short during game 7. Led by their two stars Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan, they can only go as far their surrounding pieces can contribute. With Derozan staying in great shape during FIBA play and Lowry adding another year of experience to his young career they will be counting on their big men. Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas will have to continue to develop into a quality front court for them to have a chance past the first round.
The Brooklyn Nets after having a nightmare season of injuries, almost losing in the first round, and virtually being swept in the second round , a deep run for the Eastern Conference throne is expected. With a solid core of proven veterans and stars: Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez hope they can stay healthy enough to put themselves in contention for the championship.
The Cleveland Cavaliers with the trio of Lebron James, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and the acquisition of proven veterans like Mike Miller and Shawn Marion are the favorites to come out of the East. Will the Cavaliers be able to come together in a year and pull of what the Celtics did in 2008 or fall but a hair short like the Heat in 2011? Cavaliers will have to mesh quickly and find a brand of basketball that works best for them before they can take over the East.
Chicago, hoping to make a comeback are the most interesting story in the East. With Derrick Rose leading a defensive minded team energized by Noah and Coach Thibodeau, they hope they can lead the Bulls to their first title since 1998 with the acquisitions of Pau Gasol and three point shooter Nikola Mirotic. The power dynamics have definitely shifted within the East, leaving it up for grabs. The team that can play efficiently, good defense, and stay healthy will be the one coming out on top to face the team coming out of the West.
Eastern Conference Predictions for the 2014-15 Regular Season:
- Cleveland Cavaliers (55-27)
- Chicago Bulls (53-29)
- Washington Wizards (50-32)
- Toronto Raptors (47-35)
- Miami Heat (46-36)
- Brooklyn Nets (45-37)
- Charlotte Hornets (43-39)
- Detroit Pistons(41-41)
- Indiana Pacers (40-42)
- New York Knicks (40-42)
- Orlando Magic (39-43)
- Atlanta Hawks (38-44)
- Boston Celtics (35-47)
- Philadelphia 76ers (31-51)
- Milwaukee Bucks (20-62)
