After four furious days of playoff basketball, it is time to re-examine each Eastern Conference team’s ability to reach the NBA Finals. We will use the tried and true percentage system along with some analysis of the results.
Eastern Conference Team’s Chances of Reaching the NBA Finals
8) Toronto Raptors –1%
After two disappointing home games, the NBA’s loudest playoff fans have been reduced to a mere whisper. There have been troubling issues in Raptor Land for a while, and they are now being brutally exposed by John Wall and company. Toronto is plagued by an inability to defend, rebound or create any offense attacking the basket. If their outside shots don’t start to fall they are a prime candidate to swept out of the first round.
7) Brooklyn Nets – 2%
The Nets are an odd case in today’s NBA, as they are a veteran team who seem to have no interest in actually competing in the playoffs. Their lack of desire could be due to their over-inflated salaries, or the fact that they feel they simply do not have a chance against the Hawks. With no cap space and few draft picks, the future of the Nets will get a lot darker before it gets light.
6) Boston Celtics – 3%
Granted, the percentage for Boston is far too high. This is more of a respect for how hard the Celtics have played against a formidable foe. After the opening tip, it is reasonable to wonder whether the Celtics even have the fifth best player on the court (James, Irving, Love, JR Smith, Bradley). Yet despite the insurmountable odds, the Celtics have battled the Cavaliers, and are making them work for every win. Boston’s roster is currently a collection of solid role players in need of a star, and if GM Danny Ainge can find one in the off-season, the Celtics could become a force in the East very quickly.
5) Milwaukee Bucks – 4%
Of all the teams listed so far, the Bucks have the best chance of escaping the first round, despite being down two games to none. The reason being, the Bucks athletic ability combined with the Bulls fragile health, gives them a chance as the series heads back to Wisconsin. Despite this optimism, the Bucks true hope lies in hitting outside shots. Currently, Chicago’s defense is playing so far off of Michael Carter-Williams and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and daring them to hit their outside shots. Until that can be rectified, and it is unlikely to happen until the off-season, the Bucks can be satisfied in a season where they rebounded from the worst record in the league to the first round of the playoffs.
4) Washington Wizards – 10%
Now we have entered the teams that are likely to win their first round series. First up is the Washington Wizards, who currently lead the Raptors 2-0 behind a dominant John Wall and a throwback performance from Paul Pierce. Despite the optimism gained from the opening road wins, it is unlikely Washington will be able maintain this performance for two more months. The reason being is that they are a team that relies far too heavily on the long two point shot (the worst shot in basketball). As well, it is unclear how much longer they will be able to rely on Pierce playing so many minutes per game. For now, all is happy in Wizard land.
3) Atlanta Hawks – 20%
We have our first upset of the rankings. The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks have only the third best chance to escape the Eastern Conference. The Hawks have not been able to regain the momentum of their nineteen game winning streak earlier in the season and now they are so hamstrung by injuries that it will make their track even more difficult. Looking ahead to a probable third round series with the Cavaliers, the Hawks simply do not have the bodies to slow down Cleveland over a seven game series. After the unfortunate injury to Thabo Sefalosha (and the murky circumstances behind it), it is likely they have to be satisfied advancing only to the Eastern Conference Finals.
2) Chicago Bulls – 20%
The most welcome sight of the first round has undoubtedly been Derrick Rose slashing through the defense and finishing at the rim. After losing the majority of the last three years to injuries, it is great to see Rose rounding into his pre-injury form. This turnaround could not be coming at a better time for the Bulls, because they have an absolute bloodbath of a series looming with the Cavaliers. If the Bulls are at full health for this series, they have the size, balanced scoring, and team defense that could allow them to defeat Cleveland and advance to their first NBA Final since the Michael Jordan era.
1) Cleveland Cavaliers – 40%
In what has become a familiar refrain, a LeBron James led team appears headed for the NBA Finals. After floundering to a 19-20 start to the season, the Cavaliers have been red hot after the additions of Iman Shumpert, JR Smith, and Timothy Mozgov. Now the Cavaliers have serious size and depth to play with anyone. Furthermore, the Cavaliers are led by the dynamic scoring duo of James and Kyrie Irving, who has not wilted one bit in his first playoff appearance. The only team likely to stop the Cavaliers coronation as Eastern Conference Champs is the Bulls who will be waiting for them in round two. As a basketball purist, I absolutely cannot wait for that series.
