Well before their stunning blockbuster trade, the Cavaliers and Celtics were considered the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. Nothing has changed in that regard, despite some major pieces swapping uniforms. It’s generally assumed we’ll see LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder squaring off against Al Horford, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward in the Eastern Conference Finals next spring.
A majority of the other teams are in the conference have either plunged into rebuild mode or are simply trying to show significant improvement following frequent trips to the lottery. Only a precious few seem capable of pulling a surprise and preventing another Cavs-Celtics matchup in the conference finals.
That group includes the Raptors, who shelled out big bucks this summer to retain their top free agents, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. The supporting cast seems a little weaker since Toronto shed some salary (DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph) to keep the trio of Lowry, Ibaka and DeMar DeRozan intact. But the core group from a 51-win season remain intact.
The Wizards’ offseason had a similar feel as they needed to make Otto Porter their highest-paid player for the next two seasons by matching an offer sheet from the Nets. Then they locked up John Wall with a max extension, ensuring that the trio of Wall, Porter and Bradley Beal will continue their efforts to climb the Eastern Conference ladder in the near future.
The Bucks and Heat, who overcame major injuries last season to finish around the .500 mark, could also make a leap into major contention. In particular, Milwaukee might be poised for a big run led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially if Jabari Parker can provide a second-half boost after recovering from his latest knee injury.
This leads us to our question of the day: Which Eastern team has the best chance of knocking out either the Cavaliers or Celtics in next year’s playoffs and reaching the conference finals?
Please take to the comments section to share your thoughts on this topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
Going to take a major reach and say don’t discount the Bucks. Giannis is arguably a top 5 player in the game and they have a great core in Middleton, Parker, Brogdon, Monroe, and Maker. I won’t be shocked at all if they make some noise this year.
Gianni’s isn’t even in the top 10. He’s coming though
You’re crazy if you don’t think Giannis is in the top 10. Dude can literally do everything from pass to score. Only weakness is his jumper. He’s like a LeBron-lite.
I don’t think they’re anywhere near a contender, but there’s no doubt in my mind that they won’t make the playoffs
I have a feeling that this is the Knicks year
It could be a good playoff year if they go for it. But, goals & motivations are mixed.
Not a bad group for a 2nd best conference. I think Miami will stay hot and wear down Boston… the revenge of Olynick!
Gotta keep some eyes on the Bucks and Wizards. They are two teams you will not want to play if you’re Cleveland or Boston. Milwaukee was very close to a second round playoff berth against Cleveland and they woulda given them some problems. Toronto is always a good regular season team but come playoffs Lowry can’t hit a shot and they struggle.
Miami
All of y’all really overrate the bucks lol. Look, they’re young and giannis is fun, I get it. He’s not a top 10 player yet and the wizards are the team to watch. I still don’t necessarily think the Celtics are better than them but we’ll see. They’ve kept their core and with another year under brooks, it’s only gonna be better. Look out for Washington. Milwaukee isn’t there yet. Sorry y’all.
NBA top 10 (in no particular order).
LeBron, Kawhi, KD, Westbrook, PG13, Harden, Giannis, Draymond, Steph, and Wall or Lillard
KD bron kawhi harden Westbrook CP3 Wall Steph AD Cousins all better than Giannis
CP3 not a top 10 player. Maybe 3-4 years ago he was but not anymore. Giannis will receive more MVP votes this year than CP3 and is way more important to his team than CP3.
Don’t sleep on Charlotte. Kemba Walker is a top 5 PG in the East(Wall, Thomas, Lowry, Irving). Charlotte will be able to shoot the 3 well with Kemba, Batum, Monk, Marvin Williams and Kaminsky. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could take the next step and become an elite defender. Dwight Howard will help strengthen the defense and help in the boards. Cody Zeller will be a solid backup center. If Cleveland and Boston struggle with meshing with all their new players or injuries hit certain teams, Charlotte could very well be in the conference finals.
Pul-lease!!!!! You must be high???
Dragic in Miami is a better player than Kemba Walker.
Gilchrist is a bust #3 draft pick, cant shoot, gets hurt, limited overall game.
Marvin Williams is crummy… poor man’s Richard Jefferson.
I thought Cody Zeller would be better and I’m holding out hope for him, plus I think the Dwight Howard signing was a really good move for them.
I just think Michael Jordan is not a great GM. He can’t draft and how the heck is he going to draw elite players to Charlotte? Lose-lose proposition.
Dragon is not better than Kemba no way in hell.
MKG was a #2 pick, had injury problems in one season.
Williams is an average PF.
Zeller plays great pick and roll with Walker. Didn’t sign Howard traded for him.
Jordan is the owner not the GM, Rich Chi is. Jordan doesn’t draft.
Try not to sound like a complete incompetent next time you comment Gary.
I respect your opnions and post… until the last line. … :( sorry it came to that….
More incompetence…. or just giving my bball takes and commentary? Anyway, sorry you see it that way…. but, here goes…
Personally, and given the choice, I would take Dragic.
MKG #2 pick ? Thats even worse….
I looked up Marvin Williams stats and yes, good call, he is an average power forward and I guess that’s what’s expected from him so good guy off the bench and effective. I was saying Poor Man’s Richard Jefferson after watching RJ in the finals two years ago kill the Warriors. I know RJ doesn’t play that way during the season.
Dwight Howard “PICKUP” was a really good move for a team like Charlotte.
Saying Michael Jordan doesn’t make the draft picks as like saying Jerry Jones or Mark Cuban or Phil Jackson (with the Knicks) aren’t/weren’t GM’s so they didn’t have the final decision. I say Michael Jordan is completely 100% responsible for that roster in Charlotte, and thus responsible for their failures and “incompetence.”
And, now that I re-read your reply, Mr. “Perfect word-choice” guy….
Who is Rich “Chi? ”
Who is Dragon?
Plus, games played each season by MKG :
78
62
55
7
81.
ZERO Complete 82 game seasons (mr perfectly exact *Howard traded, not signed* word choice guy,) and several seasons in which MKG was on the shelf for some time.
And, I’m still laughing at “Jordan doesn’t draft.” Must be why he is sitting next to Adam Morrison and smiling proudly at his genius use of a top 3 pick. Lol.
I like how it took you over 20 minutes to type all of that. Dragic and Cho autocorrected.
I wasn’t trying to cause a problem. I’m sorry if it came off that way. I probably shouldn’t have written that last line about you being incompetent. I apologize. Let’s not get into a pissing match.
Good stuff…. forgotten!
Alright appreciate it bro. I think we’ve had each other’s backs on here before.
Yes, for sure !
Took me longer than that !!
Trying to work ya know :)
There are some interesting teams to watch in the East. The continuity in Washington and Toronto could push them past Cleveland or Boston with a break or two. They were close last year. Would love to see Dwight Howard resurrect his career in Charlotte. Kemble Walker has improved every year.
I thought Washington would break through last year but John Wall is not a fourth-quarter player. Couldn’t hit a shot in crunch time, so they actually went to Beal…..who is a great player. Couldn’t get it done himself though.
Wizards will be a little better and maybe get a little closer but they need to keep the ball out of walls hands in the 4th quarter of game 7.
The real dark horse are the 76ers. When Embiid hit his stride in January they were almost unbeatable. Add Simmons, Fultz, Redick and the rest, they will be a very good team when they gel. They are also a very deep team.