Eastern Conference Preview

With the computer troubles of last season a thing of the past it’s time to get back to the keyboard for some NBA analysis. Hopefully I’m over my summer of laziness too. It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve seen ELEVEN Phish shows since Hampton and reviewed NONE.

Man, is that bad.

Anyway, the East is very strong up top but the middle to the bottom still stinks.

1. Orlando Magic – This group is deep, versatile, can shoot the 3 and knows how to play team defense. Coach Stan Van Gundy can alter his lineups/rotation to match up with any kind of team. SVG’s biggest problem might be finding enough minutes to keep everyone happy. The Magic can sustain injuries to anyone on their roster (including Dwight Howard) and survive which is why I see them ending up with the best record in the East.

Eyes On – Jameer Nelson. Is he the borderline All-Star from ’05-06 and ’08-09 (pre-injury) or the mediocre PG from his three other seasons?

Now or Never – Vince Carter. He’s never been on a team as talented as this one. If he steps up in the playoffs he can silence all his critics at once.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers – These guys are built more for the post season than the grind of the regular campaign, but there is still an awful lot of depth and versatility on this roster. The acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal garnered all the attention in the summer, but I think Anthony Parker, Leon Powe and Jamario Moon will have a bigger impact over the long haul than the Diesel will. The Cavs can certainly finish atop the East if they stay healthy.

Eyes On – Delonte West. A Desperado impersonation (3 guns in a guitar case) riding a motorcycle in Maryland? I can’t to see what’s next with this guy!

Now or Never – Mo Williams. Is he really a starting PG on a championship team? I have my doubts.

3. Boston Celtics – This club goes as far as Kevin Garnett’s right knee takes them. Yes they are deeper than they have been in the past, but it’s KG’s defensive presence that really makes the Celtics special. Paul Pierce’s production has quietly been slipping since ’05-06 and Ray Allen is a 34-year-old SG. Make no mistake; these boys will be very dangerous in the playoffs, but injuries will get them at some point in the regular season.

Eyes On – Rajon Rondo. He was shopped in the summer after being Boston’s best player in the post season. How will he behave if his contract isn’t extended by 10/31?

Now or Never – Rasheed Wallace. Was he just not into it mentally in Detroit or are his skills beginning to decline? This C’s bunch doesn’t dog it, so we’ll get an answer soon.

4. Atlanta Hawks – These guys have plenty of big game experience as a unit and can play some seriously tough team defense when the pressure is on. The bad news is Mike Woodson is now a lame duck coach and their star player turned down a four-year $60 million extension in the summer. So which way are the Hawks headed? Well I’d say they are better than the rest of the East, but not good enough to crack the upper crust.

Eyes On – Joe Johnson. Entering the final year of his contract will he play team ball or try and get his? Better question, can he consistently get his for 82 games any more?

Now or Never – Jamal Crawford. He steps into the instant offense sixth man role vacated by Flip Murray. The question remains though, is Crawford a winner or a cancer?

5. Washington Wizards – New coach Flip Saunders arrives to a mostly healthy squad with some nice youth/depth as well. Saunders is one of the most underrated coaches in the NBA, and this club is built for his style of offense. That said it’s not like he’s going to get them to be an elite defensive team. As long as Antawn Jamison’s right shoulder injury isn’t too serious I think Flip and the Wiz will surprise a few people.

Eyes On – Gilbert Arenas. He’s accumulated $40K worth of fines for NOT talking to media already. If he decides to become a playmaker first and scorer second, look out.

Now or Never – Randy Foye. He was handed playing time in Minnesota that he never earned, so it’s not like he needed a change of scenery to prove he can’t play.

6. Philadelphia 76ers – New coach Eddie Jordan’s task is simple; find a way to blend open court speed with a strong half court low post presence. If the Sixers can continue to play tough defense and out work their opposition while at the same time finding some balance on offense they could be better than expected. But if the D regresses or the lack of a true PG haunts them they could easily miss the playoffs.

Eyes On – Lou Williams. Guys without PG instincts don’t grow them overnight, but I suppose he deserves a chance to prove himself before I rip him.

Now or Never – Elton Brand. Looked a step slow after left Achilles surgery last season. It’s time for him to earn his money, but his teammates have to get him the ball too.

7. Chicago Bulls – The good news here is that both coach Vinny Del Negro and PG Derrick Rose should be improved from their rookie years. The bad news is they still lack a legitimate low post scoring threat. This club is relatively deep and pretty athletic but the parts don’t really fit together like they should. Much of the Bulls success this season depends on how great a leap Rose makes, and I’m betting it will be sizable.

Eyes On – Luol Deng. After losing last season to a stress fracture (right leg) he must return to his ’06-07 form, be a true #2 scoring option and start earning his paycheck.

Now or Never – Tyrus Thomas. Entering his fourth (contract) year I still don’t know what this guy is besides an athletic super-freak?

8. Toronto Raptors – GM Bryan Colangelo tore his club to the ground this summer keeping only three rotation players from the previous season. His stamp is now all over this team including coach Jay Triano. Colangelo is obviously trying to recreate his version of the Phoenix Suns. All offense, no defense, shoot threes and be soft on the glass. The Raps have the talent to make the playoffs, but will they have the chemistry?

Eyes On – Jose Calderon. He has to be 100% recovered from his injury (right hamstring) and return to his ‘07-08 form for Toronto to do anything.

Now or Never – Amir Johnson. He went from super-promising to on his way out of the league in one year. Europe will be calling after this season if he doesn’t show something

9. Indiana Pacers – These guys lost a ton of close games last year, had a bunch of injuries and still almost made the playoffs. If coach Jim O’Brien can get them to play a little better defense I think they could be thee surprise team in the East. Of course if they have injuries again they will be terrible because their bench consists of has-beens, never-weres and not-yets. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they qualify for the post season.

Eyes On – Mike Dunleavy Jr. He was very quietly on the verge of breaking out before right knee troubles derailed him. If he can find that form again Indy will be dangerous.

Now or Never – T.J. Ford. IF he can stay healthy he’s got to start being more of a pass first PG, because the fact of the matter is he’s proven not to be a great scorer/shooter.

10. Miami Heat – On paper this squad stinks. Dwyane Wade’s greatness and coach Erik Spoelstra’s smarts burned me last year, but I’m taking both of those factors into account this season. Wade will have to play in 75+ games and their defense will have to be stellar for them to have any chance to make the playoffs. This summer is really more important than the season for the Heat since they have NO ONE under contract for next season.

Eyes On – Michael Beasley. He is penciled in as their starting SF, which should be fine on offense. But I seriously doubt he can defend that position on a nightly basis.

Now or Never – Jermaine O’Neal. Can the 23 million-dollar-man stay healthy enough to earn a quarter of that on his next contract?

11. Detroit Pistons – So President Joe Dumars “rebuilding plan” called for $130 million to be handed out to Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Chris Wilcox? I think it’s safe to the shine is officially off Joe D as a personnel man. Anyway, his choice to guide this group is John Kuester, who of course has no experience as a head coach. These Pistons will score points but won’t stop ANYBODY.

Eyes On – Will Bynum. In the small amount of playing time he received last season he really impressed me. Might steal Stuckey’s job if given the opportunity.

Now or Never – Rodney Stuckey. He did not make the expected jump from his rookie to sophomore campaign. In fact Detroit’s PG of the future might actually be a SG.

12. Charlotte Bobcats – What happens when you let coach Larry Brown make personnel decisions? Well you end up with a roster full of defensive minded journeymen. And that my friends is exactly what you have in Charlotte right now. There’s no doubt this team will be able to defend with the best of them. I just don’t see any way they score enough points to win on a consistent basis, much less make the playoffs.

Eyes On – Raymond Felton. After waiting all summer for a long-term contract he finally accepted the qualifying offer. This has season-long feud with LB written all over it.

Now or Never – Gerald Wallace. The highest paid returning Bobcat should be more of star/leader/scorer by now, shouldn’t he?

13. Milwaukee Bucks – This team has some talent and depth but neither is really top quality. Coach Scott Skiles likes tough defensive minded players and I don’t see many of those on the Bucks roster. Not to mention their two best players are coming off serious injuries. To me this is another squad that will struggle to score points night in and night out. They will play hard though, so that has to count for something, right?

Eyes On – Andrew Bogut. The stress fracture in his back is supposedly healed, but will it hold up for 82 games?

Now or Never – Luke Ridnour. Will entering his contract year finally give him the motivation to improve his jump shot? Probably not.

14. New Jersey Nets – This season has turmoil written all over it for the Nets. Their ownership situation is up in the air, as is the future home of the franchise. Not to mention that both President Rod Thorn and coach Lawrence Frank are in the finals years of their contracts. So we have a lame duck owner, arena, GM and coach…WOW! But hey, at least they’ve drawn well this pre-season when they’ve played in Newark.

Eyes On – Courtney Lee. Already a top-notch defender I expect his offensive game to blossom in the Swamp since he’ll be given more opportunities to score.

Now or Never – Yi Jianlian. As he enters his third year I’ve seen ZERO improvement in both his skills and physical shape. I’m starting to think he doesn’t want it bad enough.

15. New York Knicks – Since no one in their right mind is taking Eddy Curry off their hands, the only interesting thing about this bunch is whether or not President Donnie Walsh will be able to move Jared Jeffries’ contract by the trade deadline. Other than that this club won’t defend and the roster lacks the 3-point shooters that coach Mike D’Antoni’s system requires. It’s going to be another long year in Gotham.

Eyes On – Danilo Gallinari. Not the best athlete but has a very nice touch on his jumper and a high basketball IQ. Should get tons of minutes on this atrocious squad.

Now or Never – Darko Milicic. As long as he defends and rebounds he’ll be given the freedom to do whatever he wants on offense. Quite an opportunity in a contract year.

Final Four – Orlando, Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland

Eastern Finals – Orlando, Boston