I think they'll definitely regress some. They'll still be good enough to be a Finals contender, but 50-55 wins is a more realistic range for them than what they did last year. People seem to be sleeping on Detroit. They get to the ECF ever year it seems. And they have some great younger players who should really emerge this season. Right now, I'd give the Pistons a slight edge.
I think he's saying that after you win a ring, there will be a target on your back. Take the Hornets for example, they were great this past year. This upcoming year they aren't going to be surprising anybody, the league already knows how great they are. Same thing with the Celts, everyone will take them seriously (more so than before) this year.
The C's are a slightly different case, because everyone knew, after trading for KG and Allen, that they were going to be a major force. Not like New Orleans, who had the same cast of players the previous season, but finally figured it out. That said, I do think we'll be lucky to get within 10 games of last season's win total. But I'd view Orlando and maybe Philadelphia as the biggest threats to us in the East. IMO the Pistons are finished (but I've said that before...).
Losing James Posey will hurt the Celtics. Cassell is older, Brown is done. I am excited to see House and Allen get more minutes though. But I believe the Celtics probably won't repeat again barring injuries to the Lakers.
I can't imagine the Celtics repeating. The last team to do it was the Lakers and that was what, 6 or 7 years ago now. To say the least, it's tough. Plus, they're going to have a target on their backs all season, and teams will now know what to expect when they play them. Also, I'd say the East is going to be a lot tougher this year. Philly and Cleveland have both improved (at least on paper), I think the Hawks will be a stronger team next year, same with the Magic. You can't count the Pistons out either. Even though they're getting older, they still have an excellent core group of players. I also think Stuckey is going to have a great season this year as the 6th man on that team, giving them a dynamic player off the bench to give Billups or Rip a rest. Above all else though, I don't see a team better than the Lakers. The Lakers made the Finals last year while with Bynum missing 47 games plus all the playoffs. Adding him back does a plethora of things. First and foremost, it makes them the frontrunner for the NBA title. Aside from that though, it gives them a HUGE frontcourt of Odom/Gasol/Bynum - I want to see a team grab a rebound against that. Also, he adds that physicality and toughness down low that they lacked when he was out. Basically, he gives them someone that can punish a KG or a Tim Duncan down on the block, whereas Gasol was more than happy taking 15 footers. Bynum won't do that. He's going to go to the rim with authority. Beyond Bynum, you know Kobe is going to be more motivated then ever next year. He got so close this past season and didn't get it. You know he wants it more than anyone else in the NBA, and he's going to be beyond motivated to get it this year, and that's a scary thought for the entire league.
LOL I'm aware that everyone knew they would be good. But it still raises attention after winning a ring. Take the allstar Laker team of 03-04, everyone knew they would be good, but they still didn't win a ring. The Celtics are officially the champs now so it will be even harder this year.
