1. Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron will be on fire, they will finally have some outside shooting going on, and They will take advantage of an early injury to Shaq (he's long overdue for a serious injury)2. Miami Heat: Everybody is a year older and the weakness and lack of depth will show as the season progresses. but they're in a weak division so they will still get a top 3 seed.3. New Jersey Nets: Here we go again, another 2nd round and done year. This is an important year for NJ. Vince can opt out and Jason Kidd isn't too loyal to demand a trade 4. Chicago Bulls: In my opinion, the most mature Bulls team since Jordan. Kirk Hinrich is now a veteran, and bringing in Big Ben and P.J. Brown can do nothing but help team chemistry. They also have the depth that many teams want5. Detroit Pistons: They will miss Ben for sure, but it won't be their defense that crumbles. I think it will be their lack of having a pure scorer on that team. Think about it. Billups and prince are good when they get hot, Rip needs at least 3 screens to get open and Rasheed shoots from all over the place. The offense could be in trouble if you ask me.6. Washington Wizards: I wouldn't be suprides if they even took 5th from the Pistons because they really are good. They kept everyone which is great because they are solid at every position and they were so close to taking out the Cavs last year.7. Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson will become a tandem to be reckoned with in the future. Yes, Grant Hill is back and all they need from him is leadership, and 16 and 6. Not much depth but they do have a shooting presence with JJ Redick, Pat Garrity and keith Bogans.8. Philadelphia 76ers: AI will have help with andre and kyle Korver, which will give them that required push
I can't believe that only 2 people on this thread think the Raps are going to make the playoffs. They are definatley going to become a playoff team this year. Maybe it's because many of you aren't following the Raptors or could care less.I am a Raptors fan and I can be honest with all of you, I think Raptors are in the playoffs guaranteed. The past years I obviously admitted that the Raps have no chance but if you look at their roster for the upcoming season many of you will be surprised. Maybe not because we got a lot of European talen now so many of you wouldn't know them.Take a look at this years Raps, You all will be surprised. I predict the Raps with the 8th seed, a 41-41 season for the Raps.
HeatBullsCavsNetsMagicWizardsPistonsBobcats (hee hee)This conference looks really good next season. Should be excting.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BuLLzDoMaIn @ Jul 30 2006, 02:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1.Heat2.Bulls3.Cavs4.Nets5.Magic6.Wizards7. Boston8. PacersAnd the bulls aint gonna be bad with the new players. They didnt get any player that demands the ball.</div> :HAHAHA: :HAHAHA: :HAHAHA: If the Magic get the fifth seed and the Pistons miss the playoffs I will shave my b*lls, and glue the hair to my chin.1. Heat2. Pistons3. Cavs4. Nets5, Bulls6. Wizards7. Celtics8. Magic
It's amazing how many of you guys are underrating the Bulls. They will be a top 3 team in the east and have a better record than Detroit.
Lol, no they won't.1) Detroit2) Miami3) New Jersey4) Chicago5) Cleveland6) Washington7) Milwaukee8) Indiana
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jonesboyz @ Aug 2 2006, 02:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>HeatBullsCavsNetsMagicWizardsPistonsBobcats (hee hee)This conference looks really good next season. Should be excting.</div>Was that suppoed to be a joke ? The Bobcats making the playoffs is not happening, sorry to tell you.Also, Pistons ranked 7th and Magic ranked 5th ? I don't think that's happening at all. Magic will be luck if they even make it to the playoffs.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Jesus. How come no one is putting the Raptors in there?</div>I have no idea ... Maybe they havn't seen the current roster or something ?
Wow, I doubt Detroit will be as solid on D without Ben, and they still have an average offense. I would definately not put them as the 1st seed.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Navijac @ Aug 2 2006, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I have no idea ... Maybe they havn't seen the current roster or something ?</div>I have, they aren't that good at all. They'll be close to the 8th seed though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC @ Aug 2 2006, 03:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's amazing how many of you guys are underrating the Bulls. They will be a top 3 team in the east and have a better record than Detroit.</div>Not much room for choice on Basketball World anymore. I doubt it, I still think the Cavs will be better than the Bulls.
People aren't aware of how good we will be I guess.We will be running next year. We will have a very effective offense, and our defense will be better. Also, we have a ton of depth now at each position.I guarentee that we will make or come within 5 games of the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Aug 2 2006, 02:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>People aren't aware of how good we will be I guess.We will be running next year. We will have a very effective offense, and our defense will be better. Also, we have a ton of depth now at each position.I guarentee that we will make or come within 5 games of the playoffs.</div>Ya, Toronto was so bad last year people are underestimating them..I think they will be in about 5 games withing the playoffs or so too
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Navijac @ Aug 2 2006, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Was that suppoed to be a joke ? The Bobcats making the playoffs is not happening, sorry to tell you.</div>A man can hope. DON'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME!!! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Also, Pistons ranked 7th and Magic ranked 5th ? I don't think that's happening at all. Magic will be luck if they even make it to the playoffs.I have no idea ... Maybe they havn't seen the current roster or something ?</div>If they play like they did at then end of last season finishing 12-3, they should be a great team. Milicic showed his potential. He could start alongside howard on the inside. If hill stays healthy, it would him, nelson who had a great seaon along with turkoglu. They got depth in arroyo, ariza, stevenson, and drafted james augustine and reddick (BOOO) who can surely come in contribute quickly. The only way they could slow down is injuries, which is their only weakness. I didn't take that into consideration when i placed them 5th. Plus losing Wallace, the pistons lost their explosiveness on D. Sure their offense will improve. Flip can call more plays that they couldn't do with wallace on the floor and be able to spread the ball more. Even though he was declining, his impact is still a big loss on D, and that's the key to winning games imo. I don't think they can keep the same flow they had last year.
Well, we don't know what else is going to happen the rest of the offseason, but as of right now, and putting in the fact that the seeding rule has been fixed, I predict:1. Miami2. Chicago3. Detroit4. Cleveland5. New Jersey6. Washington7. Indiana8. Milwaukee/Boston/Orlando/Toronto/New York/Philadelphia (haha it's so up in the air it's not funny)
1. Miami Heat2. Chicago Bulls3. Detroit Pistons4. Cleveland Cavaliers5. Orlando Magic6. New Jersey Nets7. Philadelphia 76ers8. Indiana PacersThe bottom half of the East is a toss-up. Also I'm going by records.
