LeBron James has been ruling the East for a very long time. Since joining the Miami Heat, James appeared in eight consecutive finals appearances. The question here is how much impact can the departure of LeBron James leave in the Eastern Conference? Now that James moves West, many teams now has a chance to compete for the championship and power house teams in the East can become stronger this year.
There are also exciting moves that happened this off-season. Kawhi Leonard traded to DeMar DeRozan, Jabari Parker to the Chicago Bulls, Coach of the Year Coach Dwane Casey to the Detroit Pistons, theres a lot there to be excited and I just can't wait for the next season to start. Now I am going to breakdown the rankings for the top teams in the Eastern Conference this off-season.
1. Boston Celtics
The number 1 team for me is of course the Boston Celtics. Boston finished last season with a 55-27 record in the regular season. They were able to reach the Eastern Conference Finals but came up short against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although they lost that series, the fact that they're two best player has not been able to play, we can say that Boston will be more scarier now that they're two superstars is back for the next season. Boston also outplayed the Milwaukee bucks, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs.
There are no major moves in Boston's rosters and I think it's a good thing for the team because their chemistry will grow even more as they were very much familiar with each other. The only adjustment will be the rotation especially with their wings. If you look at their roster there's a lot of good players at every position. At the guard position there is Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier. For the wings, there is Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And at the bigs, there is Al Horford and Aaron Baynes.
Boston has a lot of weapon and options there and it will be a hard decision for Coach Brad Stevens who will he start or he will he use especially in crucial possessions. I think it will not be a problem. Coach Brad Stevens is a brilliant coach and I know they are doing a lot of work in training camp. I believe that he will make this team work effectively.
2. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors is number 2 in my list. The Raptors are involved in one of the biggest trades in this year's off-season. Recently, the Raptors traded their Franchise player and all-time leading scorer DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard. It was a blockbuster trade and everybody was shocked with this trade because nobody expected that the Raptors will trade their franchise player for a long time.
Kawhi Leonard is a top 5 player in the league today but it will be a risk for the Toronto Raptors because we don't know how healthy he was and we don't know if he will stay in Toronto for long term. There are reports that Kawhi wants to play in L.A.. How can he respond playing for a team he doesn't want to be traded to.
With the addition of Kawhi, the Raptors will surely improve their defense with the help of the former defensive player of the year. They also have rookie OG Anunoby who is also a good defender. The Raptors also lost one key piece, the Coach of the Year, Coach Dwane Casey. Their frontcourt are also a little bit short with Jacob Poeltl included in the Kawhi Leonard trade. They now have to play a lot of small ball with Pascal Siakam or Serge Ibaka at the center position.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers will be number 3 in this list. The Sixers just finished an outstanding season with a 52-30 record in the regular season. They also reached the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals after years of tanking and rebuilding. The Sixers has an offensive rating of 107.4 and a defensive rating of 102.0 (third in the NBA). This team was led by young stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
There are no major moves in their roster but there are some little lost. The departure of Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova will hurt them in terms of their three-point shooting but I think they'll be fine. They also acquire Wilson Chandler to strengthen their front court. Chandler is a great player and can help them offensively. He's a good shooter and also a good upgrade defensively from Belinelli.
Their major liability is the lack of shooting from Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz. They must improve their jumpshot in training camp and get ready for the next season. Simmons is already a superstar caliber player but he must develop his jumpshot to become more of a threat and to complete his game and skill set.
4. Indiana Pacers
Next in my list will be the Indiana Pacers at number 4. Last season, Victor Oladipo lead this Indiana Pacers team to a whole new level as they make the playoffs and finished 5th in the Eastern Conference. Everybody thought that the Pacers will start rebuilding after the post Paul George era but Victor stepped up and make things happen.
The key addition for this team were Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott. Tyreke is a proven veteran and a former rookie of the year you can play multiple positions. He can also handle the ball and make plays like a point guard. McDermott is a sharp shooter who can be used as a catch and shoot three-point shooter. The Pacers lost Lance Stephenson by Tyreke will surely takes his place and will be a nice upgrade.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Next up is the Milwaukee Bucks at number 5. Giannis is too good and already an MVP contender but he must improve his jumpshot still. The Bucks are already a top ten offensive team and the addition of Ersan Ilyasova and Brook Lopez may add shooting and floor spacing around Giannis.
Coach Mike Budenholzer will help this team a lot at defensively. He is a specialist in defense and ball movement. He became a great coach under Coach Greg Popovich in San Antonio. He can use the length of the team defensively and he will surely add ball movement and player rotations to this roster. I think the Bucks will be a 50 win team this upcoming season.
There you go. That was my top 5 teams in the Western Conference and I will leave you my complete list from number 6 to the last. Here it is:
6. Miami Heat
I know you will not agree but I still think that they are number 6. There are no key additions to this team but I still think that their roster is fine and Coach Eric Spoelstra can improve this team next season.Only Hassan Whiteside will be their problem and they will have to trade him and Bam Adebayo should take over.
7. Washington Wizards
Their key addition is Dwight Howard. Howard will be an upgrade for Marcin Gortat who has chemistry issue with the team. The Wizards finished with a 43-39 record last season and I think they are still not there. Let's just hope John Wall to be healthy all season long.
8. Detroit Pistons
Detroit has the two of the best big men in the league today and adding Coach of the Year Coach Dwane Casey will surely makes things work now for the Pistons. Coach Casey wants to bring his style from Toronto to Detroit and three-point shooting is the key.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
Their Biggest lost is the best player in the world LeBron James so I think the Cavs will go down all the way to the number 9 spot. They retain Kevin Love and extend him long term but that wasn't enough. They drafted a good point guard in Collin Sexton. They have so many guards now and they may trade some now.
10. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte's key addition is Tony Parker, Bismack Biyombo and their new coach James Borrego. They traded Dwight Howard and and that opens up the starting position at center for Cody Zeller who lost most of his minutes during Howard's stay in Charlotte. Kemba is still on the team and he would carry this team alone again. Hope their wings step up and improve their games.
11. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls is a very young team but full of potential. They recently acquired the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft Jabari Parker. They will have a starting lineup of Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine, Jabari Parker, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. All are very young talents. The Bulls have a long way to go.
12. Brooklyn Nets
DeAngelo Russell showed what he is capable in some games last season but I don't think that he is the type of player that the Brooklyn Nets will rely on for many years. The Nets are still a mediocre team and it will take a long time for them to rise up.
13. New York Knicks
The key addition for the New York Knicks are Coach David Fizdale and rookie Kevin Knox. Kevin Knox showcases his talents in the summer league and looks like a future superstar. He will be one of the best rookies in this class. Knicks time to get back on time may probably be in the 2019-2020 season when they hit the 2019 free-agency and be able to sign big time free agents. But this coming season, they will still not be able to compete.
14. Orlando Magic
Orlando's key additions are Coach Steve Clifford and rookie Mo Bamba. The Magic retained rising star Aaron Gordon and drafted a talented rookie in Mo Bamba. I'm sure they will improve their defense with their front court and with the guidance of Coach Steve Clifford.
15. Atlanta Hawks
I think the Atlanta Hawks are now on their rebuilding process. They traded their best player Dennis Schroeder and their brilliant Coach. They drafted a top draft prospect but the question is Trae Young a star in the making? Will Trae Young's development be affected by the team's rebuilding process? Let's find out when the season begins.
Thank you for dropping by folks! That's all for today. Hope you like my article and don't be shy to drop your comments. I want to know your thoughts too.
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