Playoff teams (In order of how I think they'll finish)
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs finished with the best record in the East last year, and this year will be a little more interesting for LeBron James since he becomes a free agent next summer. If Cleveland doesn't win it all, does he go elsewhere, or does he stay? The addition of Shaquille O'Neal will help, but it's guys off the bench like Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker that will probably have the biggest impact for a Cavs team that has lacked depth in the past. Cleveland will finish with the best record in the East, but I don't see them hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the year.
2. Boston Celtics: In my mind the Celtics are the best team in the East if they are at full health. The problem is Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, and Ray Allen are all aging faster then you know it, and consequently are more prone to injuries. Rajon Rondo will emerge as one of the top point guards in the East this year, but like I said the main key to Boston's success is their health. If they are at full health by the end of the regular season, they will be in the NBA Finals.
3. Orlando Magic: I'm not sold on the signing of Vince Carter just yet. I still think the loss of Hedo Turkoglu will hurt the Magic more than what they will gain in Carter. Nonetheless the defending champs from the East are still loaded with Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, but I still see them finishing below Cleveland and Orlando.
4. Atlanta Hawks: The addition of Jamal Crawford will help the Hawks on offense. Their defense is less than stellar, and they are a horrible team on the road, but they play in the East and have one of the more talented teams.
5. Washington Wizards: This is a team that won only 19 games last year, but the big three of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler will be back and rejuvenated under new head coach Flip Saunders, who knows how to win and has been one of the more successful coaches in the NBA. I see Washington being the team that improves the most from last year.
6. Toronto Raptors: Toronto will be back in the playoffs this year after only winning 33 games last year. They brought in Hedo Turkoglu, and drafted DeMar DeRozan who I think will be very good. Combine that with Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, and Jose Calderon, and you're looking at a Raptors team that could make some serious noise come playoff time.
7. Philadelphia 76ers: This is a Sixers team made the playoffs last year without Elton Brand, so assuming Brand is healthy, there is no reason why they shouldn't be back. Andre Igoudala is a great young player, and look for Thaddeus Young to have a breakout year.
8. Chicago Bulls: With Luol Deng back, and Derrick Rose entering his second year, the Bulls should be back in the playoffs. They lost a big weapon on offense when Ben Gordon signed with the Detroit Pistons over the summer. I see Chicago fighting it out and clinching the final playoff spot in the East.
The rest
9. Detroit Pistons
10. Miami Heat
11. Charlotte Bobcats
12. New Jersey Nets
13. Milwaukee Bucks
14. New York Knicks
15. Indiana Pacers
Western Conference Predictions to come later today.
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