Post by duce on Jun 7, 2007 21:59:03 GMT -5
Eastern Conference Pre-Season Rankings[/u][/SIZE][/COLOR]
#1.
Chicago Bulls
The reigning Eastern champions lost nothing and gained Antawn Jamison in one of the better off-season signings. The move gives them flexibility in the frontcourt and more fire-power for the next time they meet the Spurs in the finals. You have to believe with McGrady, Pierce and Brand that Chicago will be the favorites to win the East for the second straight season.
#2.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors came up just short last season in the East. Once again bossplaya’s Raptors will give it a try. They have the same core roster as last year but added some depth with Carlos Delfino and Chris Duhon, which backup PG was a weakness in the past. The real question for Toronto will be whether the improvements of Vince Carter and especially Chris Bosh will be enough.
#3.
Boston Celtics
Boston was the other team to come up short against Chicago last year, however close it was. There’s little difference in the roster, but they should benefit greatly from a breakout year for Gerald Green, their biggest prospect. The Celtics have all the tools to win here, but like Toronto they will have to hope their improvements can get them by Chicago.
#4.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Uh oh, LeBron has a legitimate point guard on his side, and one of the best in the league at that. Cleveland has one of the best teams in the league with the addition of Baron Davis. Obviously with James, the Cavs are going to have an advantage come playoff time, and he'll lead this team as far as they’re destined to go.
#5.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks started off great last year, and then when they got Chris Paul they were seemingly unstoppable. That is probably to be expected this season as well, but their playoff performance is very much in question. They were taken to 7 by a weak team and then lost in the next round. As good as Jermaine O’Neal, Michael Redd and Paul are, this team needs more as they just don’t excel in a half court game.
#6.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers may or may not have arrived but there’s no way that Dwight Howard and Greg Oden should lead to a losing record now that they’ve improved this much. This team has a suspect(though unpolished) backcourt and that may hurt them a lot, but their big two along with Thaddeus Young are a great frontcourt and this team should be competitive.
#7.
New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans displays one of the more interesting squads in UOSL. For the most part they are simply very big. Ron Artest, Charlie Villanueva and Josh Howard are great talents. The team isn’t perfect up front but they are a threat. Their rebounding may be their biggest factor in succeeding this season.
#8.
Atlanta Hawks
With Josh Smith successfully retained the Hawks will be ready to once again compete for the highest playoff seed they can. It’s possible that the draft pick of Kyle Weaver will allow Joe Johnson to move to the off guard, and that would help their offense a lot. This is really one of the more athletic teams around and they’re still very young.
#9.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is a bubble team until they can get some kind of improvement down low. Iverson, Miller, Prince, and Lowry are all threats. There’s no doubt this team has a lot of talent. Without interior defense it will be hard to win on a consistent basis. A lot depends on Rasheed Wallace for the Pistons.
#10.
Washington Wizards
Even though the Wizards have basically no reliable scoring, they have a good chance to finish near .500 because they have Jason Kidd and they have great rebounding and interior defense. Maarin should have this team seeming to over achieve. Nene’s breakthrough training camp was big.
#11.
Orlando Magic
Another bubble team, the Magic are improved from last year but they have a lot of unknowns. Dorrell Wright and Chase Budinger look like they’re good to start. They look okay on paper but I’m not sold that they can win if Andrew Bogut and Mo Williams are their best players. For now they’re simply a young team and will look to improve this season.
#12.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are another young team that should improve. They have a nice nucleus of players but Andre Iguodala doesn’t appear to have enough help, as great as he has looked. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how well Al Horford and O.J. Mayo produce. This team has a chance to make the playoffs.
#13.
New Jersey Nets
New Jersey mainly lacks scoring. Unfortunately, the object of basketball is scoring and so that just puts this team in a hole this season. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap and Joakim Noah should do good things on the interior. Ty Lawson will surely have to do more than anyone thinks possible for this team to cross the 30 win mark this year.
#14.
Miami Heat
Miami had a good off-season thanks in most part to training camp and the draft. Though they have a lot of young talent, it’s hard to envision them winning this season because three of their key players are 21 years old or younger. They have a chance to impress but look for them to struggle for the most part, and have a high lottery pick. For now Mike Conley and Michael Beasley make for a bright future.
#15.
New York Knicks
Knicks’ season tickets this season are worth about half a shoelace of a Starbury sneaker, but to be fair they’re set to drop 55 million dollars in salary this off-season. With a potentially deep free agent pool and a chance at a top 3 pick, New York will have plenty to look forward to.
#1.
Chicago Bulls
The reigning Eastern champions lost nothing and gained Antawn Jamison in one of the better off-season signings. The move gives them flexibility in the frontcourt and more fire-power for the next time they meet the Spurs in the finals. You have to believe with McGrady, Pierce and Brand that Chicago will be the favorites to win the East for the second straight season.
#2.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors came up just short last season in the East. Once again bossplaya’s Raptors will give it a try. They have the same core roster as last year but added some depth with Carlos Delfino and Chris Duhon, which backup PG was a weakness in the past. The real question for Toronto will be whether the improvements of Vince Carter and especially Chris Bosh will be enough.
#3.
Boston Celtics
Boston was the other team to come up short against Chicago last year, however close it was. There’s little difference in the roster, but they should benefit greatly from a breakout year for Gerald Green, their biggest prospect. The Celtics have all the tools to win here, but like Toronto they will have to hope their improvements can get them by Chicago.
#4.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Uh oh, LeBron has a legitimate point guard on his side, and one of the best in the league at that. Cleveland has one of the best teams in the league with the addition of Baron Davis. Obviously with James, the Cavs are going to have an advantage come playoff time, and he'll lead this team as far as they’re destined to go.
#5.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks started off great last year, and then when they got Chris Paul they were seemingly unstoppable. That is probably to be expected this season as well, but their playoff performance is very much in question. They were taken to 7 by a weak team and then lost in the next round. As good as Jermaine O’Neal, Michael Redd and Paul are, this team needs more as they just don’t excel in a half court game.
#6.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers may or may not have arrived but there’s no way that Dwight Howard and Greg Oden should lead to a losing record now that they’ve improved this much. This team has a suspect(though unpolished) backcourt and that may hurt them a lot, but their big two along with Thaddeus Young are a great frontcourt and this team should be competitive.
#7.
New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans displays one of the more interesting squads in UOSL. For the most part they are simply very big. Ron Artest, Charlie Villanueva and Josh Howard are great talents. The team isn’t perfect up front but they are a threat. Their rebounding may be their biggest factor in succeeding this season.
#8.
Atlanta Hawks
With Josh Smith successfully retained the Hawks will be ready to once again compete for the highest playoff seed they can. It’s possible that the draft pick of Kyle Weaver will allow Joe Johnson to move to the off guard, and that would help their offense a lot. This is really one of the more athletic teams around and they’re still very young.
#9.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is a bubble team until they can get some kind of improvement down low. Iverson, Miller, Prince, and Lowry are all threats. There’s no doubt this team has a lot of talent. Without interior defense it will be hard to win on a consistent basis. A lot depends on Rasheed Wallace for the Pistons.
#10.
Washington Wizards
Even though the Wizards have basically no reliable scoring, they have a good chance to finish near .500 because they have Jason Kidd and they have great rebounding and interior defense. Maarin should have this team seeming to over achieve. Nene’s breakthrough training camp was big.
#11.
Orlando Magic
Another bubble team, the Magic are improved from last year but they have a lot of unknowns. Dorrell Wright and Chase Budinger look like they’re good to start. They look okay on paper but I’m not sold that they can win if Andrew Bogut and Mo Williams are their best players. For now they’re simply a young team and will look to improve this season.
#12.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are another young team that should improve. They have a nice nucleus of players but Andre Iguodala doesn’t appear to have enough help, as great as he has looked. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how well Al Horford and O.J. Mayo produce. This team has a chance to make the playoffs.
#13.
New Jersey Nets
New Jersey mainly lacks scoring. Unfortunately, the object of basketball is scoring and so that just puts this team in a hole this season. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap and Joakim Noah should do good things on the interior. Ty Lawson will surely have to do more than anyone thinks possible for this team to cross the 30 win mark this year.
#14.
Miami Heat
Miami had a good off-season thanks in most part to training camp and the draft. Though they have a lot of young talent, it’s hard to envision them winning this season because three of their key players are 21 years old or younger. They have a chance to impress but look for them to struggle for the most part, and have a high lottery pick. For now Mike Conley and Michael Beasley make for a bright future.
#15.
New York Knicks
Knicks’ season tickets this season are worth about half a shoelace of a Starbury sneaker, but to be fair they’re set to drop 55 million dollars in salary this off-season. With a potentially deep free agent pool and a chance at a top 3 pick, New York will have plenty to look forward to.
