Eastern Conference Preview

Here is the Monster preview to answer all your questions about the upcoming season. We will try to group this clearly and get the picks right at the same time.

I. The Snow Group
That is Snow...as in “There’snow way these guys are making the playoffs,” or “It will snow in Bangladesh before these teams make the playoffs,” or “These teams are moving forward as fast as Eric Snow.” You heard it here first...no way they are making the playoffs. Who are these guys?

Philadelphia They could be historically bad (along with a few other teams this year). They get rid of AI to create cap space and do NOTHING with it at all. They have Iguadala, a washed up Andre Miller, and Kyle I-can’t-cover-my-grandmother-on-D-or-create-my-own-shot Korver. Why do you think they still bring him off the bench? How can this team win more than 20 games??? I don’t know.

Atlanta I actually feel like the Hawks are moving in the right direction, but that does not mean they will have a whiff of the playoffs. Joe Johnson is as good a guard as anybody. Marvin Williams is developing and could be a player. Remember how young he was when he was drafted. Al Horford was a good pick, has lots of college experience and is ready to play. I like Acie Law (even tho I’ve never seen him play). So they have a decent nucleus and could win some games. But...no playoffs.

Miami Yes, you read that right and heard it here first. Even the Knicks have a better shot at the playoffs than the Heat. Let’s see what they have: 1) D Wade. He is truly a top 5 player...but who will we see. First, he won’t play for at least a couple weeks. Second, when he returned last year he couldn’t leap like before. Third, with him in that condition they got swept by the Bulls...that’s right, they won ZERO playoff games last year. Will he even be healthy enough to play big minutes?? Who knows. 2) Shaq. He played in 40 games last year and now is a year older. Who can he cover? I will say he is still tough to stop in the low post, especially compared to Ilgauskas, etc. But he is a mere shell of his former self. 3) Haslem. A good complement player. But if there is nothing to complement then what? 4) Nothing. There is nothing else here. The-artist-formerly-known-as-Antoine-Walker? O my! Jason Williams? Dorrell Wright? No one. They even lost Jason Kopono, the only guy who could shoot. There is just nothing in Miami. The good news. A lottery draft pick will give Wade help next year.
PS...They have just officially Jumped the Shark! Getting Ricky Davis is a sure sign of desperation. It is the final nail in the casket of the team that gets him. Look at Boston and then Minnesota. O sure, his PPG looks tempting...but you are kidding yourself that he can make your team a winner.

II. The Tornado Group. In other words, a lot of wind but too much running in circles to make the playoffs.

Charlotte I like their direction too. J-Rich can score, Felton can play point, Gerald Wallace can just plain play, and Okafor is a fine big man. The problem: Morrison is already out and hurt, Sean May can’t stay on the court, and how long will Okafor’s back last? Too many injuries and not enough depth.

Indiana As much as I respect Larry Bird, I don’t see any direction. They have an unhappy superstar in Jermaine. They traded for Murphy and Dunleavy...there is a reason GS didn’t make the playoffs with them. Danny Granger hasn’t stepped up yet, even though we keep hearing that he will. What is going on here??

Milwaukee An interesting mix of players with Redd (great scorer), Mo Williams (emerging scorer at point), Bogut (has skills) and Yi. OK, we can expect nothing from Yi but they have to play him 20 minutes a game to keep the Chinese government from putting out a hit on the Bucks management. Villanueva has skills, but can you win with him as your PF? This team will win some games but I don’t see any chemistry happening.

New York My highest ranked non-playoff team. I love the scoring ability of their starting 5. Talent-wise they should be better than at least two of the playoff teams. BUT they are a train wreck waiting to happen. Look at the personalities on the edge here—Marbury, Randolph, Curry, Coach Isiah, and the owner Dolan. I mean, they have lawsuits hanging over their heads, personality conflicts awaiting, tempers galore. There should be an explosion at some point this year. If (the hugest if in the preview) they avoided all the personality issues, this team could make the playoffs.

III. The Sunny Day Group
Why is it a sunny day? Because these guys are making the playoffs. Barely for some but here they are.

Washington They should not make the playoffs but I have to put them here because of Gilbert Arenas. What about him? Two words...Contract Year.

Toronto They are the perfect candidate to not be successful this year but I didn’t like anyone behind them well enough (the Hawks??) to bump them out. They had perfect chemistry last year and that can’t follow again. On the other hand Chris Bosh continues to be better and more dominant and maybe Andrea will be a player after all.

New Jersey Here they are again. Kidd, Carter, etc...a decent mix that play well together. As long as Kidd stays healthy they are a fine playoff team. Let’s see how Carter does not playing for a contract though.

Orlando I put them 5th in the East but if thing fell right they could be 4th. The biggest reason? Not Rashard Lewis or the emergence of JJ Redick. No, it is Dwight Howard taking the leap. He was good last year but is ready for the next level. Here is a guy that had some 20-20 nights last year and is getting better. He has improved shots inside and can make free throws. Who will stop him? Not many teams below Orlando can put a body on him. Lewis was overpaid but he can still shoot and score 20+ a night, so he is an upgrade over Hill right there. Let’s see how the rest of the team plays but it could truly be sunny in Orlando this year.

IV. The Cyclone Group or in other words, the teams that are true contenders and blow up a storm of news and coverage. In reverse order, here are the top 4.

Cleveland Everything went so well for the Cavs last year but how much can LeBron do? He will have to do even more this year unless the ghost of Larry Hughes actually shows up, stays healthy, and blends well. They have lost energy off the bench and are still weak up front in comparison to the other contenders. I actually could see a worst case scenario here where LBJ has to do too much, can’t contribute because of exhaustion (he played a lot this summer too) and the Cavs lose every game without him for a week or two. That drops them to the 6 or 7 seed and a 1st round exit. Let’s see what happens but I don’t think Detroit or Chicago is going to let him have his way without getting physical on him and making him pay for every drive to the hoop.

Chicago They have every piece and play hard and I see Deng having a huge year. But every piece is just slightly below top quality. Hinrich is good, better than most at point...yet not a championship PG. Gordon is just too streaky to be counted on night in and night out. Thomas is untested, Ben Wallace can’t score and Noah is a Wallace clone. Nocioni is a nice player but is just that. Can Deng lift them to the next level? They will be good but no title is coming to this group.

Detroit A lot of people like this team to be the East’s representative in the Finals. I think they will be good, very good, but I think they have just enough holes to be 2nd in the conference. Can Saunders coach a team to the Finals? Can Flip and Rasheed Wallace get along? Can Rasheed keep his cool against Dwight Howard and KG? This team is famous for its D but they let one man beat them (LBJ) in the biggest game of their playoffs last year. I don’t see them in the Finals although they will be close.

Boston I am on the bandwagon! Yes, KG, Pierce, Allen and any 2 other guys will win the East! These 3 guys are focused and want nothing but a title. They have great balance in their abilities—a shooter, a slasher, and a post player who is the poster child for post play. KG brings D inside as well as great passing. The only worry for me is Coach Doc Rivers. But with these three on board, even he can coach his way to the finals. On top of that, great feelings are flowing through New England. That opening night in Boston can be an amazing start to the year as it will come a few days after the World Series. Boston fans are loving it all. I say good times will continue to roll in the Hub. Celtics to the Finals!!