Where the Raptors will finish in the east

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TheGloveinRapsUniform wrote:

Humphries can also contribute for the Nets and Brooks should lead the 2nd unit. They got Evans, Bogans and Watson who are fairly solid backups. You have 4 potential 20pt scorers and rebounders and interior defenders in evans and humpries.

The knicks have two contrasting PGs which i think will be to their advantage. Kidd can open up defenses with his 3s and Felton can open the perimeter with his slashing. i think they'll be deadlier now that they have a pass-first PG in Kidd, who can dish to shooters Novak and JR. Melo, Amare and Chandler are pretty much self explanatory.

Indiana was able to climb up last season due to the fact that the two teams i just mentioned didnt have the players that they have now. Indiana is solid, I dont think Mahinmi will make a big impact as much as the new players that the Knicks and Nets will have on their teams.

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D. Will, Hump, Wallace and Brooks were on the team last season, so essentially you feel that the addition of Evans, Bogans, Watson and J. Johnson are enough to bring them from one of the worst teams last year to the second best in the East? I don't agree, but I guess we'll see how the season unfolds.

Same with the Knicks. It's the exact same disfunctional team but they've added Felton and Kidd. Not sure if that one change is enough to make them a drastically better team.

Indiana is one of the most complete and balanced teams in the league and imo they will be right there at the top of the east standings by end of the year.

I'm surprised at all the love for Chicago. Theyve lost their best player/former MVP in rose. The only reason they did good without him was because of the bench mob. They had one of the best benches in the league and now only Gibson is left. They replaced rose with Hinrich and deng will likely miss significant time with his wrist. Not to mention they've already said if they're not in playoff contention they'll let rose rest the whole season. I just don't see them anywhere near the playoffs this year

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tucas wrote:

I'm surprised at all the love for Chicago. Theyve lost their best player/former MVP in rose. The only reason they did good without him was because of the bench mob. They had one of the best benches in the league and now only Gibson is left. They replaced rose with Hinrich and deng will likely miss significant time with his wrist. Not to mention they've already said if they're not in playoff contention they'll let rose rest the whole season. I just don't see them anywhere near the playoffs this year

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We could potentially see a Spurs-esque tank job by Chicago this season...

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Nilanka wrote:

We could potentially see a Spurs-esque tank job by Chicago this season...

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That's what I was thinking. The only way they could make it more obvious they were trying to tank is if they sign alabi and resign scalabrine

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tucas wrote:

That's what I was thinking. The only way they could make it more obvious they were trying to tank is if they sign alabi and resign scalabrine

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It's fine with me. One less playoff team from last year to compete with ;)

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Sheptor wrote:

1.Heat
2.Nets
3.Knicks
4.Pacers
5.Celtics
6.Bulls
7.Raptors
8.Wizards
9.Hawks
10.Bucks
11.Magic
12.Sixers
13.Pistons
14.Cavs
15.Bobcats

No explanations needed..book it!

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This is exactly how I had it pictured. Except I'd switch the Nets to 4 with the Pacers going number 2.

I have a lot of optimism for this team next season, but, the East has gotten considerably more relevant and stronger compared to the last couple years...

Quite surprised no one realized there are at LEAST 10 teams looking for that playoff spot.. There never used to be the depth before as it is now.

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Matt52 wrote:

Premature thread. Great one for October.

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I'm sure this could be done monthly, starting now until April, and still get 5+ pages of posts.

Anyone care to take another stab? Been a couple of minor changes.... yes, sarcasm.


Here is Stephen Brotherston's take at HoopsWorld.com:

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1. Miami HEAT, 46-20 last season


2. Indiana Pacers, 42-24 last season



3. Boston Celtics, 39-27 last season


4. Chicago Bulls, 50-16 last season



5. Brooklyn Nets, 22-44 last season



6. Atlanta Hawks, 40-26 last season



7. New York Knicks, 36-30 last season


8. Toronto Raptors, 23-43 last season

Key Additions: Kyle Lowry, John Lucas III, Landry Fields
Key Subtractions: Jerryd Bayless, James Johnson, Gary Forbes
Key Draft Additions: Jonas Valanciunas, Terrence Ross

Kyle Lowry won the starting point guard spot in Houston two seasons ago and has since earned a reputation as a tough, fearless guard who can score off the dribble or from deep range while being able to defend his own position without help. Much of the optimism in Toronto revolves around what Lowry brings to the Raptors. Lowry allows Raptors head coach Dwane Casey to move Jose Calderon to the second unit and Lucas finally gives the Raptors a third-string point guard who can start if necessary.

Where Jonas Valanciunas represents the future for Toronto big men and is expected to have a strong rookie campaign, the Raptors will be counting on a healthy Andrea Bargnani to carry much of the scoring load and continue the elevated level of play witnessed prior to his injury last season.

Toronto has evolved into a good defensive unit under Casey, but they will face tough competition for eighth this season and another injury to Bargnani or a point guard controversy between Lowry and Calderon could easily derail the Raptors’ season. However, if this group gels and everything stays together, there will likely be a postseason appearance for Toronto in April.

9. Philadelphia 76ers, 35-31 last season



10. Milwaukee Bucks, 31-35 last season



11. Washington Wizards, 20-46 last season



12. Orlando Magic, 37-29 last season



13. Detroit Pistons, 25-41 last season



14. Cleveland Cavaliers, 21-45 last season



15. Charlotte Bobcats, 7-59 last season

http://www.hoopsworld.com/lets-rank-...rn-conference/

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1.Heat
2.Pacers
3.Knicks
4.Celtics
5.Nets
6/7.Raptors
6/7.Sixers
8.Hawks
9.Wizards
10.Bucks
11.Bulls
12.Pistons
13.Cavs
14.Magic
15.Bobcats

Im trying not to lie to myself but I think we are a much better team than anyone thinks I can't see any of the teams below 7th doing better than us

The Bulls played .594 ball in 32 games without Rose last year (including playoffs). Unless they commit to a full tank session, I don't think we can write them off completely. They're still a very well-coached team.

This was my original.

1. Heat
2. Pacers
3. Celtics
4. Nets
5. Knicks
6. Bulls
7. Hawks
8. Raptors
9. Bucks
10. Sixers
11. Wizards
12. Pistons
13. Cavs (injuries)
14. Bobcats
15. Magic


With the Howard trade and a couple of Knick additions, updated:

1. Heat
2. Pacers
3. Celtics
4. Knicks
5. Nets
6. Bulls
7. Hawks
8. Raptors
9. Sixers
10. Bucks
11. Wizards
12. Pistons
13. Cavs
14. Bobcats
15. Magic

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Nilanka wrote:

Unless they commit to a full tank session, I don't think we can write them off completely.

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I see Deng and Boozer both going down with "injuries" within the first 2 months of the season.
Then its not tanking. Its "dealing with Injuries" ...

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Matt52 wrote:

This was my original.

1. Heat
2. Pacers
3. Celtics
4. Nets
5. Knicks
6. Bulls
7. Hawks
8. Raptors
9. Bucks
10. Sixers
11. Wizards
12. Pistons
13. Cavs (injuries)
14. Bobcats
15. Magic


With the Howard trade and a couple of Knick additions, updated:

1. Heat
2. Pacers
3. Celtics
4. Knicks
5. Nets
6. Bulls
7. Hawks
8. Raptors
9. Sixers
10. Bucks
11. Wizards
12. Pistons
13. Cavs
14. Bobcats
15. Magic

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Agree with most of the updated standings, but i think the bobcats and the Magic should be switched. Certainly they will both go through complete tank sessions this season, but at least Orlando still has decent players like Turkoglu and role players like Redick and Big Baby. The bobcats have essentially no one near quality starting roles/bench roles other than Ben Gordon.

I can see us being in a pretty tight race with the Sixers, Wizards and Bucks for that 8th seed. A lot hinges on whether or not key players for each of these teams can stay healthy, and how quickly new players are able to adapt and integrate themselves into their team's system. I am, of course, slightly biased as Toronto is my team and I'm pretty pumped on how our roster's been shaping up, but I'm confident Toronto can pull through. Between Philly, Milwaukee and Washington, I honestly think they either made the wrong moves this offseason, or didn't make enough of them.

1: Heat
2: Pacers
3: Celtics
4: Nets
5: Knicks
6: Hawks
7: Bulls
8: Raptors
9: Sixers
10: Bucks
11: Wizards
12: Pistons
13: Cavaliers
14: Bobcats
15: Magic

This how the end of the season will look like

1: Heat (few additions can repeat)
2: Pacers (unchanged)
3: Celtics (old new additions will not help)
4: Nets (chemistry)
5: Knicks (Melo will he be a team player)
6: Raptors (potential young hungry) first 50 win season
7: Bucks (playoff team)
8: Wizards (with veteran now can they make a playoff run)
9: Sixers (little change address the center position)
10: Hawks (tanking)
11: Bulls ( no Rose no playoff)
12: Pistons (not ready for playoff)
13: Cavaliers (not ready for playoff)
14: Bobcats (not ready for playoff)
15: Magic (TANKING)

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mcsemcp73 wrote:

This how the end of the season will look like

1: Heat (few additions can repeat)
2: Pacers (unchanged)
3: Celtics (old new additions will not help)
4: Nets (chemistry)
5: Knicks (Melo will he be a team player)
6: Raptors (potential young hungry) first 50 win season
7: Bucks (playoff team)
8: Wizards (with veteran now can they make a playoff run)
9: Sixers (little change address the center position)
10: Hawks (tanking)
11: Bulls ( no Rose no playoff)
12: Pistons (not ready for playoff)
13: Cavaliers (not ready for playoff)
14: Bobcats (not ready for playoff)
15: Magic (TANKING)

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50 wins????? Wowzers. Be prepared for some serious disappointment, my friend.

1.Heat
2.Celtics
3.Pacers
4.Knicks
5.Nets
6.76ers
7.Bulls
8.Hawks
9.Raptors
10.Bucks
11.Wizrds
12.Pistons
13.Cavaliers
14.Magic
15.Bobcats

I see the Raptors in the 8-11 range though. The Wizards and bucks could possibly pass them in the standings too.

I don't get these lists. It looks like the Bulls are tanking, Orlando is tanking. New York played their best ball when they had a real point guard -- they don't anymore. The Nets added one starter -- they'll improve but playoffs? Hawks will have it tough. I really like the revamp Washington did, and the "new Sixers" ... In no particular order the 10 teams to watch should be:

Heat - Champs
Celtics - Getting older but enough young pieces to keep going
Pacers - This year they can make a big step
76ers - See above
Hawks - It'll be tough but they kept the most consistent pieces of their "core"
Raptors - An improving team traded a draft pick for a new leader, filled all perceived gaps, but will they gel?
Bucks - Weakness? An undersized backcourt
Wizards - Youth mixed with solid vets. Should be worth watching all year
Cavaliers - I like the young pieces they've assembled.
Nets - Like I said, they'll improve the question is how much?

Will this list change? Yes, pre-season trades and personnel moves still have to be made...

But, I know that I won't be watching a team with a patchwork back court with two overpaid stars whose games don't mesh. And I won't watch a team that traded away the best bench in the league while two of their starters won't be available for the start of the season. I don't want to see a team "led" by a man named "Big Baby" or a team owned by Michael Jordan (Until he inevitably gets tired of losing).

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blackjitsu wrote:

The Nets added one starter -- they'll improve but playoffs?

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Well don't forget that Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace only combined for 21 games last season. I think with those guys playing a full season, and D-Will having a lot of options now as a PG, the Nets are a lock for the playoffs.