Can Raptors compete for #1 seed in east this upcoming season?

[phiLLy]

For once I think it may take 45 or more wins to get the 8th seed

Don't think so to be honest. Maybe in the West, but not in the East.

[thead]

Don't think so to be honest. Maybe in the West, but not in the East.

Miami will drop off a bit...but Charlotte, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Washington are all coming back better
Indiana will probably hold or drop off a bit.

[phiLLy]

Miami will drop off a bit...but Charlotte, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Washington are all coming back better
Indiana will probably hold or drop off a bit.

You know what, you could be right. ATL was 8th last season, with 38 Wins. I guess we could potentially see 45 Wins.

Though, I think that depends on how bad the "lower" half the East is.

[Jamshid]

We had one of the best seasons in terms of injury. None of our major players were injured for extended period of time while many other teams had their stars out for a long time ( Chicago, Hawks, Boston and ...).

[mcHAPPY]

With Melo reportedly going back to the Knicks, East is wide open this year.

I don't think Raps get #1 but should win Atlantic and will be 2, 3, or 4.

[raptors999]

Saying Cavs are a lock neglects the fact that LeBron is 30, Cavs have no shooters to surround him and a spotty interior. Melo is just as impactful and the Knicks with the same problems were sub .500. This isnt the Lebron that left Cleveland four years ago.

[enlightenment]

This will be Cavs first year together. We don't know how he will jive with Irving, and how Wiggins will play out of the gate. I don't think its that easy to call the Cavs a lock until we actually see them play.

[white men can't jump]

Saying Cavs are a lock neglects the fact that LeBron is 30, Cavs have no shooters to surround him and a spotty interior. Melo is just as impactful and the Knicks with the same problems were sub .500. This isnt the Lebron that left Cleveland four years ago.

Melo is not as impactful as LeBron....that is all.

[Jamshid]

I predict here that Cavs will have a better record than us at the end of the season.

[Letter N]

We had one of the best seasons in terms of injury. None of our major players were injured for extended period of time while many other teams had their stars out for a long time ( Chicago, Hawks, Boston and ...).

That's true, but who do you think in the Atlantic could have a better record than us?

I think barring a huge injury or a trade by another team we're pretty much locked into the 3 or 4 spot for the playoffs.

[Jamshid]

That's true, but who do you think in the Atlantic could have a better record than us?

I think barring a huge injury or a trade by another team we're pretty much locked into the 3 or 4 spot for the playoffs.

I have the highest respect for Phil Jackson and he has been quiet so far waiting on Melo. I will see what he will do for the rest of the summer and will let you know. As far as Nets, I am not sure. Who is their coach now??

Boston and Phily are garbage this year.

[Bonus Jonas]

A bunch of people have Indiana, Cleveland, Chicago and Toronto as their top 4. That's actually impossible because Cleveland, Chicago and Indiana are all in the same division (probably the hardest division in the league now, Detroit and Milwaukee round it out).

Of those three teams, Chicago is probably the worst (unless they land Melo/Pau) which puts them at 5th in the conference.

1. Cleveland
2. Indiana
3. Toronto
4. Atlanta
5. Chicago
6. Miami
7. Washington
8. Charlotte

Miami, Atlanta and Washington will be battling HARD for their division title.

[Sam17]

That's true, but who do you think in the Atlantic could have a better record than us?

I think barring a huge injury or a trade by another team we're pretty much locked into the 3 or 4 spot for the playoffs.

Everyone's sleeping on Brooklyn

[JimiCliff]

Everyone's sleeping on Brooklyn

Last year, they only became a good team when Lopez went down.

He'll be healthy again.

They have some tough decisions to make.

[Raptorsss]

I have a hard time seeing Brooklyn miss the playoffs and that was the first time Melo has missed the playoffs in his career, so maybe last year was the aberration and not the 2012-2013 Knicks. I still think we win our division, but the Central is wide open.