One of my least favorite NBA twitter things is when people just assume the Eastern Conference is a couple notches above the G-League. That just tells me who have no idea what you’re talking about. The Eastern Conference is three deep, four when Kevin Durant returns. It’s a conference with a lot of great talent, teams with potential, and three teams who can win a championship and I wouldn’t even flinch. This is the grit conference. Let’s get into it.
1, Philadelphia 76ers
- This is a make it or break it season for the Sixers. If the Sixers don’t start advancing to the ECF or The Finals, when do people start giving up on The Process? The 76ers have the best version of their team heading into the 2019/2020 season, but it’s up to their best two players to take them to the NBA Finals. Al Horford was a huge signing. The contract isn’t going to look pretty in a couple of years, but right now the 76ers have the best front court in the NBA that could defend really well, and shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor. They re-signed Tobias Harris and acquired Josh Richardson to add some consistent shooting from the outside. All of this means nothing if Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid don’t figure out their shit. It’s time. Ben Simmons, can he hit the big shot when the game is on the line? He has to put it all together this year. He’s one of the best overall players in the NBA, and he’s a jump shot from being considered one of the ten best players in the world. Joel Embiid, can he stay healthy? Put down the chicken sandwich, drink a fucking strawberry and banana smoothie, and get your body ready for 82 plus games. I’m predicting this team to win the Eastern Conference because they have everything they need to win in the NBA Finals, but will they get in their own way?
2, Milwaukee Bucks
- They have the best player in the conference. Giannis is coming out and he’s going to defend his MVP. There’s really no doubt in my mind about that. He’s a top 3 player in the world, and he can be the guy that takes LeBron’s place in the near future. No matter what, Giannis being Giannis makes the Bucks championship contenders. Here’s where I get a little nervous about this team. Will the playoff disaster from Eric Bledsoe carry over to the regular season? Will Khris Middleton have another All Star season? Bledsoe might be shot, and I’m not completely sure if Middleton can pull off what he did last year. I love their depth. Korver, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez, George Hill, and Pat Connaughton, but when comes down to the playoffs you need your starters to help out your star, and Brook Lopez isn’t going to be enough. They’re still going to be really good, but losing Malcolm Brogdon is going to hurt more than people expect, and this season for the Bucks it’s going to be a one man freak show.
3, Boston Celtics
- I am a billion percent confident in this prediction. Things are going to be better for the Boston Celtics. Brad Stevens is one of the top 10 coaches in the NBA, Tatum is a franchise player, Jaylen Brown is really good, Gordon Hayward gets a healthy season under his belt, and adding an all star point guard like Kemba Walker who’s not going to stir up any trouble are all signs of having an improved season. Lets just face it. Everyone on the Celtics fucking hated Kyrie Irving. His antics, and his drama dragged this team down, and now Boston got the poison out. Losing Al Horford is going to suck, and replacing him with Enes Kanter sure won’t do the Celtics any favors on defense and the likability category. Here’s a name to keep your eye on: Robert Williams. PF/C out of Texas A&M. He’s very physical on both ends of the floor, and could do two things with the basketball. Slamming it down, or making the smart pass. His shot is still developing. I’m predicting Robert Williams to have a breakout season, and I’m predicting the Celtics to have a better season.
4, Brooklyn Nets
- If Kevin Durant was healthy this is a no brainier and the Nets are being picked to finish first in the East. I have my doubts about the Nets. Seriously. Kyrie Irving left such a bad taste in everyone’s mouths last season that people are remembering him more for his dumbass press conferences, than they are for his incredible play. Here’s why I think it could be different. For the first time since deciding to go to Duke, this is the first time Kyrie Irving picked the team he wanted to be on. He’s back home, and just like in Boston, he has a lot of young talent around him. Caris LaVert, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris, and Spencer Dinwiddie. I predict we see a motivated Kyrie Irving because we have to. He’s an awesome basketball player, but if there’s one more problem that Kyrie has in a locker room his reputation will be forever destroyed. I think LaVert takes that next step into top 40/30 players in the world range, and Kyrie gets it together and has a terrific season.
5, Indiana Pacers
- One question. Is Victor Oladipo healthy? I really like the moves they made this offseason. They got TJ Warren for pretty much nothing, and then they stole Malcolm Brogdon from Milwaukee. The Midwest Crime of the Century. Pacers are a solid group of guys with talented players, but depending on how much time Oladipo misses I cannot put them ahead of the 5th best team in the East.
6, Miami Heat
- I want this team to suck so bad. I really don’t like Jimmy Butler. Team to team, can’t keep his mouth shut, I’m just fed the fuck up with the whole thing. You want to know what’s going to make this worse? When OKC trades Chris Paul to Miami. This team is going to be the WORST! I already want this team to lose and it feels amazing. I’m back hating LeBron and Miami. Life can’t get any better.
7, Toronto Raptors
- Nick Nurse, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, and Pascal Siakim. Even without Kawhi I’m still taking this team over the Pistons, Magic, and whoever else is hanging on by a thread in the Eastern Conference.
8, Chicago Bulls
- You god damn right. I’m seeing red again and it feels fucking amazing. Zach LaVine is my breakout player of the year, Lauri is going to put himself as a top 20 player in the world, Otto Porter will turn into one of the leagues best two way players, and the progress of Wendell Carter Jr and Coby White will make the Bulls dangerous, and a team with a bright future.
Twitter: @realJohnStocco
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