[cominup7Participant]

It’s August and NBA rosters are starting to shape up, and in the vastly improved Eastern Conference you can pretty much plug in Miami, Chicago, Orlando and Boston (not necessarily in that order) into the top 4 playoff seeds.

But what about the 5-8 spots?

The East is VERY top heavy, but there are some talented teams that will give the top 4 a challenge. Here’s how I see it:
#5 Milwaukee – I like the trade for Maggette, as it takes the scoring pressure off of Jennings & Salmons and also strengthens an already solid bench

#6 Atlanta – Not addressing/upgrading the PG and C spots this summer will come back to haunt this team (especially in the playoffs) and ultimately will keep them from getting home court advantage in the revamped East

#7 New York – Without question the most athletic team in the NBA, and I expect Raymond Felton to have a breakout, borderline All-Star year leading the Knicks’ run ‘n’ gun offense

#8 Cleveland – Surprised? Of course losing you-know-who was a devastating blow, this team has too much veteran talent to fall into the lottery and they will be playing with something to prove

[PlatypusParticipant]

Cleveland, u really need to explain that one

[cominup7Participant]

So which one of these teams is better than the Cavs:

Indy?
Detroit?
NJ?
Charlotte?
Washington?
Philly?

I’m not saying that Cleveland will even have a .500 record, but the bottom of the East will be so bad that they will basically get the 8th seed by default.

Mo Williams
Anthony Parker
Antawn Jamison
JJ Hickson
Varejao

Gibson, Sessions, Moon, Powe, & Hollins

Its bad but not lottery bad…

[cominup7Participant]

So which one of these teams is better than the Cavs:

Indy?
Detroit?
NJ?
Charlotte?
Washington?
Philly?

I’m not saying that Cleveland will even have a .500 record, but the bottom of the East will be so bad that they will basically get the 8th seed by default.

Mo Williams
Anthony Parker
Antawn Jamison
JJ Hickson
Varejao

Gibson, Sessions, Moon, Powe, & Hollins

Its bad but not lottery bad…

[PlatypusParticipant]

1. Detroit is better if they keep everone

2. Philly is better if iggy stays and brand actually plays

[cominup7Participant]

How is Detroit better than Cleveland? A team full of scorers with no true PG to pass them the ball, and no post defenders at all (Monroe is not the answer).

And Philly is waayy too young to make any noise this year in the playoffs, even with Doug Collins coaching. Even if Iggy and Brand play well (and thats a very big IF for Brand), who else can score on a consistent basis? Jrue Holiday? Lou “Streaks” Williams? Thad Young or Evan Turner?

Cleveland at least has proven veterans, not rookies or young players, in crucial roles.

CLE Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison, JJ Hickson

DET Ben Gordon, Rip Hamilton, Charlie V

PHI Iggy, Jrue, Brand

I’ll take Cleveland

[PlatypusParticipant]

you mention 2 bench players for Detroit?

Stuckey – Bynum – White Parker – Gibson – Green
Prince – Daye – Summers > Moon – Eyenga – Green
Jerebko – Charlie V – Maxiell Varejao – Hollins

Detroit wins center based on depth

Holiday – Williams Parker – Gibson – Green
Iggy – Nocioni – Kapono > Moon – Eyenga – Green
Brand – Young – Smith < Jamison – Hickson – Powe
Speights – Hawes – Smith = Varejao – Hollins

Cavs only have depth at power forward and point guard

[mrknowitall313Participant]

the bobcats will be WAYYY better than the cavs and so will philly. the cavs have no go to scorer, the low post presence, no defensive presence, and they will have the worst bench in the east.

[cominup7Participant]

@symbol
The Pistons and 76ers both have more POTENTIAL to be good…but the Cavs have proven players (albeit role players) that have produced throughout their careers. Think of them as a less talented version of last year’s Rockets, a few good players (Jamison and Mo Williams) and a lot of role players that are gritty and tough (Powe, Varejao, Moon, Parker, etc.) but also players with potential still (Sessions, Hickson, Eyenga, etc).

@mrknowitall313
How are the Bobcats better than CLE? Because they have Gerald Wallace, Steve Jackson annnnd…..who else? Tyrus Thomas? DJ “One Year Wonder” Augustin? They will probably be worse than DET & PHI, and don’t have nearly the young talent. Charlotte is a team stuck in neutral right now, and THEIR bench is easily the worst in the East.

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