With about 25 games in the books, it is not too early to start looking at the playoffs. By this point in the season, the struggle for seeding begins and the difference between being a top seed or just missing the playoffs starts to unfold. This may be only the first third of the season, but with so many superstars displaying their greatness and the plethora of rookies showing their worth, the way teams start has a huge impact on where a team finishes. This is my first set of predictions for the 2018 - 2019 NBA Easter Conference playoff picture.
Eastern Conference Playoff Seeding
1. Toronto Raptors
The team that has easily asserted themselves to the top spot in the East after the departure of Lebron James. With the upgrade from Demar Derozan to an MVP caliber player in Kawhi Leonard and a deep, playoff tested roster, the Raptors are perfectly set up to run the table.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Two Words: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Averaging 27.6 PPG and 13.2 RPG on almost 58 percent shooting, Antetokounmpo is and has been capable of leading his team to a top seed. This team's playoff success will be predicated on strong play from his supporting cast in players like Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon as well as Antetokounmpo's ability to close games.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
With Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler all on the same team, it would be nothing less than a disappointment if they were a low seed in the weak East. They have a prolific facilitator, a dominant big man and a veteran All Star caliber finisher who they can trust to take them home in the final minutes of games. If they can sure of their bench and add some more shooting, they are significant threat.
4. Boston Celtics
An underachieving team with too much talent to fall out of the conversation of top teams in the conference. In the regular season, having a lot of talent just extends how long a team must work on playing together, but come playoff time talent is the difference between being swept in the first round and making it to the conference championship. One thing the Celtics have over every other team in the league outside of the Warriors is their amount of talent.
5. Detroit Pistons
To put it simply, Blake Griffin has been playing out of his mind and Andre Drummond has a chance of averaging 20 points and 20 rebounds per game by season's end. Guard play on the offensive end is their biggest dilemma with Reggie Jackson being the only guard providing any scoring with 16 PPG, but their domination on the glass is what makes them a wild card come playoff time.
6. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are a gritty, team oriented team that plays well enough to make the playoffs. Victor Oladipo has proven that he is a viable number one option, but Myles Turner has yet to have that break out season. Turner's ability to improve his current averages of only 11.3 PPG and 6 RPG is what will have the greatest impact on how far this team can go.
7. Orlando Magic
This team has definitely improved, but they are still a young team. With all their length, athleticism and their ability to get out and run on the fast break, the Magic definitely have the talent to make the playoffs.
8. Charlotte Hornets
Honestly, the Hornets will only make the playoffs because of Kemba Walker. Without Walker, the Hornets would be tanking their way to the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft so they could get Zion Williamson. But, with Walker playing like he never has before averaging almost 30 PPG, he has done/will do just enough to make them a playoff team.
