As the NBA season starts to get closer, I think it's nice to have some early playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference. For starters, I am choosing the Eastern Conference because I am a fan of the Detroit Pistons and they happen to be in the Eastern Conference. I promise you I won't put them at number one because they are my favorite team. I may not be an expert, but I feel like I have a general idea on what some of the best teams are in the Eastern Conference and who has the best shot of going to the playoffs. So without further ado, here are my predictions for the upcoming 2016-2017 NBA Season.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
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The Cavs are coming off last years championship and are bound to repeat that and have an even better season than last year. Their is no doubt in my mind, that they will remain at the number 1 spot in the eastern conference this year. Although LeBron James is getting up there in age, he still is the star player of this team and is still one of the top 5 players in the league. They also have Kyrie Irving who I consider to be one of the top 5 point guards in the NBA right now after his amazing performance in the NBA Finals last year. Also can expect a big season from returning starters Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love. If these guys keep it together this season and stay healthy, there is no reason for them not to remain number one in the Eastern Conference.
Starting 5: PG Kyrie Irving SG Iman Shumpert SF LeBron James PF Kevin Love C Tristan Thompson
2. Boston Celtics
This team is one of the most up and coming teams in the NBA right now and actually have a legitimate chance of stunning the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals if they get their. With some big moves they made over the off season signing Al Horford, their team is basically complete and they have a legitimate squad. Isaiah Thomas is a fantastic point guard and will come up big for them in close games and they can also rely on their bench to give them some good minutes with Amir Johnson and bruiser Marcus Smart. Boston could make an interesting run when they get to the playoffs this year and all of the teams in the NBA should take notice.
Starting 5: PG Isaiah Thomas SG Avery Bradley SF Jae Crowder PF Jonas Jerebko C Al Horford
3. Toronto Raptors
Nothing has really changed for this team except a release of the reliable Bismack Biyombo. Last year, they were the two seed and this year I am moving them down a ranking. They still are one of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference without question. With the dynamic duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan plus the great play of center Jonas Valanciunas, they are a very powerful team in the east. I just don't know what kind of run they will make in the playoffs this year. They went far last year, but this year, I expect them to do very well in the regular season to get the three seed, but I also expect them to lose in the Eastern Conference Semi's to what possibly will be the Boston Celtics.
Starting 5: PG Kyle Lowry SG DeMar Derozan SF DeMarre Carroll PF Patrick Patterson C Jonas Valanciunas
4. Indiana Pacers
I think that this is the most complete team that the pacers have had in a very long time since Reggie Miller was their. Paul George is a superstar and without a doubt one of the best players in the NBA. He is the main reason for me why they are number four in the Eastern Conference. And with them signing free agents Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young to fill some spots, they look like they could make a solid run in the playoffs. This Pacers team has a lot of potential to do some interesting things this year. If they don't get to the 4th seed this year, they will still without a doubt in my mind make the playoffs.
Starting 5: PG Jeff Teague SG Monta Ellis SF Paul George PF Thaddeus Young C Myles Turner
5. Detroit Pistons
What Coach Stan Van Gundy is doing in Detroit is unbelievable. The Pistons are back on the map and many Eastern Conference teams know this. They have the great combo of Point Guard Reggie Jackson and Center Andre Drummond. They filled their bench in the offseason by signing Guard Ish Smith and Forward Jon Leuer. And coming off of his sophomore year, Stanley Johnson could go into beast mode and make some big plays this year. Right now, Jackson is out with a knee injury so Ish Smith will take over as the starting Point Guard. But when Reggie comes back, this team is going to be very exciting to watch and I hope that they make a strong run in the playoffs.
Starting 5: PG Ish Smith SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SF Marcus Morris PF Tobias Harris C Andre Drummond
6. Washington Wizards
This may come as a surprise to some people because they didn't make the playoffs last year and they did just lose power forward Nene who was a key part in their rotation. But this team is very good if they stay healthy. John Wall is one of the top Point Guards in the NBA and with Bradley Beal by his side, they have a tremendous 1-2 punch. Also Marcin Gortat is a very dominant center in this league that will give them great minutes in the starting lineup. If they stay healthy and play hard every game, this will be my sleeper team that makes it to the playoffs this year.
Starting 5: PG John Wall SG Bradley Beal SF Otto Porter Jr. PF Markieff Morris C Marcin Gortat
7. Chicago Bulls
Dwayne Wade is back home where he belongs. He may be getting older and coming close to retirement, but he is still a fantastic player in the NBA. This Chicago team is better than what people think. They have Up and Coming star Jimmy Butler who could have a big year and also a great outside shooter and power forward in Nikola Mirotic. This team may not be as good as they were in the Jordan era, but they are to be taking seriously for playoff contention. If they make it to the playoffs, there's no telling what kind of clutch performance Wade will have.
Starting 5: PG Rajon Rondo SG Dwayne Wade SF Jimmy Butler PF Taj Gibson C Robin Lopez
8. New York Knicks
To be very frank, I don't like the Knicks. However, I will admit that their team has officially gotten better after some of the off season moves they made. They still have superstar Carmelo Anthony and Up and Comer Kristaps Porzingis, but they also made moves to get Courtney Lee, Derrick Rose, and Joakim Noah. This team has a stacked starting lineup that will come ready to play. It's their bench that slows them down. But if they can keep a winning record in the Eastern Conference, no doubt in my mind they will make it to the playoffs.
Starting 5: PG Derrick Rose SG Courtney Lee SF Carmelo Anthony PF Kristaps Porzingis C Joakim Noah
That is my predictions for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Hope you enjoy.
