NBA Eastern Conference preview

After the San Antonio Spurs’ title run last year, one may wonder how any team from the east can go head-to-head with the juggernaut from Texas. Several eastern conference teams last year ended their season with something to prove. For the Detroit Pistons – they are still the team to beat in the east. In the case of the Miami Heat – with enough help, Shaquille O’Neal can still bring a title to South Beach. After that brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills last year, the Pacers are out to show the world that, when on the same page and with Ron Artest in a Pacer Uniform, they are still as dangerous as the Pacer team that won 61 games a couple of seasons ago. Aside from these three, most of the eastern teams are looking to show the Spurs and the rest of the west that the balance of power has shifted to their side.

op Two Teams

T Miami Heat – The Heat have been very busy in the off-season, overhauling a team that almost made it to the finals. Judging by talent alone, the Heat are clearly on top of the Eastern Conference. Factoring in team chemistry, coaching, health and competition, the worst the Heat can do in my opinion is fourth in the East. However, with a proven and core of Shaq and Dwyane Wade, Miami is the favorite to win the Eastern title. They’ve got the talent, the depth, they’ve got a good coach in Stan Van Gundy and they have guys hungry for a championship ring.

Detroit Pistons – Detroit missed their second title in a row by just one game. After bowing to San Antonio in seven and losing Hall-of-Fame coach Larry Brown, the Pistons must be looking to rebound this season. The Pistons‘ starting team remains intact and its bench only stronger with the additions of center Dale Davis and swingman Maurice Evans. These two will provide a lift to one of last year’s thinnest and underutilized benches. Also, one has to figure that it’s about time guys like Darko Milicic start significantly contributing.

Other Contenders

Indiana Pacers – Many people have forgotten about Indiana because they weren’t much of a team last year, after losing their top players to suspensions, including Ron Artest’s full-season exile. This is essentially the same team that sported the best record in the league not too long ago. Reggie Miller’s departure may have some effect, both on and off the hardwood, but the Pacers are talented and well coached and have to be itching to prove themselves after a bittersweet 04-05 campaign.

New Jersey Nets – If they added Shareef Abdur-Rahim like they intended, I’d pick them to finish better than at least one of the three teams mentioned above. They didn’t, however, but they still remain very talented and should still win the Atlantic Division. Apart from being very competitive, the Nets should also be very entertaining with Jason Kidd at the helm and Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson running the wings.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Lebron was supposed to break through to the playoffs last season. However, an ownership change, a coaching change and some player issues derailed Lebron and the Cavs as they missed the playoffs yet again. This year should bring a big difference with the additions of Donyell Marshall, Larry Hughes and Damon Jones.

Cellar Dwellers

Charlotte Bobcats – The Bobcats have promising players like Emeka Okafor, Sean May, Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brezec and Raymond Felton.

Toronto Raptors – This team has too many holes to fill to get a decent number of wins. They’ve got a promising big man in Chris Bosh and a proven scorer in Jalen Rose. Apart from that, this team has an unhappy point guard, an unproven center and whole lot of second-string quality players.

Team To Watch

Atlanta Hawks – Nobody cared about the Hawks last year. For the longest time, they have been as significant to the NBA as a soccer ball. This year they’ve added some young new talent, headlined by the acquisition of swingman and soon to be Hawks point guard Joe Johnson.

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For questions, comments or complaints, please e-mail me at emailcarlramirez@yahoo.com.