Eastern Conference
Central Division
(Predicted order of finish)
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The city of Cleveland has been wishing for a championship for 52 years and LeBron James fulfilled his promise to deliver one. Of course, they were really hoping for a ring for the Browns or the Indians. So it’s sort of like when you opened your Christmas present that you thought was a new Xbox , but it turned out to be a sweater. I mean it’s a nice sweater but…
2. Indiana Pacers
Larry Bird was not content with just making the playoffs last year, so he fired head coach Frank Vogel, and retooled his roster yet again. He hired Nate McMillan and then made moves to bring Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young to Indiana.
This group actually looks pretty good, at least on paper.
The problem is they look pretty undersized in real life.
3. Detroit Pistons
In 2014 Stan Van Gundy took over as the head coach and president of basketball operations of the Pistons, and took a team that had gone 29-53 before he arrived, to the playoffs last season.
Detroit was 44-38 and showed that Van Gundy is capable of turning most anything around.
Well…except for Andre Drummond’s horrible free throw shooting.
4. Chicago Bulls
Just one year ago, we were all thinking that maybe Chicago could battle with Cleveland, and be a contender in the Eastern Conference.
Now Derrick Rose is gone, Pau Gasol is gone, Joakim Noah is gone, and the Bulls are coming off of a dismal season in which they were barely above .500.
What a difference a year makes.
But one thing hasn’t changed in that year.
Dwayne Wade didn’t get any younger.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks struggled last season with higher expectations, but don’t be surprised if this group responds with a strong showing this year.
They have a good young nucleus with Jabari Parker, Greg Monroe, Michael Carter-Williams and Giannis Ateku…Antetonkou…Antetenk…Anktekom…Antentokunum…the Greek Freak.
