The Playoff Picture (East)
Dec 20, 2017 21:58:41 GMT -5
Philadelphia 76ers (Chris), Toronto Raptors (Perk), and 3 more like this
Post by The Athletic on Dec 20, 2017 21:58:41 GMT -5
Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks (8-0)
2. Milwaukee Bucks (7-2)
3. Washington Wizards (5-4)
4. Chicago Bulls (6-2)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (5-3)
6. Detroit Pistons (5-3)
7. Orlando Magic (5-4)
8. Toronto Raptors (4-4)
1. New York Knicks
Boy oh boy do the defending champs look good. The Knicks look more than ready to defend their total and have coasted to an 8-0 start this year. This team has a great mix of star power at the top with John Wall and Khris Middleton along with a ton of depth. The two keys this year have been the emergence of Spencer Dinwiddie and the development of TJ Warren. Spencer has shown he's more than capable as a starting point guard in this league. It will however be interesting to see how minutes are split when Druss comes back. I'm sure Din should still see mid 20 minutes but he'll be a lot less consistent. TJ Warren has really blossomed this year but weirdly has kinda cooled off since Booker has gotten hurt. Wall has had a down year even when he's been healthy, but i wouldn't count on that lasting too long. Jrue has had a really good year despite Demarcus's monster usage and the arrival of Rondo. Pau, Robin, and Stanley provide much needed depth. The fact of the matter is the Knicks haven't been clicking on all cylinders and are still 8-0, the Knicks are our title favorite right now. I'd love to see someone out East step up and make a run at the defending champs.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks boast the sickest duo in the league in Giannis and Kristaps, i mean how sick is that. The Bucks team really just relies on those two. If Porzingis and Giannis are healthy down the stretch and playing good basketball this team can hang with anyone, but if one of the two are hurt they'll struggle. It's a boom or bust formula that can lead to a title but also a disappointing playoffs. Gary Harris has really emerged this year and is averaging 25 from the shooting guard spot which is very impressive. E'Twaun Moore has had a renaissance this year and if he can keep up what he's done it will be huge for the Bucks moving forward. Overall the season's success will just come down to the health of the Bucks two superstar, as they just don't have a ton of depth. The Bucks are in a tough division and have the Bulls and Pistons on their backs, but if Zinger and Giannis stay healthy they should have enough firepower to win their second straight division title and make a deep run in the playoffs.
3. Washington Wizards
The Wizards started off tough but have really played well the past couple weeks and now are sitting atop the division with Isaiah Thomas close to a return. It's a pretty deep team with no true superstar. Dwight has probably been the Wizards best player and most consistent player but Otto isn't far behind. Saric has been really quite good this year, and if things come together the Wizards i could see them putting up a fight against some of the big dogs out East. Courtney Lee has been another really solid player this year. If Zinger and Timmy continue to miss time here and there Clee could be a really solid player the rest of the year. Bam will also really solid moving forward if Hassan continues to miss time. One player the Pistons really need help from is Reggie Jackson, he just doesn't have the trust of SVG right now and quite honestly just isn't that good. The Pistons aren't quite at the level as some other teams out East right now but if Isaiah comes back strong and certain players have big weeks the Wizards can play with anyone.
4. Chicago Bulls
Charlie and his Bulls have had a solid season. The Whiteside trade has looked good for them since Hassan has missed a large part of the season. The Bulls don't have any superstar but have a lot of nice depth. The team is led by Al Horford and CJ Mccollum. Horford has sneakily had a very very good year and is really just a great fit in Boston. CJ will continue to be limited as he plays second fiddle to Dame and has a lack of peripheral stats, but none the less will be very valuable at the shooting guard position. Robert Covington has been another guy who has really exceeded expectations, he's been great on defense and is knock down from beyond the arc. Tobias and Justin Holiday have also had good years, despite being up and down at times. While the Bulls aren't necessarily the favorite out West they probably have the most depth besides Knicks. If all their guys are healthy and going at the same time they can definitely make a run out East.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are another very very solid team in the balanced Eastern Conference. This is probably the team that i think has the best chance to beat the Knicks. Towns has had some up and downs, but he's been mostly up and should be a monster the rest of the way. Tyreke has probably been the biggest surprise out of anyone this and has been a legitimate stud all year long. If he should regress slightly when Conley returns but there is no reason to believe that he won't be at least a 25+ points per game player as the season carries on. Melo's been a disappointment this year, but i think a lot of people could have seen that coming with his age and the way the Thunder run the offense. Next up Derozan has been a really steady presence in the 6ers lineup all year along from the shooting guard position. As we move down the line i really think the key to how far this team goes is go is how quickly and effectively Deangelo Russell can get back. If Russ can get back to his pre injury form this team is scary. Hood and Taj have been great role players and really the more i look at at i think this Sixers team at full strength has a real shot at Knicks.
6. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are another team who have hung under the radar because of injuries, and once they get healthy could be a challenger. The Pistons big two are Kevin Love and Kawhi Leonard and are going to have to be huge down the stretch for the Pistons to have a chance to challenge the top dogs. Darren Collison has been a nice surprise so far this season and should be solid down the stretch. Lopez has been a disappointment as well. Overall it's a solid team but it's just not good enough to compete with the top dogs. Leonard and Love would have to be insane for the Pistons to make a run, but the Pistons are in striking distance so if they can make a deal or two towards the deadline who knows.
7. Orlando Magic
The Magic started off so hot but have faded fast and no longer sit stop the division that they have been atop of the whole season. It's hard to blame them, Fouriner has been hurt, Turner has taken a backseat to Oladipo, and Kanter has been inconsistent. There is a ton of promise with this team though, Tatum looks like a future star so the Magic really do have a good core. Overall this team has a bright future, but it's going to take a little bit of developing and a couple moves here and there. What is exciting is that the Magic will most likely have their first ever playoff appearance under Perry and will look to build off it in the coming seasons.
8. Toronto Raptors
Perk's Raptors currently occupy the 8th spot right now. And while this team definitely won't be challenging for a title this year, i like the roster construction and can see this team competing in the near future. The Raptors need their young ones to develop, the Hayward injury thrust Jaylen right into huge playing time and he's played awesome. Brown is firmly locked in as a building block for the Raps. Looking down the roster guys like Rivers, Gallo, Bradley, Smart, and even Theis are all solid solid players. Willy a key piece in the Draymond deal has been a huge disappointment, but i still believe in him longterm. The Raptors should continue to use this season as a way to develop their young players and maybe trade certain players like Rivers, Gallo etc for assets heading into the playoffs.
1. New York Knicks (8-0)
2. Milwaukee Bucks (7-2)
3. Washington Wizards (5-4)
4. Chicago Bulls (6-2)
5. Philadelphia 76ers (5-3)
6. Detroit Pistons (5-3)
7. Orlando Magic (5-4)
8. Toronto Raptors (4-4)
1. New York Knicks
Boy oh boy do the defending champs look good. The Knicks look more than ready to defend their total and have coasted to an 8-0 start this year. This team has a great mix of star power at the top with John Wall and Khris Middleton along with a ton of depth. The two keys this year have been the emergence of Spencer Dinwiddie and the development of TJ Warren. Spencer has shown he's more than capable as a starting point guard in this league. It will however be interesting to see how minutes are split when Druss comes back. I'm sure Din should still see mid 20 minutes but he'll be a lot less consistent. TJ Warren has really blossomed this year but weirdly has kinda cooled off since Booker has gotten hurt. Wall has had a down year even when he's been healthy, but i wouldn't count on that lasting too long. Jrue has had a really good year despite Demarcus's monster usage and the arrival of Rondo. Pau, Robin, and Stanley provide much needed depth. The fact of the matter is the Knicks haven't been clicking on all cylinders and are still 8-0, the Knicks are our title favorite right now. I'd love to see someone out East step up and make a run at the defending champs.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks boast the sickest duo in the league in Giannis and Kristaps, i mean how sick is that. The Bucks team really just relies on those two. If Porzingis and Giannis are healthy down the stretch and playing good basketball this team can hang with anyone, but if one of the two are hurt they'll struggle. It's a boom or bust formula that can lead to a title but also a disappointing playoffs. Gary Harris has really emerged this year and is averaging 25 from the shooting guard spot which is very impressive. E'Twaun Moore has had a renaissance this year and if he can keep up what he's done it will be huge for the Bucks moving forward. Overall the season's success will just come down to the health of the Bucks two superstar, as they just don't have a ton of depth. The Bucks are in a tough division and have the Bulls and Pistons on their backs, but if Zinger and Giannis stay healthy they should have enough firepower to win their second straight division title and make a deep run in the playoffs.
3. Washington Wizards
The Wizards started off tough but have really played well the past couple weeks and now are sitting atop the division with Isaiah Thomas close to a return. It's a pretty deep team with no true superstar. Dwight has probably been the Wizards best player and most consistent player but Otto isn't far behind. Saric has been really quite good this year, and if things come together the Wizards i could see them putting up a fight against some of the big dogs out East. Courtney Lee has been another really solid player this year. If Zinger and Timmy continue to miss time here and there Clee could be a really solid player the rest of the year. Bam will also really solid moving forward if Hassan continues to miss time. One player the Pistons really need help from is Reggie Jackson, he just doesn't have the trust of SVG right now and quite honestly just isn't that good. The Pistons aren't quite at the level as some other teams out East right now but if Isaiah comes back strong and certain players have big weeks the Wizards can play with anyone.
4. Chicago Bulls
Charlie and his Bulls have had a solid season. The Whiteside trade has looked good for them since Hassan has missed a large part of the season. The Bulls don't have any superstar but have a lot of nice depth. The team is led by Al Horford and CJ Mccollum. Horford has sneakily had a very very good year and is really just a great fit in Boston. CJ will continue to be limited as he plays second fiddle to Dame and has a lack of peripheral stats, but none the less will be very valuable at the shooting guard position. Robert Covington has been another guy who has really exceeded expectations, he's been great on defense and is knock down from beyond the arc. Tobias and Justin Holiday have also had good years, despite being up and down at times. While the Bulls aren't necessarily the favorite out West they probably have the most depth besides Knicks. If all their guys are healthy and going at the same time they can definitely make a run out East.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are another very very solid team in the balanced Eastern Conference. This is probably the team that i think has the best chance to beat the Knicks. Towns has had some up and downs, but he's been mostly up and should be a monster the rest of the way. Tyreke has probably been the biggest surprise out of anyone this and has been a legitimate stud all year long. If he should regress slightly when Conley returns but there is no reason to believe that he won't be at least a 25+ points per game player as the season carries on. Melo's been a disappointment this year, but i think a lot of people could have seen that coming with his age and the way the Thunder run the offense. Next up Derozan has been a really steady presence in the 6ers lineup all year along from the shooting guard position. As we move down the line i really think the key to how far this team goes is go is how quickly and effectively Deangelo Russell can get back. If Russ can get back to his pre injury form this team is scary. Hood and Taj have been great role players and really the more i look at at i think this Sixers team at full strength has a real shot at Knicks.
6. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are another team who have hung under the radar because of injuries, and once they get healthy could be a challenger. The Pistons big two are Kevin Love and Kawhi Leonard and are going to have to be huge down the stretch for the Pistons to have a chance to challenge the top dogs. Darren Collison has been a nice surprise so far this season and should be solid down the stretch. Lopez has been a disappointment as well. Overall it's a solid team but it's just not good enough to compete with the top dogs. Leonard and Love would have to be insane for the Pistons to make a run, but the Pistons are in striking distance so if they can make a deal or two towards the deadline who knows.
7. Orlando Magic
The Magic started off so hot but have faded fast and no longer sit stop the division that they have been atop of the whole season. It's hard to blame them, Fouriner has been hurt, Turner has taken a backseat to Oladipo, and Kanter has been inconsistent. There is a ton of promise with this team though, Tatum looks like a future star so the Magic really do have a good core. Overall this team has a bright future, but it's going to take a little bit of developing and a couple moves here and there. What is exciting is that the Magic will most likely have their first ever playoff appearance under Perry and will look to build off it in the coming seasons.
8. Toronto Raptors
Perk's Raptors currently occupy the 8th spot right now. And while this team definitely won't be challenging for a title this year, i like the roster construction and can see this team competing in the near future. The Raptors need their young ones to develop, the Hayward injury thrust Jaylen right into huge playing time and he's played awesome. Brown is firmly locked in as a building block for the Raps. Looking down the roster guys like Rivers, Gallo, Bradley, Smart, and even Theis are all solid solid players. Willy a key piece in the Draymond deal has been a huge disappointment, but i still believe in him longterm. The Raptors should continue to use this season as a way to develop their young players and maybe trade certain players like Rivers, Gallo etc for assets heading into the playoffs.
