Post by noves on Nov 23, 2008 14:01:12 GMT -5
1. Detroit Pistons - Jay has done a phenomenal job with this team, and while there has certainly been an element of luck involved, he deserves a lot of credit. After finishing 2nd in the division last year, the Pistons quietly had one of the better offseasons in the league, adding Tyson Chandler and Jason Maxiell to their previously thin frontcourt. The Pistons also had a terrific Training Camp, as their young guns continued to improve. This team has a very bright future, and should be able to win 50 games this year with ease.
Projected Record: 55-27
2. Chicago Bulls - After acquiring superstar LeBron James last season, the Bulls went on a tear and won the Central. They failed in the playoffs however, as they were ousted in the 2nd round. The Bulls didn't do much in the offseason, and if anything, they're worse then they were last year. However, because LeBron is so good, and because they've got two very good players around him in Gerald Green and Hasheem Thabeet, the Bulls should still be a quality team.
Projected Record: 49-33
3. Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks lucked out last year in that they landed two very good big men due to teams going over the hard cap. David West and Al Horford are quality bigs, who despite not being good rebounders, are still very impactful. Then, factor in the young star LaQuinton Ross, the newly accquired superstar PG Monta Elis, and the quality depth around them, and you've got yourself a quality team. They should be a solid team, and are a team that I think could make some noise in the playoffs.
Projected Record: 47-35
4. Atlanta Hawks - Skillz [of course] made a lot of moves in the offseason. He made a huge trade to acquire D.J. Augustin, signed Kwame Brown and Caron Butler, and traded for James Harden and Ron Artest. The Hawks are a very good defensive team who've also got some quality scorers. However, they lack a true #1 option, which could hurt them. Still, their depth and defense should carry them to the playoffs.
Projected Record: 46-36
5. Toronto Raptors - DJ may have the best young big in the league in Renardo Sidney, but he doesn't have the talent around him to compete. The Jennings-Evans backcourt is solid, but the lack of legitimate starters at the SF and C positions will hurt the Raptors. They'll be above .500, but probably won't make the playoffs.
Projected Record: 43-39
6. Indiana Pacers - After an awful season last year, the Pacers landed the #1 pick, only to trade it away to the Clippers. The trade has drawn both praise and criticism, mainly criticism, and especially after Training Camp, it looks like a mistake. The Pacers also made some noise in Free Agency signing Michael Dunigan, Herb Pope, and Carlos Boozer. Dunigan had a very disappointing TC, but the Pacers as a team did well. They are still young, and the East is stacked, so they likely won't hit 40 or make the playoffs.
Projected Record: 37-45
7. New Orleans Hornets - Captain's mistake of signing Andrew Bogut to such a large contract led him to go over the hard cap, which in effect crippled his franchise. He was forced to trade Renardo Sidney, and while he got a solid package back in return, his team really does not have a direction. Griffin, Mayo, and Pierce are a nice 1-2-3 punch, but the team is very weak at the forward positions and has no depth. It will be a challenge for this team to compete this year, and they probably won't win more then 35 games.
Projected Record: 34-48
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Derwin has made it very clear that he is going to tank this season. He's going to need to move Arenas and Carter to do so, but that really should not be a problem. He's made some controversial trades this offseason, some of which were strongly criticized, but if he can get a solid package for Arenas, he should be in okay shape. Fester Bickel looks like an intriguing young SG, but they need a franchise player, and he'll tank to get one.
Projected Record: 22-60
Projected Record: 55-27
2. Chicago Bulls - After acquiring superstar LeBron James last season, the Bulls went on a tear and won the Central. They failed in the playoffs however, as they were ousted in the 2nd round. The Bulls didn't do much in the offseason, and if anything, they're worse then they were last year. However, because LeBron is so good, and because they've got two very good players around him in Gerald Green and Hasheem Thabeet, the Bulls should still be a quality team.
Projected Record: 49-33
3. Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks lucked out last year in that they landed two very good big men due to teams going over the hard cap. David West and Al Horford are quality bigs, who despite not being good rebounders, are still very impactful. Then, factor in the young star LaQuinton Ross, the newly accquired superstar PG Monta Elis, and the quality depth around them, and you've got yourself a quality team. They should be a solid team, and are a team that I think could make some noise in the playoffs.
Projected Record: 47-35
4. Atlanta Hawks - Skillz [of course] made a lot of moves in the offseason. He made a huge trade to acquire D.J. Augustin, signed Kwame Brown and Caron Butler, and traded for James Harden and Ron Artest. The Hawks are a very good defensive team who've also got some quality scorers. However, they lack a true #1 option, which could hurt them. Still, their depth and defense should carry them to the playoffs.
Projected Record: 46-36
5. Toronto Raptors - DJ may have the best young big in the league in Renardo Sidney, but he doesn't have the talent around him to compete. The Jennings-Evans backcourt is solid, but the lack of legitimate starters at the SF and C positions will hurt the Raptors. They'll be above .500, but probably won't make the playoffs.
Projected Record: 43-39
6. Indiana Pacers - After an awful season last year, the Pacers landed the #1 pick, only to trade it away to the Clippers. The trade has drawn both praise and criticism, mainly criticism, and especially after Training Camp, it looks like a mistake. The Pacers also made some noise in Free Agency signing Michael Dunigan, Herb Pope, and Carlos Boozer. Dunigan had a very disappointing TC, but the Pacers as a team did well. They are still young, and the East is stacked, so they likely won't hit 40 or make the playoffs.
Projected Record: 37-45
7. New Orleans Hornets - Captain's mistake of signing Andrew Bogut to such a large contract led him to go over the hard cap, which in effect crippled his franchise. He was forced to trade Renardo Sidney, and while he got a solid package back in return, his team really does not have a direction. Griffin, Mayo, and Pierce are a nice 1-2-3 punch, but the team is very weak at the forward positions and has no depth. It will be a challenge for this team to compete this year, and they probably won't win more then 35 games.
Projected Record: 34-48
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Derwin has made it very clear that he is going to tank this season. He's going to need to move Arenas and Carter to do so, but that really should not be a problem. He's made some controversial trades this offseason, some of which were strongly criticized, but if he can get a solid package for Arenas, he should be in okay shape. Fester Bickel looks like an intriguing young SG, but they need a franchise player, and he'll tank to get one.
Projected Record: 22-60
