Post by 20/20/20/20 on Oct 17, 2010 12:25:27 GMT -5
Boston Celtics
Projected Record: 66-16
The defending champions are back and look stronger than ever. After adding #3 overall pick Lamarcus Aldridge down low and bringing every key player back from the consensus #1 team in the league last year, it is hard to find anything not to like on the Celtics. The team has depth, offense, defense, rebounding and has managed to accumulate it all while staying under the soft cap. The Celtics combination of youth, talent, and cap flexibility will have them as contenders each and every season for the foreseeable future. In 2006, look for the improved Dwyane Wade to become even more of a force. Wade and Marion will lead the team with defensive stoppers Kendrick Perkins and Ime Udoka playing second fiddle. One interesting battle to watch is who gets the majority of playing time at PF, as Marc Jackson might be slightly better than LMA right now, but Aldridge is the team's future and Jackson is in the final year of his contract. In the end, look for the Celtics to once again find themselves atop the East.
Chicago Bulls
Projected Record: 55-27
The Bulls made the playoffs for the first time in 2005 which has to be considered a success. But with star SG Michael Redd injured for the first couple games, the Bulls were bounced in the first round by the Heat. After a fantastic training camp, this team looks ready to make the next step in 2006. Led by superstar PF Kevin Garnett, the Bulls are my favorites to win the Central division. If there is one weakness on this team it is the small forward position where Gerald Green will be a good player in a year or two, but right now isn't on the level of the rest of the Bulls' starting five. Look for Chicago to be among the East's elite all season, and possibly make some noise in the playoffs as well this year.
Rumors have already been swirling about a Michael Redd trade so it appears that will be a story to follow all season long as their GM is infamous for his itchy trigger finger.
New York Knicks
Projected Record: 62-20
Marcus Camby is the headline grabbing newcomer in NYC and the Knicks were able to bring back the rest of their core from 05. The bench looks a little weaker than last season, but the starters are improved so I don't expect to see a dropoff for the Knicks. Rookie Rudy Gay should provide 25 good minutes off the bench and give Knick fans something to be excited about in the future. Even though the Knicks should be one of the best teams in TMBSL in 2006, there is another big story brewing in the Big Apple. Lebron James is in the last year of his contract, and while no one would be surprised if he opts to re-up in New York, he would most certainly be the most coveted free agent in league history if he hit the open market. Will the Knicks be able to handle the constant media speculation about where Lebron will play in 2007? Stay tuned.
Miami Heat
Projected Record: 57-25
The Heat are back with an improved team from 05. They didn't add any big name FAs due to their cap situation, but added a good young PG in Rajon Rondo via the draft, and were able to bring back Paccelis Morlende to shore up their PG situation. Dwight Howard made big strides in the offseason and looks ready to take the next step to stardom. Paul Pierce is one of the top players in TMBSL even if he doesn't get the publicity of some of the other big names.
The Heat have an All Star caliber player at every position besides PG which would be the team's weakness if you had to choose one.
Atlanta Hawks
Projected Record: 48-34
After breaking their 2nd round jinx and losing to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hawks had an extremely disappointing preseason going only 13-20. But years past have shown us that preseason results mean little. The big story of the offseason for the Hawks was the flip flopping of Manu Ginobili to PG and Jay Williams to SG, a move that puts each of them in a position that better suits their skill sets. It was a bit shocking to me that the Hawks gave Williams a 7 year MAX deal, and in my opinion, he isn't worth that money. Marcus Camby was bought out for cap flexibility so that means Loren Woods will be counted on for big minutes down low. The Hawks are a very good, young team but it remains to be seen if they can get over the hump and make it to the Finals.
Charlotte Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets
Projected Record: 48-34
After losing in Game 7 of the TMBSL finals to the Kings in 2004, the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets had a very disappointing season last year ending up as the 6 seed in the East. After a first round upset of the Knicks, the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets held a 3-1 lead on the Hawks in the 2nd round and looked destined for a conference finals rematch with the Celtics. 3 losses later, the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets were back to the drawing board. Without much cap flexibility or space on the roster, the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets weren't too active in free agency, simply bringing back SG Fred Jones, C Adonal Foyle, and then inking PG Travis Best to the LLE to backup new starting PG Raymond Felton. The Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets have high hopes for Felton in the future, but he is probably still a year or two away from being the PG of a contending team. Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets mainstays Rashard Lewis and Rasheed Wallace are back and Charlotte hopes for a big year out of C Kenyon Martin if they want to break back into the top 4 seeds in the East.
Overall, I expect the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets rebounding and defensive weakness at the guard spots to keep them from being a true contender in 2006, but they should make the playoffs for the 6th consecutive season.
Toronto Raptors
Projected Record: 46-36
One of the league's most successful franchises, the Raptors were sitting at home come playoff time for the first time in franchise history last season. Antawn Jamison helped Kobe Bryant out, but other than that the team didn't have much. Tyson Chandler looks improved at C, but this team still lacks a good PF. Jason Williams should be good enough at PG, and I expect Kobe to once again put the team on his back and carry them to the postseason. I don't think the Raptors are a true contender in 2006, but I know that I wouldn't want to face a team with Kobe Bryant in the playoffs. Whoever draws the Raptors should be on upset alert.
Detroit Pistons
Projected Record: 43-39
The suddenly young Pistons are DEEP with talent and this could be the year they start to make strides forward. Even though they had the 2nd worst record in the league in 2005, I love this team's depth and wouldn't be shocked if they ended up higher than the 8 seed come season's end. At PG they have Curry and Bell, at SG they have stud rookie Brandon Roy and Kelenna Azubuike, SF is loaded with Josh Smith, Luol Deng and Kirk Snyder, PF features Tim Duncan and potential laden rookie Andrea Bargnani, and at C the Pistons have Brendan Haywood. The only real weaknesses on this team are the lack of a quality backup big man and the lack of outside scoring.
Indiana Pacers
Projected Record: 42-40
Last year's Pacers team made huge strides forward and were famous for knocking off some of the league's elite. The Pacers went 4-0 vs the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets and 3-1 vs the Celtics in 2005 but fell just short of the franchise's first playoff appearance. The team's main weakness in 2005 was the PG spot and that has been addressed in a big way via the lottery selection of Guillermo Diaz, who now looks like a steal at #8 in the draft. The Pacers also added veteran SG Derek Anderson who should give the team solid minutes at the 2. Carmelo Anthony elected to return to Naptown and the Pacers will build around him for years to come. I have the Pacers predicted 9th, just outside the playoffs again, but they could easily break through and make the playoffs this year.
Washington Wizards
Projected Record: 40-42
What a difference a year makes. In a fantastic rebuilding effort by their GM, the Wizards have been transformed from worst team in league history to playoff contender in a stacked Eastern Conference in just one offseason. GM Clown's plan was executed to perfection and the team now has a good to great starter at every position on the floor. Greg Oden will be rookie of the year and Mo Williams looks to be the PG of the future for this team. It is hard to see a big difference between teams like the Wizards and the Hawks, who I have as the 5 seed. The East is much improved in 2006.
New Jersey Nets
Projected Record: 36-46
The Nets were very excited to bring back Yao Ming this offseason and will look to Yao and Randy Foye to lead their team in 2006. I love the combo of Foye and Yao but I don't think there is enough surrounding them for this team to make the playoffs out East. Barnes is a good SG and Turiaf is pretty good at PF, but SF is a huge weakness for this team.
Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Record: 36-46
The Bucks have been very close to making the playoffs each of the last 2 seasons but have fallen short each year. Bucks fans will be sorry to hear that I see the same fate for the team in 2006. They certainly have the talent but so do all the teams they are competing with. Darko looks ready to become a star and this team is absolutely loaded at SF. Maybe they can look to turn some of their excess SF guys into assets that would be more valuable to their team. In the end, wouldn't be surprised to see this team in the playoffs but there is just so much competition in the East in 2006.
Orlando Magic
Projected Record: 34-48
I don't hesistate to say that Orlando has the best starting guards in the league, but they severely lack quality big men down low. The Kwame Brown contract looks worse and worse by the day, but the Magic hope newly acquired Desagana Diop can be the guy they need on the blocks. SF is a big time weakness as well, and I felt they overpaid for Jared Jeffries who has disappointed owners at each stop in TMBSL. If the Magic are going to make any noise, it is going to be due to Williams and Arenas.
Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Record: 33-49
This team has some major talent but it is all focused on the outside. I love the trio of Kidd, Battier and Hill, but the Sixers are painfully thin down low. I don't see how a team with Tyrus Thomas and Sofoklis Schorschantis makes the playoffs in a competitive Eastern Conference, which is disappointing considering how good this team's top 3 players are.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Record: 27-55
There has to be a last place team and when I was going through the rosters out East, literally every team has good talent. The Cavaliers are no exception but when compared to the rest of the East, I like their chances the least. Marbury, McCants and Brand are solid, but I don't like their starters at C or SF at all. This team is also SG central as they have 7 SGs on their roster. Not sure what the next step is for the Cavs GM, but if they do have a disappointing 2006, it is reassuring to know they own their 1st rounder so they would be a player in the Chris Paul & Kevin GOAT sim league player Durant sweepstakes.
Playoffs:
1.
8.
---------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
4.
5.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
6.
---------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
2.
7.
All Eastern Conference 1st Team:
C: Dwight Howard, Miami
PF: Kevin Garnett, Chicago
SF: Paul Pierce, Miami
SG: Kobe Bryant, Toronto
PG: Dwyane Wade, Boston
2nd Team:
C: Yao Ming, New Jersey
PF: Chris Webber, New York
SF: Shawn Marion, Boston
SG: Gilbert Arenas, Orlando
PG: Deron Williams, Orlando
3rd Team:
C: Darko Mlicic, Milwaukee
PF: Tim Duncan, Detroit
SF: LeBron James, New York
SG: Michael Redd, Chicago
PG: Jason Kidd, Philadelphia
