Team that should waltz to first in the conference:
1. Heat
Teams that are locks to make the playoffs:
2. Pacers: excellent depth, solid at every position
3. Celtics: nice mix of youth and experience
Teams that should make the playoffs, but are one key injury away from dropping out:
4. Bulls: weaker bench, the loss of Rose is huge, but they've got experience, good coaching, and chemistry, which is more that 5-15 have.
5. Nets: The Heat have shown us that a few superstars can make up for a complete lack of depth. The Knicks have shown us that a few not-quite-superstars won't overcome a lack of depth. Nets are closer to the Knicks than the Heat in terms of team composition.
6. Knicks: Will improve on last year if everyone stays healthy (might be a lot to ask), but I still don't see them having any on-court chemistry. Just an awful mix of players.
Teams that will not finish with top four seeding, but could be in the mix for a playoff spot:
7. Raptors: A full season of Bargnani, plus the additions of Lowry and Valanciunas might be just enough to make the playoffs.
8. Magic: There's skill there, but I think the Howard sideshow hampers them all season long. The sooner they can move him and be done with it, the better.
9. Wizards: I love their offseason, but it'll take some time. I'd expect them to be in the bottom three by all-star break, but have a strong second-half.
10. Cavs: player growth will be solid, but not outstanding.
11. Hawks: They're going to drop, the question is how far.
12. Sixers: They did very little to improve compared to other teams.
13. Bucks: Not a good offseason, as much as I like them keeping Ilyasova.
Teams that will be in tank mode by the all-star break:
14. Pistons: I think this will be the low point in their rebuild.
15. Bobcats: Maybe this is their year... to win the lottery.
1. Heat
Teams that are locks to make the playoffs:
2. Pacers: excellent depth, solid at every position
3. Celtics: nice mix of youth and experience
Teams that should make the playoffs, but are one key injury away from dropping out:
4. Bulls: weaker bench, the loss of Rose is huge, but they've got experience, good coaching, and chemistry, which is more that 5-15 have.
5. Nets: The Heat have shown us that a few superstars can make up for a complete lack of depth. The Knicks have shown us that a few not-quite-superstars won't overcome a lack of depth. Nets are closer to the Knicks than the Heat in terms of team composition.
6. Knicks: Will improve on last year if everyone stays healthy (might be a lot to ask), but I still don't see them having any on-court chemistry. Just an awful mix of players.
Teams that will not finish with top four seeding, but could be in the mix for a playoff spot:
7. Raptors: A full season of Bargnani, plus the additions of Lowry and Valanciunas might be just enough to make the playoffs.
8. Magic: There's skill there, but I think the Howard sideshow hampers them all season long. The sooner they can move him and be done with it, the better.
9. Wizards: I love their offseason, but it'll take some time. I'd expect them to be in the bottom three by all-star break, but have a strong second-half.
10. Cavs: player growth will be solid, but not outstanding.
11. Hawks: They're going to drop, the question is how far.
12. Sixers: They did very little to improve compared to other teams.
13. Bucks: Not a good offseason, as much as I like them keeping Ilyasova.
Teams that will be in tank mode by the all-star break:
14. Pistons: I think this will be the low point in their rebuild.
15. Bobcats: Maybe this is their year... to win the lottery.
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