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We must analyze the state of the Eastern Conference before we begin to analyze the Raptors future.
Atlanta: With multiple all stars, the coach of the year, and one of the cheapest rosters in the league, The Hawks are in line to sign their own free agents and continue to build on a fantastic 2015 season. Their core players, Teague, 27, Harford, 30 Millsap, 30 and Carroll 30 are all in the prime of their careers and Atlanta has the cap space to keep all of them financially happy. Long term Picture: Atlanta should wreck havoc in the East for 3-5 years to come.
Cleveland: Has more question marks with the likes of Lebron’s and Love’s future, both have player options and can opt out at the end of the year. But, this would financially be a poor decision as both of them can receive an upgraded max contract at the end of 2016 when the salary cap is expected to dramatically increase. Kyrie Irving is locked up long term and keeping Lebron is a course a must, he claims he will retire in Cleveland and I believe him, because it would be a PR nightmare if he bails on his home state again. They may have problems keeping Tristan Thompson due to his superb play in this years playoffs granting him a much deserved salary increase in the upcoming years. Either way, the core of Lebron and Kyrie creates a top 2 team in the East for years to come.
Long term picture: Cleveland should replicate their 2015 season success for the next 5 years in the East, with or without Kevin Love in their lineup. They will have to add a player of Love’s talents if he leaves, but won’t be a problem because who doesn’t want to play with Lebron and have a chance at a title year after year.
Chicago: The Bulls have much more turmoil and question marks than both the Hawks and Cavaliers do. They must re sign Jimmy Butler and find a coach who can maintain their strong defensive play while improving their offensive performance. Gasol and Noah could leave after next season, as Gasol has a player option and Noah’s contract expires. Can Derrick Rose maintain his health as well, without Rose a championship seems out of the question. They seem to have a tight nit group and with the steady rise of Mirotic and Gibson, and young additions like Snell and McDermott, the Bulls will have enough to be competitive for years to come.
Long term picture: The Bulls window to win a championship is in the next two years. With the aging core players of Gasol and Noah and Rose’s health issues, this will be a boom or bust team within the next couple of seasons.
Washington: Yes, I put Washington ahead of the Raptors not only because they demolished Toronto in the first round but their core players are younger. Beal, 21, Wall, 25, and Porter, 21. Gortat is locked up until 2019 and they have a sense of stability with these four players. John Wall is one of the game’s best point guards already, and Beal showed how tough he is to stop in this year’s playoffs. Porter gave Derozan all he can handle and with a couple additions and more consistent play, the Wizards could the East’s best team in a couple of years.
Long term picture: If they retain Beal and Porter continues to grow, the Wizards will be competitive for a long time in the East.
So there are currently 4 better teams than the Raptors and one can predict that both Indiana, with Paul George, and the Heat, with Chris Bosh will have better seasons next year. Also, the young Bucks and Celtics will only become better and more experienced with time.
Atlanta: With multiple all stars, the coach of the year, and one of the cheapest rosters in the league, The Hawks are in line to sign their own free agents and continue to build on a fantastic 2015 season. Their core players, Teague, 27, Harford, 30 Millsap, 30 and Carroll 30 are all in the prime of their careers and Atlanta has the cap space to keep all of them financially happy. Long term Picture: Atlanta should wreck havoc in the East for 3-5 years to come.
Cleveland: Has more question marks with the likes of Lebron’s and Love’s future, both have player options and can opt out at the end of the year. But, this would financially be a poor decision as both of them can receive an upgraded max contract at the end of 2016 when the salary cap is expected to dramatically increase. Kyrie Irving is locked up long term and keeping Lebron is a course a must, he claims he will retire in Cleveland and I believe him, because it would be a PR nightmare if he bails on his home state again. They may have problems keeping Tristan Thompson due to his superb play in this years playoffs granting him a much deserved salary increase in the upcoming years. Either way, the core of Lebron and Kyrie creates a top 2 team in the East for years to come.
Long term picture: Cleveland should replicate their 2015 season success for the next 5 years in the East, with or without Kevin Love in their lineup. They will have to add a player of Love’s talents if he leaves, but won’t be a problem because who doesn’t want to play with Lebron and have a chance at a title year after year.
Chicago: The Bulls have much more turmoil and question marks than both the Hawks and Cavaliers do. They must re sign Jimmy Butler and find a coach who can maintain their strong defensive play while improving their offensive performance. Gasol and Noah could leave after next season, as Gasol has a player option and Noah’s contract expires. Can Derrick Rose maintain his health as well, without Rose a championship seems out of the question. They seem to have a tight nit group and with the steady rise of Mirotic and Gibson, and young additions like Snell and McDermott, the Bulls will have enough to be competitive for years to come.
Long term picture: The Bulls window to win a championship is in the next two years. With the aging core players of Gasol and Noah and Rose’s health issues, this will be a boom or bust team within the next couple of seasons.
Washington: Yes, I put Washington ahead of the Raptors not only because they demolished Toronto in the first round but their core players are younger. Beal, 21, Wall, 25, and Porter, 21. Gortat is locked up until 2019 and they have a sense of stability with these four players. John Wall is one of the game’s best point guards already, and Beal showed how tough he is to stop in this year’s playoffs. Porter gave Derozan all he can handle and with a couple additions and more consistent play, the Wizards could the East’s best team in a couple of years.
Long term picture: If they retain Beal and Porter continues to grow, the Wizards will be competitive for a long time in the East.
So there are currently 4 better teams than the Raptors and one can predict that both Indiana, with Paul George, and the Heat, with Chris Bosh will have better seasons next year. Also, the young Bucks and Celtics will only become better and more experienced with time.
but so many things to do today, video editing, design aghhhhh
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