Post by Atlanta on Nov 27, 2006 3:16:06 GMT -5
Here is a look at the central division this year in the Eastern Conference. The Top 5 teams i think all could make a run in the division and the conference as a whole. Here's a rundown top to bottom. Starting with the defending league Champions..
[/u]1)The Atlanta Hawks:[/b][/u] Last years champions have changed their roster pretty dramatically this offseason opting to go a bit younger in a few positions. It started with the draft day trade of frontcourt players Zach Randolf and Desagana Diop to the division rival Toronto Raptors for the #4 pick in the draft. That pick turned into rookie PG Deron Williams who in year one it appears will be giving the starting job over vet Kenny Anderson. Championship MVP Micheal Redd was then shipped off to Utah in exchange for Charlie Villanueva and Channing Frye both lotto picks this past year. Atlanta also drafted Ike Diogu and Jarrett Jack in the first round, thus the hawks have gotten younger, but that said they are also much deeper overall. Thier starting five is still all strong on D with Nazr, and Forton up front. Boris Diaw continues to improve and this year will be the go to guy. Stepthen Jackson aftering coming over late last season and playing the 6th man role moves over to Redd's SG spot and is poised for another stellar season. Top to bottom the hawks are the deepest team in the division that along with its first class defense should put this team at the top of the division again
[/u]2)The Cleveland Cavaliers:[/b][/u] A surprising run to the Eastern Confernce finals last year has the cavs fans looking forward to this season. The offseason additions of Todd MacCulloch and Predrag Stojakovic have added fuel to this fire. Cleveland could posibily have the best inside and outside combo in this division with Jamal Crawford at the pg spot, and Emeka Okafor at the pf spot. If both stay healthy along with the additions of peja and Todd this team could make a deep run come playoff time. You cannot forget about the ever improving Corey Maggette as well who continues to show why he was a lotto pick years back. The real question for this cavs team does not lie in the offense for it has some big time punch but it lies with its bench and overall defense for they do not have a ton of either. If they can get some help there or can show they can stop teams in the half court game they again could find themselves back in the confernce finals, a trip to the finals is not out of the question either.
[/u]3)The Indiana Pacers:[/b][/u] The biggest turn around story in this division going into this season looks to be this Indiana Pacer team. They basically cleaned house last season sending out star forwards Danny Fortson and Stephen Jackson, but they did bring in Sheed Wallace who looks to play a key role in this team. His ability to play pf/sf will be huge for this team. Getting sheed was nice, but nothing was as big as adding Shaq to this squad in the offseason. Shaq could be the best player in the league never to win a title. Still he does bring a big time post presense to this team and should dominate the centers in this division on both ends. If shaq can stay healthy an MVP run could be in his future as well as the teams future. Still even with Shaq and Sheed up front (easily the best front court in the division), this team will go as far as two young players carry them, Gerald Wallace this past #1 pick and last years #1 pick Jameer Nelson. If these two can match up with some of the great sf and pgs in the division sky's the limit with this team. Watch out for this team, espeically come playoff time, by then there key young players might just have the expiernce needed to make a DEEP run.
[/u]4)The Chicago Bulls :[/b][/u] Chicago make some huge moves last season trading mvp Stephan Marbury to the mavs for Lamar odom and Cuttino Mobley, some thought this deal might turn out to be a mistake, yet this team for the first time in years made the playoffs. They look to build on it this year and might finally be in position to really make some noise in the East. There front court is strong with Kwame Brown, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Lamar Odom. They have added vet Eddie Jones and Doug Christie to Mobley in the backcourt giving this team some depth that they have never really had before back there. Young pg Delonte West is also ready to continue his improvement, if he does and can get the ball to all the scoring punch they have the bulls could be the sleeper team in this division. They go as far as west can take them, the question is is it to much to ask this soon, especially in a division that has a stud pg on nearly every team?
[/u]5)The Milwaukee Bucks :[/b][/u] Amare Stoudemire had a huge rookie year and looks to improve on that this season. His supporting case should help him a bit more this season as the team has taken on a lot more depth both thru the draft, trade and FA. Marko Jaric brings playoff experience and leadership from the heat to start at the pg spot this season. His ability to hit the open jumper a little more often than last years pg Luke Ridnour should help take some of the pressure of Amare on the outside. Vets Antawn Jamison and Jason Richardson also will take on a lot of the scoring for this team and they will need them too in this division. Rookies Joey Graham, and Quintin Ross will also fight with vet scorer Dejan Bodiroga for playing time. Graham actually will get the first crack coming out of TC, while Dejan slides into the 6th man role, a role he should excell in with his ability to score at will. The bucks definalty are a team on the rise, im just not sure they are ready for the prime time just yet. They should be in the hunt for a playoff spot though, and could definalty be a dragon slayer for some of the teams in this division.
[/u]6)The Toronto Raptors :[/b][/u] Lost in the shuffle of the offseason is the improvement of the toronto Raptors. Sending the #4 pick to Atlanta will either end up as a huge blessing for a team that needed front court help in the worst way, or will be remembered as the pick that gave the hawks Deron Williams. Regardless of how its remembered in the future though the raptors picked up Zach Randolf and Desagana Diop which improves there front court by a large margin. These two combined with Devin Harris and past #1 pick Dwayne Wade could really make this team fun to watch, and a spoiler for many around the league. They are quick, they are exciting, and if they can jell could really have a huge future in front of them Wade espiecally is poised for a break out year, and he needs one as many around the league are starting to wonder if he was worth the #1 pick. Combined with Devin HArris though look for big things from the Raptors, no longer is this an easy win on the schedule. Teams better come prepared or they will get run off the court.
[/u]7)The New Orleans Hornets :[/b][/u]... With the 6th pick the in draft the New Orleans Hornets select.... NATE ROBINSON?.. With that pick the Hornets young gm passed up on some huge big men and drafted a 5ft 9 pg. Most in the league laughed histarically, some even wondered how long it would be before this GM was sent packing. A backcourt of 5ft 9 and 6ft 3? Could it really work? This year we'll find out. The good thing is Dajuan Wagner and Nate Robinson looked solid in the pre-season. They certainly will get the chance to play and grow together as this team really has little back court options. They do however still have Wally Szczerbiak and picked up Vet pf Antonio McDyess. Those two should really help carry this team to more wins than last year. Al Harrington, a throw in last year in the trade with Atlanta that landed Wagner, also looks to improve this season and will see min. The key though for this team will be the backcourk. I'm not sure its a great long term plan, BUT we shall see, if the hornets can put some ppts into these two young guards who knows, maybe it will be the hornets GM getting the last laugh.
[/u]8)The Detroit Pistons:[/b][/u] How far the Detriot Pistons have fallen. A few season ago this was a sleeper pick for the Eastern Crown but never could get over the hump. That team got older though and is replaced by basically Shawn MArion and a bunch of castoffs. Steve Francis, Jamaal Magloire, Kirk Synder, Chris Anderson, Quentin Richardson.. the list goes on an on of former #1 picks who have not lived up to the hype. Stever Franics is the poster boy of this group. He's done basically nothing to earn that max contract he got after his rookie year and may never get there. He can certainly score though, and will be asked to do so again in bunches along with Shawn Marion. To bad the other team will just score more, a lot more. Jim James Jr. and Mateen Watts are bright spots for this team however they were both second round pick, and will be asking for big raises or they will walk. Which leaves the pistons in an interesting position, do they stand pat and hope to resign some of these young guys to continue to grow around francis and marion.. or do they start to package guys around, perhaps for other young player or better yet future picks.. With marion and Francis on the roster they definatly do not have cap space coming which could mean a very long road ahead. Personally this is the year the pistons need to finally finish blowing up this team and start completely over. Otheriwse its gonna be a long season not just this year but for years to come.
[/u]1)The Atlanta Hawks:[/b][/u] Last years champions have changed their roster pretty dramatically this offseason opting to go a bit younger in a few positions. It started with the draft day trade of frontcourt players Zach Randolf and Desagana Diop to the division rival Toronto Raptors for the #4 pick in the draft. That pick turned into rookie PG Deron Williams who in year one it appears will be giving the starting job over vet Kenny Anderson. Championship MVP Micheal Redd was then shipped off to Utah in exchange for Charlie Villanueva and Channing Frye both lotto picks this past year. Atlanta also drafted Ike Diogu and Jarrett Jack in the first round, thus the hawks have gotten younger, but that said they are also much deeper overall. Thier starting five is still all strong on D with Nazr, and Forton up front. Boris Diaw continues to improve and this year will be the go to guy. Stepthen Jackson aftering coming over late last season and playing the 6th man role moves over to Redd's SG spot and is poised for another stellar season. Top to bottom the hawks are the deepest team in the division that along with its first class defense should put this team at the top of the division again
[/u]2)The Cleveland Cavaliers:[/b][/u] A surprising run to the Eastern Confernce finals last year has the cavs fans looking forward to this season. The offseason additions of Todd MacCulloch and Predrag Stojakovic have added fuel to this fire. Cleveland could posibily have the best inside and outside combo in this division with Jamal Crawford at the pg spot, and Emeka Okafor at the pf spot. If both stay healthy along with the additions of peja and Todd this team could make a deep run come playoff time. You cannot forget about the ever improving Corey Maggette as well who continues to show why he was a lotto pick years back. The real question for this cavs team does not lie in the offense for it has some big time punch but it lies with its bench and overall defense for they do not have a ton of either. If they can get some help there or can show they can stop teams in the half court game they again could find themselves back in the confernce finals, a trip to the finals is not out of the question either.
[/u]3)The Indiana Pacers:[/b][/u] The biggest turn around story in this division going into this season looks to be this Indiana Pacer team. They basically cleaned house last season sending out star forwards Danny Fortson and Stephen Jackson, but they did bring in Sheed Wallace who looks to play a key role in this team. His ability to play pf/sf will be huge for this team. Getting sheed was nice, but nothing was as big as adding Shaq to this squad in the offseason. Shaq could be the best player in the league never to win a title. Still he does bring a big time post presense to this team and should dominate the centers in this division on both ends. If shaq can stay healthy an MVP run could be in his future as well as the teams future. Still even with Shaq and Sheed up front (easily the best front court in the division), this team will go as far as two young players carry them, Gerald Wallace this past #1 pick and last years #1 pick Jameer Nelson. If these two can match up with some of the great sf and pgs in the division sky's the limit with this team. Watch out for this team, espeically come playoff time, by then there key young players might just have the expiernce needed to make a DEEP run.
[/u]4)The Chicago Bulls :[/b][/u] Chicago make some huge moves last season trading mvp Stephan Marbury to the mavs for Lamar odom and Cuttino Mobley, some thought this deal might turn out to be a mistake, yet this team for the first time in years made the playoffs. They look to build on it this year and might finally be in position to really make some noise in the East. There front court is strong with Kwame Brown, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Lamar Odom. They have added vet Eddie Jones and Doug Christie to Mobley in the backcourt giving this team some depth that they have never really had before back there. Young pg Delonte West is also ready to continue his improvement, if he does and can get the ball to all the scoring punch they have the bulls could be the sleeper team in this division. They go as far as west can take them, the question is is it to much to ask this soon, especially in a division that has a stud pg on nearly every team?
[/u]5)The Milwaukee Bucks :[/b][/u] Amare Stoudemire had a huge rookie year and looks to improve on that this season. His supporting case should help him a bit more this season as the team has taken on a lot more depth both thru the draft, trade and FA. Marko Jaric brings playoff experience and leadership from the heat to start at the pg spot this season. His ability to hit the open jumper a little more often than last years pg Luke Ridnour should help take some of the pressure of Amare on the outside. Vets Antawn Jamison and Jason Richardson also will take on a lot of the scoring for this team and they will need them too in this division. Rookies Joey Graham, and Quintin Ross will also fight with vet scorer Dejan Bodiroga for playing time. Graham actually will get the first crack coming out of TC, while Dejan slides into the 6th man role, a role he should excell in with his ability to score at will. The bucks definalty are a team on the rise, im just not sure they are ready for the prime time just yet. They should be in the hunt for a playoff spot though, and could definalty be a dragon slayer for some of the teams in this division.
[/u]6)The Toronto Raptors :[/b][/u] Lost in the shuffle of the offseason is the improvement of the toronto Raptors. Sending the #4 pick to Atlanta will either end up as a huge blessing for a team that needed front court help in the worst way, or will be remembered as the pick that gave the hawks Deron Williams. Regardless of how its remembered in the future though the raptors picked up Zach Randolf and Desagana Diop which improves there front court by a large margin. These two combined with Devin Harris and past #1 pick Dwayne Wade could really make this team fun to watch, and a spoiler for many around the league. They are quick, they are exciting, and if they can jell could really have a huge future in front of them Wade espiecally is poised for a break out year, and he needs one as many around the league are starting to wonder if he was worth the #1 pick. Combined with Devin HArris though look for big things from the Raptors, no longer is this an easy win on the schedule. Teams better come prepared or they will get run off the court.
[/u]7)The New Orleans Hornets :[/b][/u]... With the 6th pick the in draft the New Orleans Hornets select.... NATE ROBINSON?.. With that pick the Hornets young gm passed up on some huge big men and drafted a 5ft 9 pg. Most in the league laughed histarically, some even wondered how long it would be before this GM was sent packing. A backcourt of 5ft 9 and 6ft 3? Could it really work? This year we'll find out. The good thing is Dajuan Wagner and Nate Robinson looked solid in the pre-season. They certainly will get the chance to play and grow together as this team really has little back court options. They do however still have Wally Szczerbiak and picked up Vet pf Antonio McDyess. Those two should really help carry this team to more wins than last year. Al Harrington, a throw in last year in the trade with Atlanta that landed Wagner, also looks to improve this season and will see min. The key though for this team will be the backcourk. I'm not sure its a great long term plan, BUT we shall see, if the hornets can put some ppts into these two young guards who knows, maybe it will be the hornets GM getting the last laugh.
[/u]8)The Detroit Pistons:[/b][/u] How far the Detriot Pistons have fallen. A few season ago this was a sleeper pick for the Eastern Crown but never could get over the hump. That team got older though and is replaced by basically Shawn MArion and a bunch of castoffs. Steve Francis, Jamaal Magloire, Kirk Synder, Chris Anderson, Quentin Richardson.. the list goes on an on of former #1 picks who have not lived up to the hype. Stever Franics is the poster boy of this group. He's done basically nothing to earn that max contract he got after his rookie year and may never get there. He can certainly score though, and will be asked to do so again in bunches along with Shawn Marion. To bad the other team will just score more, a lot more. Jim James Jr. and Mateen Watts are bright spots for this team however they were both second round pick, and will be asking for big raises or they will walk. Which leaves the pistons in an interesting position, do they stand pat and hope to resign some of these young guys to continue to grow around francis and marion.. or do they start to package guys around, perhaps for other young player or better yet future picks.. With marion and Francis on the roster they definatly do not have cap space coming which could mean a very long road ahead. Personally this is the year the pistons need to finally finish blowing up this team and start completely over. Otheriwse its gonna be a long season not just this year but for years to come.
