With the NBA season around the corner, HNGN's editorial director Michael Bullerdick asked his sports department to predict how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would shake out.
Jordan-
1. Cleveland
The Cavaliers will have the best record in the NBA this season, and they'll lock down the No. 1 seed in the East. They have too much firepower not to bulldoze through teams during the regular season. I see them losing to Chicago in the conference finals, though, if they don't trade for a rim-protector.
2. Chicago
Assuming Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah both stay healthy, Chicago is a lock for the second seed. Rose has looked like his old MVP self, and the team is too talented on defense not to finish behind Cleveland. The Bulls' bench also has the potential to be ridiculously good.
3. Toronto
Toronto looked great last year in the backend of the season, and I expect them to build from that and earn the three-seed again. Kyle Lowry and DeMar Rozan are one of my favorite backcourts to watch, and I like Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas in the frontcourt. It helps playing in a weak conference.
4. Washington
John Wall and Bradley Beal will become the league's best backcourt by next season - they both just need to stay healthy and get more games under their belt together. Bringing back Marcin Gortat gives them a presence in the paint, and a healthy Nene is hard to match up against. I'd rank them above Toronto if they had kept Trevor Ariza.
5. Detroit
Last season didn't work with the Smith+Monroe+Drummond experiment. This team has talent, though, and Stan Van Gundy has the coaching know-how to figure out the roles and the rotations to get this team back in the playoffs.
6. Charlotte
Lance Stephenson was a great signing for Charlotte. This Hornets team has young talent - Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Noah Vonleh - and a super talented veteran in Al Jefferson. I don't see them getting out of the first round, but they'll at least win a game or two.
7. Brooklyn
The Nets are the most injury-prone team in the NBA. That being said, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez - when healthy - are enough to get them a spot in the postseason. They didn't make any big moves this offseason, so they'll benefit from playing in the Eastern Conference.
8. Atlanta
They always find a way to sneak into the postseason. Assuming the Hawks don't get new ownership that wants to blow up the team before the February trade deadline, they'll find a way to get a playoff berth behind Horford and Millsap.
Honorable Mention: Miami.
Thomas-
1. Chicago Bulls
This is the best all-around team in the East if they can stay healthy. Derrick Rose doesn't appear to have lost a step and they added Pau Gasol in the offseason. 60 wins if they can keep it together for most of the year.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The cliché pick would be to put the Cavs at the top, but I just don't think they're going to take the league by storm in their first year together. Kyrie is still prone to injury and LeBron and Kevin Love will probably take some time to develop chemistry, so they'll likely be the 2 seed, maybe the 3.
3. Washington Wizards
The Wiz might have the deepest team in the East, but they'll be missing Bradley Beal for a little bit of time, and then he'll have to get used to game speed once again. They have the talent to take the No. 2 seed, but they also added some new faces (Paul Pierce, Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair) who will have to get used to working with their new team.
4. Miami Heat
The Heat only lost LeBron and Ray Allen, which are two big losses, but Pat Reilly made some good free agent acquisitions with Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger while also retaining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. There shouldn't be too drastic of a regression in Miami.
5. New York Knicks
The Knicks are returning a lot of players and have a new offensive system, which is expected to take some pressure off of Carmelo Anthony. That might take some time, but New York is definitely more talented and experienced than the next three teams, which is why I have them at the No. 5 spot.
6. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors earned the No. 3 seed last year, but the East was significantly weaker and Toronto's athleticism was a surprise to many. I expect them to be back in the postseason, but now with the East slowly improving and upping the competition I think they won't have as many wins as the more experienced team.
7. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats were in this spot last year and I think they'll be in the same spot. They lost Josh McRoberts but added Lance Stephenson and continue to develop Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo. They won't be anything special, but they won't be a walk in the park for opponents.
8. Boston Celtics
And here's my surprise pick. I didn't want to put them higher because it may not have seemed realistic, but I do think the Celtics can sneak into the eighth spot. If Rondo is healthy and they decide to keep him, then I think they'll be there without a doubt. Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk are heading in the right direction and they have Marcus Smart behind Rondo. This young team will be hungry.
Brandon-
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Assuming good health, the Cavs Big Three is just too talented to contain. They're still a piece or two away from championship favorite status, but they are going to blitz the league on offense this year.
2. Chicago Bulls
After a so-so start to the season Derrick Rose will start to regain his form and the Bulls will go on a second-half tear like no other.
3. Toronto Raptors
Another year of growth for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Year three for Jonas Valanciunas. These Raptors are going to be feisty.
4. Philadelphia 76ers... Just Kidding. Washington Wizards
Paul Pierce will help the Wiz stay the course while Bradley Beal recovers from a broken wrist. Once Beal gets healthy, the East's best backcourt will be hard to stop.
5. Miami Heat
Can Chris Bosh re-assume the role of primary offensive option he held in Toronto? Will Dwyane Wade stay healthy? Miami has a lot of question marks in their post-LeBron James era.
6. Charlotte Hornets
MKG apparently learned how to shoot. Kemba Walker has gotten better every year. Al Jefferson demands a double team every time he touches the ball. The Lance Stephenson addition will (hopefully) work out.
7. Brooklyn Nets
Gas station sushi, get-rich-quick schemes and Brook Lopez's feet. Sorry, I was just listing things I don't trust at all.
8. New York Knicks
Total gut call here. The additions they have made so far have been solid but not exactly needle moving. I guess I'm just blindly trusting Phil Jackson.
Cal-
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
I honestly don't even think this needs an explanation. Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kevin Love. There.
2. Chicago Bulls
The return of Derrick Rose could not possibly mean more to this team - and to this city.
3. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors, 6-1 in the preseason, are certainly on the upswing. Kyle Lowry's decision to stay will help the Raptors prove last season's run was no fluke.
4. Washington Wizards
A youthful rebuild abandoned for the likes of veterans Andre Miller, Drew Gooden and Marcin Gortat help prop up young stars John Wall and Bradley Beal.
5. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have the longest active playoff streak in the Eastern Conference with seven straight appearances. Despite front office turmoil, Paul Millsap and the gang make it eight straight.
6. Charlotte Bobcats
Word of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's improvement and the addition of Lance Stephenson mean Michael Jordan may finally have a quality product on his hands.
7. Miami Heat
Despite the monumental loss of King James, and assuming Dwayne Wade can stay healthy and Chris Bosh lives up to his massive new contract, they'll sneak into the playoffs.
8. New York Knicks
Melo, Melo, Melo. I hate the way he plays the game, but he's talented and the Knicks will go only as far as he - and to a lesser extent, rookie coach Derek Fisher - takes them.
Check back next week for the Western Conference predictions.
