2015 Western Conference Playoffs: WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT?

The NBA’s Western Conference has never been so dominant as it is today in 2014. It’s prominence over its counterparts in the East has been indisputable for years, but never so overt from top to bottom. The current gap between the leagues is more alarming than its ever been, as all eight playoff teams from last season’s Western Conference most likely would have claimed at least the third seed out East. Needless to say, it’s quite competitive in the Wild Wild West.

     Of the 15 teams in the Western Conference, 11 have the potential to make noise come playoff time. And with the free agency season coming to its close, teams are beginning to form their identities already in August. While analyzing all the new faces in new places out west, NBA experts have begun fine tuning their predictions, some bold, others not so much. I too, am one to look toward the future. I’m making the premature jump toward the 2015 NBA Playoffs, and telling you who’s in and who’s out.

2015 NBA PLAYOFF WESTERN CONFERENCE TEAMS: WHO’S IN & WHO’S OUT?

San Antonion Spurs:

The defending champs return the same roster from a year ago… Crafty vet Boris Diaw got paid. M anu’s still healthy. The greatest power forward of all-time announced his return. Four-time champion Tony Parker restructured his deal. Patty Mills, the energizer bunny from down under, earned himself a new paycheck. And the NBA Finals MVP is only going to get better and gain experience. The Spurs will be just as good as last year, if not better. Look for Kawai Leonard to step it up a notch and make a push for the all-star game, while the Big 3 of Duncan, Parker, andGinobli continue to do what they do. Even my grandma knows the Spurs will make the playoffs. Verdict: IN.

Los Angeles Clippers:

The Clippers needed to make a big off-season splash in free agency if a championship remains the goal, but failed to do so. Spencer Hawes will space the floor and Jordan Farmar can provide spark, but neither will prove a major difference maker for Doc’s team. Paul Pierce was the target, and unfortunately for Steve Ballmer’s new team, they missed that target. A disgruntled Donald Sterling stole the headlines for the Clips this off-season. If a championship is truly what they seek, that better not be the case in the summer of 2015. Chris Paul, however, is still the best leader in the game. He’ll lead them to a 4 seed, but Jamaal Crawford needs to play a bigger role if they expect better than that. Verdict: IN.

Minnesota Timberwolves:

The T-Wolves won more games than most people anticipated last season. Much of that was in large part because of Kevin Love’s 26 & 12 per night. This season’s team is soon to be loveless, as Kevin takes his talents to Cleveland in exchange for the future (Wiggins, Bennett, and a protected first round pick), which means many of those surprising W’s from last season will be L’s this season. The Wolves are now stockpiled with guards, and have very little in terms of size. Andrew Wiggins, Corey Brewer, Alexi Shved, Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, Kevin Martin, free agent addition Mo Williams, and my role model J.J. Barea will all be splitting time at the guard positions. The bigs (Nikola Pecovic and Ronny Turiaf) aren’t exactly prominent post players. Ergo, this team better play fast. Flip Saunders wants to win now, but he’s better off grooming Wiggins and prepping for the future. Verdict: OUT.

Dallas Mavericks:

Dallas snuck into the playoffs last season. This year, no sneaking will be necessary. The team and the city have been re-energized by the return of Tyson Chandler and the signing of Chandler Parsons. Team that pair with the offensive prowess of Monte Ellis and the Great Dirk, and success seems inevitable. This Mavs should be in the top 5 in total points scored this season, but will have to make strides defensively if they want to turn their initial playoff push into a journeyed playoff push. The team’s only glaring weakness is depth at the center position. If Tyson Chandler can’t stay in the game as the rim protector, Brandan Wright and Dirk are plan B and C. In a league getting smaller and faster by the day, that shouldn’t be too much of a cause for concern. Verdict: IN.

Sacremento Kings:

The Kings signed Nik Stauskas so they are automatically out in my book. Verdict: OUT.

New Orleans Pelicans:

Omer Asik was a nice addition to help Anthony Davis down low. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, that’s all it was, a nice addition and nothing more than that. The Pelicans, like the Clippers, failed to make a big off-season move and didn’t add enough small pieces either to improve upon what they started to build last season. Unlike the Clippers, however, the Pelicans don’t have Chris Paul or Blake Griffin. Anthony Davis is a star in the making, but that’s not enough. Verdict: OUT.

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Over the course of the past three seasons, OKC’s roster has progressively gotten worse. The past two seasons they have been one piece away from making that jump from good playoff team to NBA Finals team. They’re still one piece away. Sharpshooter Anthony Morrow was a great pickup to space the floor for Westbrook and Durant, but I’m not convinced he’s enough to give OKC the nod over Duncan and company. Nevertheless, KD and Russ will be enough to claim home court advantage in the first round. Verdict: IN.

Portland Trailblazers:

Portland essentially returns the same team from a year ago. Damian Lillard adds another year of experience to his resume and LaMarcus Aldridge brings his deadly midrange game back to Portland. Portland defends well, plays team basketball, and plays with an edge needed in this dog-eat-dog world. Though they don’t have championship experience, they have all the makings of a future championship team. In fact, I believe Portland has the best chance of anyone to knock off the Spurs. Verdict: IN.

Utah Jazz:

Utah is far removed from the Stockton and Malone era. Jazz fans should expect their team to have the worst record in the NBA unless Dante Exum is actually Superman himself. Gordon Hayward is the team’s best player, and he’d make a good 6th man for most teams. Having personal ties to Australia has got me interested to see what Exum (the young Aussie point guard) can bring to the table, but other than that, there is little to be excited about in Utah. Verdict: OUT.

Houston Rockets:

Houston lost point production when Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin headed their separate ways. Ariza is a respectable downgrade from Parsons, and Beverly, who will now dominate minutes at the point, isn’t much of a scorer. A lineup of Beverly, Harden, Ariza, Jones, and Howard should excel defensively, however, with Harden and Howard each having the greenest lights of their careers on offense. Howard is one of the few true centers remaining in this game, and his physical presence teamed with Harden’s uncanny ability to score the basketball will be enough to finish in the top 8 out west. Verdict: IN.

Phoenix Suns:

The Suns no doubt entertain. Though this era’s team hardly compares to the Nash-Stoudemire teams of a half-decade ago, they do get up and down, they do run, and they do score. Similarly to the Denver Nuggets, they score by committee. If you could win an NBA Championship by having the most talent at the point guard position, Phoenix would take home the hardware in 2015 for the first time in franchise history. Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas, and Eric Bledsoe will all need time to figure out how to co-exist and find happiness (if they all stay put in Phoenix). I see them playing Thomas and Dragic together and wouldn’t be surprised if Bledsoe leaves town. But whether the former Kentucky Wildcat stays or goes, there’s still not enough defense or effective size down in the desert. Vertict: OUT.

Golden State Warriors:

Steph Curry is well on his way to becoming the greatest shooter in NBA history. Sure, Steve Kerr and Steve Nash were more efficient, and sure Ray Allen and Kyle Korver can shoot lights out flat footed, but nobody shoots off the dribble going in either direction like Steph. His fellow splash brother Klay Thompson isn’t far behind, his wing-mates Iguodala, Green, and Barnes bring the athleticism and toughness, and Lee and Bogut provide what’s needed down low. Golden State has all the weapons to contend with anyone. The deciding factor will be how well they defend. Verdict: IN.

Denver Nuggets:

Denver does it by committee. Team basketball, incessant energy, and a fast pace gets it done in the mile high city. This team should be very similar to last season’s group, having a number of guys who can score, pass, and defend, but no superstars to dominate touches. I love Denver in the spoiler role, but unfortunately for second year coach Brian Shaw, there just are not enough playoff spots to go around. Verdict: OUT.

Memphis Grizzlies:

The Grizzlies style of play, contrary to that of the Nuggets, is blue-collar, tough, and slow. These guys have girth, grit, and toughness – normally everything I love in a team. This time around, however, I see Memphis falling off a bit and finishing with the 9th best record out west. Their defense and chemistry will keep them in the hunt, but droughts and lapses offensively will cost them a playoff spot by a game or two. Verdict: OUT.

Los Angeles Lakers:

 

The Lakers should have no problem scoring the basketball this season. Nick Young and Jeremy Lin are both capable of being high volume scorers. Nick Young even leaves his right arm void of tattoos because it’s ‘strictly for buckets.’ Steve Nash also claims he is 100% healthy for the first time in two years (time will tell how true that is), and Boozer has never struggled to score from midrange. Unfortunately for L.A., the other half of the game is played on defense. While Byron Scott claims that defending is the team’s top priority, don’t expect to see much of it. Will they have enough defense to grab hold of an 8 seed? No. Will they have enough offense to outscore people and grab hold of an 8 seed? Yes. NEVER BET AGAINST THE MAMBA! Verdict: IN.

Western Conference Predictions

The dynamics of the NBA’s Western Conference seem to reshape themselves year by year. Unlike in the East, where Miami is the clear-cut favorite, the parody of today’s Western Conference is undeniable.
It’s that same parody that creates a sense of exhilaration for basketball fans come playoff time. Throughout the past two decades, the West has traditionally been a better conference from top to bottom, as evident by the 8 vs 1 seed upsets in 2007 (when the Baron Davis-led warriors defeated Dirk’s Mavs) and 2009 (when the Grizz topped Coach Pop’s always tough San Antonio squad).

With the current depth of talented teams out west, 2014 could very well be host to some more thrilling upsets. I guess that’s why TNT asserts that the NBA knows drama. If drama is to come in the form of another top seeded team being upended, then let this be a warning to KD and crew, because the Thunder will be seeded on top come playoff time.

Kevin Durant said he’s been sick and tired of coming in second his whole life. He was drafted second to Greg Oden, finished second in MVP voting to LBJ, and finished second in the 2012 finals. While I’m sure he would have been picked up first, not second, in any open gym I’ve ever played in, he certainly has higher standards than that. We all know KD can’t stand to sit back and watch LeBron James win a second championship, while he sits at home with zilch. It gets to him, as it should. As a result, Durant is hungrier than ever.

         

What will happen to the Thunder if they lose again? They are supposed to be built for championships. Might Durant and Westbrook be forced to separate if they fail to win again? These are questions neither OKC star wants to consider, which means their time must be now. They need to get W’s, and I have reason to believe they will be getting lots of them this season.

The Thunder are only two seasons removed from a trip to the NBA Finals, and thought they don’t have Harden anymore, I believe they would have been right back there last season had Russ not been the latest victim of a tragic yet ever-so-popular knee injury. With their point guard healthy, they earned the West’s top spot last year as the regular season concluded (despite no longer having Blackbeard, who moved on to Houston).  Their current roster looks nearly the same as last season’s. The biggest difference is that their opponents will now be facing a fed-up, impatient Durant, who’s getting sick of waiting for his first ring. The net result will be a #1 seed.

My second seed goes to the franchise that’s been completely flipped upside down from where it was a decade ago, the Los Angeles Clippers. I’ve never heard of trading for a coach, but LobCity made it happen, and they won’t regret it. Doc Rivers will prove just how much difference a head coach can make in this league. He has to be the second best coach (trailing only Popovich), and is now rejuvenated on the west coast after coaching an aging Celtics team that was nearing it’s window on the east coast. What enticed him to make the change is that he’s now got a roster to work with that is both youthful and skillful.

Chris Paul, the best leader and point guard in the league, has some new faces to work with. While the root of LobCity (Deandre Jordan and Blake Griffin) returns, the team also added some much needed shooting to create room for those pick-and-rolls which so often lead to the above-the-rim action Clipper fans are growing accustomed to seeing. J.J. Redick will create room for CP3 to do his thing, and Dudley, a glue guy, will make shots and do all the little things to help his team improve on last year’s record-breaking season.

I think the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely for L.A.C. to win a lot of games this upcoming season. To get the #2 seed in a tough Western Conference would be quite a feat for this new-look team, though I think they can accomplish that feat. I’m not sold, however, on their chances to go anywhere past the conference semifinals come playoff time.

While I think their roster was put together nicely for the stretch of an 82-game season, I don’t like the lack of defenders they have at the 2 and 3 positions, which I think will hurt them in a 7-game series against opposing teams’ superstars. Dudley and Redick will fit in great offensively with what the team is trying to accomplish, but can they really win a championship with those two guys owning starting spots? I don’t think so. Not to mention, Jamaal Crawford is the only guy other than CP3 who can create his own shot, and that is concerning for Clipper title hopes. I will admit, though, that Doc usually tends to find a way. I believe he’ll make it work through 82 games, but come post-season, I just think their weaknesses will be exposed on the bigger stage. Nevertheless, the Clippers get my #2 seed.

The Golden State Warriors, much like superstar Kevin Durant, have a chip on their shoulders. Such a mentality starts with the head coach, Mark Jackson, who is has already proved himself to be a confident, passionate new coach in this league. Though he failed to meet his promise to make the playoffs with the Warriors in year one, he put confidence back into a desperate franchise and delivered in year two, as the Warriors claimed the 6th seed in 2013.  Now that they’ve tasted success and improved their roster from what was an already talented club, they should only improve (hence me granting them my #3 seed).

Curry, the best shooter in the NBA, has made himself into more of an all-around player and a top-15 talent in this league. He and Klay Thompson together are deadly from beyond the arc. Harrison Barnes is also a threat on both ends of the court, and Bogut, Lee, Green, and Ezeli provide toughness as well as formidable depth down low. New addition Andre Iguodala will be a great fit for Golden State’s system as well. He and Barnes will each be able to guard the other team’s best player, which could make the Warriors extremely versatile on the defensive end of the floor (which is something they’ve lacked in the past). It’s not the individual pieces that make Golden State so dangerous, however, but the play of the unit as a collective group. The Warriors are a team full of good players who do not care who gets the credit. They play team ball, and they do so at a very high level.

          

Another team that knows nothing other than team basketball is the San Antonio Spurs, who will capture the #4 seed when the regular season comes to a close. The Spurs, though, have a style quite contrasting from that of the Warriors. Golden State is young, energetic, and in a sense, something new for basketball fans. The Spurs, on the other hand, have been there and done that. They’re the definition of consistency over time as they’ve done it for so long. They’re old. They’re fundamental. They’re blue collar. The Spurs do it without flash.

So why did I drop a team that was one free throw away from winning the World Championship to a 4 seed? Well, it’s not because I don’t believe in them. In fact, I do. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Spurs are back in the Finals next season, because they know what it takes. Their experience is second to none. The only difference I see in next season’s team as opposed to last season’s team is that they are one year older. This means achy knees, sore shoulders, and back spasms for vets like Ginobili and Duncan. Consequently, Coach Pop, who is known for resting his players during the regular season, will do so again more than ever during the course of this upcoming NBA season. I expect to see the big three on the bench more than in years past. As a result, I give them my #4 seed. Despite barely giving them home-court advantage in the first round, I give them a better chance to make the Finals than my 2-seeded Clippers. But hey, I’m just picking the seeds right now, not playoff results.

Come round 1 of playoff time the Spurs of old will be matched up with the Rockets of new. Despite the hype surrounding D12 teaming with Harden and a handful of shooters, Houston will finish no better than fifth out west. Sure, you get the positives as to why I think they will improve on their 8th seed from last season. They have both Dwight and Asik down low (that’s great for defensive purposes). Dwight will be playing with a roster similar to the one he had in Orlando that he took to the finals. Hakeem the Dream, Yao, and Kevin McHale will all be able to influence the big fella. And last but not least, Dwight doesn’t even have to be the best player on his team. All such things are positive for Houston. But one thing excited Houston fans can’t deny is that with the exception of Patrick Beverly, a backup, none of the guards on the team play defense. Trying to out-shoot and out-score people only works for so long. The team brought in Ronnie Brewer, but he’s an overrated defender who shouldn’t be on the court long because his defense is not good enough to make up for his lack of offensive production. So perhaps D12 can cure this problem by clogging the lane. But if it’s the same D12 of the past two years, that surely won’t work. He’ll be in foul trouble before Rocket fans can say “HELP.” The Rockets get my #5 seed because of offensive prowess, not defensive potency.

My #6 seed goes to the identity-less Lakers. We’ve seen how poor this team can play. Despite that poor play, and having probably the most injury-plagued basketball team in NBA history, the Lakeshow still made the playoffs last season. One cannot overlook what the Lakers did at the end of the regular season before Kobe went down with his achilles tear. In case you forgot, they were rolling. And they got better this off-season. The first step to improvement was addition by subtraction: ridding themselves of the Dwight Howard drama. Had Phil been the new coach of L.A.L. (as he should have been), then the team would be better off with Dwight and the triangle offense. But since he’s not, D12 has no place in D’Antoni’s system. I think with him out of the lineup, guys will not be worried about filling his soft ego with touches, but instead will be focused on their own games and playing their roles more effectively.

Call me a crazy Lakers fan, but I expect to see a lively Pau Gasol (who will be getting many more touches) this season and a much improved Steve Nash. And there is also no question in my mind that Kobe will be Kobe. He’s the most determined basketball player of all-time. If he wants to be back in elite form, he will be. So, the Black Mamba is not a concern of mine. Instead, I’m fascinated by what this Lakers team might or might not do. They’ve yet to show us what kind of team they are, but I believe these old guys can get it done. They did manage to insert some youth into their aching roster. Nick Young was by far Mitch Kupchak’s best pickup of the off-season. At age 28, Young has everything the Lakers needed: athleticism, a three point shot, the ability to create for self, and Laker pride (he’s an L.A. native). Ryan Kelly, Jordan Hill, Jody Meeks, Wesley Johnson, and Elias Harris will also be able to provide a youthful sense of energy and keep their elders (Pau, Kobe, Nash) updated with the newest technology of the modern era. With that being said, the Lakers could be on the bubble this year. And even if Pau and Nash don’t succeed like I think they will, the last time I checked, they still had Kobe Bryant. He’ll be back in rare form in no time.

While I’ve mentioned that certain teams clicked well as a unit, if one and one team only embodies the word togetherness, it has to be the Denver Nuggets. This team, which reminds me of the 2004 World Champion Detroit Pistons, is constructed as just that: a team. Denver has no superstar, but a great number of very good players. Their relentless style of play makes them tough to play on any given night because they never take games off, let alone plays off. Despite losing Iguodala to the Warriors, I didn’t drop them from a 3 seed to a 7 seed because I think they’ve gotten a lot worse. I think they will be as tough as ever; I just think other teams have gotten much better.

Denver will be capable of beating anyone and everyone. They’ll surprise a number of teams in a number of games. Nate Robinson, Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, and J.J. Hickson just reek of energy (on both ends of the court). They’ll remain one of the most energetic, exciting teams to watch. Yet, I believe their one weakness will be offensive consistency. While playing in a conference that is much improved, their sometimes inconsistent efficiency on O will give them issues at times, especially under first-year head coach Brian Shaw. As a result, I see them finishing with the #7 seed and eventually entertaining the Clippers for 7 games in round one come playoff time.

            

My final seed goes to the Memphis Grizzlies. I love the way the Grizz play the game. They too, have no superstars. They have one of the best starting front lines with Marc Gasol and Zack Randolph, but neither guy is a superstar, and I’m concerned with their depth following Darrell Arthur’s departure. They’ll be good defensively, but still need to add another big for support. Mike Miller was the only addition to a team that badly needed one more scorer on offense (and didn’t get that scorer). Regardless of player personnel, the worst decision of the off-season came when a coaching change was made.

There was no logical reason for firing Lionel Hollins and replacing him with rookie head coach David Joerger (formerly of Moorhead State University). It makes no sense to me, nor did it to the Grizzlies players. The core foundation the team already has with Conley, Allen, Prince, and the big guys down low is enough to grant them a playoff birth. But starting over with a new head coach (one who still has to earn the respect of his players) was not a good move and might have ruined Memphis’s hopes of making a deep playoff run. The Grizz round out the Western Conference Playoffs with my #8 seed.

After 82 games of regular season play, your Western Conference seedings will look something like this:

1. Oklahoma City

2. Los Angeles Clippers

3. Golden State Warriors

4. San Antonio Spurs

5. Houston Rockets

6. Los Angeles Lakers

7. Denver Nuggets

8. Memphis Grizzlies

Eastern Conference Predictions

In trying to predict how the NBA's regular season will finish next season, I struggled to select a team that will lead the Eastern Conference in wins.

Just kidding.

I think all basketball analysts alike agree that the Miami Heat will finish atop the East (in the regular season at least).

Who then, can compete with the Heat and dethrone them? I'm not interested in who can keep things tight with the Heat and provide a scare to the disloyal fans of South Beach. The Pacers have done that for two straight seasons. Who cares who can hang with the Heat? How about, who can beat the Heat?

But before I get to my playoff predictions, moreover, I first need to pinpoint which teams are playoff worthy. And while everyone and their moms know the eight, seven, and six seeds of the East have little to no chance of winning a playoff series (unless maybe it's my Pistons), it's still fun to predict who will finish where when 82 games have been played.

Starting from the top, Miami is the clear-cut favorite. Miami is Zeus, and Indiana Poseidon. Much like in the past few years, Indiana will be near the top, but not at the top. Perhaps they can change that this time around when the post-season commences. But first, why Indiana for the the second spot?

Well, it's simple. They have have pieces and they have chemistry. They play defense and they play team ball. And most importantly, they have experience playing with one another. David West re-signed because he believes this is the year Indiana gets over the hump. Luis Scola, who will now join West in the Pacer's front court, is an extremely valuable pick-up as well and substantially improves the team's depth. He is an upgrade from Psycho T, who left the team to go north of the border and join the dreadful yet always athletic Toronto Raptors. These two have the preferable type of skillset to play alongside a footer like Hibbert.

Yeah, that's right. Indiana still has the beef down low. And it comes in the form of one of the games best and few remaining "true centers."


Indiana is not only set in the post, but they also have #24. No not Kobe. But if you followed the NBA last season you know what Paul George can do. And he is quickly becoming the team's go-to guy. He was widely regarded as the team's second best player when Danny Granger was healthy. While most probably agree with me in saying that George is now the better of the two, it sure won't hurt the team to have both (regardless of who you think is better, but it's clearly George) in the starting five now that Granger is returning from injury. This allows the team to match-up perfectly with the two-time defending champs. Granger and George form a better defensive threat to Lebron and Flash than any other duo in the league.

With this being said, a second place finish in the East makes sense for Indiana. But why not number one? Well the answer to that lies in the position I have not yet mentioned: point guard. The fact of the matter is the point guard position is the team's only weakness. This is not a knock on George Hill, who is a great pro and has had a successful career thus far. But quite frankly, I don't think George Hill will ever be a championship level point guard. He was a great back-up to Tony Parker in San Antonio, and he has been a formidable starter in Indy. However, I'll say it again: He is not a championship level point guard. It seems plausible that Hill could win a title as a very effective 6th man, but Indiana will only continue to get so close and then fall just short as long as he remains the team's starter. But in regards to the regular season, a Hill, George, Granger, West, Hibbert starting lineup ought to wrap up the two seed. If they don't, shame on them.

The 3 seed will surely fall to either New York, Brooklyn, or Chicago. I first must address the brewing inner-state rivalry that is sprouting between the Knicks and new-look Nets. People are beginning to question whether or not Brooklyn can take over the city of New York. I don't mean to de-magnify the situation, but there isn't much to take over. It's not as if the Knickerbockers, who have done nothing impressive as of late, have owned the city by any means. Even when Melo's squad was solo in the city, the fans complained often and never completely bought in. So I wouldn't say any team runs New York, but Brooklyn does have the advantage in the short-term future.

I like this modernized Coach Kidd-led team to claim the third spot in the East. It's difficult to turn a blind eye to the weapons the Nets now have. Bringing two future Hall-of-Famers and a jet to the roster has sparked life into what was becoming quite an average franchise. The team has weapons. Because of age they may no longer be weapons of mass destruction, but they are weapons nonetheless.

D-Will, Joe, the Truff, the Big Ticket, and Lopez looks like a top-five NBA starting lineup on paper. While I imagine it will take them some time to develop the necessary chemistry on and off the court to become great, the second half of the season ought to be their time. While I can't wait to see what KG's insertion into the lineup does to the team's defense, the one who needs to step up most on offense is not the aging vets from Boston, but the point guard who deems himself great.

Deron Williams has been a very good player over the best few years. But very good is not good enough. He has fallen short of his superstar expectations and is no longer in the conversation for the league's top PG. He needs to stop being very good, and start being great. D-Will needs to establish himself as the team's leader and best player right off the bat. Having former point Jason Kidd in his ear every day of the week should help him in doing just that.

Pierce and Johnson's style of play will compliment D-Will's very well, and KG's jump shooting, one would think, should mesh perfectly with Lopez's post presence. If for some reason the starting five struggles with the championship-or-bust type pressure that will dawn on them, they've got excellent peer support on the pine.

I have quickly fallen in love with the depth of Brooklyn's re-shaped front line. Backing up Garnett and Lopez is instant offense in Andre Blatche, and instant defense in Reggie Evans. Rookie Mason Plumlee (who will be a very effective pro) will also provide energy and a presence in the post. They have the pieces to battle with any and all teams down low. While the front line is a bit thinner, they have instant energy in former Sixth Man of the Year, Jason Terry.

I believe we will see the Jet from Dallas, and not the underachieving one from Boston. While he will not score as much as he did while playing next to his current coach J-Kidd and Dirk, he will be the energizer bunny for the club as well as the team's best floor spacer. I'm assuming Terry regrets tattooing the Boston Celtic mascot holding the Larry O'Brien trophy on his left bicep. Terry does, however, have an excellent chance of holding that championship hardware once more if Brooklyn can match all the pieces to their talented puzzle. For this reason, I see them beating out the Bulls and Knicks for 3rd in the East.

Chicago will be the last team to obtain home court advantage in round one. While a few additions and subtractions were made to the team's roster, Coach Tibbs has his core group of guys back. Chicago ranks in the top five for best chemistry in the NBA, and that is a direct result of the core group playing as a unit. Noah, Deng, Boozer, and company return and will help lead one of the the league's premier defenses. The Bulls adhere to a system, and play passionately on defense (they can put the clamps down), which keeps them in games when their offense struggles. And it's inevitable that their offense will occasionally struggle. That, moreover, is why the Windy City fans should embrace and celebrate "The Return."

That's right; Derek Rose is back folks! Much like I will understand if it takes the Nets a while to learn how to play with one another, it might also take D Rose some time before he's back to elite status. It might take time for the rust to be shaken off, which is why I have given Rose's team nothing better than a four seed. But if he's mentally and physically 100% by playoff time, that's when he'll be on an equal playing field with the likes of Miami. While Nate Robinson's departure to Denver will be a significant loss, I still anticipate the core of the team will lock up on defense while Rose anchors the offense when needed. The net result, come playoff time, could mean a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Chicago's style of play is quite dissimilar from that of New York's. The Knicks have a roster that looks extremely similar to the one they've had in the past two seasons, each of which have been failures if the playoffs mean anything. New York likes to outscore people. They still have guys who like to compete to see who can take the most bad shots in a game. The team still has the worst backup point guard in the NBA (Pablo Prigioni) who is relieving an out-of-shape starting point (Raymond Felton). Even more concerning, the team only has one legitimate defensive-minded player in Tyson Chandler (Metta WorldPeace tries to be, but he can't play on either end of the court these days).

Clearly this means some people will have to step up. Amar'e Stoudemire, whose name has nearly been completely zapped from the media, will be the x-factor. Andrea Bargnani will not be. Bargnani loves to get buckets which is why he's a Knick. But unfortunately, he seems to like giving up buckets more than he does getting them, which also fits a team that often plays on only one side of the floor. Bargnani and Stoudemire are two amongst a handful who need to step up and make significant strides defensively. I posted an article about Stoudemire last year in which I deemed him a disappearing act. I stand by every word I wrote in that post. Injury-plagued Amar'e has been non-existent in the past few years, and has let the city of New York down. If the Knicks are to do anything this year, he will need to be a big part of the success.

Despite my criticism of Coach Mike Woodson's team, it's not all negative in NYC. They still have one very dynamic thing going for them, and that thing is 6'8 and 230 pounds of skill. Yes, Carmelo Anthony is still a Knick, and though he's not yet won a ring, he cannot be ignored. Melo is a top-fve player in the game today, and is fully capable of carrying his team through the regular season. Melo's greatest challenge will not be to score more, but to make others around him better in 2014. No, I'm not saying Melo needs to develop a point guard mentality (he can still do his thing on offense), but he does need to rally his troops and be a leader from the forward position. He can only carry his team for so long. The Knicks will trail the Bulls in wins next season by a very slim margin (these two teams will face off in the first round of the playoffs), and consequently, find themselves with a five seed.

Selecting the final three seeds is where the fun begins. While others might disagree with the order in which I have placed Miami, Indiana, Brooklyn, Chicago, and New York, I don't know a single basketball analyst who would refute the notion that I have already given the five best teams (in the East) a seed. The remaining three teams are those that have little to no chance of winning a playoff series (unless maybe it's my Pistons), but will be ecstatic just to make the post-season. These teams will be as happy to find life after 82 games as my childhood friends were to win the Toilet Bowl at the Greenville Gus Macker in elementary school.

The first of my final three playoff teams is my home-state squad, the Pistons. This is not a byproduct of me dwelling in the overzealous praise given to Dumars by Detroit fans because the team finally has a couple of well-known players on the team. While I'm happy with the moves Dumars has made post-draft, I realize the team will still be very flawed on defense. I like what Detroit did in picking up Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith, and former World Champion with the Pistons, Chauncey Billups (who, aside from assistant coach Rasheed Wallace, is clearly the fan favorite already). The reality is, however, that neither Jennings nor Smith play a lick of defense, and Chauncey (who is still a very good player) is inching closer to retirement as you read this.

New coach Mo Cheeks has a difficult task ahead of him, but he does have more tools to work with than he previously thought he would when he took the job. There is talent on the roster now, and while the new guys struggle on D, they will be able to put up points. We know about the shiftiness of Jennings and the athleticism of Smith, but the leadership and outside shooting (which was desperately needed in Detroit) of Billups ought not be overshadowed.

It's not just the new guys, but the returning size down low that also has people excited. Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond are coming into the 2013-2014 season with one more year of experience under their belts. That year will make a world of a difference.

Drummond's athleticism is comparable to that of Smith's. If those two get in on the fastbreak lob action, Detroit could be fun to watch. While they run the floor, Monroe will be assigned to the paint, where he and Tony Mitchell (who might be the steal of the draft) will be formidable bigs. If Cheeks can find a way to utilize the individual talents of his new-look team (they even have new jerseys) and make them play as one, Detroit might even flirt with a run to the second round of the playoffs.

A Hibbert-Bynum matchup in the first round of the playoffs also sounds intriguing. That matchup might very well take place (given both are healthy), as Cleveland is my likely candidate for the seventh seed. The success of the Cavs leans largely on Bynum's state of consciousness this season. If he is physically and mentality bought in to Cleveland basketball, then Eastern Conference big men should be forewarned. When healthy, he is arguably the best center in the NBA. When you team him with Kryie Irving, an incredibly dangerous duo is created. Kryie is the future of the league, and might be the best PG basketball has to offer in three to five years.

Kyrie will spend some time at the shooting guard position as a direct result of Dan Gilbert acquiring Jarret Jack from Golden State. Jack and fellow newcomers Earl Clark and first overall selection of the draft Anthony Bennett look to compliment Bynum and Irving with their new roles, which are still being shaped today. These Lebronless Cavs have two of the most talented payers in the league, and a number of potentially effective role players. As a result, they should find themselves in the playoffs for the first time since their King abandoned them.

The last team to sneak into the playoffs will be the Boston Celtics. Yes, I know the Celtics are supposed to be in rebuilding mode. But if they are planning their lottery picks already, they'll have to wait another year. Boston did little to earn my eighth seed, but was granted it via process of elimination.

The Raptors might enjoy their time on SportsCenter's Top Ten, but their above the rim play is not enough for a playoff bid. I've also began mourning for the 76ers following a quick glance at their roster. Philadelphia might be the bottomless pit of the NBA next season. And the Bobcats surely won't make the playoffs either. The Wizards still have no idea how to play as a team, and the Hawks lost too much talent. Victor Oladipo is the only positive thing about Orlando. And O.J. Mayo is the only true offensive weapon in Milwaukee, and he should be a team's third or fourth option, not first. This leaves one team: The Boston Celtics.

Should NBA fans be surprised that the league's most successful franchise might make the playoffs? I certainly understand that losing Pierce, Garnett, and Doc took the life out of Boston. But now they have a young nucleus and a young coach who are beginning the process of re-energizing Beantown to the best of their ability. Boston still has Rondo, one of the game's best. He will be accompanied by returners Jeff Greene, Jared Sullinger, Avery Bradley (who is the basketball's best defender of point and shooting guards), and Courtney Lee. Kelly Olynyk out of Gonzaga is also a bright spot for the team's future. If Boston drafts as well as they did this past June, then their road to recovery might be quicker than expected. Olynyk will quickly become one of Rondo's favorite targets. If the 7'0 rookie can discover his role among the returners, and Rondo returns to prime form, Boston should make a run at the East's final playoff spot.

Thus, my predicted Eastern Conference playoff seedings look like this:

1. Miami Heat
2. Indiana Pacers
3. Brooklyn Nets
4. Chicago Bulls
5. New York Knicks
6. Detroit Pistons
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Boston Celtics