My predictions for the Central Division as well as brief comments on each team after the jump. (Media Day today for the Sixers, we're going to wrap these predictions quickly as camp is looming).
1. Cavaliers (62-20) - I'm fairly certain I like the additions of Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon more than Shaq, although I'm sure I'm in the minority. Personally, I wish for nothing but bad things to happen to this team. If you thought the pregame posing for pictures was ridiculous last season, just wait 'til you see Shaq and LeBron try to one-up each other for biggest d-bag in the league.
2. Bulls (41-41) - They lost Ben Gordon, which is going to sting, but they will have John Salmons + Brad Miller all year, and Rose is a year older (and hopefully picked up some defensive clues over the summer). I see them pretty much right where they were last year.
3. Pistons (39-43) - The Pistons went in an unexpected, and I'm afraid misguided direction when they splurged in free agency to bring in Ben Gordon and Charlie V. Now they're a hodgepodge of mismatched parts and their defensive identity is completely gone. I have them scratching their way into the #8 seed, but that's really nothing to brag about.
4. Pacers (35-47) - Not much to say about this team. With or without Dunleavy, is anyone really scared of them?
5. Bucks (29-53) - The Bucks could swing either way this season. They probably would've been my upset team to sneak into the playoffs had they retained Ramon Sessions, but there are just so many question marks. Expect Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut to return. Expect dazzling plays from Brandon Jennings. Don't expect a whole lot from Joe Alexander. Expect really solid fantasy numbers from Hakim Warrick. Expect a high lottery pick next season unless Jennings really plays beyond his years and Redd/Bogut remain healthy.
Here's your playoff seeding for the Eastern Conference:
1. Cleveland
2. Orlando
3. Boston
4. Philadelphia
5. Atlanta
6. Chicago
7. New Jersey
8. Detroit
Thoughts in the comments, as usual.
The sixers the fourth seed? Pretty optimistic for a team who is greatly realying on a big who basicly lost 2 years don't you think?
Yeah, I'm optimistic. Basically, I think it's between the Hawks and the Sixers for the fourth seed, could go either way. None of the teams below the Sixers improved drastically in my mind. Miami took a step back. The Sixers have a healthy, motivated Brand, from all accounts, and a young core with another year of development.
The Wiz improved drastically, but hopefully not enough to pass the Sixers (and their line-up is one big question mark healthy-wise.)
I listed this at libertyballers:
A few 2009-10 rankings/predictions are out
ESPN.com power rankings has them 9th in the East.
NBA.com power rankings has them 9th in the East.
Inside hoops power rankings has them 9th in the East.
Hoopsworld power rankings has them 10th in the East
Hoopsworld’s 5 writers predict the Sixers in their DIVISION to be 3rd X4 or 5th (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13866)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=OffseasonPredictions09-EastStandings
Composite prediction of 53 ESPN staff. Sixers 39-43, tied for 7th/8th/9th with 3 teams
The Wiz improved drastically, but hopefully not enough to pass the Sixers (and their line-up is one big question mark healthy-wise.)
I listed this at libertyballers:
A few 2009-10 rankings/predictions are out
ESPN.com power rankings has them 9th in the East.
NBA.com power rankings has them 9th in the East.
Inside hoops power rankings has them 9th in the East.
Hoopsworld power rankings has them 10th in the East
Hoopsworld’s 5 writers predict the Sixers in their DIVISION to be 3rd X4 or 5th (www .hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13866)
sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=OffseasonPredictions09-EastStandings
Composite prediction of 53 ESPN staff. Sixers 39-43, tied for 7th/8th/9th with 3 teams
Honestly, I think 100% of the readers of this blog know more about the Sixers than anyone working at ESPN. They're such an afterthought nationally, that I put even less weight than usual in their predictions for the team.
I think it was you who put their wins anywhere between 36 and 46, right? I have them at the high end of that spectrum, that's all.
Don't see Washington making any noise whatsoever.
Brian, you definitely know more about the Sixers than anyone at ESPN (and I probably do to.) Its just that I don't know nearly as much about the other teams, and I worry about being a bit biased.
Last year I called 48 wins, and this year I'm settling on 39, but really am more uncertain than most years.
I'm not trying to be critical of your projection, just trying to put out there what others are saying. If anything, I think you are a more credible source for a Sixers projection then the other sources I cited, but its also hard to stay fully objective when you are more of a Sixer expert than a NBA expert.
Don't forget, Stromile Swift!
I don't think the wizards improved drastically - i think arenas is a gunner and i think they added a couple mediocre bench players and they aged another year...
Brian,
I'm with you on the optimism train!
One thing I would change: the 7th and 8th seed could also go to either Toronto or Washington. I actually like the Nets and their foundation, but it's a total crapshoot of a guess between Detroit, Toronto, and Washington for that eight spot IMO.
Hawks take 4th spot...dogfight for spots 5-8 the whole way through (swap in Toronto for NJ in that mix)... Bucks might be decent when Ersan Ilyasova gets to play good mins (maybe even start).