FortsonBass
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After a thrilling 2006-07 season, Gopher finally won a championship then decided to blow it up. In doing that, Gopher signaled to the rest of the BSL that the East was wide open and here's the preview of the most open conference in the BSL...
1) Washington Bullets (60-22) - The Bullets had a terrific preseason and cpu preseason. In the actual preseason, Deron Williams chose not to participate but the Bullets still won. With a balanced scoring attack of Deron Williams, Rudy Fernandez, and Rudy Gay it will be difficult to stop the Bullets on defense. On the defensive end, they're anchored by Jermaine O'Neal who is no doubt one of the most underrated players in the league today. The East is too close to call, but the depth and star power the Bullets display is at the top of the East.
2) New York Knicks (58-24) - Deion has put together a terrific Knicks team. Anchored by stars Joe Johnson and Tony Parker, the Knicks are a threat to win the East every season. He has still yet to break through to the Finals, but this might be the season health permitting. If you look at the Bullets and Knicks, it's razor thin with the difference possibly being Jason Richardson vs. Rudy Gay. Death, taxes, and the Knicks winning 55+ in the East.
3) Orlando Magic (57-25) - Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis look incredible, but there are questions about the Magic's bigs compared to the Bullets and Knicks. Many GM's liked the Mikki Moore trade, but many also agree Chandler and O'Neal are simply better centers than Moore. This Magic team is very top heavy, but perhaps a dominant big away from leap frogging the Bullets and Knicks for the top spot. Perhaps a Shaq reunion is on the menu?
4) Boston Celtics (55-27) - GB is a masterful trader, drafter, and GM. Even with that said, several GM's were perplexed by his decision to let JJ Redick walk in the offseason. He began the offseason with an underrated trade of Chris Bosh south to Dallas, then traded for Zach Randolph, and surrounded superstar Rashard Lewis with more depth behind him. Blakney is a questionable fit at PG, but I have no doubt he will find a way to acquire a guard capable of getting Randolph, Lewis, and Yao the shots they desire. If the Kings sell, will GB go calling for Brevin Knight?
5) Chicago Bulls (53-29) - Even with their GM missing in action for most of the offseason, the Bulls still have the best star power in the BSL. With the most talented big three of Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and Tim Duncan it's hard to criticize the Bulls. That being said, for once those stars would like depth not fulfilled by the leftover free agency thread. In spite of this, they're a safe bet to win 50 games and benefit by playing in the weak Central division. Even though they're ranked 5 here, they'll get the coveted 2 seed thanks to a sad division.
6) Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30) - JB always puts together solid teams, and he's blessed with a very underrated superstar in Chauncey Billups. His formula of outside shooting, star PG, and solid bigs has been known as long as I've been in a league with him. Like the Bulls, the Cavs are in a bad division so perhaps we'll see them in the 2 seed. For now, the Bulls star power just gives them the edge, but one injury could change things in the Central.
7) Philadelphia 76ers (51-31) - In spite of entering into a terrible situation, having no draft picks, and only Rashard Lewis as a sexy trade piece the 76ers find themselves in the competitive pack. A better PG might propel them into the top 4, but there are still major questions surrounding their star power. Some GM's ranked new star AK47 as high as 9 in the annual player rankings, but other GM's are split on his talent. The 76ers also play in the most difficult division in the league in the Atlantic, and it'll be a blood bath as always as they fight upstream. They feel like they're 1 or 2 stars away, and they have very little ways to get the stars asset wise. They'll just be middling until then.
8) New Jersey Nets (50-32) - Ray Allen is a still a superstar, and NoTail will forever be the most underrated GM on here. Saying no words in GroupMe, never boasting, but always winning. Even after trading away Pau Gasol, the Nets should have no issue reaching the playoffs with their star studded roster of Allen, Devin Harris, and Luis Scola. There are major questions about new center Chris Kaman, but NoTail I'm sure has a DC to calm those fears. He's a lock for the playoffs, maybe as high as the 6 seed.
9) Atlanta Hawks (44-38) - Just missing the cut are the Atlanta Hawks, Player has done a nice job rebuilding but not enough talent quality in the loaded East to be playoff bound. Brandon Roy, Pau Gasol, and Allen Iverson are a capable big three but the players around them could be better. Can you make the playoffs with Amar'e Stoudemire as your 2nd best rebounder? Is Darren Collison a winning player? A lot of questions the Hawks need to solve via the trade market.
10) Charlotte Hornets (39-43) - Chris Paul looks terrific, but is probably a season or two away from being in the top 15 conversation. Andre Iguodala also looks splendid, but you can use the same sentence for him here. Freak will just have to be patient, as Aldridge, Paul, and Iguodala will hit their prime in 1-2 more seasons. In the weak West they would make the playoffs, but here they miss the cut fighting for .500
The Rest:
Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, and Indiana Pacers I say good job, good effort. Good luck on your journey rebuilding. For the Pistons, it has been since the league started. For the Heat, good luck on your new journey. In the stacked East, it might be best to wait until some of the Conference's stars age out, and for others it might be time to give up on your prospects to tank even harder.
