2022 Eastern Conference predictions

 In honor of the new NBA season, I will be predicting the league standings of both the East and the West, starting with the East. I am doing this so before the season starts so I can't include any trades and Ben Simmons is increasingly likely to stay which no one saw happening 

1.Nets- everyone knows the former big 3 and now the big two of this team. KD and Harden alone are probably good enough for high seedings. However, the Nets depth is scary. There is no point going through all of the players, because they are all star calibre players and if not they are well seasoned vets that are going to be massive for this team regular season. The nets are bookies favorites for a reason and they are going to be tough. 

2.Bucks- the world champions and a team that is going to be tough to play whenever, wherever as Shakira so eloquently said. I think PJ Tucker will be a massive loss come playoff time, but I think his absence will be minimal in the regular season. A few good pickups for depth and Grayson Allen could be a steal especially with the Giannis issue that defenses has to deal with. 

3.76ers- I think the 76ers have got weaker in before the Simmons saga still not looking like ending anytime soon. Drummond for Howard is a downgrade for me and the loss of George Hill is big for both the bench and senior leadership. However, I do hope this is the year that Joel Embiid stays healthy and make a very strong one for the MVP. At his best, he is one of the most unstoppable bigs in our game and the only thing that has curtailed him so far his injuries. 

4.Celtics- I do not think the Boston have gotten better or worse. The best ability is availability and Schroder is not the same player as Walker but Walker's knees means Schroder is great pickup, especially on the contract he is on and what he has to prove to the league. Any team with a healthy Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is gonna be nasty and all I think the supporting cast will not shine come playoff time, I think they will be a good regular season team. 

5 Bulls- The best offseason in the league for me and it ain't particularly close. Obviously you have Derozan, Ball and Caruso but I love the pick ups of Alize Johnson, Derrick Jones and Matty Thomas. Great depth and with Lavine's jump last year, this time is going to be tough and they are a lock for the play offs, unless chemistry and defense massively hinder them. 

6 Heat- I think the Heat have got better this offseason, however they have sacrificed depth for grittiness and a better chance of going deep. I'm a Raptors fan and I want nothing but the best for Kyle and I think this team will be hard to put away in a 7 game series. I hope Oladipo can get somewhere near his all star calibre and heat culture dictates that another stud undrafted player will come along and give this team a massive boost. 

7 Hawks- Hawks are a great young team with great talents surrounded by Trae Young being the star and leader. I like the pick ups of Gorgui Dieng and TLC to add some good depth to this team. If Cam Reddish and DeAndre Hunter can continue developing then this team will be great. Trae Young should developing at a current rate, I would not like to play this team in the playoffs. They could be anywhere up and down this list but I look forward to watching them next season.  

8 Pacers- Pacers of recent years, usually finish close to or around .500. I like the addition of Rick Carlisle after the failed experiment with Nate Bjorkgren. Big decisions lie ahead with whether Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis can work in the front court together, their skillset should mesh quite well but it has never really looked natural. Offseason wasn't notable but there are 3 rookies which could and boost this team but it looks to be a mediocre season for Indiana at the best.

9  Knicks- I am happy for the Knicks that finally they are going into the season with optimism and I think it is well founded. Kemba and Evan are going to add more scoring and will be able to free Randle up so he can continue his most improved player form. I saw Jericho Sims in preseason and I think he will be beloved in New York with his high energy in similar kin to Robert Williams in Boston. New York has hope and progression from last year is needed. 

10 Raptors- My team and it is so hard putting them this low. Last year Raptors were a .500 team but with all the factors that they faced, their record lead them to getting the fourth pick. Scottie Barnes ia a gamble and if his shot never works out, then he could be a big bust. However, this Raptors team's defense is going to be nasty and they should be playing back at Toronto again. The loss of the Greatest Raptor of All Time is hard but the ready made replacement is there in Steady Freddie. This team is going to be long and annoying with players like OG and Gary Trent Jr on the verge of breaking out, I am optimistic for this season 

11Hornets- a young team that is going to be fun to watch. Kelly Oubre is a good pick up in the Gordon Hayward model who offers scoring with a point to prove. Add 5 new rookies with Bouknight looking to be the pick of the bunch. This team is going to be the league pass team again and this young team built around Lamelo can make a good run at the playoffs. 

12 Wizards- Bradley Beal is the star of this team and is a great player. The rest of the team just require more defense but scoring should be not a problem for this team. Kuzma and Harrell both have a lot to prove after their trade and their on the whole disappointing seasons but I think Harrell is not good. If Beal is traded then this position will drop, if some of the offseason pickup hits, they could force their way to into the play in /playoffs. 

13 Cavaliers- The two undersized guards and the three 7 footer line up is interesting and would be fun to watch. The squad is not well balanced and the best players are in the same positions. Sexland is the best duo nickname but I do not see the pair working. Mobley and Allen could work in theory but adding Lauri into the mix is a recipe for disaster. It feels like an overpay and the squad balance is odd, so another Lebronless year where Cleveland are irrelevant. 

14 Pistons- I like this team and same with the Magic, it is a team rebuilding. Obviously Cade is almost certainly going to be a baller and with Bey and Stewart, there is sold foundations. Jerami Grant put up 20 points per game and if Kelly O can show his form from Houston, I think this team has a better foundation than the Magic and hence higher in the standings. Still nowhere near the playoffs or play in. 

15 Orlando Magic- Orlando are a team rebuilding, trading away Vucevic at the trade deadline as well as Aaron Gordon. I think Orlando are a good young team and if Isaac recovers well from his injury with lots of good players to develop, I think Orlando may finish higher but I see no way they make the playoffs or even the play-in. I just think there are too many point guards on this team and the balance is askew.