Season Preview '12-'13, Eastern Conference

As the 2012-2013 NBA season is coming around the corner, NBA players, coaches, GMs, scouts, and fans can finally say, "LeBron James has a ring." No more fourth quarter jokes or ring less jokes for King James, but will he pull of another brilliant performance this season as he did throughout his historic '11-'12 campaign? In which he won not only an NBA title, but a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal in London. Or will Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks finally break out and contend for a title shot? Will the Brooklyn Nets live up to their hype as one of the best starting fives in the NBA? There are alot of interesting teams in the East this season, who knows which team will make a big splash.


Lets Start with the top 4 seeds in the Eastern Conference :

1. Miami Heat - Projected W/L record (64-18)

Wade, Bosh, and James enjoying their title, but will they repeat?

Lebron, Wade, and Bosh's crew come into this season as the defending world champions and are looking to be even more dynamic this season. They will have a huge target on their back throughout the whole season, but LeBron James and Co. know how to deal with it as their team chemistry has dramatically improved each season since they came together in 2010. The Heat look very deadly especially from the perimeter with new sharpshooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Look for guard Mario Chalmers to have a little more of an expanded role this season running the point and directing traffic for the Heat's offense. The Big 3 will of course be expected to be what else a big 3, With LeBron James being the All-World player that he is, Dwyane Wade although he is up there in age (turning 31 in January) is still a productive shooting guard who can take pressure off of LeBron when he is struggling, and do not sleep on PF Chris Bosh who has shown in the last two NBA Finals he is as equally important to the big 3 in Miami. A lot of experts see Miami coming out of the East, but it will be a tough road to play in June, again.

2. New York Knicks - Projected W/L record (59-23)

The dynamic duo of Amar'e and Melo

The Knicks are primed for a deep run this season, with such a deep team at each position, and also a team loaded with NBA All-Stars such as Carmelo, Amar'e, and Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler. New York will make huge strides from last years up and down team, who got as hot as any team in the league and then went through long losing streaks. I don't see that happening in 2012-2013, Carmelo has been working hard all off-season and in the 2012 Olympics in London he showed the world he can be as good as anyone, he is arguably the most gifted offensive player in the league, and hopefully he can commit more of his effort to the defensive end of the court. Amar'e Stoudemire needs to be more of a dominate power forward who can score from not only mid range shots but back to the basket as well. The Knicks have also added some new pieces to their team with veteran point guard Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton. Look for J.R. Smith to emerge as a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year this season. Another player who can win some hardware on the Knicks is guard Iman Shumpert, who can lock up any opposing guard or small forward in the league.

3. Indiana Pacers - Projected W/L record (57-25)

Paul George and Co.

Paul George, Danny Granger, and Roy Hibbert headline a group of young and talented players for the Indiana Pacers who are looking to win the Central Division for the first time since 2004. The Pacers have made huge strides since 2011 when they were the 8th seed in the East and in 2012 they were a top 4 team. The Pacers did ship out point guard Darren Collison to the Mavs which is not to bad of a loss considering the depth they had last season and the addition of former Bobcat point guard D.J. Augustine. The Pacers have a legit back to the basket type center in Roy Hibbert who made his first All-Star appearance last season and looks to continue his great play from both ends of the court. Look out for high-flying, explosive shooting guard/small forward Paul George to burst on to the scene this year for Indy. He is a rising star in this league and needs to show the Pacers he can also carry the load with Granger in the scoring department and become more of an all around player. The Pacers only concern this season is, who will be the closer? Will it be Granger every time, even if he has an off night? Or will Roy Hibbert demand the ball to score? The Pacers need to establish who their go to guy can be in the fourth quarter.

4. Philadelphia 76ers - Projected W/L record (53-29)





Signing day for Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson

The Sixers were involved in a huge trade this off-season, acquiring All-Star center Andrew Bynum from the Lakers and sending Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets. Bynum is now the face of the future for the Sixers and is expecting to have an absolute monster season. The Sixers made a big stride last season by making the playoffs and were one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. This Season, the Sixers now have that playoff experience and are hungry to reach not only the playoffs but possibly make it to the ECF. The only thing holding the Sixers back is the health issues of Bynum. When healthy Andrew Bynum can be the best pure center in the league because of his offensive skill set and ability to alter shots. The Sixers have the right pieces in place to make a legit run in the playoffs.
Now lets take a look at the bottom 4 seeds :

5. Boston Celtics - Projected W/L record (50-32)

Does Paul Pierce and KG have another run in them?

When you think of the Boston Celtics, you would think of the Big 3 of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. Not anymore, with the departure of Ray Allen, the Celtics will turn to Rajon Rondo to fill in for Allen as they look to take the east once again. The Celtics surprised many last season with a brilliant run to the Eastern Conference Finals where the fell one game away to the NBA Finals. This season the C's are reloaded with a bunch of young big men (Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger) to help out KG and sharpshooting Jason Terry off the bench to provide some perimeter threat. The Celtics also have a defensive stopper in Avery Bradley who was injured for most of the 2012 playoffs. Even though the stars for Boston are up in age now (KG 36, Paul Pierce 35) you can never count them out of any type of title contention. The savvy vets should make a solid run this season.



6. Brooklyn Nets - Projected W/L record (46-36)




Deron Williams and Joe Johnson

Good Bye New Jersey, Hello Brooklyn! The Nets are one of the most exciting teams to look for this season. Headlined by All-Star point guard Deron Williams and new starting shooting guard, Joe Johnson. The Nets have changed everything from there uniforms , court, and hopefully change the culture of this franchise by having a legit starting five who can get many wins this season. With a healthy Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries becoming more of a scorer and rebounder the Nets have a very solid front court. Gerald Wallace will be the teams "glue" player by doing a little of everything, lets not forget their sensational young guard MarShon Brooks who stayed in Btown after the Joe Johnson trade.  I see the Nets being a threat in the Atlantic Division and possibly the whole east.

7. Chicago Bulls - Projected W/L record (44-38)

Will Nate Robinson be the man in Chicago while Rose is out?

The Bulls might have a tough road this season after grabbing back to back number 1 seeds in the east. The reason why you might ask? The Loss of the 2011 MVP Derrick Rose will impact the Bulls in many ways. Not only was he their leading scorer and leader in assists, he was the heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls. But the show must go on right? And the Bulls are ready to play and get wins with out Rose, They have reached out and signed PG Nate Robinson and re-signed Kirk Hinirch. The Bulls have also added shooters Marco Bellinelli and Vladimir Radmanovic. Don't worry Bulls fans, Rose will be returning as soon as March, just in time for the playoffs. The Bulls always play great defense so expect them to keep opposing teams under triple digits and play excellent team ball.


8. Milwaukee Bucks - Projected W/L record (42-40)

Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings

The Bucks have one of the most explosive and exciting backcourts to watch in the NBA, with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. These two super quick guards can light up any team for 60 points on any given night and it will be tough to stop. The Bucks also added some size this off season drafting UNC forward John Henson. The Bucks will make a push this season to not only be over .500 but to clinch a play off birth and become a better overall team. Milwaukee needs to add another piece to its puzzle so they can become a legit threat in the Eastern Conference. Expect them to be no higher than a 7th seed this season.


Sleeper teams to contend for the 8th spot- Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards, and the Detroit Pistons





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