Predicting The Eastern Conference Standings
You get the drift. On Thursday I predicted how the Western Conference standings would look like and today I’m doing it for the Eastern Conference. The East has always been the little brother to the Western Conference but it finally looks like there is some balance between the two conferences.
This is probably going to be a pretty tough Eastern Conference compared to years prior, so this should be fun.
We’re doing this the same way as last time. I’ll put out the full standings with records first and then explain them. Pretty simple.
#1 – Brooklyn Nets (63-19)
#2 – Milwaukee Bucks (57-25)
#3 -Atlanta Hawks (53-29)
#4 – Miami Heat (50-32)
#5 – New York Knicks (47-35)
#6 – Boston Celtics (46-36)
#7 – Philadelphia 76ers (45-37)
#8 – Chicago Bulls (43-39)
#9 – Charlotte Hornets (41-41)
#10 – Indiana Pacers (40-42)
#11 – Toronto Raptors (40-42)
#12 – Washington Wizards (36-46)
#13 – Cleveland Cavaliers (30-52)
#14 – Detroit Pistons (28-54)
#15 – Orlando Magic (22-60)
I will not be talking about the Cavs, Pistons, or Magic. They’re all rebuilding and there isn’t much to talk about in terms of them making the playoffs, which won’t happen, not by a mile.
#1 – Brooklyn Nets (63-19)
This one needs no explanation. The Nets are the best and most talented team in the NBA, when healthy. Last year this was the same case, but injuries to Harden and Irving in the 2nd round allowed the inferior Bucks to slip past them and eventually win a title.
But when healthy, nobody can match the offensive firepower of the Big 3. Kevin Durant has still not slowed down after that Achilles injury, James Harden is one of the best playmakers in the league, and Kyrie Irving is one of the best scorers in the NBA. These 3 guys together are just so hard to stop and then the guys around them make it even harder.
Joe Harris has led the league in 3-PT% 2 out of the last 3 seasons and he made 52% of his 192 Catch-and-Shoot 3’s last year, which is just astounding. Blake Griffin is a solid small ball center down low to complete probably the best starting 5 in the NBA.
Then the talent off the bench is great. Nicolas Claxton is great defensively, I like UNC’s Day’Ron Sharpe potential, Cam Thomas is a microwave scorer from LSU, Patty Mills brings great shooting, Bruce Brown has invented a new position, and now LaMarcus Aldridge and Paul Millsap are on this team, because why not?
The defense might be iffy, Steve Nash might not be the best coach, Jeff Green and Landry Shamet are now gone, but guess what? If this team is healthy, we are all incredibly (censored).
James Harden
Kyrie Irving
Joe Harris
Kevin Durant
Blake Griffin
Nicolas Claxton
Day’Ron Sharpe (R)
Cam Thomas (R)
Patty Mills
Paul Millsap
Bruce Brown
LaMarcus Aldridge
#2 – Milwaukee Bucks (57-25)
If the Nets get hurt again, I’m putting money that the Bucks will replace them as the Eastern Conference Finalists. The Bucks were the 2021 champs and they got even better this offseason. While they are often overshadowed by the Nets, the Bucks are still an elite team with title aspirations in 2022.
The Bucks Big 3 is pretty good in their own right. Giannis Antetokounmpo is on track to be one of the greatest players ever, as at only 25 years old, he’s already got a Hall of Fame resume. Khris Middleton as a #2 wasn’t enough, but when he can split time as the #2 and #3? He played really well and made a lot of big shots late in games during the postseason. Jrue Holiday is arguably the best perimeter in the league and he’s a game wrecker on that side of the ball.
Those 3 are all excellent two-way players who really clicked during the postseason. They’ll only get better in their 2nd season together, only if Mike Budenholzer coaches as he did in the playoffs. The help around these 3 has also gotten a lot better.
Donte DiVincenzo should be coming back from injury. Brook Lopez can be amazing and horrible at times, but at least he’s serviceable down low. Grayson Allen was a great pickup this offseason, as were George Hill and Rodney Hood. Pat Connaughton and the beloved Bobby Portis remain anchors from last year off the bench.
While losing PJ Tucker does hurt the Bucks a lot, I think they’re going to be fine defensively. Their defense should be excellent still and I think that if they use Giannis at the 5 a lot more during the regular season, the offense could be elite.
My one concern is Mike Budenholzer. If Mike doesn’t adjust in the playoffs, the Bucks are essentially dead in the water. But if he makes the right adjustments, the Bucks can certainly give a team like the Nets a pretty good fight in a 7-game series.
Jrue Holiday
Donte DiVincenzo
Khris Middleton
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Brook Lopez
Bobby Portis
Pat Connaughton
Grayson Allen
Rodney Hood
George Hill
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (just there to yell)
#3 – Atlanta Hawks (53-29)
Like the Nuggets, people just don’t give the Hawks enough credit. Not only for making it to the Eastern Conference Finals but being just two games away from the Finals with injuries to Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, and with Nate McMillan coaching for just half of the season.
2022 should be a lot smoother for a lot of reasons. Nate McMillan is the coach for the whole season, so things should pick up right where they left off. The Hawks looked like a completely different team under McMillan and he remains one of the best coaches in the NBA. Then there’s the depth. Let’s just say the Hawks are swimming in their riches.
The depth behind Trae Young has been spotty at times and guys like Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn didn’t work out last year. Oh well, let’s just sign Delon Wright and draft Sharife Cooper in the 2nd round, no big deal. Wright is a steady hand and Sharife Cooper could become the best value pick from the 2021 NBA Draft.
Onyeka Okungwu is going to miss the start of the season with surgery? Oh well, time to re-sign John Collins, draft Jalen Johnson in the first round, extend Clint Capela, and sign Gurgui Dieng. Again, no big deal. Capela is worth the money, Jalen Johnson should be a stud, and Gurgui Dieng provides good depth. The Collins contract might be an overpay, but if they use him at center more, it could be worth it.
The depth on this team improved and they are incredibly talented. They are young, growing, and exciting. The defense should be good and the offense could be explosive. Now it’s time to keep De’Andre Hunter healthy and make a run for an NBA title. It should be more complicated than this, but it just isn’t right now for the Hawks.
Trae Young
Bogdan Bogdanovic
De’Andre Hunter
John Collins
Clint Capela
Kevin Huerter
Cam Reddish
Danilo Gallinari
Lou Williams
Jalen Johnson (R)
Delon Wright
Sharife Copper (R)
Onyeka Okungwu (+)
Is there such a thing as too much depth? Asking for a friend.
#4 – Miami Heat (50-32)
The Heat retooled their team this offseason and they have a completely revamped team that is looking for revenge from last season’s sweep against the Bucks. They aren’t as good as the Hawks in my opinion, but with that being said, if the Heat are healthy, they are built for the postseason with the roster that they have.
Jimmy Butler is a great two-way wing who I’m guessing didn’t take last year’s sweep all too well. Bam Adebayo also struggled in that series and is on track for a great season. He’s one of the best centers in the NBA and he is a sleeper DPOY pick. The Heat also re-signed Duncan Robinson, giving them one of the best shooters in the league. Keeping these 3 together is great and the help around them has greatly improved from last year.
Kyle Lowry was rumored to go Miami during the trade deadline, but Pat Riley will have to settle for a 3 year / $90 million deal with the longtime Toronto Raptor. Lowry is older (35), but he brings great toughness and grit to this team. Some solid shooting and playmaking as well. Keeping him healthy for the playoffs is priority #1 for the Heat if they want to go far.
While the Lowry signing wasn’t all that surprising, the PJ Tucker two-year deal was. The Bucks offered more money, but Tucker went away from the defending champs and headed down to South Beach, giving them an incredibly tough, defensive starting 5. Tucker is another guy who can guard KD and he brings immense value to the Heat.
Miami also signed Markieff Morris, as well as re-signing the likes of Victor Oladipo and Dewayne Dedmon to small contracts. The Heat are older than the Hawks, but that defense will give any team fits. Their starting 5 of Lowry-Robinson-Butler-Tucker-Adebayo is lethal defensively. Expect a top-5 finish from that defense as that should be the strength of the team.
I do have some problems with this team that the Hawks don’t have. Behind Lowry, losing Dragic and Kendrick Nunn this offseason leaves the Heat thin at point guard. Like I already said, Lowry is older, and keeping his legs fresh for the playoffs is key. Guys like Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Victor Oladipo will probably get more ball-handling duties, but signing a backup point guard would go a long way for the Heat to keep Lowry healthy.
But expect a big bounce-back year from Miami that could very well have them in the Conference Finals if things go to plan. The Heat are out for revenge in 2022 and they could be out for the necks of everybody else in 2022.
Kyle Lowry
Duncan Robinson
Jimmy Butler
PJ Tucker
Bam Adebayo
Tyler Herro
Victor Oladipo
Dewayne Dedmon
Markieff Morris
Max Strus
#5 – New York Knicks (47-35)
Apparently, having one of the best offseasons in the NBA and now housing an incredibly deep roster makes people think that the Knicks are a play-in team, instead of a playoff team. I really can’t tell you why that is. I know last year their offense was awful and they were the 4th seed only because other teams (Miami/Boston) struggled with injuries & Covid.
But the Knicks offense got a major upgrade this offseason, their defense should remain elite, and they are ready to do some damage in the East. I know they’re not contenders and even winning a playoff series would surprise some people, but don’t sleep on the Knicks man. They’re going to be a really good team, again.
This offseason, the Knicks knew what they needed to do, add a lot of offensive fire-power. It started by bringing back key guys from last year. Alec Burks, Derrick Rose, and Nerlens Noel all got 3-year contracts to stay in town. In the draft, the Knicks added a shooter in Quintin Grimes with the 25th pick and then got an absolute steal in the 2nd round with West Virginia’s Miles McBride.
That alone would have been decent at best, but Leon Rose wasn’t done there. How about Evan Fournier? One of the most underrated scorers in the NBA who should become well worth the 4 years / $78 million contract that New York gave him. They also signed Kemba Walker for about $17 million over two seasons, a pretty cheap deal for the former All-Star.
RJ Barrett should have a great 3rd season, 2nd-year players like Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley should be good again, and Julius Randle should have less of a strain offensively. This team has so many good pieces, a great coach, a great defense, and great fans. A pretty good formula for success if you ask me.
I get that they don’t have a superstar or anything, but they’re still a really good team that I could very easily see winning a playoff series. They’re going to be good again, so hopefully, I’m not wrong about that.
Kemba Walker
Evan Fournier
RJ Barrett
Julius Randle
Mitchell Robinson
Derrick Rose
Nerlens Noel
Alec Burks
Miles McBride (R)
Quintin Grimes (R)
Obi Toppin
Immanuel Quickley
#6 – Boston Celtics (46-36)
It does feel kind of weird to put the Celtics just one place up in the standings with all the moves they made, but their roster isn’t as good as the teams above them. While they did get better and if they can stay healthy they should be solid, they aren’t exactly going all in. Brad Stevens kept some money on the books for a potential superstar next offseason.
They want Bradley Beal and didn’t re-sign Evan Fournier to try and keep cap flexibility for next offseason. It is a risky move to not be aggressive when you have such young stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but it could work out. I liked some of the moves that the Celtics made this offseason and they should be a solid team this year.
I like the addition of Al Horford, as he gives them some stability down low. A solid all-around player who was great in his last stint with the Boston Celtics and should be good down low. The Robert Williams 4 year extension worth $54 million was great value. I don’t know if both Horford and Williams will start or one or the other, but I think the Celtics frontcourt is great now with these two leading the way.
The Marcus Smart 4 year / $77 million extension, which now makes his contract 5 years / $90.2 million in all. If Marcus Smart is an All-Defensive player again, he’s worth it. But if he’s not able to stay healthy and jacks up back 3’s down the stretch of games, it won’t be worth it. The Celtics need Smart to come through for them if they want to succeed.
Dennis Schroder and Josh Richardson are solid, cheap options for the bench. 2nd-year players like Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith should see more minutes, especially Nesmith, who can hopefully continue the momentum that he built to end last season. Both of those guys are x-factors for the Celtics off the bench this season.
I think the Celtics could be good, but they need a lot more depth to become contenders like they were a few years ago. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown should lead the way, but they need guys like Smart, Horford, Williams, Schroder, and others to step up to compete in a pretty loaded Eastern Conference. The Celtics are setting themselves up for success in the future, but they can be a solid team right now.
Marcus Smart
Josh Richardson
Jaylen Brown
Jayson Tatum
Al Horford
Robert Williams
Dennis Schroder
Payton Pritchard
Aaron Nesmith
#7 – Philadelphia 76ers (45-37)
Yes, the 76ers are this low. Last year, they were the #1 seed and should have easily made it to the Conference Finals. Instead, they blew game after game after game against the Atlanta Hawks in the 2nd round and shockingly lost after 7 games. The offseason has been a saga that now looks like it won’t end.
Ben Simmons is the problem. From him not shooting that layup from point-blank range in Game 7 to his whole game in general, he’s not the answer. I get his defense is great and that at times, he can be dominant, but he hasn’t been willing to add a jump shot to his game for the betterment of himself or his team.
The 76ers have been asking for a lot in return for Simmons, but the rest of the league is (rightfully) backing off from giving up too much. The trade rumors are all but dead right now, so it’s looking like Simmons will be back for the 76ers in 2022. I would love to say things will end well, but they won’t.
It will be a circus. Embiid, Tobias Harris, Doc Rivers, Daryl Morey, the whole team will have to answer the same questions all season about his situation, how he fits into the team, if they still believe in him, etc. It’ll be awkward. Simmons isn’t showing up for training camp, he hasn’t talked with Embiid all summer (apparently), the 76ers have to trade him.
But they won’t because they’ll “drop in the standings.” But having Ben Simmons on the team makes them a circus and I’m sure being around that daily is frustrating. The fans will boo, everybody will be talking about their failures, it will be an all-around crappy season if Ben Simmons plays, which it looks like he will.
The 76ers just have to bite the bullet and trade Simmons, because his trade value isn’t getting any better. Unless he starts 2022 by shooting jump shots, no team is exactly going to give you the haul that you want for a flawed player. If Ben Simmons is on the team, I don’t like the 76ers for 2022.
(Anybody But Ben Simmons)
Seth Curry
Danny Green
Tobias Harris
Joel Embiid
Tyrese Maxey
Jaden Springer (R)
Andre Drummond (lol)
Matisse Thybulle
Furkan Korkmaz
#8 – Chicago Bulls (43-39)
I was almost bold enough to put the Bulls in front of the 76ers, but I stopped myself before I did something crazy. The Bulls have made a lot of moves over the past 6 months. They’ve traded the future for the present and they’re dead set on spending money, trading picks, all of that just to be a play-in team. I love the dedication, but they aren’t going to be that good.
I think they’ll be inconsistent in 2022 for a lot of reasons. Their projected starting lineup of Ball-Lavine-Williams-DeRozan-Vucevic is brand new. Lonzo and DeMar just signed with the team this offseason and Vucevic is entering his full first season with the team. There will be some rough patches.
Coby White will join the team mid-season from surgery, which isn’t ideal for chemistry. This team lacks size and wing depth and getting Derrick Jones Jr. as part of the Lauri Markknanen trade doesn’t solve their problems. While I do think they’re good, I think right around the 7-9 range is where they’ll end up.
If they want to improve for next season, maybe an upgrade at coach? While Billy Donovan’s high post system should benefit the likes of Vucevic and DeRozan, he’s an average coach at best. I don’t know if he’s the long-term answer and if the Bulls continue to be this aggressive, he could be on his way out.
Nikola Vucevic is older and can’t play defense and the same thing can be said about DeMar DeRozan. If the Bulls want to contend, it has to be fast because this new core of theirs has a pretty limited timeframe until they become obsolete. I’m just worried that trading away Wendell Carter Jr. plus two first-round picks might come back to bite them if none of this ends up in a championship or at the very least a conference finals appearance.
Lonzo Ball
Zach Lavine
Patrick Williams
DeMar DeRozan
Nikola Vucevic
Alex Caruso
Derrick Jones Jr.
Coby White (+)
Ayo Dosunmu (R)
Troy Brown Jr.
Tony Bradley
Stanley Johnson
#9 – Charlotte Hornets (41-41)
The Hornets are on the rise in the Eastern Conference. Last year with the 3rd pick in the draft, they got the Lamelo Ball, a franchise cornerstone and their magnum opus for the future. The Hornets were surprisingly good last year with a mix of youth and veterans that got them to the play-in game.
For once, MJ and the front office did a good job adding to that momentum with a really nice offseason where they again added a nice blend of youngsters and veterans to now where they are nicely set up for the future.
One of the obvious things they did this offseason was re-signing Terry Rozier for 4 years / $97 million. The initial 3-year contract he got in 2019 was iffy at first as it looked like Devonte’ Graham was the better player, but Rozier was excellent in 2021 and well worth this money.
Draft Night 2021 was a good one for the Hornets. With the 11th pick, they replaced microwave scorer Malik Monk with UConn’s James Bouknight, two incredibly similar players. They moved up with the Knicks and drafted a stud in Texas center Kai Jones. Jones is incredibly raw, but the Hornets needed an overhaul at center and he could be essential for the Hornets down the line.
Also on draft night, the Pistons just gave the Hornets Mason Plumlee for free. Plumlee is a great add and likely the starter for this season. He’s just solid on both ends and is a pretty good complementary piece to all the scorers that Charlotte has. Draft Night 2021 was a great one for the Hornets.
In free agency, how about a two-year deal for the now-disgraced Kelly Oubre Jr? Oubre was awful in 2021 but he offers some great wing depth and shooting off the bench. I like that pickup a lot and now I think the Hornets are ready to compete. Ish Smith also brings a veteran presence for the bench, something that they lacked last year.
They are young and most of their guys are inexperienced. They are going to have good and bad stretches, but they should be excited about their future.
Lamelo Ball is a stud and should run this offense incredibly well. Hayward, Rozier, Bouknight, Bridges, and Oubre Jr. can all score the ball very well. Plumlee and Kai Jones are solid centers down low. Jalen McDaniels is a solid two-way wing. PJ Washington needs to pick better partners, but other than that he’s pretty solid.
I like this team and their future. This year will be all about flashes, but they are going to be very fun to watch a couple of years down the line.
Lamelo Ball
Terry Rozier
Gordon Hayward
PJ Washington
Mason Plumlee
Miles Bridges
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kai Jones (R)
James Bouknight (R)
Jalen McDaniels
Ish Smith
#10 – Indiana Pacers (40-42)
The bottom half of the Eastern Conference is hard to predict, but I do like what the Indiana Pacers have. Their 2021 season was filled with injuries, bad coaching, and literal cancer. But they have retooled very quickly and I like the pieces they have for 2022. Now it’s time to just get a little bit lucky.
The Pacers’ core from last year was solid. Domantas Sabonis is an All-Star big guy and incredibly talented. He is a pretty good post scorer and a very good passer for his position. He’s a great building block and the Pacers have guys around him that fit very well.
Malcolm Brogdon is an incredibly efficient 3-level scorer who can also pass well. The duo of Sabonis + Brogdon is great. On the wings, the Pacers have great scorers in Caris Levert and TJ Warren. Warren missed almost all of 2021 with injury and Caris Levert literally had cancer after he acquired as part of the James Harden deal.
If both of those guys can remain healthy, they can give opposing a solid dose of shot-creation on the perimeter and stretch out the defense for a guy like Sabonis in the post.
Myles Turner is a great shot-blocker down low and he helps anchor this defense. Sabonis isn’t a great defender and Turner helps hide him to an extent. Myles Turner has been a trade piece these past few years for Indiana, but they need him now more than ever with the defense that he provides.
Then the bench is solid. TJ McConnell is one of the most underrated players in the NBA with his elite pick-pocket ability and his great playmaking. I like rookies like Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson. Torrey Craig was a great signing for cheap. Jeremy Lamb can score in bunches. Oshae Brissett and Justin Holiday are solid as well.
I like this team. They have a lot better depth compared to last season and now they have a top 10 coach in Rick Carlisle leading them. Carlisle is a very good, experienced coach and I like what he brings to the table. I know putting a team at 10th doesn’t scream excitement, but don’t be surprised to see a good season from Indiana, a season that might finally net them a playoff series win.
Malcolm Brogdon
Caris Levert
TJ Warren
Domantas Sabonis
Myles Turner
Jeremy Lamb
TJ McConnell
Chris Duarte (R)
Isaiah Jackson (R)
Oshae Brissett
Justin Holiday
Torrey Craig
Edmond Sumner (+)
#11 – Toronto Raptors (40-42)
This just feels weird to me. I feel like the Raptors are going to be a lot better in 2022, but as I made this list I just couldn’t put them as high as I felt like they could be. There is an argument that they could be better than Indiana, but better than Chicago? Charlotte? I don’t know about that. There is a world where it could happen, but I need to see it to believe it.
I think that getting to play in Canada again helps a lot. Last year the Raptors didn’t have any home games, so this year will make things a lot more normal for them. They have a top-2 coach in Nick Nurse and I like what they’ve done with this roster.
There are good building blocks already in place. Pascal Siakam should have a great bounce-back season whenever he returns from shoulder surgery. Fred VanVleet is solid, he just has to improve his efficiency. I liked what I saw from Malachi Flynn, who should have a bigger role in his 2nd season. OG Anunoby is incredibly underrated and one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. Who can forget about Gary Trent Jr? He signed a 3-year deal to stay in town this offseason, as he’s one of the best microwave scorers in the NBA.
There are good pieces but the Raptors needed depth, especially at center. I think they accomplished their goals this offseason.
Losing the greatest Raptor of all-time in Kyle Lowry sucks, but they got a really good young center in Precious Achiuwa down low. Re-signing Khem Birch and adding Achiuwa helps give the Raptors some stability down low, something they didn’t have down low with the likes of Aron Baynes.
With the 4th pick in the draft, the Raptors took a big risk by taking Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs. But you know why Barnes was taken here. He is an incredibly versatile wing who could become a great player. He’s already a great defender and while the offense is a work in progress, he’s another versatile defender in Nick Nurses’ back pocket.
I like the Raptors roster, but I have to see some changes. I need to see All-Star Pascal. I have to see improvement from Malachi Fynn, stability down low, and some good minutes from Scottie Barnes. I have to see that Gary Trent Jr. is worth the money that the Raptors gave him.
This Raptors team could be good, but most likely, this will just be a bridge year for them.
Fred VanVleet
Gary Trent Jr.
OG Anunoby
Pascal Siakam
Khem Birch
Scottie Barnes (R)
Precious Achiuwa
Malachi Flynn
Chris Boucher
Yuta Watanabe
#12 – Washington Wizards (36-46)
JUST (CENSORED) REBUILD ALREADY!!!!
What Do Your Eastern Conference Standings Look Like? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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