NBA 2022-23 Eastern Conference Preview
Welcome back to the blog, and today we’re doing a preview of the NBA Eastern Conference from my point of view. Who’s in the hunt to win it, who will be fighting for the playoffs, and who will be “Wembenyama-ing” (Tanking)? All will be revealed in this post, so enjoy!
Battle for the #1 Seed
Boston Celtics
Notable Additions: Malcolm Brogdon, Danilo Galinari, Blake Griffin
Notable Departures: Daniel Theis
We kick off our preview with the Boston Celtics, rejuvenated after a Finals appearance and with an improved team. Having brought in brilliant pieces like Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Galinari for next to nothing, this team is set to repeat their feats this time around, maybe even better, I reckon.
Why they’ll go places:
This team made the finals with a relatively young team that has just got better. Jayson Tatum is set to make his place among the league’s best this season as well, with Jaylen Brown being an excellent #2, Marcus Smart’s going to make a push for DPOY, and Malcolm Brogdon implementing himself well in the team. This team has all the assets, so why not go and do it?
Why they may flop:
Boston is falling apart before the season has even started. We won’t be seeing Danilo Galinari for a vast majority of this season if at all, tearing his ACL in Eurobasket, and we won’t see starting Center Robert Williams until about December after knee problems that have been recurring this calendar year, and the worst loss for Boston is Ime Udoka, being suspended for the entire season, maybe even more after being caught having an affair. If this team gets any more big injuries, especially to their Core 4, it will be backtracking time for them.
Milwaukee Bucks
Notable Additions: None
Notable Departures: None
This is the other team scratching and clawing their way to the East Title. Largely the same team as last season, the Bucks have the Greek Freak for another season, who will increase their production tenfold.
Why they’ll go places:
Not only does this team have Giannis, but UNLIKE the Lakers and Nets, they’ve kept the surrounding pieces and they’ve been wonderful. Jrue Holiday has found his sweet spot as the 2nd in command, with the other players like Khris Middleton, Patt Connaughton, Serge Ibaka, George Hill, Wesley Matthews, and Bobby Portis being excellent to compliment Giannis, and coach Bud getting the best out of them.
Why they might flop:
If Giannis gets a big injury that his 6’11” self is due for, this team is toast. Jrue Holiday can’t carry a team, it’s been tried before and it ended up with the #1 pick, Khris Middleton is far from his 2019 self, and they would likely drop 2, maybe 3 tiers on this list without Giannis.
Race to Homecourt Advantage
Philadelphia 76ers
Notable Additions: Montrezl Harrell
Notable Departures: None
The process *could* finally get to pay off this season. It’s been 9 years since Sam Hinkie took the helm at Philadelphia, and 6 since he left, so you would want to start to see results soon. Joel Embiid will also be 29 at season’s end, and Big Men tend to decline sooner. James Harden will enter hid mid-30s soon, so this is very much a make-or-break for Philly.
Why they’ll Contend:
This Philadelphia team has all the pieces now to become a POWERHOUSE. It will be Embiid and Harden’s first full season together, Tyrese Maxey is proving to be one of the Draft Steals of the DECADE, so this Philly big 3 should be feared around the league
Why it could go Wrong:
Philadelphia have a large reliance on their big 3, and 2 of them – James Harden and Joel Embiid, have the potential to get injured this season for a while. Their supporting cast is Tobias Harris and the island of misfit toys, so the Sixers can’t rely on them. If one – or worse – both get big injuries, you will see this team plummet. James Harden also isn’t the best teammate, and after a huge pay cut, what if he decides mid season that he suddenly doesn’t want to be a part of this team anymore? The Nets only got Ben Simmons in a Harden deal, what on Earth would Philadelphia get?
Miami Heat
Notable Additions: Nikola Jovic
Notable Departures: None
This is very much a “the Last Dance” type season for Erik Spoelstra’s men. Some of their main pieces, in Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry are now in their mid-30s and cannot carry the team anymore. 6th Man of the Year Tyler Herro is just that, a 6th Man, and still needs to prove that he can do a job as a starter and show he’s worth the huge extension given to him by Miami.
Why they’ll go places:
Jimmy Butler hasn’t got the attention of the league for a while so he has to be eager to do so, and Kyle Lowry has been quiet since joining Miami, and he too wants one last great season. This will be one of the most motivated teams in the league, and that could get them far come playoff time
Why they might flop:
Like most of the other teams, injuries could be the end of this team, but maybe even more so with the age of the Heat. Also, with what’s at stake, we might see a rift in the dressing room toward the end of the season.
Toronto Raptors
Notable Additions: Otto Porter Jr.
Notable Departures: None
The Raptors could be one of the most disrespected teams going into the season, with ROTY Scottie Barnes an offseason improved and more mature. Pascal Siakam and Freddie Vanvleet should also be improved, OG’s breakout season has to come sometime, and a healthy Otto Porter under Nick Nurse and Masai could show signs of why he was drafted 3rd 9 years ago.
Why they’ll go places:
This team still has many of the pieces from the 2019 Championship, along with their new Kawhi in Scottie Barnes. IF they can pull it all together, they’re a threat to win it all this year.
Why they might flop:
This team is very reliant on all the pieces firing at 100%, and if they don’t, they don’t have all the raw and pure talent as of yet.
Brooklyn Nets
Notable Additions: TJ Warren
Notable Departures: None
This is a very boom-or-bust team this season, I believe they will either go top 3 or be in the play-in, with not much inbetween. The big 3 could be healthy, might not be, there could be a rift after a very tense offseason.
Why they’ll go places:
This Nets team has the best on-paper team in the East this year. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Joe Harris, TJ Warren, and Nic Claxton. If they run at full steam for an entire season, they are a serious contender.
Why they might flop:
We are yet to see this team be all together, and we’re in their 4th season. It all nearly fell apart this offseason after a Kevin Durant trade request, but they ended up staying together for another shot at it. This team is full of nutcases, and as expected, we haven’t seen them be anything close to an actual serious contender yet. Why won’t it be any different this year, especially after adding, of all players, Ben Simmons?
Cleveland Cavaliers
Notable Additions: Donovan Mitchell
Notable Departures: Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen
The team with the biggest move this offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz for a lot of depth including homegrown Collin Sexton. They have a Big 4 Now, all under the age of 26.
Why they’ll go places:
This Big 4 of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and newly-acquired Donovan Mitchell can contend, and for a long, long time. They have a lot of talent. They also have a TON of depth as well, with Sharife Cooper, Kevin Love, Caris LeVert, Ricky Rubio, and Isaac Okoro. This is an amazing team compared to last season.
Why they might flop:
This is the Big 4’s first season together, and with so many changes, the chemistry could be messed up. Especially Mitchell, in his first year outside Utah. This young team, without much of a mentor, may also have some locker room rifts.
The Playoff Scrum
Atlanta Hawks
Notable Additions: Dejounte Murray
Notable Departures: Kevin Huerter
This team is a little disappointing, especially after going to the conference finals in 2021 and not even making the playoffs last season. It is a good addition in Dejounte Murray that could see this team go places.
Why they could succeed:
With the addition of Dejounte Murray, they have a core of 4 promising players who could gel very well together. We might see a wildcard deep run from this team.
Why they’ll fail:
The Big 4, while talented, aren’t known for being too selfless, and the Hawks have pretty much nonexistent depth in their team. They’ll probably also get an injury somewhere along the line.
New York Knicks
Notable Additions: Jacob Brunson, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Notable Departures: Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, Kemba Walker
This team gave a lot to have the talents of Jalen Brunson, which may or may not be the best bet for them. It seems like another mediocre season from the Knicks
Why they may succeed:
It’s the Knicks. I have no clue how this team could succeed.
Why they’ll fail:
They paid nearly the max for Jalen Brunson, whose only credentials are a solid 2nd round vs the Suns. Their core were dismantled and lost by 13 to a Pro-Am team with players who had to go back to their 9-5 jobs the next day. Not looking good.
Chicago Bulls
Notable Additions: Goran Dragic
Notable Departures: None
This is an ok team who had my full backing last year but disappointed, so I’m putting them in the Play-In battle. This team is capable of pulling something off, but it’s 50/50.
Why they could succeed:
This is still a very deep team. The Bulls have players like DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Zach Lavine, and is able to make a splash if they want.
Why they’ll fail:
With the East as stacked as it is and the disappointment they had last season, I see an off year by this team this season, followed by potentially a disbandment of their core.
Praying For Wembenyama
Indiana Pacers
Notable Additions: Daniel Theis
Notable Departures: Malcolm Brogdon
This is a solid team, but with the depth of the East this year, the Pacers would likely be best off tanking this season.
Why they’ll fail:
With this solid young core of Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, and now Bennedict Mathurin and with the departures of all their best players along with the seemingly likely departure of Myles Turner, the Pacers are a shadow of their former selves and if they tried, probably couldn’t get 35 wins.
Detroit Pistons
Notable Additions: Bojan Bogdanovic, Nerlens Noel, Jaden Ivey
Notable Departures: Kelly Olynyk, Jerami Grant
If there’s anyone who will tank for Wembenyama, it’s Detroit. A core of Killian Hayes, Cade Cunningham, and Victor Wembenyama will be UNSTOPPABLE in 2025.
Why they’ll fail:
This’ll be because they want to, 100%. This team could start to try with an already great young team, but with the upcoming draft class, no way. They may win 25-ish games, and give rookie Jaden Ivey an improved role.
Orlando Magic
Notable Additions: Paolo Banchero, Caleb Houstan
Notable Departures: None
Another team, like the Pistons, who will throw in the towel from day one for Wemby. It will be an almost comedic race between them and the Pistons to see who will out tank each other.
Washington Wizards
Notable Additions: Will Barton, Monte Morris
Notable Departures: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
This team seems in a sort of grey area, where they can’t really tank after giving that huge contract to Bradley Beal, a huge mistake in my opinion. Here’s my take:
Why they’ll fail:
They will try to win games, resulting in them winning more than what’s needed for Wembenyama, but less than what’s needed to get anywhere. This will be a bad season for the Wizards.
Charlotte Hornets
Notable Additions: None
Notable Departures: Miles Bridges
This is pretty much the same team as last year, but will maybe (?) tank. Lamelo Ball will be a year older, but he has no help.
Why they’ll fail:
There is no help at all in this team, just Lamelo, maybe Gordon Hayward, and they lost Miles Bridges, who is still without a team. This team simply, without an all-time season by Lamelo, hasn’t a hope of doing anything.
Here are my official Eastern Conference predictions:
1: Boston Celtics
2: Milwaukee Bucks
3: Philadelphia 76ers
4: Toronto Raptors
5: Cleveland Cavaliers
6: Miami Heat
7: Brooklyn Nets
8: Chicago Bulls
9: Atlanta Hawks
10: New York Knicks
11: Indiana Pacers
12: Washington Wizards
13: Charlotte Hornets
14: Detroit Pistons
15: Orlando Magic
I’m Jim James, until next time.