1. Boston Celtics– The Celtics will finish first, but they won’t outlast the Cavs in the postseason.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers– The Cavs are on cruise control until the playoffs and then they really turn it on.
3. Washington Wizards– John Wall and Brad Beal remind me of the East’s version of Dame Lillard and CJ McCollum. They have the potential to be special in a lowly Eastern Conference.
4. Toronto Raptors– Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are a great duo, but they aren;t good enough to get through the Cavs or Celtics.
5. Milwaukee Bucks– The Greek Freak will most likely be the next best player in the NBA. If the Bucks can stay healthy they can be a legit threat down the road, but staying healthy has been an issue for the Bucks.
6. Miami Heat– When Dion Waiters was healthy last season the Heat looked like a playoff team, if he stays healthy this year then the Heat are easily a playoff team.
7. Philadelphia 76ers– It’s time to see the outcome of the process. The Sixers have hoarded picks for years and now it’s time to see the results.
8. Charlotte Hornets– The Hornets are an average basketball team, but in the East average means playoffs.
Conference Finals: Cleveland over Boston in 6
NBA Finals: Cavs over Warriors in 7– This new look Cavs team is deadly and have all the pieces to be NBA Champions. LeBron has a great supporting cast around him and this time he has bench so he will not have to worry about leads being blown when he takes a two minute breather.
Awards: