Eastern Conference: Looking Ahead

1. Cleveland 53 13
2. Boston 50 17
3. Orlando 49 17
4. Atlanta 39 28
5. Miami 36 30
6. Philadelphia 33 31
7. Detroit 33 32
8. Milwaukee 31 38
9. Chicago 30 37
10. Charlotte 29 38
11. New York 28 38
12. New Jersey 28 39
13. Indiana 28 40

The Pacers, Bobcats, Nets, Knicks, Bulls and Bucks are fighting it out for the sole last seed in the Eastern Conference.

THIRTEEN thru EIGHT

This is tough to break down. Immediately, we can throw the Pacers out because without Danny Granger, I don't think they can fight on the rest of the season and get past five other teams to make the playoffs.

After that, it truly is a toss up. You have to give credit to Richard Jefferson for leading the Bucks through a difficult year and getting through injuries to Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd. A lot of people wrote them off immediately. But they never went down.

Teams like the Bulls, Bobcats and Nets have struggled all year. They've been inconsistent, and have to deal with injuries as well. The Knicks have shown resiliency, and have played very well the second half of the season, largely in part to sixth man Nate Robinson.

But here's the tough question. There's six teams to one position? Who takes it? Even more so, can any of these teams even compete with Cleveland? Or if they struggle and Boston takes control of the first seed, can they run with Boston like Atlanta did in the first round last year?

Scott Skiles, Larry Brown and Mike D'Antoni have done great jobs getting the Bucks, Bobcats and Knicks to buy into their systems and trust that it'll work. And it has for the most part. Even with injuries for Milwaukee and Charlotte, and unbelievable distractions in New York, these teams have hung tough in the race. While Vince Carter and Devin Harris are indeed a great backcourt, New Jersey isn't there just yet. I see the eighth spot going to the Bucks, Bobcats or Knicks.

But regardless of who it is, I don't see them competing in the first round.

SEVEN.
This was supposed to be a top tier team that was going to be put a scare into Cleveland and Boston, even if they have folded in the playoffs the past two years against both teams. But the Iverson trade hasn't panned out. Dumars will likely further break up this team this offseason when they have a first or second round exit.

SIX.
If the 76ers had Elton Brand, this might have been a team that would have been able to do some damage. But with him being a complete bust for Philadelphia, and that this team still doesn't have somebody that can hit a jumpshot, they simply aren't ready to go to the next level.

FIVE.
If there's one player to be afraid of in the East, it has to be Dwayne Wade. He has the ability to simply take over in playoff games. Ask Dirk Nowitzki. But in the playoffs, one player isn't going to do it. And Miami's team isn't deep enough. Jermaine O'Neal has been nearly non-existent, and Michael Beasley is still young. They might be able to upset an Orlando squad, but Wade is on a team that needs a few more pieces to overtake a Boston or Cleveland team.

FOUR.
This is the one team that took its momentum from last year and used it to their advantage coming into this season. The Hawks have done significantly well this season. Potentially having home court advantage, and having seen/heard the thunderous crowd in Atlanta against Boston last year, that might be just enough to get them through the first round. Even through Miami.

THREE.
With Jameer Nelson, the Magic were spectacular. Without him, I don't know how much of an impact they can make. They have great shooters, and that beast in the paint, but they still don't have that player that can make a play down the stretch. They look to Hedo Turkoglu to do that. He's not that guy; Jameer is that guy. And plus, they don't have a go-to defensive player on the paint that can slow down the other team...an energy guy. Similar to what James Posey was for the Celtics last year. Or what Anderson Varaejo is to the Cavs. Or what Trevor Ariza is for the Lakers...oh wait, the Magic traded Ariza for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans.

TWO.
The Starbury experiment hasn't panned out. It's not that Stephon has been a problem, it's that he has been absolutely useless. When a starting point guard plays twenty minutes, and doesn't have an assist...something is wrong. Last year's Celtics team was scary. This year, they are lacking depth, but with a trio of Pierce, Allen and even a 75% KG, it's hard to doubt them. I think they'll get past all the other teams and meet Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals, and think even without home court advantage, they might have what it takes to beat the Cavs. If there's any team that will give them problems, it's going to be the Florida teams, Orlando and Miami.

ONE.
Lebron is almost there. Back into the Finals. He seems ready, but is this Cleveland team? At times they seem to be, then at times, it seems like all they want to do is shoot threes, no matter how many they miss in a row. This team is full of athletes and hustle players, but aside from James, nobody has shown any exposure and confidence in the playoffs. Mo Williams will have to adapt quickly and help Lebron, because if they are going to get to the NBA Finals, it's going to be one tough ride. Both Atlanta and Miami will give Cleveland problems in the second round, and even if they have only lost ONE game at home thus far, the playoffs is the coming of a second season, where momentum and confidence carries teams.

Like the West, there's two teams with targets on their back, and everyone else is gunning after them.

Can an unlikely hero like Joe Johnson last year shine in the playoffs? Maybe it'll be Derrick Rose's official, official coming out party in the first round? Or maybe the resurrection of Richard Jefferson? The AI Project in Detroit might all of a sudden click?

Just a few more weeks, and it's gametime.