The Beast(s) in the East...
The 2020-21 NBA season tips-off its 72-game season on Dec. 22, 2020. Here’s a breakdown of playoff predictions and top storylines to watch for in the Eastern Conference.No. 1 seed: Milwaukee Bucks; 52-20 Record
Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s why the Bucks are going to be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the third consecutive season. There’s no question that Giannis is arguably the most talented two-way player in the league and coming off a defensive player of the year and MVP season, there’s no reason why one should believe otherwise.
Nell Redmond/Associated Press
The regular season has never been an issue for Milwaukee in recent history, however, the biggest questions will always lie in the playoffs. The key player to watch this season in Milwaukee is point guard Jrue Holiday. The Bucks swapped Eric Bledsoe for Holiday to the Pelicans this offseason and here’s the impact it could have…
2019-20 Season Comparison
Although Bledsoe is a slightly more efficient shooter, Holiday averages more points and assists per game which is going to impact Milwaukee greatly on the offensive side of the ball. On top of that Holiday’s defense is going to elevate this Bucks team to the next level in the playoffs… dare I say a trip to the NBA finals. Here’s a look at how good the former Pelicans star has been against the league’s best.
Damian Lillard scored eight points in nearly 15 minutes matched up against Jrue while shooting just above 21 percent. James Harden managed just 33 percent shooting in ten minutes while Jamal Murray and Paul George COMBINED to go 1 for 18 against Holiday. Anthony Davis went 3 for 10. Jimmy Butler 2 of 6. Kyle Lowry 1 of 6. [via SB Nation]
Mary Altaffer/Associated Press
The true test for the Bucks lies in the postseason, but till then, expect them to reign supreme in the East.
No. 2 seed: Miami Heat; 48-24 Record
On paper Miami might not look like the most talented team, however, they have the best chemistry on the court. Coming off an NBA Finals loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Heat plan to carry that momentum heading after a short 72-day offseason.
When it comes to the Miami heat, it’s tough to highlight just one player because of how well they work together as a team. Jimmy Butler indubitably gets the most attention and is considered the face of this storied franchise, however, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic are honorable mentions as leaders of this squad. Put that trio around with sharpshooters Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, this Miami team has the potential to mount another trip to the NBA finals.
Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
The biggest concern for the reigning Eastern Conference champs is are they going to be ready right out the gate? My best guest is yes. Jimmy Butler seems like a guy that’s ready to go to war with his troops every night. The time is now for Erik Spoelstra and his burning hot Miami squad.
No. 3 seed: Boston Celtics; 46-26 Record
Boston is an interesting team on paper but their consistency year in and year out bodes well following a quiet offseason. The team did lose forward Gordon Hayward, however, it’s not something they should miss too much based on how they did in the playoffs. Hayward played in a mere 5 games throughout the 2020 NBA playoffs, averaging 10.8 points. Boston went the length of the way and were two wins away from advancing to the NBA finals.
Although the loss of Hayward may linger early on the season, the signing of big man Tristan Thompson helps this team greatly on both ends of the floor. Here’s a look at how Thompson compares to Gordon offensively.
2019-20 Season Avg.
Although Hayward was more of a scorer, Thompson is coming off a career-year in PPG and he could see a favorable amount of time with Kemba Walker dealing with a knee issue that will keep him off the court to begin the season. Regardless, expect Boston to continue thriving in their point guard’s absence with Marcus Smart, Tatum, and Brown.
2019-20 Season Avg.
No. 4 Seed: Brooklyn Nets; 45-27 Record
The return of Kevin Durant is upon us and the NBA should be scared. Here’s a reminder of how dangerous the 2x Finals MVP has been throughout his career.
Kevin Durant Career PPG
In Durant’s last healthy season (2018-19) the star forward averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists through 78 games. Now pair that up with Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, and Joe Harris… Brooklyn is going to cause mismatches all year long. I expect them to start a bit slow as teams like the Celtics, Heat, and Bucks have a lot more chemistry going for them now compared to the Nets. However, once the postseason rolls around, it would not surprise me if the Nets are the most dangerous team in the East.
Steven Ryan/Getty Images
Brooklyn has three players that have the potential to go nuclear game in and game out. LeVert, Irving, and Durant. As scary as that sounds it’s also a relief for each of these players in case one of them is just having an off-night, the other two can simply pick up the slack. On top of that, DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen can match up well against opposing big men in an Eastern Conference that has Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, and several others. That’s what will take this Nets team deep into the playoffs and give all other teams in the East a run for their money once they get clicking on all cylinders.
No. 5 seed: Philadelphia 76ers; 43-29 Record
It’s arguable to swap the 76ers and Nets in terms of seeding, but with a lot of moving parts in Philadelphia, the team needs time to reach their full potential come playoff time. On paper, this team is arguably a top-5 talented roster, however, it has not translated like that on the hardwood.
The hiring of Doc Rivers along with the addition of sharpshooters Seth Curry and Danny Green can give this Sixer squad a new identity. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid will remain the pillars of this franchise but their supporting cast has gotten better. The departure of Al Horford and Josh Richardson is not going to hurt Philadelphia that much.
Michael Reaves | Credit: Getty Images
Seth Curry is the younger brother of Warriors’ Steph Curry so best believe the shooting is in his blood. Curry came off the bench last season for the Mavericks and averaged 12.4 points shooting 45.2% from beyond the arc. Meanwhile Green struggled greatly with the Lakers last season averaging a mere 8 points shooting 36.7% from three. Not all hope is lost though as Green is a proven sharpshooter. During the Raptors’ 2018-19 title run, Green shot a career-high 45.5% from beyond the arc. Pairing this duo with Simmons is going to be deadly…
Ben Simmons Career Stats
Simmons has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the league and surrounding him with playmakers will allow Philly to make a deep playoff run depending on how Doc Rivers utilizes his talent. Embiid will also have his own supporting cast with the veteran presence of Dwight Howard who likely should see a bigger role this season compared to last year with the Lakers. Howard should contribute well to the rebounding game and defensive side of the ball, matching up well against other big men. I simply see more chemistry in Boston, Milwaukee, and Miami compared to Philadelphia which will play a role down the stretch. Till then it’s safe to say the 76ers are definitely a 5th seed or higher team.
No. 6 Seed: Toronto Raptors; 41-31 Record
The narrative of the Raptors last season was no Kawhi, no problem. That narrative should wear off as Toronto has proven themselves to be among the best teams in the East. Although the Raptors are keeping Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby around for the long-haul, it was to see the departure of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. Toronto did do some damage control and signed Aron Baynes to fill in that center position, but the Raptors will be looking more like a small-ball lineup. Here’s a look at what Baynes brings to the table compared to Ibaka and Gasol.
2019-20 Season Avg.
If you were to evaluate Baynes’ talent it is in between Ibaka and Gasol level production. I’d expect the Raptors to rely heavily on Anunoby and VanVleet to take a big jump in this upcoming season.
Meanwhile, some reliable faces for Nick Nurse’s Raptor squad are Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam. Both of them rank among the league’s better half of two-way players each coming off seasons averaging over 19 PPG. It’s worth throwing Norman Powell’s name into the mix as he saw his role increase last season averaging 16 points and shooting 49.5% from the field.
No. 7 Seed: Indiana Pacers; 40-32 Record
This is a no-brainer. It’s inevitable the Pacers are going to return to the postseason with their roster back and healthy to make a run in the Eastern Conference. Here’s a look at how good Indiana’s projected starting five looks: Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, T.J Warren, and Domantas Sabonis.
2019-20 Season PPG
This team knows how to score and is talented all across the board. Not much has changed other than they are back and healthy ready to go. Perhaps T.J. Warren seeing an increased role after being the talk of the town in the NBA restart. Warren averaged 26.6 points in the bubble while shooting an astonishing 54.1% from the field. It would not surprise me if newly hired head coach Nate Bjorkgren finds a pivotal role for Warren to complement Oladipo’s game.
No. 8 Seed: Washington Wizards; 38-34 Record
If it wasn’t for Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets stealing all the excitement in the Eastern conference, it would be the nation’s capital having shared the spotlight. The Wizards agreed to move John Wall for Russell Westbrook after he missed two seasons with injuries to his Achilles tendon and knee. The trade will now pair up all-star guard Bradley Beal and Westbrook in D.C.
Rob Carr/Associated Press
This is great for both Beal and Westbrook. The Wizards send Beal a message that they want to build around him and have clearly got him some serious help for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Westbrook reunites with his first head coach that he had in the NBA Scott Brooks from his Thunder days. Here’s a look at the numbers the electrifying guard put up in his time under Brooks.
Westbrook under HC Scott Brooks
Brooks left the Oklahoma City Thunder following the 2014 season and since then Westbrook has elevated his game coming averaging 23.0 PPG in all but one season since Brooks’ departure. Pairing a guard as versatile as Westbrook with Beal is going to be lethal. Beal is coming off a season he averaged 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists through 57 games.
Washington has the experience and talent to sneak their way into the postseason. The biggest issue for Washington is the lack of a supporting cast to compliment Beal and Westbrook. Second-year forward Rui Hachimura will miss the opening 3 weeks of the season due to an infection in both eyes. He averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 48 games in his rookie season. I’d expect to see forward David Bertans to see an increased role in the absence of Hachimura. Bertans averaged 15.4 points and shot 43.4% from the field in 54 games last season.
Honorable Mentions
9. Atlanta Hawks
It pains me to keep the Hawks out of the playoff picture after having arguably the best offseason. This team seems like they are one year away from sneaking into the postseason. Trae Young continues to be phenomenal and his supporting cast has got a whole lot better. Atlanta welcomes big man Clint Capela who averaged 13.9 points, and 13.8 rebounds in 39 games last season for the Rockets prior to getting traded to the Hawks.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Then there’s John Collins who is one of the more underrated forwards in this league and the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Young. Finally, the acquisition of Bogdan Bogdanovic is a big one for the Hawks starting lineup. He gives this team a scary-looking backcourt that could cause problems for opposing defenses this season. Unfortunately, I don’t believe this team is ready to top the Pacers or Wizards just yet especially with Russell Westbrook in the East now.
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