Philadelphia 76ers
2017-2018 record: 52-30
ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 6
Trust the Process. Over the last five years the Philadelphia faithful have had to believe in The Process. In 2017, it finally started to come around. Last season was a coming out party for this young team. Top draft picks Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz top the list of players to watch this season. While these players are their biggest strength, they are also their biggest questions heading into the season.
Embiid, Simmons And Fultz Highlight A Young Revamped Roster
Embiid and Simmons are undoubtedly among the best in the game and are both 24 and 22 years old respectively. Embiid is coming off his best season, while earning an All-Star nod. Simmons is the reigning Rookie of the Year winner and has already taken over games. He has the highest ceiling of anyone in the game and has comparisons to a young LeBron James. The other number one pick, Fultz, has been putting hours upon hours of work this offseason into his jump shot. If he can find his outside shot it will only strengthen an already talented team. The front office strengthen the bench this offseason beyond JJ Reddick. Free agent signings Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala replaced key departures, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. Many believe these signings are an upgrade and hope to cure last year’s bench woes.
Can Simmons Or Fultz Develop A Shot?
The top question of the offseason. Can Simmons, Fultz or both develop a jump shot? The Sixers need more players to spread the floor, in order to keep up with the Celtics in a seven game series. Simmons is already establishing himself as a top player, the only thing missing in his skill set is an outside shot. If he develops an outside shot, it would propel him into the ranks of unstoppable players in the game. On the other side, Fultz is trying to prove he isn’t a first pick bust. This upcoming year will be his first attempt at a full season and many have criticized his ability to shoot. This offseason he has tirelessly worked on an outside shot in the hopes of becoming another star for this talented team. In order for the Sixers to take the next step into becoming dominant, Simmons and Fultz need to polish their skills.
Boston Celtics
2017-2018 record: 55-27
ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 2
Is this the year they finally win the East? With LeBron James in the Western Conference, the East is finally open for the taking. The Celtics have put together one of the most talented and deep teams in the league. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward are back from injury. Jayson Tatum is looking to build upon his historic rookie season. Lets not forget how brilliant Brad Stevens’ coaching and Al Horford’s defense has been for this team. The mission this year is to bring another title to Titletown. The only question surrounding the Celtics: Can the stars stay healthy?
Beasts Of The East
The talent is plentiful among this lineup with a potential All-Star at each position and starter-caliber talent on the bench. With Irving and Hayward returning from injury, this lineup returned to super team status. Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier return to bench roles, which provide talented depth for the team. Brad Stevens has the talent at his disposal, along with the brains. This team should be fun to watch throughout the season and have a great shot at the top seed in the Eastern Conference. This is a team built to take the Warriors on in the Finals. They will look to make a statement this season.
Can The Stars Stay Healthy Enough?
Hayward’s beginning to the 2017 season was one of wildest moments in recent memory. 2018 marks a new beginning for him and he will look to bounce back to show us he didn’t lose a step. Irving’s season ending knee trouble was certainly missed in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, when the Cavaliers came back to beat them in seven games. The question surrounding the team this year is can the stars stay healthy? Hayward and Irving’s MVP level of play undoubtedly put this team near the top of the league. Their contributions are crucial if the Celtics are looking to knock off the Warriors.
New York Knicks
2017-2018 record: 29-53
ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 27
Not much has been going right for the Knicks for quite some time. Their lone superstar is on the shelf with an ACL tear and is most likely to miss over half the season. This young team will surely miss Kristaps Porzingis and his elite production. Lottery pick Kevin Knox and the development of point guard, Frank Ntilikina, will keep these fans excited, while they await the return of Porzingis. Hopefully, these two players will keep Knicks fans somewhat interested, in what is most likely going to be another bad season. The signing of coach David Fizdale and the huge cap space for next year’s free agency, should keep the fans excited for the future.
Knox, Ntilikina Headline A Young Team With Potential And Cap Room
2017 draft pick Frank Ntilikina is still a young, raw player. His athleticism, size and potential to grow is why many people in this organization are excited about him. However, he will have to take major strides offensively. His field goal percentage in his rookie season was the worst among all other rookies. Kevin Knox is their newest draft pick and he opened eyes during the NBA Summer League. He has elite scoring potential and alongside a healthy Porzingis could be a dynamic duo for years to come. This season will most likely be another bad one in Manhattan. They could land a top draft pick for this year’s draft, in a loaded draft class. Combine that with the cap space to sign a superstar next offseason and the Knicks woes could finally end.
Youth And Inexperience Will Make For A Long Season
One of the youngest teams in the league will show their weaknesses all throughout the season. David Fizdale will have his hands full as the Knicks look to use this year for player development. His top priority will be having to figure out how to get this team to play defense. The Knicks have finished in the bottom portion of the league in defensive efficiency the last several seasons. While Porzingis is gone with injury, this team will need to figure out how to score if they want to have a decent season. Most likely, the organization and fans will be looking forward to the offseason. The development of their young core, the potential to draft in the top five, and the ability to sign a superstar in free agency is about all they have to look forward to this season.
Brooklyn Nets
2017-2018 record: 28-54
ESPN.com Pre-Season Power Ranking: No. 24
The other struggling New York team. The Knicks and Nets share a similar outcome this season: Fixing the team in the offseason. The Nets have a lone bright spot in D’Angelo Russell, but aren’t sure what they want to do with him long-term. They have other potential on this team with players Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Caris LeVert, and Jarrett Allen. However, they let go of a lot of their veteran presence from last season. It will be interesting to see who takes on the leader role for this team. Finally, they have their own draft pick for the first time since 2013! Their front office has been a mess, but they are finally turning things around.
D’Angelo Russell And The Young Core Have Lots Of Potential
D’Angelo Russell has been surrounded by drama his whole career, but there is no doubt the ability is there. He will look to take his game to the next level this year and lead this young Nets team. The core of Allen, Hollis-Jefferson, LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie will look to take major strides this year as well. They all have the potential to be solid players in the league. Surprisingly, the Nets have been in the middle of the league when it comes to defensive and offensive consistency. The reason they’ve had such a bad record is because they don’t have anyone to score when Russell is sitting/injured. If these players take strides this season they will push for a playoff spot in a weak Eastern Conference, beyond the obvious top three teams.
Who Will Step Up This Year? Is Russell The Future?
The problem the Nets have had is that they don’t have a true leader on the court. No one to take over games late. Russell has been mostly brilliant, but makes you scratch your head occasionally. The Nets aren’t sure what they want to do with him, since his rookie deal is up after this season. His play this year will help them judge if they should extend him or not. When it all comes down to it, the Nets will most likely have another disappointing year. They just don’t have the depth or veteran presence needed to make a run. Many fans will be looking forward to their first draft pick in five years and a loaded free agency class this summer.
Toronto Raptors
2017-2018 record: 59-23
ESPN.com Pre-Season Power ranking: No. 3
The top three teams in the East are all in the same division. It’s gonna be wild. The Raptors finished atop the conference last season, but exited in the second round of the playoffs to LeBron James. Again. With the blockbuster trade of the summer, DeMar Derozan for Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors will look to repeat and hopefully make it to the Finals. The swap for Kawhi, along with one of the deepest benches in the league, could finally propel this team to the top. The big questions are can they replicate without Coach of the Year Dwane Casey and is Kawhi going to be like the old Kawhi?
Same Deep Team With A New Star
The Raptors are one of the deepest teams in the league with their great wing play from the bench. OG Anunoby, CJ Miles, Fred Van Vleet, Delon Wright and newly acquired Danny Green are great role players. Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas will all look to continue their past success. The big story of the offseason surrounds the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard. They traded fan favorite and hometown player DeMar Derozan, which caused many fans to be upset at first. Kawhi can produce just like Derozan offensively, but brings All-NBA defense to a team who needs it. The deal was a good one for the Raptors in the end, if Kawhi produces like he has in the past. The East is there for the taking this season and the Raptors have no LeBron to worry about this year.
Will Nick Nurse Fill Casey’s Void and Can Kawhi Return To Form?
The biggest question of the Raptors rollercoaster offseason will be, was firing Coach of the Year Dwane Casey the right move? Nick Nurse was often credited with the offensive schemes, but Dwane Casey knew how to handle the players well. Time will tell if Nurse is the real deal and Casey was just benefitting from a talented roster or coaching staff. Kawhi’s recent injury history and year out of basketball, has a lot of people questioning if he will be able to return to MVP form. The trade has risen the potential of this team. However, if Kawhi isn’t the same and then leaves via free agency, there will be many questions for the front office. DeMar Derozan was the all-time leading scorer in team history and planned on staying long-term. It all could turn out to bite the owners in the back.
Division winner: Boston Celtics
While many favor the new look Raptors to repeat as division winners. I believe the Celtics will come out as winners this season. The return of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward will bolster this already loaded lineup and push the other talent back to the bench. The bench becomes deeper and the lineup has two MVP caliber players back in the fold. Combine that with genius coach Brad Stevens and Horford’s ability to ignite the defense, it equals NBA Finals appearance. They have the ability to knock off the Warriors this season and will look to start their quest October 16th, against the rival Philadelphia 76ers.
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