Unlike the Western Conference, the East, this year, is very weak. With only two legitimate contenders and two possible Cinderella teams, I don’t see a reality where the Larry O’Brien Trophy goes to the East. Regardless of my opinion, two teams make it to the NBA Finals, and one of them is from the Eastern Conference - there’s always a chance. Proven last year by the Miami Heat, Eastern Seeding doesn’t matter, for as long as you make it to the playoffs, anything’s possible. After Opening Week, these are the teams that I believe have a chance and why.
The team with the highest chances of making the NBA Finals is the Boston Celtics. They’ve been to the Eastern Conference Finals 5 times in the past 7 years, so they have plenty of experience. This year, I expect no different, especially with the core duo of Tatum and Brown having matured and improved. With fantastic offseason trades, including the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, they are the heavy favorites in the East. If you thought they would struggle initially, their current record is 5-0, being the only undefeated team left in the league. Although Tatum and Brown still have to be more consistent in the playoffs, this year will be their best chance to show the world what they got.
The Milwaukee Bucks, as long as they have Giannis Antetokounmpo, they will always be contenders. Even though they lost Jrue Holiday, they added one of the best point guards of all time: a motivated Damian Lillard. With Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, they have a very competitive team, and If Giannis and Dame can work together selflessly, they will be dangerous. They are the only team that can potentially be favorites in a playoff series against the Celtics, but, as for right now, with a 3-2 record, they will most likely just chase the Celtics this year.
Currently, the Miami Heat have a 2-4 record, and all signs would point to a Play-In record, but they have the biggest DAWG in the league: Jimmy “Buckets” Butler, and I refuse to doubt this team as long as they have Jimmy and Coach Erik Spoelstra. Tyler Herro has been balling this season, putting up numbers that add him to an elite group (150 pts, 30 reb, 30 assists in the first week of the season) of 3: him, Jokic, and Luka. Bam Adebayo is one of the most versatile defenders in the league, and this year could be the year he makes that leap into being a consistent offensive contributor. I wouldn’t count them out, but they do have an uphill battle that will most likely continue this entire season.
The Orlando Magic are a surprising team to be on this list; however, if there was a young team in the league that I could see making a huge jump, it is Orlando. With a fantastic young core led by Paolo Banchero, who I think will thrive in playoff situations, they have a very bright future. Additionally, they have Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, but also so much money to sign an All-Star. Although they haven’t made the playoffs since 2020, I think with the potential they have, they can be a great team, especially starting 4-2.
When I say a Pretender in the NBA, the first team that comes to mind is the Philadelphia 76ers. Don’t get me wrong: Philly has one of the best fanbases in all of sports across the world, but spectators don’t win championships. With the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, who’s made a huge improvement since last year, the 76ers recently have been getting some hype; but they have been so unreliable when it counts. On paper, they have a great team, and they will probably have a high seed (top 5) in the East; however, when the playoffs come along, and the lights are the brightest, Embiid has and will crumble. They’ve started 5-1, so they might prove me wrong and I will apologize, but I still have a ton of time until the playoffs, and the 76ers still have plenty of time to mess things up.
In conclusion, against the stacked Western Conference, with seven contenders, the East only has two legitimate ones. Regardless, any team in the NBA has a chance, even the East. With a ton of young teams that can be threats in the near future, the Eastern Conference could be way more exciting, but I give it three more years until then. But again - anything can happen.
Comments