EASTERN CONFERENCE 2008-2009 PREDICTIONS

by wballa on Sep 2, 2008 2:12 PM EDT

In 2008 one thing was clear. Defense wins championships. While we were all enamored with the tight Western Conference race all year, an east coast team actually won the championship. The West might have the most star power, but the Celtics proved that you need old fashioned defensive slides and phyicality down low to win the ring.

Nevertheless, the eastern conference is much improved this year. With young teams like Orlando and Atlanta now having more playoff experience, this could be a race for the ages. Even the 76ers took Detroit to six games. The Hawks almost shocked the world by taking the Celts to seven games. Orlando and Atlanta will definitely stay near the top of the East throughout the regular season. Philly will again struggle to make the playoffs, Elton Brand just isn't enough to get them over the hump.

The Wizards will be mediocre at best again. Look for about 40-45 wins and a number 6 or 7 slot in the Playoffs. Sound familiar?

The Pistons seem content with the two rings they won earlier this decade, Chauncy and Rip in the back court is getting stale. Another good season for them ending in a second round upset to a young Hawks or Magic team.

Notice you saw no Celtics in the Olympics, so those over 30 knees got some great rest this summer. However will that be enough? Especially with Ray Allen's known history of being injury prone and everyone in the east gunning for them. Look for a Celtics-Cavs Conference Finals matchup this year. Give the edge to Lebron after the Cavs pick up a big name (possibly Iverson or Dwight Howard) before the All Star break.

Well, lets all get ready to watch the Redskins stink it up for the next month or so before we finally get some NBA preseason action!

Yo! This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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I dont see

why you think the Hawks will be anywhere near the top of the Eastern Conference next year. They were only 37-45 last season. Now without Josh Childress you think they will magically leap to the top of the Eastern Conference?

Again you think the Wizards will repeat the same exact thing every year for the rest of their existance.

The Pistons only won one championship in this decade. Make sure you research if you don’t know. Ok?

The Cavaliers picking up Allen Iverson is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read and the Cavaliers picking up Dwight Howard is THE most ridiculous thing I have ever read. This is yet another ridiculous post. You’re on a role!

by lj15 on Sep 2, 2008 4:54 PM EDT 0 recs

Retraction

Allow me to print a retraction statement. The Pistons only won one championship this decade. The rest of my predictions are all very probable. Iverson is not getting it done in Denver and will likely be moved by the all star break. Orlando knows they can make a big run for the Finals this year and Stan Van Gundy has expressed his dislike of Dwight Howard’s horrible rebounding and defensive ability. Check all the Laker games against Orlando and see Kobe just have his way with the big fella.

For 3!!

by wballa on Sep 4, 2008 1:55 PM EDT 0 recs

wha Wha WHAAAAAAT???

“Dwight Howard’s horrible rebounding and defensive ability?” How many games did the dude have 20 rebounds last season? Didn’t he, like, lead the league in that category or sumpin’? And he’s still young and growing. Without Dwight Howard, Orlando has what exactly? Hedo and Rashard Lewis?

For my money, it’s gonna go:
1.Celtics
2. Orlando
3. Cleveland
4. Washington/Sixers
5. Sixers/Washington
6. Detroit
7. Toronto
8. New York! [j/k] New Jersey! [okay, seriously now] Chicago.

I see Detroit falling off, possibly having to deal with injuries to their aging core. Sixers improve, but not to be world-beaters. Wiz improve, mostly due to Arenas returning to pre-injury form. Orlando improves too though, thanks to their beast on the inside, so now division title for us. Cleveland treads water, Boston loses a bit of intensity but stays strong. Chicago or (gasp!) Miami leaps into the eight spot, mostly because the Hawks are going to return to being the Clippers of the east and there just ain’t anybody else to take it.

by sierradave on Sep 4, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

That last statement is a non-sequitor

Unless you’re somehow suggesting Kobe outrebounds Howard, which is silly.

The only thing that makes your predictions “probable” is you saying it.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Sep 4, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

I coulda sworn

that Dwight Howard led the league in rebounding last season and grabbed 20 plus rebounds more times than any other player in the league. To me thats the opposite of horrible. I also coulda sworn that he was 5th in the league in blocks last season which by itself makes him a pretty good defensive player.

Also by your last couple statements were you implying that Kobe outrebounds Dwight, which is crazy to even think, and that it was Dwight’s job to guard Kobe in that game? Last time I checked its usually not the center’s job to keep the shooting guard in check.

by lj15 on Sep 4, 2008 10:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hold on you guys

I think this fellow has some good points. I think Lebron could just take that extra step the refs give him and use it to get around the salary cap. That way they can land Iverson. Then if Orlando mistakes Dwight Howard for Juwan Howard they might just cut him so the Cavs can sign him for the vet’s minimum. Then they get them BOTH!

One thing’s for sure, this Eastern Conf race WILL be “one for the ages”.

by MR on Sep 5, 2008 5:08 PM EDT 0 recs

This, by the same guy that said "D’wayne Wade will drop 40 on him (Gilbert Arenas) every time they play Miami. "
Even though, Dwayne plays either Shooting Guard or Small Forward in Miami’s offense, and Gilbert plays Point Guard for Washington. Neither player normally guards the other …

by Rook6980 on Sep 5, 2008 10:24 PM EDT 0 recs

rook6980

Look dummy, the only reason Arenas doesnt guard him is because his coach knows damn well he can’t. They have similar height and weight, so it would ideal for Arenas to guard him. Only one problem, he cant! And you other idiots. No I’m not saying Kobe outrebounds Howard, I’m saying look at how many times he gets in the lane and dunks or scores on Howards in every Lakers-Magic game dummies! And rook6980 your an idiot. Allen Iverson plays shooting guard for the Nuggets, does that mean he always guards the other shooting guard? Does he guard Kobe, Mcgrady, Ray Allen, uh no ya dumbass!

For 3!!

by wballa on Sep 7, 2008 2:20 PM EDT 0 recs

Stop with the name-calling

You’re making no sense. First, you say Wade will drop 40 on Arenas. Rook said Arenas doesn’t guard Wade, so that makes no sense. You respond with a jab at Arenas’ defense, which is a complete non-sequitor. Arenas doesn’t guard Wade anyway, and Wade doesn’t guard Arenas.

Similarly, your Kobe/Howard argument is wacko. Kobe scores on a lot of people, not just Howard. Orlando had the sixth-best defense in the league last year with Howard as its anchor. This despite the presence of tiny Jameer Nelson and a small forward masquerading as a 4. If Howard doesn’t deserve credit for that, who does? Not to mention Howard’s rebounding.

And who said anything about Allen Iverson guarding shooting guards? Rook said Arenas is a point guard and Wade is a shooting guard to explain why neither guards the other, not to explain why no point guards guard shooting guards.

You’re seriously getting on my nerves.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Sep 7, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Pradamaster

Are you allowed to ban wballa if he keeps the name calling and ridiculous posts up?

by lj15 on Sep 7, 2008 6:26 PM EDT 0 recs

Well, I am

But no public callings for banning. If you have a serious problem, e-mail me.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Pradamaster on Sep 7, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Pradamaster

You know what ban me. Fuck all yall. None of yall know the game any damn way. Your all a bunch of old fat white guys sitting around whacking off at your computers. Suck my big black dick. 1.

For 3!!

by wballa on Sep 10, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up 0 recs