The 2018 Nole CSL Eastern Conference Predictions

[OneNole]

Atlantic
The division has lost quite a bit of bite from last season, it still has a lot of talent and could very well have the best team in the East this year.

Toronto Raptors
Season Prediction 55 27
Last years division winner is poised for a repeat and with Detroit shaking things up and Chicago becoming another year older this could finally be their year. But is there enough juice in 33 year old Marc Gasols tank?
Boston Celtics
Season Prediction 52 30
Arguably one of the best starting 5s in the league. They add another superstar PG in Mike Conley to see if he can be the missing piece to hopefully get this team over the hump. Conley came at a cost though, however, as the Celtics lack any form of depth. And with the need to play your starters a ton of minutes that yearly injury is just around the corner...
Philadelphia 76ers
Season Prediction 41 41
The sixers are a tough team to predict. They have an abundance of talent. But their GMs activity is inconsistent and so are the results of this team. History has shown they have a good year, then a bad year, and then back to a good year. So if the pattern continues, the Sixers should be able to fight for a playoff spot by seasons end.
Brooklyn Nets
Season Prediction 38 44
With the sudden loss of Jaboo, this team is in turmoil. With the loss of Aaron Gordon due to Willy^2 inability to match the Nets are now left with a very thin front court. Dwight Howard has shown that he rarely can last a season without a major injury and after that there is no one. Not to mention no current GM at the wheel and it looks like this team is back to the lotto.
New York Knicks
Season Prediction 22 60
The Knicks just seem to lack any sense of direction. The team doesnt fit and I dont think I have yet to see a trade that I haven't questioned. On top of that their GM appears to be the least active, active GM in the league.

Central
Easily the toughest division in the league as two now premier talented teams enter the fold to battle with the kings in Detroit and Chicago. If Matty doesnt choke and Manu can figure out a way to fill his PG spot we could easily see 4 50+ win teams.

Chicago Bulls
Season Prediction 60 22
What is this? A new division winner in the Central? This should finally be the year that Marcos can get over the hump and take down those menacing Pistons. Mike Conley is removed and in comes a load of depth which was sorely needed. I am a huge fan of Lance Stephenson and Patrick Beverly should fit with this team perfectly. If it doesnt happen this year, will it ever?
Detroit Pistons
Season Prediction 57 25
At long last, the Pistons can finally say they are Champions. Jon kept to his word and after winning it all he has done same major retooling and traded away 3 major pieces from last years title team without getting any ready now contributors. While you can never count out the Pistons, its hard to see them being as good as last season.
Milwaukee Bucks
Season Prediction 47 35
Manu looked poised to have this team in contention. After a blockbuster trade to bring in the much maligned but supremely talented Josh Smith they likely see their championship aspirations get washed away with the loss of Kyle Lowry. Did Lowry get overpaid by Memphis? Of course he did, but when Lowry is as vital to your team as he is you have to spare no cost in resigning him. I hope Manu has some more tricks up his sleeves because otherwise their title hopes are over and they will be left with a lot of large contracts on aging players.
Indiana Pacers
Season Prediction 45 37
Another difficult team to predict. You never know what Matty is going to do. Does he have the patience to go through an entire season and not make a trade to diminish his chances at a title? After choking away last season its hard to know exactly what they will be doing. They have a top 5 player in Blake and are acquiring the leagues best 3 point shooter in Klay but will there be enough defense?
Cleveland Cavs
Season Prediction 33 49
Drumr will need a season to feel things out and to learn what is needed to best move this team forward. There is a lot of talent on this team but a lot of it needs pref work which will take time. Could this finally be the year that Irving gets traded?

Southeast
Still the weakest team in the East but there has been some strides. Is there a true contender? Not in my opinion, but anything can happen.

Orlando Magic
Season Prediction 50 32
The Magic made some major moves this offseason bringing in Brook Lopez and Rajon Rondo. But if we thought the Celtics had a lack of depth hasnt gone to take a look at Orlandos bench. I am just not sure how this team is going to fit together. Rondo has always been a cancer similar to Cousins and I cant see Lopez doing well next to Cousins. Could be interesting.
Charlotte Hornets
Season Prediction 45 37
The Hornets made some questionable moves during the offseason and now find themselves over the hardcap. Is this a roster worthy of being over the hardcap? Doubtful, but there is talent. I also really like their eventual move of trading Klay to bring in Favors. They had a huge need at the frontcourt last season and this should help address that. But this team still has some major trades to make to not only get them below the HC level but to stay there due to the looming free agency of Wiggins.
Miami Heat
Season Prediction 42 40
After a surprising season last year the Heat have gone "all in." They have a solid 3, 4, and 5 and will enter the season as that borderline playoff team. They need a lot of help in the backcourt, especially at PG but they could fight for the 7th or 8th seed this year.
Washington Wizards
Season Prediction 26 56
The Wizards will be going through a rebuild, collecting as many assets as they can. There is a lot of young talent on this team and a lot more incoming. It will be a painful season but at least you can see a direction.
Atlanta Hawks
Season Prediction 19 63
The Hawks have a new GM that is going to have to feel his way around and learn as he goes. It probably going to be a long season. They have a nice young frontcourt, just needs to find some talent to add to their backcourt. Hopefully they can find someone to take on Monta Ellis.

[Dennis]

I like our depth and we won't play anyone more than 30 minutes. We need a backup PG though. Expect us to trade a lot during the season. We needed to trade Lance and Pat due to financial constraints but got solid talent in return. Vucevic will get shoped too. Even though he should be a very good C once his preferences are fixed.
Miami will surprise many. I see them as a top 3 team.

[Ocons]

Lakers, hands down.

[emplep7]

Good summary of the EC. Looking forward to some moves that are coming down the line, but I like playing the underdog role in our division.

[8time]

I agree with the rankings except the heat. Sir is a mastermind with in game decisions. He will bring the best out of that group. I see Heat winning 48 games.

[blackice]

Really great stuff here, I think CHI/BOS/DET will battle for the 1st seed but TOR is a darkhorse to come out of the East this season. Balanced roster and Joseph is a huge boost to their backcourt.

[mgtr81]

Some interesting notes, Brett. I also think Miami is better than advertised.

[Sun Scorched]

I would love it if NYK was bottom 3 in the east. Would be lovely.

[Silogical]

Miami hasnt really gone all-in yet, so far ive only made a min raise. Ive only traded my 2 worst 1sts and swapped my 3rd worst for a future 1st. I still have 6 1st rounders to play with. I could finish anywhere from 15 to 50 wins depending on the trade offers I receive.

Overall these predictions are a lot better than last yr.

Cavs = easy over (40 wins)
Bulls = prob under (57 wins)

[hardenwithnod]

Good stuff man, I agree with the majority of those predictions. I do think Miami will do better as well, as I feel hat team is a good mix of talent, and their GM is a good X and Os guy. I am also very interested to see if Jon will pull of more moves at day 30.

[Marcos_Beck]

Don't put the pressure all over us. Because being honest, some point at mid-season we'll have to figure out a deal to put ourselves into better position for the future.

Also, I'd love to see Kyrie being dealt so that Cavs pick would look better cause it's protected right now but it aint gonna happen.

[8time]

I'm curious to see the west predictions

[OneNole]

I'm curious to see the west predictions

West is coming. I'm out of town and holiday weekend have slowed me down. Predictions are done. I just need to do write ups.

[8time]

I'm curious to see the west predictions

West is coming. I'm out of town and holiday weekend have slowed me down. Predictions are done. I just need to do write ups.

Cool