The NBA regular season is about to restart with the 2023/24 season. Let’s break down the 15 Eastern Conference teams and our power rankings
10 days after the start of the NBA regular season 2023/24, we at Generation Sport want to give you our point of view on the 30 teams at the starting line. So here’s the power ranking della Eastern Conference and the prediction of how the RS will go although the market may change the balance during the current season. We will start from position 15 until we get to what we consider the best for each Conference. Tell us your prediction in the comments and on our social media!
15. Detroit Pistons
MoTown has been rebuilding for a few years now with some young people on the launch pad who will have to prove they know what they can do. Cunningham must be healthy throughout the season, Duren and Ivey must get through the second year unscathed and Wiseman must prove he can be important. Ausar Thompson was added to these from the draft and could complete the Detroit of the future. The arrival of a coach like Monty Williams could be the right relaunch but time is needed. Another year of purgatory will be necessary before taking the step towards competitiveness.
14. Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball makes all the difference in the world. The guard born in 2001 must feel good all year round to be able to keep the team at excellent levels. Without the number 0, the North Carolina franchise could easily become the worst team in the league. Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr are good additions to the roster but will have their rookie seasons to deal with. For the rest there is very little stuff, except for Mark Williams, Ball is sailing in the desert for now and MJ’s farewell is no coincidence.
13. Washington Wizards
There isn’t much optimism under the White House. Bradley Beal’s departure frees the franchise from yet another heavy salary given to a disgruntled star but not too much has come from the trade. Poole comes from the worst season in the NBA and will have to be the second shooter behind Kyle Kuzma. This is certainly not the best duo to try to revive the fortunes of the franchise. Only notes of interest: Bilal Coulibaly and Danilo Gallinari’s return after injury.
12. Orlando Magic
However, the conditions at Orlando are different. The Magic have a season of basketball maturation and goals ahead of them. Banchero faced a summer in the national team which certainly made him mature although it didn’t end well. The same goes for Franz Wagner who has shown his potential and wants to repeat himself in the NBA. The additions of Anthony Black and Jett Howard from the Draft give freshness and alternatives, while Ingles brings a pinch of experience to a young group that will be able to aim for the play-in as much as possible.
11. Chicago Bulls
Probably The Last Dance for this version of the Bulls which certainly doesn’t come close to the winning ones of the 90s. DeRozan, Vucevic, LaVine are probably in their last year looking for glory, Deadline permitting. The absence of Lonzo Ball for the entire season is very serious and the stagnation or almost inaction on the market is a symbol of this team. Craig and Carter give defense to this roster but without the Big Three who scores? Chicago has to decide what to do and this could be the right season.
10. Toronto Raptors
From here begins a triptych that gave us a lot to think about the positions and you can move them as you want. Canadians look a lot better on paper than they actually are. The change on the bench from Nurse to Rajakovic will have to be absorbed and could take longer than expected to have an impact. Lillard’s non-arrival emotionally lowers the Raptors who still saw McDaniels and especially Schroder arrive in the offseason. The German was the best player in the World Cup but the NBA is something else and he hasn’t always made a positive difference.
9. Brooklyn Nets
No stars but a balanced and unpredictable roster under the Brooklyn Bridge. Perhaps all that’s missing is a quality center to be the real loose cannon in the Eastern Conference. Bridges, Dinwiddie, Cam Johnson and Cam Thomas are safeties then there is the crazy variable, Ben Simmons. If the former Sixers were to return with his head on the parquet it could represent a determining factor but we cannot be sure. However, the absence of Durant and Irving’s stomach aches since the start of the season can only unite a group that wants to amaze.
8. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are extremely good to watch when the Haliburton-Mathurin duo works. One of the most futuristic duos in the league must take responsibility accompanied by a Myles Turner still in Indianpolis. If the center were to go to a contender before the Deadline, objectives and feelings obviously change. Bruce Brown, Nwora and Toppin extend their rotations and give chances on the two halves of the pitch. Hield’s form will be decisive to achieve the objectives which for now can only be more than a play-in/first round of the playoffs.
7. Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young at the first crossroads of his professional career. The former Oklahoma player will have to forcefully take over the team and repeat the 2021 post season or the Hawks could also think about trading him and rebuilding. The coexistence with Dejounte Murray did not seem good, Mills and Matthews bring experience, Bey can be a good step forward on the roster. Snyder starts from the beginning after his arrival last February and will be able to impact his game but the variant is undoubtedly Trae.
6. New York Knicks
Thibodeau’s team is the same as last season with the only significant addition being DiVincenzo. The New Yorkers must prove they are a safety in the regular season with Randle, Brunson and Barrett who will have even more cohesion. The three will then have to add awareness for the playoffs although the physical limitations with some centers in the East are evident. We can easily see the Knicks in the playoffs with the only question being their competitiveness at high levels.
5. Miami Heat
Heat Culture ensures success and we will never bet against Jimmy Butler and co. The terrible offseason was marked by the wild pursuit and then faded to Lillard who upset the plans of Riley and Spoelstra. Losing Strus and Vincent could cost a lot from an RS perspective, Jaiquez Jr is a good pick but will need time while Hampton and Thomas Bryant need to be evaluated in context. Miami will also have to make Herro feel important and a real variant after feeling like he was on the starting line all summer.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs added well in the summer in the most lacking department with Strus and Niang bringing shots and points from the wings. Emoni Bates, and his mental state, can represent the steal of the Draft as well as completing a complete team from all points of view. The real question mark is the psychological impact on last year’s net elimination. Mitchell, Allen, Mobley and their teammates will have to make the leap in quality on a mental level if they want to become a real contender.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The air at the beginning of the year in Philly is never good. This year the problem is, again, James Harden and his bad mood towards President Morey. Whether Barba is present throughout the year or not changes the situation a lot but when you have last season’s MVP you always start in the top places. Embiid has the obligation this season to show his character in the games that count and in the playoffs in particular. Important pieces such as Beverley, Green, Oubre Jr and Bamba have arrived since the offseason who significantly lengthen the team and offer more solutions. Nurse will have work to do but doing worse than Doc Rivers seems almost impossible.
2. Boston Celtics
This has to be the season of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics in general. The two trades that brought Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday cost dearly and will have to be repaid. The second place is the result only of what happened in Wisconsin. The additions of Brissett, Walsh, Stevens and Gabriel lengthen a roster that is still changing. Marcus Smart and Grant Williams are important losses for the soul and defensive aspect of Mazzulla’s team which is also being tested by fire. The leprechauns have the all-in in their hands: either they win or more than one person could have a change of scenery.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
Probably if we had made an overall power ranking we would have still put the Bucks in the lead given the most unexpected trade of the last summers, although some in Serbia may disagree. Giannis was clear after the debacle against Miami in the last playoffs and the management satisfied him with the best on the market. Damian Lillard will have to take decisive shots and open spaces for the Greek to create the perfect title machine. Holiday was crucial in Budenholzer’s system but with Adrian Griffin the situation will be different and this too was weighed with the arrival of Payne and Beasley. Obviously, between the ring and the debacle, the health of Khris Middleton, now third fiddle on a space roster, has an impact as usual.
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2023-10-14 16:13:14
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