By Freddy Cohen
(Editor’s note: In Canon Fodder’s continuing mission to deliver sports comedy on a consistent basis, we’ve added a new writer to the growing staff. Enjoy the ramblings of a Coney Island native wallowing in the Windy City, Freddy Cohen.)
Barely a week into the new NBA season is a good time to check on the Association. First things first – this is not your grandmama’s Eastern Conference. The East is a new and shiny model that handles better than last year. Not up to the S-Class that is the Western Conference by any stretch of the imagination, but you can see the balance of power shifting ever so slightly from the Pacific.
ATLANTIC
Everyone’s darling is the Boston Celtics these days. Not so fast I say. Time will test the glorious trio of Garnett-Allen-Pierce. On paper it looks sweet. In reality they each have lots of tread off their tires and their teammates do not instill fear in anyone. It is a great nucleus on top for the first 50 games of the season. However, the Celts need to play 82 plus win 4 post-season series to win it all – that’s a long road with guys long in the tooth.
The same case can be stated regarding the New Jersey Nets. I am not sold on their top trio either when it comes to going the distance. Jason Kidd is one of the best point guards in the game. His court vision, spurred by the presence of Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson is formidable. Will Vince Carter earn his keep and go to the hole after February when his legs tire? However, I have seen this show before. It ends with no rings as it does every year in New Jersey. I’ll take it a step further and say it won’t even end in a playoff berth for the Nets. Their coach is on the hot seat as well.
I like the Toronto Raptors spearheaded by Chris Bosh. He’s a smooth 7 footer that, given time, can lead the Raptors into the deeper portion of the playoffs, and not just this year. They are on the right track but still in the slow lane.
The Knicks would be better if Isiah were at point guard rather than coach. With all their issues they have proven more interesting in the courtroom than on the court. I can hear Jim Mora now. Playoffs? Playoffs?
The trade of Allen Iverson was said to be the undoing of the Philadelphia 76ers. It would not be the first time a disgruntled character made things better by their disappearance. I saw them versus Bulls the other night and they are better than advertised. Coach Mo Cheeks has the team playing hard with good D. They’re going to be more competitive than you think.
CONCLUSION – Boston is the class of the division. The Raptors are on the come, while New Jersey lives off the reputation of their big three. Isiah and “Starbury†consider it a successful year by staying away from the bondsman.
CENTRAL
On paper this should be a really good division with Pistons, Cavs and Bulls all fighting it out for supremacy. However, there are chinks in this division’s armor.
The Detroit Pistons are the old guard. It has become commonplace for them to ascend to the top of the conference standings but for all the fanfare they have won it all only once and have slipped from finals- to conference finals-level play. It will still be hard to unseat them not because they are so superior but because there is no other team in the division ready to knock them over and stay there. It’s getting closer though.
The backcourt of Hamilton and Billups is still one of the best in the NBA. Savvy and cocksure, they play well off each other. The underrated Tayshaun Prince provides great defense, but in my view they still miss Ben Wallace providing the last line of defense in the middle. He was the perfect fit in Detroit and although he is stinking it up at the United Center these days, his shortcomings were camouflaged brilliantly while in the Motown.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a one-hit wonder in multiple ways. They have arguably the best talent in the NBA in Lebron James. His supporting cast should not have been good enough last year to make it to the finals, reminiscent of AI during his 76ers finals run several years ago. With the rest of the East improving and the Cavs not, they will slip back to the middle of the pack.
The Bulls had high hopes before the season and were considered a chic pick by many to go to the NBA Finals. An 0-4 start has dampened spirits in Chicago. When will they get a low post scorer? Kobe to the Bulls talk is rampant, but do the Lakers want what the Bulls have been cooking so far? Same problems-different season.
Milwaukee and Indiana bring up the rear in the Central. Yi is the new look on the Bucks. Michael Redd is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, but for the Bucks it is a nickel short and a day late to compete this season.
Same is true for the Pacers who are still looking to trade Jermaine O’Neal but have not found the right offer until now. Maybe L-Bird can suit up at least to bolster attendance and spirits in Hoosier-Land.
CONCLUSION – Pistons are still the class but are slowly coming back to the pack. Bulls and Cavs are the upstarts that think they both can make it to the finals. (Not happening for either this season.)
SOUTHEAST
A three horse race that is intriguing on paper but begs the question, can old and young alike withstand the rigors of an 82-game season? (That’s why they play the games.)
Although I do not think the Miami Heat will win the division, I do think they have the best chance of the Southeast teams to win the conference. Any time you have D-Wade and Shaq in the lineup with the Slickster calling the plays, you have a puncher’s chance. The question is the health of all of them. Dwayne Wade first and foremost needs to prove he has the physical presence to withstand 82 games and then the rigorous postseason. He is an awesome talent… a championship talent as proven a couple of years ago. What about Shaq? A fourth ring two years ago showed he still had the goods post-Kobe, but a sweep last year at the hands of the Bulls may have proven his time of dominance are over. He needs to be strong down the stretch for them to have any chance. Riley looks tired on the sidelines as he may be realizing his brainchild may have seen its best day in Miami.
The up and comer in the division is the Orlando Magic. I think Dwight Howard is a future MVP but it’s still a little early in his career to lead a team to the Promised Land.
The most overrated team in the East may be the Washington Wizards. I do not like the chemistry of this team. Too many guys opting to take too many shots for my liking. Where’s the D? Agent Zero – you’re not kidding. Not happening in DC.
Atlanta and Charlotte; both are interesting cities with fattening yet tasty cuisine.
CONCLUSION – Orlando heads the class during the regular season. However, a healthy D-Wade and Shaq can whip up on anyone when healthy in the East.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREDICTION
- Boston (1) – def Miami (8)
- Orlando (2) – def Washington (7)
- Cleveland (5) – def Toronto (4)
- Detroit (3) – def Chicago (6)
- Boston (1) – def Detroit (3)
- Orlando (2) – def Cleveland (5)
Eastern Conference Finals……
- Boston (1) – def Orlando (2)
Boston, riding their big three, has enough to hold off this year’s upstarts, the Orlando Magic in 6 tough games leaving the Celtics as your Eastern Conference Champions.
Coming soon: NBA PREVIEW: Part II – The West