ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics
When the most storied Boston Celtics eclipsed their historical rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, for championships won (18), it seemed like they would hit 20 before 2030 (they still could). Behind the one-two punch of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Their most dynamic duo since Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker shimmied into Beantown with Celtic pride. Truth.
But then Tatum went down with an injury that would end most competitor’s careers. And now Brown is in Philadelphia, as all the Celtics got in return was two first names. Sure, Paul George is one of the best to ever lace them, but he’s closer to hanging his sneakers up, like Mike Conley. The C’s wanted Giannis, but Antetokounmpo gave them the same hair combing gesture he gave Jaylen as he shook hands with the Heat. There’s a new East beast in New York, too. But Boston have just got their hardest nose in Mitchell Robinson. It’s about to get real interesting in the Atlantic.
Brooklyn Nets
Those who have been getting no sleep finally have a release. When it comes to New York, the Brooklyn Nets may always be the LA Clippers to the Knicks’ Lakers, but the B.K. actually has a good team now. Julius Randle is back in the bright lights of the big city after the Minnesota trade from a few years back. He will pass the rock like the hot potato of leadership with certified champion Michael Porter Jr. One season of tenure under his drawstrings.
Breaking up the brotherhood in Florida, adding Moritz Wagner is also a key addition, alongside the likes of Keon Ellis and Tyler Bilodeau. Yet the real promise lies in the sixth spot in the draft. Just how far the Nets will go depends on Louisville rookie Mikel Brown Jr., now he’s no longer in the college cutting down class. Not to mention the development of Day’Ron Sharpe and Egor Dëmin. In a team of juniors, Brooklyn needs time and to keep everything together unlike those super-team of Celtics and Thunder pieces.
New York Knicks
“Fireworks for sure. I mean they’re going to be electric. They’re going to be definitely a team to keep your eye on. They reloaded this year. It’s going to be a tough test, but we’ll be ready.” That was Finals MVP and Point God Jalen Brunson’s reaction, on the Today show, to his opening night match-up with the new Philadelphia 76ers, led Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Not to mention former Boston Celtic rival Jaylen Brown and some 41-year-old King. Arguably the greatest Knick of all-time was his stoic self. Why? Because the next job’s not done.
Will the people’s NBA champion repeat? With that attitude the New York Knicks certainly will. Sure, losing Mitchell Robinson to their green enemy across the Atlantic was tough, but Andre Drummond is a capable replacement. He just feels like a Knick. Elsewhere, there aren’t many more major moves. Most of Mike Brown’s dogs are back in the kennel, even if we want to know who let Mitchell out (who, who?). Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, Landry Shamet and of course, the hero OG Anunoby. If it ain’t broke…
Philadelphia 76ers
Will arguably the greatest all-round player of all-time help the Philadelphia 76ers rise up the ranks of storied franchises in NBA history? The Sixers have three rings…and now they have a King. Nursed by champion coach Nick. The City of Brotherly love has had their fair share of legends, too. Wilt Chamberlain. Julius Erving. Moses Malone. Charles Barkley. Allen Iverson. Joel Embiid. And now, LeBron James. All in the same summer they traded for Celtic champion Jaylen Brown. Losing Paul George, like the James Harden’s and Jimmy Butler’s before him, registers as a mere footnote in comparison to this chapter.
Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid still mans the middle, and now it’s time for this centrepiece to win. James and Jaylen will certainly help, they come with that exact experience. A famous five for a team that already had a big-three with arguably their greatest player in Tyrese Maxey, and his backcourt running mate in super sophomore VJ Edgecome. So excited to have the King ringing the Liberty Bell he recreated that LBJ vacation meme. Sixers fans can’t believe this is their life. Even the bench is smiling through it as ‘Bron’s former Bubble teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joins one headed by Anfernee Simons. That’s seven players who could go for 30 on any given night. Get the ESPN 30 for 30 ready. Championship processing.
Toronto Raptors
Following the WNBA’s expansion pack of the Toronto Tempo’s impressive debut in the W, it’s time for the Raptors to return to their championship roots. That beautiful year of 2019 is closing in on being a decade ago, and there has been a different NBA champion for every season since then. You want some nostalgia back in The 6? Well, how about Kawhi Leonard laughing all the way to the ba…perhaps we should leave that there. “He” the north again, and with the Clippers drama back in America, we can just picture Joel Embiid’s face as another one of Kawhi’s clutch buckets goes all around the world of the rim.
Somewhere across the Atlantic, you’ll find your next NBA champion. The toughest division in the league houses three of the last seven and the potential powerhouse of the next one. Sure, losing Brandon Ingram was tough, but for Kawhi, you’d take that. The Raps still have the Maple Mamba of RJ Barrett and the star-studded Scottie Barnes poised for a super breakout season. That’s a beautiful big-three and with additions like Kyle Anderson and Jaden Bradley, the core of Immanuel Quickley and Collin Murray-Boyles could surprise more than a few. We’re just excited to see a new rivalry with the Clippers ignite in the, at press time, Vancouver game.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Bulls
The winds of change bring forth the next great Chicago hope. His name is Caleb Wilson. A top five pick in the draft from the university of North Carolina. Wait a second… doesn’t that have a familiar ring to it? We may be a far cry from indexes and pinkies, but Wilson with the Wilson? Chi-town is feeling good again. Especially after the fact that their baseball brothers didn’t whiff the ball. Valuable veterans like Nic Claxton and Norman Powell join former player Tiago Splitter’s set of baby booming Bulls.
With another former player, the recently retired Bulls’ role-playing legend Taj Gibson, on Splitter’s bench, even those with splinters will be getting good tutelage. Chi-city belongs with Caleb and Matas Buzelis, but for now, their biggest star, and bucket getter, is Aussie Josh Giddey. Yet there are far more buckets in reserve thanks to late training camp pick-ups like Buddy Hield, his play not ready to yield to father time. In a beast of an east, the Bulls may find it hard to join the stampede, but soon they will be ready to lock horns.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland, apparently this isn’t for you. Like star Donovan Mitchell’s former Utah sides, it seems the Cavaliers are always primed for the postseason, following record regular ones. Yet the noise made in the playoffs isn’t quite as deafening when they should be an NBA Finals fix. A reunion ride with the King seemed to be on the cards, which would have surely been a storybook ending to LeBron James’ greatest of all careers, but then LBJ made his decision to toss chalk on his Philly cheesesteak, and the rest, we say, is NBA history.
We still have a big game James in Harden, but that trade for Darius Garland crippled their young core with bigs Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. No matter, those two post players patrol the paint, whilst Harden and Mitchell get buckets religiously on the perimeter. Remember this is a team that made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, before the eventual Knickerbocker champions brought out the brooms. With the amazing Atlantic, don’t count out the Central Division, or the central focus of it.
Detroit Pistons
Following some of the worst records in NBA history, it looked like things were trending upwards for the Detroit Pistons. One of few franchises who can look up to the rafters and see a couple of championship banners alongside all those retired jerseys. All-star Cade Cunningham and rising twin Ausar Thompson may see their names up their one day. But will big Jalen Duren? At press-time it was still up in the air if their big-ticket was going to play. Holding this team to ransom after not getting what we wanted from other ones (most notably the Walker Kessler signing Los Angeles Lakers) in free agency.
Now the chemistry could be as combustible as all those experiments we used to do as children in class, when we had no business wearing lab-coats. It’s a shame, because with this big-three, in a league of them, you could easily see the Pistons motoring their way to the Eastern Conference Finals, even in the most competitive conference. And with a little more under the hood, who knows where they could go after that. Taurean Prince, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and Duncan Robinson are exactly those kinds of parts, especially from downtown. But this all hinges on whether Duren decides to shut up shop or stay put.
Indiana Pacers
Yes’cers! Yeah, yeah, the Knicks won it all, and a King is out on the streets of Philadelphia, but ladies and gentlemen, Tyrese Haliburton is back! Don’t count out the clutch artist who can even make people in the world’s most famous arena choke, reminding us of Reggie. It’s Hali’s time, and the only thing Tyrese, duking it out with the Maxey one in Philly, is worrying about is whether he damaged his relationship with Trail Blazing legend Damian Lillard after checking his watch in the clutch. Never fear, ‘rese, this game was built off competitive hearts and homage.
Hali’s always had jokes, or “whatever the case may be”, when he appeared on LeBron’s podcast in place of Steve Nash. Yet the superstar is minding the game now. Keeping his mind on the game and his game on the mind. That’s three times for a man that’s more downtown than high-street shops and restaurants serving you up with all the trimmings. Those trimmings coming in the form of Larry Nance Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. joining a group headed by the undertaker of Pascal Siakam. Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, Jay Huff and James Johnson add more spice to Rick Carlisle’s unit, but it was the trade deadline move for Ivica Zubac last season that may make them finally forget about Myles Turner, taking them over the top.
Milwaukee Bucks
Turner sports a Bucks jersey now, but who else does now that Giannis Antetokounmpo is gone? Not even Thanasis, who suffered the fate many thought Bronny James would or will do out in LA. The Greek Freak is now with the Heat. Does that now make Milwaukee mid? Former South Beach heater Tyler Herro can’t be a hero on his own. And Turner, and the likes of Kyle Kuzma, are more seconds in command, or complimentary pieces, than main attractions. It’s time to see if Arizona’s Brayden Burries really has the berries to be a top ten pick. Especially now other big names like Dame Lillard are long lost.
Nate Ament, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Caris LeVert, Bogoljub Marković and Kel’el Ware give the Bucks a new look. Not to mention a nightmare for jerseys makers at the team store when they were finally getting over running out of the alphabet for Antetokounmpo’s apparel which now remains on the discount rack, although the jersey will one day reside in the rafters for the Cream City champion. The juniors of Gary Trent and Kevin Porter help make this roster a complete one. But in a big east, not to mention the terrific talents of the league as a whole, their window might be closed for the winter.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks
It’s not Young’s town anymore, but the Atlanta Hawks could still be a peach of a franchise. Especially with Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and vet CJ McCollum leading the way with Dyson Daniels and eighth wonder rook Kingston Flemings next up for Quinn Snyder’s men in the A. The ATL boasts a mix of experience and youth in revolt. There are about 112 clubs in a city known for crunk, like Nashville is for being a little country. So long as the players stay out of these, like Spur Luke Kornet advised, and this music city could be a magic one again.
The real move, that these Hawk eyes got their talons into, was stripping Luguentz Dort from the former champion Thunder. Akin to the Celtic taking some of the starch out of the jersey of current champs, the New York Knicks, by robbing Mitchell Robinson. These x-factors take some of the letters out of those aforementioned winners, and help make the ATL Atlanta Hawks in the A, a capital one. As does the more than three and D addition of Dorian Finney-Smith. Shamelessly devalued and shopped by the Lakers, and then sort of unintentionally dissed by Kevin Durant on the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast, before becoming a Rocket. Expect him to surge and fly towards his prey as a Hawk.
Charlotte Hornets
Just when we thought that there were enough Eastern Conference teams capable of contending, the Hornets show us they have more honey in their hive. LaMelo may have taken his ball and gone to a new home in Minnesota, but Charlotte’s nest is still alive and as loud as an angry swarm in the summer. Kon Knueppel was one of the most surprising success stories of last season. When Steph Curry hangs up those scorching sneakers, stepping out beyond the arc, Knueppel could become the greatest shooter in the association of gun-slingers. No con.
He forms a duo with Brandon Miller that is more than a little dynamic. Especially with the likes of Grayson Allen, Christian Anderson, Royce O’Neale and Dennis Schröder combing up the court. Yet, it may just be the trade acquisition of Minny fan favourite Naz Reid, from the Timberwolves, which shifts the balance of power to the Southeast, like Dort as a Hawk. Between these two muscle men and Duren (maybe) in Detroit, the pounding in the paint will remind you of the old west best. Bloody and brilliant, whoever comes out with the most scars and stiches, wins.
Miami Heat
No LeBron, no problem. The Heat is well and truly back on. G.i.a.n.n.i.s. A.n.t.e.t.o.k.o.u.n.m.p.o. now takes his freaky style talents to a South Beach franchise that really has been bringing the Heat ever since President Pat Riley came to Florida, kept his blazer on and boiled up some championship contending sides. Shaq and Flash, D-Wade, ‘Bron and Bosh. They all won. Now it’s up to Giannis and Bam ‘Mr. 83’ Adebayo to do the same as they hit the Dragon Ball anime pose at media day for the latest Voltron fusion in the MIA.
Herro ball is over. The Butler has been shown the door. But you needn’t worry. Canada’s own Andrew Wiggins is still here, and the Human Torch of Klay Thompson spurned his father Mychal’s Lakers again to join the hottest side he’s coupled up with since Megan Thee Stallion, although we hear we went cold with her. Former Buck favourite Bobby Portis bolsters a bench for ever underrated coach Erik Spoelstra, one of the greatest in the game. Joined by the assistance of former players like Caron Butler, Malik Allen, Wayne Ellington and Vin Baker. Yet the sweetest story in Miami may just be Tim Hardaway’s number 10 coming down the rafters for his junior. That’s basketball bonded beauty, like ‘Bron and Bronny.
Orlando Magic
Wagner is gone. Never fear, it’s Moritz, not Franz, but that basketball brotherhood sure looked good in Florida, and Moritz shows on the international stage that he is one of the most slept on talents in the league. Franz, on the other hand, backs up superstar Paolo Banchero to give Orlando an NBA team that Detroit basketball can only dream of, right now. A former cellar dweller, one hit away, as Jay-Z used to tell Memphis Bleek, with no more drama, word to Mary J. Blige. All this happened after taking the Grizzlies grit of Desmond Bane put the pinstripes back into the franchise.
They may be more Disney than Yankees, but this Magic hour can hold a candle to the Shaq and Penny era that should have put ‘chips down like Kobe and Wade. Their big-three can go deep like a Janet Jackson song. Mostly and smartly standing pat like the fellow former Eastern promise of the now champion New York Knicks. Although adding Izaiyah Nelson and Nikola Vučević offers more tricks for their trade. And Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. pull more out of the hat and off the bench for Sean Sweeney’s next.
Washington Wizards
The feast of the East continues and concludes with the no longer woeful Washington Wizards, propping up this preview, like they used to do the conference. Champion big Anthony Davis, after the Dallas trade, said he’d stick around and extend his spell in the nation’s capital if they built a contender around him. The wicked Wiz already rolled a dice for clutch showman showstopper Trae Young, and now they’ve finally given the power forward the center he always coveted, in the future of the franchise, number one pick AJ Dybantsa. And this formidable frontine already has Frenchman Alex Sarr.
Not only that, they just added another (former) first-overall draft pick, in Deandre Ayton (along with champion Khris Middleton), smooth enough for the East. Ironically, this was the big the Lakers brought in following the infamous Luka trade (who Ayton was amazingly drafted over), after AD said he needed a big-man in purple and gold to man the paint with him. Now, Washington, in desperate need of some positive light on its great city, has a core. And Davis has his paint protection. Although until this becomes AJ’s team, DC lives and dies on AD’s injury prone frame and Young’s youthful shot.
