[Orlando Sentinel] 11 NBA experts rank the Eastern Conference

Orlando still gets no respect.. oh well.

 

They were the 3rd seed last year, and have made some roster moves that may take adjusting.

 

Obviously it's the big three of Orlando, Cleveland and Boston, followed by a bunch of OK teams.

I feel that it's all about the matchups with the big three. Cleveland matches up with Boston well, Orlando matches up with Cleveland well, and Boston matches up with Orlando well.

 

But they took care of Cleveland without Nelson. Shaq really the difference?

Paper, rock, scissors

 

Can't disagree with you there. In my opinion, the Magic shouldn't have acquired Vince Carter. As I said in the Hedo thread, the Magic probably should have taken this Hedo-Shard Mismatch experience a step closer. It was one of the sole reasons why they managed to take out the Cavs. Though, in my opinion the Celtics probably would've swept them if Kevin Garnett was playing.

Either way, Magic are ranked correctly. They got better on paper, but as far as IQ and Defensively they've gotten much worse. There's no guarantee Jameer Nelson will return to All-Star caliber form either. Shaq will be capable of neutralizing Dwight Howard, which is why I favor the Cavs over the Magic at this point.

Magic lost their biggest mismatch and are now a conventional team.

 

who said these guys are experts...look at that panel...what a joke

 

Philly should be in the playoffs, and toronto will still suck imo

 

People forget about Boston... and even though they may not be that deep or that they may have old players... if they regain that defense that they had in their championship year... they'll be deadly... competing with Orlando for that top spot... and I think that Boston is the only team (with that historical defense) that can challenge the Lakers in a finals series. Garnett is still an intense defender, he can lead their defense like he did a couple of years ago.

 

Cleveland now matches up a lot better with the Magic.

 

How anyone could rank Boston anything more than a distant third, considering we have no idea how healthy or good their best player will be next season, is ridiculous.

 

I just just posting on another site and a bunch of laker fans are bashing you for an article you wrote about Kobe.

 

I'm totally with you. KG's health, along with Ray Allen being even more over-the-hill and the general age of their team puts huge question marks on the Celts. I think it's a stretch to assume their defense will be like two years ago. Everything went right for them that year. Won't happen again.

The Magic have the advantage over the Cavs IMO right now.

As a wild card, I want the Wizards to be good next season so Gilbert Arenas gets a chance to be in the spotlight. But something always goes wrong.

 

Well... I'm assuming that they have a healthy Garnett... when I explain about what I said about Boston... and also assuming that Garnett still has that intensity on D... a lot of assuming yes.. but there's no reason not to think he can't do it, he has that attitude to want to play so badly... I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

it goes...

LEBRON/SHAQ Happy Fun Time Hour

Big Three everyone loves to worship

and then this team that got to the finals...

 

Celtics do have Rasheed Wallace now, who is one of the best post defenders in the league easily. Not to mention he will really spread the floor for the Celtic team for guys like KG, Pierce, and Ray-Ray. The only problem with him is if he'll get along with the rest of the team which he most likely will because Kevin Garnett will keep him in check.

 

Toronto 6? Just because they got hedo and... Jarret Jack? I see them barely sneaking into the playoffs as an 8th seed at best.

 

Rasheed turns 35 before the season starts. He ain't what he used to be, even when you account for some rejuvenated play on a good team. KG is 33 and won't be what he was 2 years ago even if fairly healthy. Ray Allen has significantly declined at 34. His playoff performance against the Magic was nothing short of pathetic. On the other hand, PP and Eddie House haven't shown any signs of decline so I'll cut them some slack. Can Rondo's growth take up the slack for Ray Allen's slippage over an entire season and playoffs? We'll see. I'm not sold on Glen Davis.

I dislike the guy, but I don't expect Rasheed Wallace to be a chemistry problem on the Celts. He will fit in. But they may have overall team chemistry problems, which bit them last season after the 27-3 start.

Anything is possible, but IMO the Celts need another magic carpet ride with nothing going wrong just to be a contender. I don't see that happening. The Magic will be a better playoff team than these geezers.

 

A decent forecast. The Cavs have retooled. The Celtics did the same and got healthy and the Magic renovated its line up that could compete with the Cavs and Celtics but needs adjustment and must develop chemistry. The rest is an open field.

 

Yes the Celtics have gotten older. However, Ray-Ray, KG and Pierce are all All-Stars still...... You would not be able to list me 12 players better than those guys IN THE EAST. Rasheed Wallace is 35 yes....but he's still a threat shooting wise and he's still an excellent post defender. KG will have more room to operate along with Pierce and Rondo.

Ray Allen had a streaky playoff series against the Magic, but Who knows what will happen next time...

In my opinion, I see nothing the Magic can exploit against the Celtics especially if they get Kevin Garnett back and healthy. If Kevin Garnett did play in last season's series, The Celtics would've swept them easily. Rashard Lewis being guarded by Brian Scalabrine and Glen Davis was one of the reasons why the Magic won along with Hedo Turkoglu managing to come through in the Clutch and at the end of the series.

Hedo is gone, and Rashard will be checked by KG now. I see no advantages the Magic can use to overcome the Celtics.