Rank The New East

The NBA's Eastern Conference has gone through a lot of change since the NBA Draft.

Here are the 2006-2007 standings by record:
1. Detroit
2. Cleveland
3. Chicago
4. Toronto
5. Miami
6. New Jersey
7. Washington
8. Orlando
9. Indiana
10. Philadelphia
11. Charlotte
12. New York
13. Atlanta
14. Milwakee
15. Boston

There is going to be a lot of change this year.

Here are Brandon's 2007-2008 rankings in Gold and Justin's in Blue:

1. Detroit - Added perimeter scoring with Stucky, they'll have the best record if they keep Webber.
1. Boston - Ray and Paul are great, but I'm putting Bean town atop the class 'cause of one man: K.G. He "hates to lose." In the West he couldn't control his situation. Now he's the best big in the East. Naysayers can talk all they want about gelling, meshing, rapport, chemistry, whatever -- it don't matter. The BIG Ticket's on a mission.


2. Chicago - All those young guys get a year older, I like the Bulls.
2. Detroit - With C-Web on the fence about returning, and thinking about joining the Mavs, I can't yet say that the Pistons will be as good as they've been. If he returns, I'll have the Motor City Marauders right up there with the Celts. Until then, they fall to No. 2.

3. Boston - In the top 3 because of the big 3. Not higher because they need to develop some chemistry and their supporting cast needs to figure out their roles.
3. Chicago - The addition of Jakim Noah adds another high-energy guy to an already very good up-tempo team.

4. Cleveland - LeBron knows it's all about the playoffs. He'll work hard enough to get home court while stay healthy.
4. Cleveland - We saw in the playoffs that LaBron couldn't take down San Antonio's big three. He needs help and didn't get any in the draft. While the Cavs stayed the same, most others got better.

5. Miami - Hopefully they don't lose Posey and Smush Parker can come into his own, or they'll be lower.
5. Miami - Apparently all that padding didn't help D-Wade. Since Wade's health remains a concern and Shaq's another year older, I can't see the Heat finishing better then they did last year. If Wade's and Shaq are both healthy all season forget everything I just wrote and pencil them in at No. 3.

6. Toronto - I can't wait to watch TJ Ford and Bosh in the pick and roll with Kapono, Parker and Bargnani spotting up.
6. Toronto - Here's another young team that's adds a year of experience. They add Kapono, but fall a couple spots from 06/07 because they failed to improve in the draft.

7. Washington - They second best "Big 3" needs to be healthy. Nick Young should help right away too. He's a great 4th scorer.
7. New York - Yes. That's right. I said it! Boston is the only team that's had a better off-season. Remember, Zach Randolph averaged more points than, Garnett, Bosh and Lewis in 06/07.

8. Orlando - Rashard Lewis gives them more firepower, but they lost Darko and Grant Hill... they'll get swept in first round again.
8. Washington - A healthy nucleus makes this a very dangerous offensive team. I put them at No. 8 instead of 7 because I'd like to see an All-Star game in the first round of the playoffs against Boston. But whoever they play, Agent Zero will start full-time blogging in the second round.

9. New Jersey - Vince's contract goes down the drain. They will realize that Mikki Moore was a lot better than they thought.
9. Orlando - Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard make a fierce duo, so the Magic could easily swap positions with either New York or Washington.

10. New York - I cannot see them in the playoffs with Stephon at the point. Even with 2 studs in the post, and healthy wings in Crawford and Richardson. It's the Knicks, something will go wrong and they won't make the playoffs.
10. New Jersey - Until they get that Brooklyn swagger, and add some mo' pep in their step, they're no longer relevant.


11. Charlotte - Don't let my ranking fool you. I think they'll be a lot better than last year. Richardson will be their #1. Adding Jared Dudley who is a Pistons/Spurs type of player. Morrison, Felton, May and Okafor get a year older and don't have to try to be the best player on the team anymore. Felton will need to play well every night without Brevin Knight.
11. Atlanta - My boys Acie Law IV and Joe Johnson will have the Hawks flying high all season.

12. Atlanta - Adding Horford and Law IV will help Joe Johnson a lot. Hopefully Josh Smith will continue to develop while Marvin Williams and Sheldon Brown should try to prove why they were first round picks, I would have said top 5 picks but I don't see that happening.
12. Charlotte - I'm still not sold on Felton. And Morrison's got to prove something before Charlotte bobs any higher.

13. Indiana - It's a shame they didn't let O'Neal play with Kobe because his career is now the most affected by bad front office decisions now that KG is on the C's.
13. Indiana - Even whispers of Jermaine wanting out, makes me want no part of Indiana. But on another note, someone please explain why folks have been sleeping on Kareem Rush for so long?? He'll finally get a chance to prove his worth on a bad Pacers team.

14. Milwakee - I have a hard time saying Mo Williams in a average PG in the league but he actually is. Too bad he, Redd and Charlie don't have that much help. It doesn't look like Yi is going to help them soon either. Hopefully they can move him for an attractive asset from the west soon.
14. Milwaukee - We have our first 7-foot Chinese draft dodger in Yi Jianlian. Hey, I don't blame him for wanting to go to a real city -- I wouldn't stick around in Milwaukee either.

15. Philadelphia - Possibly the worst front office in basketball. They don't deserve more than two short sentences.
15. Philadelphia - I agree. Brandon's right.