Unbothered
ELEVATING to HIGHER LEVELS with POSITIVE VIBES ✨
I know it's way early but this is how I see the Eastern Conference rounding out with my own opinions for the playoff/play-in teams and positioning...I will do the Western Conference later or tomorrow 
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1. Bucks • (55-27) • I feel like Milwaukee will once again have the top seed in the East. Much of the same roster is returning but I expect them to have a few bumps in the road as they will have a new coach at the helm.
2. Celtics • (53-29) ~ As good as the Celtics have been the past few seasons, I expect them to be the second-best team in the East. Tatum and Brown will continue to excel but the loss of Marcus Smart, the addition of KP, and the sometimes questionable coaching will make things very interesting in Boston.
3. Cavs • (52-30) ~ Now on Facebook a lot of people laughed at my prediction of Cleveland being the 3rd best team in the East over Philly (some argued the Knicks). I believe the Cavaliers will be just as great as last season with Mitchell getting his name in the MVP conversation, after last year's disappointing playoff existence to the Knicks this young team will be more experienced and hungry to prove themselves as a serious contender.
4. Knicks • (49-33) ~ The New York Knicks have quietly improved themselves with the addition of Donte DiVincenzo, a great 3pt shooter, someone NY needed against Miami. Jalen Brunson is THAT guy, he's single-handedly rejuvenated the franchise and the city. I think RJ and Randle will capitalize on their postseason blunders and come out strong, Quickley and Grimes who are intriguing young players will step more into the spotlight and become focal points of their team's game plan.
5. 76ers • (47-35) ~ I know what you're thinking, how could a team with the reigning MVP fall so far in the standings. Well, it's simple, new coaching, a lackluster roster, and the uncertainty around whether James Harden stays in Philly for at least this season. A lot of people are betting high on Maxey to jump into an all-star caliber player this season. Will it be enough for the Sixers (assuming Harden is no longer on the roster by opening night) to win 50 games? I don't think so, Doc's firing was only the beginning of a gloomy future for years to come in Philly.
6. Heat • (46-36) ~ The 6th spot in the East was harder for me to decide on but, I went with the old Faithful and realized Miami will be better than last year, not by a huge margin but enough to avoid play-in status. Considering the roster stays the same with no Dame trade made by opening night, the Heat will have to rely on the trio of Jimmy, Bam, and Herro to keep them above. 500. However gone are Strus and Vincent, two guys who showed up in big moments for Miami during their magical playoff run, they will be missed but additions of J.Rich, Bryant, JJJ, and the supposed emergence of Jovic, and Orlando Robinson with Spo leading the way will keep them competitive.
7. Hawks • (42-40) ~ Atlanta will once again be a play-in team. This season will determine if Trae Young will remain a Hawk for the foreseeable future. A lot of fans who once believed Young to be the franchise guy they've been waiting for are now kinda leery about his motivations and commitment to the city/team. Hunter will need to become a much more prominent player behind Young and Murray after the departure of Collins, Quinn Snyder will need to prove to Hawks fans that firing Nate McMillan (a fan favorite) to hire him was a wise decision.
8. Nets • (39-43) ~ The Brooklyn Nets' last season's record of 45-37 wasn't a proper representation of their team due to the head start provided by Kyrie and KD before their departure. Listen they have a few good pieces in Bridges, Claxton, and Cam Thomas along with a pretty good coach in Jacque Vaughn but unfortunately, I don't see this team being better than decent. Ben Simmons remains a disappointment because if he was playing up to his talents maybe this squad could finish above .500 otherwise it's going to be a dismal season in Brooklyn, NY.
9. Bulls • (37-45) ~ Similar to the Nets, they have a pretty good young group of guys surrounded by vets and battle-tested guys in LaVine, DeRozan, Vuc, and Caruso (as well as Lonzo who unfortunately is dealing with serious injuries) but for some odd reason they can't elevate themselves into one of the better teams in the East. Maybe it's coaching, maybe it's effort, who knows...this Bulls team on paper is better than 9th place but can they prove it on the court?
10. Hornets • (36-46) ~ Well the final spot left to qualify goes to Charlotte Hornets. I felt inclined to put the Raptors in this position but I feel that the loss of Nurse, VanVleet, and potentially Pascal Siakam's impending departure will set Toronto back. Not much to say about the Hornets but I think LaMelo will have an all-star caliber season enough to push them towards the play-in and Brandon Miller will have his name in ROTY discussions throughout the season.
11. Pacers • (33-49)
12. Raptors • (31-51)
13. Magic • (30-52)
14. Pistons • (28-54)
15. Wizards • (19-63)
Teams 11-15 I didn't believe needed a breakdown analysis but I can provide an opinion for each if curious.
.1. Bucks • (55-27) • I feel like Milwaukee will once again have the top seed in the East. Much of the same roster is returning but I expect them to have a few bumps in the road as they will have a new coach at the helm.
2. Celtics • (53-29) ~ As good as the Celtics have been the past few seasons, I expect them to be the second-best team in the East. Tatum and Brown will continue to excel but the loss of Marcus Smart, the addition of KP, and the sometimes questionable coaching will make things very interesting in Boston.
3. Cavs • (52-30) ~ Now on Facebook a lot of people laughed at my prediction of Cleveland being the 3rd best team in the East over Philly (some argued the Knicks). I believe the Cavaliers will be just as great as last season with Mitchell getting his name in the MVP conversation, after last year's disappointing playoff existence to the Knicks this young team will be more experienced and hungry to prove themselves as a serious contender.
4. Knicks • (49-33) ~ The New York Knicks have quietly improved themselves with the addition of Donte DiVincenzo, a great 3pt shooter, someone NY needed against Miami. Jalen Brunson is THAT guy, he's single-handedly rejuvenated the franchise and the city. I think RJ and Randle will capitalize on their postseason blunders and come out strong, Quickley and Grimes who are intriguing young players will step more into the spotlight and become focal points of their team's game plan.
5. 76ers • (47-35) ~ I know what you're thinking, how could a team with the reigning MVP fall so far in the standings. Well, it's simple, new coaching, a lackluster roster, and the uncertainty around whether James Harden stays in Philly for at least this season. A lot of people are betting high on Maxey to jump into an all-star caliber player this season. Will it be enough for the Sixers (assuming Harden is no longer on the roster by opening night) to win 50 games? I don't think so, Doc's firing was only the beginning of a gloomy future for years to come in Philly.
6. Heat • (46-36) ~ The 6th spot in the East was harder for me to decide on but, I went with the old Faithful and realized Miami will be better than last year, not by a huge margin but enough to avoid play-in status. Considering the roster stays the same with no Dame trade made by opening night, the Heat will have to rely on the trio of Jimmy, Bam, and Herro to keep them above. 500. However gone are Strus and Vincent, two guys who showed up in big moments for Miami during their magical playoff run, they will be missed but additions of J.Rich, Bryant, JJJ, and the supposed emergence of Jovic, and Orlando Robinson with Spo leading the way will keep them competitive.
7. Hawks • (42-40) ~ Atlanta will once again be a play-in team. This season will determine if Trae Young will remain a Hawk for the foreseeable future. A lot of fans who once believed Young to be the franchise guy they've been waiting for are now kinda leery about his motivations and commitment to the city/team. Hunter will need to become a much more prominent player behind Young and Murray after the departure of Collins, Quinn Snyder will need to prove to Hawks fans that firing Nate McMillan (a fan favorite) to hire him was a wise decision.
8. Nets • (39-43) ~ The Brooklyn Nets' last season's record of 45-37 wasn't a proper representation of their team due to the head start provided by Kyrie and KD before their departure. Listen they have a few good pieces in Bridges, Claxton, and Cam Thomas along with a pretty good coach in Jacque Vaughn but unfortunately, I don't see this team being better than decent. Ben Simmons remains a disappointment because if he was playing up to his talents maybe this squad could finish above .500 otherwise it's going to be a dismal season in Brooklyn, NY.
9. Bulls • (37-45) ~ Similar to the Nets, they have a pretty good young group of guys surrounded by vets and battle-tested guys in LaVine, DeRozan, Vuc, and Caruso (as well as Lonzo who unfortunately is dealing with serious injuries) but for some odd reason they can't elevate themselves into one of the better teams in the East. Maybe it's coaching, maybe it's effort, who knows...this Bulls team on paper is better than 9th place but can they prove it on the court?
10. Hornets • (36-46) ~ Well the final spot left to qualify goes to Charlotte Hornets. I felt inclined to put the Raptors in this position but I feel that the loss of Nurse, VanVleet, and potentially Pascal Siakam's impending departure will set Toronto back. Not much to say about the Hornets but I think LaMelo will have an all-star caliber season enough to push them towards the play-in and Brandon Miller will have his name in ROTY discussions throughout the season.
11. Pacers • (33-49)
12. Raptors • (31-51)
13. Magic • (30-52)
14. Pistons • (28-54)
15. Wizards • (19-63)
Teams 11-15 I didn't believe needed a breakdown analysis but I can provide an opinion for each if curious
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Brook Lopez is old as shyt yet he was in conversation for DPOY all year, and he just made all defense 1st team. Giannis is still top 5 in the league. Don’t sleep on the Bucks just yet
at Nate McMillan being a Hawks fan favorite. Most Hawks fans were happy when he was let go, hes old school, stubborn and the Hawks played a slow, old man game without the physicality. Nate was a good guy but glad hes gone. Quin is a significant upgrade
at my bulls not being so terrible they don't even deserve a paragraph by the OP
