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I don't know if the Conference is better, but it has gotten stronger. Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, both All-Star big men, were stolen from the West. The top-3 picks in last year's draft, and one the Rookie of the Year favorites (John Wall, Blake Griffin), are in the East.
The Best:
Miami--the Potential to be one of the best teams in NBA history.
Chicago--they look good, especially if they sign Howard and have Re and Korver on in the backcourt.
Orlando--They look more pedestrian in comparison to those other two teams.
Boston--They managed to grab Jermaine O'Neal to replace Rasheed Wallace and keep all their free agents.
Atlanta--This is a 50-win team from last year that could be bounced in the first round. When was the last time a team like Atlanta could say that in the East?
Milwaukee--Bogut is back and healthy. They brought Drew Gooden in, and Brandon Jennings just got better. They could upset someone in that top-four.
The Rest:
New York: They added Amare and he's back under D'Antoni. Another year on Danillo Gallinari, Toney Douglas has been lighting up the summer league, and they landed Raymond Felton. They could be a playoff team next year. Plus, they drafted Rautins and Fields.
Cleveland: Like it or not, the Cavaliers have enough talent without Lebron James to make the postseason. Jamison, Williams, Hickson, West, Varejao, Moon, Parker, Powe--all these guys have deep playoff experience and they will be tough defensively. Byron Scott is bound to ask them to run and he has the pieces to do it.
Washington: Look, they have a tremendous rookie in Wall, they landed Hinrich as his backup, Blanche, Thorton, and McGee looked good at the end of the season, and their offensive system looks ready to be implemented. I think this is where the talent-level drops off in the East.
Toronto: The Raptors got a replacement, a more defensive-minded one, for Chris Bosh in Tyson Chandler. Andrea Bargnani looked really good last season. They could be a playoff team next season.
Indiana--Solid team, but I doubt they'll play all that well.
New Jersey--They have added some depth, although Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, and Derrick Favors better play exceptional for anything magical to happen there. Avery is the right coach for this.
The worst:
Philadelphia--Concerns about Evan Turner already popping up. They will challenge for the worst in the Conference.
Detroit--Just a pitiful offseason so far. Maybe having everyone grow in the offseason and staying healthy will add to the win-total, but I doubt it. They have serious problems defending anyone.
Charlotte--They are talking about losing Diaw, they've already lost Felton and probably won't bring back Bell. They've gotten rid of Chandler. In short, Charlotte is in for a big dropoff this season. It's Wallace and Jackson and nothing else.
West: Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Houston, and Minnesota will be better next season. Utah has back-slid. Golden State looks pretty good on paper. Phoenix is going to fall off the map. Denver probably won't impress anyone this year. San Antonio is bringing over Splitter. Mavericks, Thunder, and Lakers are the class of the Conference.
at whoever thinks Cavs will make the playoffs this season
