EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

The Celtics are NBA champions. The Pistons, Cavaliers, Sixers and Raptors added Allen Iverson, Mo Williams, Elton Brand and Jermaine O’Neal, respectively. Even Larry Brown is back. The days of the “Leastern” Conference are over. So, how will it all shake out?

1) Boston Celtics: Kevin Garnett is too much of a workaholic to be satisfied with one championship. The Celtics may not win the title again, but they will not go down without a fight. Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen may begin a steady decline this year because of their age, but for now, expect Rajon Rondo to improve enough to compensate for that.

2) Detroit Pistons: The win-without-a-superstar approach is gone; Allen Iverson is now a Piston. With him and Rasheed Wallace, this team has some spunk. This Piston outfit is talented, but how will A.I. mesh with his new cast? Ultimately, expect the Pistons to challenge for the conference crown, as usual.

3) Cleveland Cavaliers: Mo Williams is a good third banana, but he is the second-best player on this Cavaliers team. As great as LeBron James is, he will need a little more punch alongside him to surpass Boston and Detroit. With $22 million in expiring contracts on the roster, Cleveland has the ammunition to get that done, but for now, they are still a shade away from the East’s elite.

4) Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard is a monster, but this team has some big question marks. Last year’s point guard situation left much to be desired and the departure of Keyon Dooling did not do them any favors. Also, can Hedo Turkoglu match his output of last season? The Magic will need to work hard just to match last season; improving upon it looks nearly impossible.

5) Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh is thin and Jermaine O’Neal has fallen off, so this team will not play much defense. However, with those two guys and Jose Calderon they should score a ton of points, and winning a playoff series is a very real possibility. Lacking an elite wing player to create his own shot, the road to the elusive second round of the playoffs will be a tough one.

6) Philadelphia 76ers: I see this team failing to meet the unfair expectations put upon them. As good as Elton Brand is, he scores more off penetration and kick than off back-to-the-basket moves. Andre Iguodala is a great young player but is not a go-to guy just yet, and Brand has never been in his career. This team of two second bananas but no top guy will be good, but will struggle in closer tussles against the teams they are chasing.

7) Chicago Bulls: The Bulls won’t be the elite team everyone thought they were last year, but they will get their scrappiness back. Ben Wallace’s leaving will help Joakim Noah’s psyche, and Kirk Hinrich has accepted Derrick Rose. Unlike last year, only one key player (Ben Gordon) is playing for a contract, and there are no rumors about pending mega-deals. Expect Chicago to scrap their way to an average record and possible low seed in the playoffs.

8) Milwaukee Bucks: This team has some talent, despite being under the radar. Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson are solid NBA players, and Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva help round out a nice, young core. The Bucks will not scare anyone, but should compete for a playoff berth.

9) Washington Wizards: I think all the injuries to Gilbert Arenas are going to take their toll on this team. Without Brendan Haywood, this team will be eaten alive inside. It is essentially Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and 10 guys for now. Washington will compete for a playoff berth, but not much else.

10) Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade should be able to make this team respectable, but that is about it. Wade is not the same player without Shaq around, and who knows if Shawn Marion will last the season. Michael Beasley will score in bunches as a rookie, but his “me first” attitude will hurt the team. The Heat have the talent to stay on the playoff bubble, but will probably fall just short.

11) Atlanta Hawks: Losing Josh Childress is a blow to this team. Joe Johnson is off to a sensational start, but he’s not going to score 30 points a game all year. Mike Bibby’s decline will also hurt this team. The Hawks have talent, but will struggle. A public feud between Josh Smith and Mike Woodson is likely.

12) Charlotte Bobcats: The Bobcats have Larry Brown and Michael Jordan! But it is the wrong decade for that combo. Jordan is not playing, and Larry Brown does not do well with young players. Raymond Felton will struggle with Brown directing his every move and with D.J. Augustin breathing down his neck. This team is not as good as people think. They will not be a train wreck like Brown’s Knicks, but they will not be a work of art either.

13) New York Knicks: Mike D’Antoni knows how to coach, and with Donnie Walsh remaking the roster in his image, the Knicks will be good in a few years. Just do not expect a few years to begin today. Wilson Chandler, David Lee and Danilo Gallinari will be bright spots going forward, but until D’Antoni acquires an elite point guard and a solid big man that can shoot and is unselfish, the Knicks will not be a playoff-caliber team.

14) Indiana Pacers: It is hard to see the Pacers doing much in the upcoming season. They are weak inside, and Mike Dunleavy is already dealing with injuries. T.J. Ford and Danny Granger are the only true bright spots on this team for now. Expecting them even to match last year’s 36-win season is asking a lot.

15) New Jersey Nets: This team has a solid future with their young players and cap space. The present is bleak, though. Yi Jianlian needs plenty of time to grow; Brook Lopez has talent but is a rookie starting center. Devin Harris is also being asked to do a lot for this group. Vince Carter will pout early as the Nets look to 2010-11 as their year to compete.