This NBA season is one of the most intriguing seasons in recent memory.  Questions are abound as a result of many teams reloading and upgrading their depth charts in an effort to stay competitive.  Can the Heat regain their form as a championship contender, or has Shaq seen his last days? Will the Celtics big three mesh and form a championship contender?  Will the Spurs repeat or will the Suns get over the hump before Nash retires?

Here are the projected top eight seeds in the Eastern Conference:

1. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are screwing it up for everyone in the East.  Not only are they knocking a playoff team from last year out of the chase, but they are knocking last year's Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers down a notch.  The Celtics are the only team in the East capable of winning 60 games.  55 games is more realistic, but if they can avoid the injury bug and make a couple more solid veteran pickups, this team can be special. 

2. Chicago Bulls

Chicago is built for a long successful regular season and an underachieving playoff performance.  They have depth and several players that can drop 30 in a heartbeat.  They've got athletic bigs that don't play fair in the post.  They have solid point guard leadership.  However, what ultimately spells doom is they just don't have that clutch player who can take over late in tight situations.  Gordon is wildly inconsistent and Deng is good, but not quite unstoppable. 

3. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are getting old and have a Twinkie-like substance in the middle.  They were 18th in the league in total rebounds last year with a negative rebounding differential.  But to really see how soft they are, rewind back to the Eastern Conference finals when they allowed Lebron to drive the lane and dunk at will without so much as a slap on the wrist.  Against the Bad Boys or any other team with heart down low, we'd have seen Michael Jordan Law prosecuted in full force and effect. 

4. Orlando Magic

Orlando is my sleeper team in the East, partly because the addition of Rashard Lewis allows the Magic to spread the floor even more for Dwight Howard.  Posting Howard with Lewis, Turkoglu and Nelson on the perimeter is going to be very effective if Howard can continue polishing his offensive game.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs trip to the finals is the worst thing that could have happened to Lebron James.  Considering that the Cavs didn't make any moves in the offseason, one would think that the Cavs have taken the stance that they made the finals last year so another year without mixing up the team chemistry should put them over the top.  However, the East got tougher this offseason and the Finals should have shown the Cavs how far away they are from becoming true contenders.  Maybe if Boobie turns into Mike Bibby....ah nevermind.

6. Miami Heat

The Heat's low post players get older by the second, but a conservative regular season run and health at the right time could make the Heat dangerous come the spring.  The Ricky Davis trade gives them a shot in the arm that should perk them up at least for the year.

7. New Jersey Nets

I really didn't want to pick the Nets, but its very rare that a Jason Kidd led team doesn't play in the postseason.  I don't think this one will be any different.

8. Washington Wizards

The Bullets roster contains the low budget big three I refer to as the Three Shot Kill.  (Gilbert "Halo 3 noob" Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antwan Jamison) This is enough to get them in the playoffs, but I'm not convinced they can guard anyone.

Honorable Mentions: New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors


NBA Playoffs First Round

Celtics over Wizards in 5

The low budget trio is no match for the real deal trio.

Bulls over Nets in 6

The Nets are old and the Bulls are too deep young and talented.

Heat over Pistons in 6

The Heat are on their last legs, but a healthy Dwayne Wade with Shaq and Ricky Davis can put together one last run before Shaq hangs them up for good.  Dwayne Wade provided the blueprint for Lebron's success against the Pistons last year. 

Cavs over Magic in 6

The Cavs rugged style of play will prove too much for a wet behind the ears, offensive oriented team like the Magic.

Second Round

Celtics over Cavs in 6

Two much firepower for the offensively challenged Cavs.  The Cavs play well when they control the boards and it will be tough to keep KG off the glass.  Not to mention, who's going to guard KG anyway? 

Heat over Bulls in 7

The Bulls don't have a Dwayne Wade.  Look for him to come back strong this year.  People don't give him enough credit for the Heat championship run.

Eastern Conference Finals

Celtics over Heat in 7

This has the makings of a star-studded series that will come down to whoever has their legs this late in the season.  The Celtics have more to play for and too many weapons.  People are going to be suprised at how unselfish these guys play together.

1. Phoenix Suns

The Suns juggernaut added another unselfish player who understands the game in Grant Hill.  With Nash, Hill, and Diaw on the floor at the same time, Phoenix is undoubtedly the best passing team in basketball.

2. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs may dip a bit, but their weapon arsenal and Avery Johnson's attitude make them a tough out night in and night out during the regular season.

3. Houston Rockets

At the very least, the Rockets additions should ensure a great regular season showing.  It will all mean nothing if they can't get out of the first round.  No excuses.

4. San Antonio Spurs

Coming off of yet another ring, I find it hard to believe the Spurs will approach this regular season with any type of hunger or desire.  They'll be just fine with home court in the first round.

5. Utah Jazz

The Jazz will be better, but there are just too many elite teams in the West for them to make much headway.  I envisioned Carlos Boozer developing a face up game based on his stroke at the free throw line in college.  (smoothest release I've ever seen from a college big man.)  However, I did not expect him to ever be as good as he is.  Cleveland made the colossal mistake of the century trying to underpay this guy.  Lebron and the Bear with the Cavs roster would own the NBA right now.

6. Denver Nuggets

Iverson and Anthony will probably be the highest scoring duo in the league, but is that good for the rest of the team?  Good enough to make it to the postseason.

7. Golden State Warriors

The loss of Jason Richardson will not hurt them as much as everyone thinks.  They still have Al Harrington, Monta Ellis and Michael Pietrus who will fill the void.  Summer league and foreign sensation Marco Belinelli provides them with yet another shooter off the bench, perfect for Nelly's scheme.  Besides, if Nellie can do anything, he can win regular season games.

8. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are in a situation where if they trade Kobe they probably won't be competitive, but if they keep Kobe they could bring in some talent to appease him and take one final stab at contending.  (Jermaine O'Neal rumors have resurfaced)  The Lakers should be kicking themselves as they could have had Kidd, Bryant and Odom on the floor this season for the small price of Andrew Bynum.  (who still doesn't start)

Western Conference Playoffs

Suns over Lakers in 5

Swan song for the Kobe Bryant era in Lakerland.

Mavs over Warriors in 6

The Mavs get their rematch and prove they learned from one of the greatest playoff upsets in NBA history.

Rockets over Nuggets in 6

McGrady and Ming get their first NBA playoff series win only to bow out in Round 2.

Spurs over Jazz in 7

Spurs win a rugged series and advance a wounded team.

Second Round

Suns over Spurs in 7

Rematch from last years best playoff series.  If the referees whistles work, the Suns should get over the hump.

Rockets over Mavs in 7

McGrady, Ming and their new supporting cast dominate the post and spell doom for a Mavs team in need of core changes.

Western Conference Finals

Suns over Rockets in 6

Yao Ming just can't run with the Suns.

Honorable Mention: Memphis Grizzles, New Orleans Hornets, Seattle Sonics

Rookie of the Year

Kevin Durant - Seattle SuperSonics

A shoe in for ROY, Durant has the florescent green light in Seattle and will average close to 20 a game easy, although he'll probably shoot low 40% from the field.

Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic

The physical specimen will dominate the paint this year offensively and defensively just off of shear size and athleticism.  He's Shaq minus a couple of pounds and a fair amount of quickness.  (People sleep on how "quick" and light on his feet Shaq was in his prime)

Sixth Man of the Year

Manu Ginobili - San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs use him off the bench as primary ballhandler and scoring machine.  His energy off the bench has been a key to their success.

Most Improved Player

Lamarcus Aldridge - Portland Trailblazers

Aldridge has no choice but to increase his scoring and rebounding output tremendously with Randolph gone and Oden out for the year.  He'll get a ton of minutes and a ton of opportunties to score in the post.

Coach of the Year

Doc Rivers - Boston Celtics

I laughed as a typed that, but if my forecast holds true and the Celtics come out of the East don't we have to give Doc some credit in their success for directing this circus?  Not convincing?  I've got an affirmative action argument as Plan B.

Most Valuable Player

Kevin Garnett - Boston Celtics

If the Celtics are a top 3 seed in the East, KG will be the reason.  A top 5 record in the league gives him a shot, and the best players on the teams who will potentially have a better record have all won MVPs recently.  (Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki)



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