Oh baby hot free agent signings during another busy offseason of teams trying to go all in at a championship. In 2021 “The Year of the Extension,” NBA Owners and GMs are getting desperate for star players and the market is growing by the year. As the regular season nears the intensity is back to what it was last postseason when we finally got to see full capacity arenas. What do these 15 teams have going for them?
Atlanta Hawks (2 Legit 2 Quit): Last year’s surge to the Conference Finals has the ATL thinking big. They kept most of their core around from last year, John Collins was signed to a massive extension, and now with DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish back to full strength things are looking bright. Even better news for Hawks fans is that they drafted a generational talent in Jalen Johnson. If he plays like he did at Nicolet High School this offense could be deadly. With a now healthy Trae Young leading the way Atlanta has been in some people’s minds the most underrated team this offseason. Now with a full season of Nate McMillan about to begin this team is only getting stronger. Considering that most of their division is either in tank mode or mediocrity they could have a clear path to a Top 4 seed. I feel these guys after seeing them in the playoffs on full display are only going to get better. Lets just hope everything goes according to plan for them. (The only negative for the Hawks is that their beloved PA Announcer Retired this offseason. May the Basketball Gods do a Trae Young for THREEEEEEEEE in his honor)
Boston Celtics (A Lucky Charm Culture Change): The Celtics went from a team with massive riches in its player development and a potential superteam a few years ago to a team holding on for dear life. Luckily for Boston as long as Tatum and Brown are around they should be playoff contenders. This offseason was tough for them since Danny Ainge retired and Brad Stevens was promoted to the front office. With a young coach in Ime Udoka they are hoping that they can return to being the team they were hyped up to be. With the return of Al Horford plus the signing of Dennis Schroeder the Celtics believe that those 2 will add more firepower to their starting 5. If they backfire they can just cut them at the end of the year. To be honest health and underachievement are the biggest concerns with this roster. That’s what cost them in the playoffs last year and they hope it doesn’t happen again.
Brooklyn Nets (Even your PA Announcer is a Bandwagon): I know what’s going through your mind. Watching the Bucks win the title that could have been yours and seeing several familiar faces celebrate with them too. The hunger of a championship consumes this organization whole. To be honest they may have lost guys like Jeff Green, DeAndre Jordan, and Landry Shamet, but adding Patty Mills, Paul Millsap, and Lamarcus Aldridge will hopefully get them over the top. Plus they gave the Durantula the biggest extension in franchise history. Now the concerns on this team are defense and coaching. That’s what killed them last year and the Nets hope it doesn’t happen again. Not to mention that this is likely their last chance with Harden and Kyrie on the squad so they will have to do everything they can to win. (YoYo Sound) And then Kyrie Irving is most likely holding out since he doesn’t have a COVID vaccine. And especially being in New York you need to have one. Even though he can say what he wants, it’s going to be a hard road for Brooklyn if he is not out there. At least they drafted Cam Thomas if Irving doesn’t return. That is going to be a tall task since Kyrie as well as former minority owner Jay-Z were responsible for KD and Harden coming to New York. (Another Red Flag on this team is that James Harden was partying with Fernando Tatis Jr at night during Nets Training Camp in San Diego)
Charlotte Hornets (Can you guys stay healthy for once): This statement from Hornets fans is one I honestly can agree with. “If we had everyone healthy last year, it would have been us not Atlanta pulling off the Cinderella Run.” Honestly, they’re right. Not having LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward for a full season held this team back from their potential. Even if Malik Monk and DeVonte Graham are gone they still have promising pieces. Miles Bridges is only getting better by the year, and so is Terry Rozier. My biggest concern with Charlotte is that they lacked an elite Center. It’s what cost them last year and I have a feeling that if they don’t add one later this year it will cost them against bigger teams. At least the Hornets have an excellent amount of draft capital in the next few years. And Michael Jordan is trying to build a contender. I wonder how long it will be until they become a dominant force. Probably a year or 2.
Chicago Bulls (Another Big Market Hype Machine): Jerry Reinsdorf has gone hog wild! He saw what his I-94 rivals did and brought a championship to their city. I bet you any money he is jealous and wants his team’s once massive fanbase in Wisconsin back. The Bulls have reasons to be excited though. They made a trade for Lonzo Ball, signed Alex Caruso to a nice contract, and made perhaps the biggest splash of free agency by signing DeMar DeRozan. I understand that Chicago has 3 players that average 20 PPG but my issue with them is the same in Brooklyn. They lack an elite defense. Although Billy Donovan is a defensive minded coach it will take a while for them to fit in. If they are going to regain their status as a yearly playoff team they are going to need the big signings to produce in bunches. Also why would they trade Lauri Markkanen? I get they want to be under the luxury tax, but have they seen other contenders go over it? I’m guessing they really think Patrick Williams is that good. Also this the last year of Zach Lavine’s contract and an extension is due for him coming up. I wonder what they will do about it?
Cleveland Cavaliers (The Rebuild Continues): The good news for Cleveland is that their rebuild has clearly gotten a shot in the arm. Yes they took advantage of the Bulls being desperate for big name players on the market by trading for Lauri Markkanen. And yes they got themselves a generational Center in Evan Mobley but why did they resign Jarrett Allen? To mentor Mobley since he needs time to develop. They have perhaps 1 year left of Collin Sexton before he gets his big boy contract. By the way, you still think Kevin Love is a major asset. This isn’t 2016 K-Love and you know it. It’s going to take plenty of miracles for the Cavs to be in playoff contention considering how loaded the East is. If I were Cleveland I would wait another year to make yourselves a good team since you are at this moment nowhere near ready for the big time.
Detroit Pistons (The Cade Train is here): I do have good news, you finally got yourselves a generational talent that will make your team relevant by winning the draft lottery. Cade Cunningham does have massive expectations but how much longer will it take for the Pistons to complete their rebuild? I still think they have a long way to go before they can make the playoffs, even if Cunningham plays up to his potential. Also why is Dwane Casey still the coach? I would say bring out the tanks again because the competition you are facing is extremely insane. You’ll be back in contention status in about 3 years.
Indiana Pacers (Who will emerge this year): The young wave is coming, they keep saying. All of that talent is going to storm into Indianapolis and take the Central Division by storm. I’m still waiting. To be honest we barely got to see how good Caris LeVert could be on this team. The Pacers have plenty of potential on paper but my biggest knack on them is coaching. Getting rid of Nate McMillan after 2020 did not solve their issues. (It’s only worse for the Pacers since he turned around Atlanta) Hiring a former champion in Rick Carlisle fresh off a long stint in Dallas could change that. And then they almost traded LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon for Ben Simmons. This is their last chance with Domantas Sabonis before he gets paid. And that future contract of his could hurt their luxury tax situation. They will be in the hunt because of their talent and depth regardless.
Miami Heat (Riley’s Revenge): Last year was a disaster and we all know that Pat Riley is going to do anything he can to make this team into a contender. Their solution was bringing in 2 of the bigger names on the market. Kyle Lowry, and PJ Tucker. Good signings but both of them are going to be 36 this year. And Tucker especially is starting to decline as a player. (His dog mentality is perfect for a team like this) Even if those moves can be questionable because of how they played at the end of last season, they did bring back Victor Oladipo and gave Duncan Robinson a massive extension. They may have struck out on Kawhi Leonard this summer but hey you’ve got yourself a good team that could make noise again. (They are still trying to prove that their Bubble run wasn’t a fluke) This team on paper is considered as a serious contender but how much of their success in years past was due to the Orlando Bubble or the talent on the roster. This year will be huge for them and I’m interested to see how they stack up against other squads in the East. This is either going to be a repeat of 2020, or a slap back to reality. I think the NBA would be fine either way.
Milwaukee Bucks (They still get no respect): No we are not living in a dream scenario. The Bucks did end up winning the NBA Championship. I feel like most of the younger fans are shocked that they didn’t lose to the Nets in the 2nd Round. The way that Giannis and the rest of the city of Milwaukee celebrated this championship obviously gave me chills thinking about it. Now they no longer have to think about Milt Mason the way Brewers and Marquette fans do. Even more fascinating is that even with the title they are the 1st team since the 2015-16 Warriors not to be favorites to reach the Finals before the season after winning the NBA Championship. (The common denominator for both of these teams, overshadowed by Kevin Durant) Even if they lost PJ Tucker and Bryn Forbes they added to their already loaded roster with Grayson Allen, Rodney Hood, and the return of George Hill. Oh yes they did make another huge move. They added the 1st full time female play by play announcer in NBA History in Lisa Byington. The only cost of this revolutionary move is that several popular faces on their public media team and broadcast booth are no longer with them. (Jim Paschke, Ted Davis, Malika Andrews, John McGlocklin, and Tim Bontemps GONE!) It’s going to be another hard road for the Bucks to get back to the Finals but I think they can do it with how much improved they are from last year in confidence and structure. Looks like the Mike Budenholzer and Jon Horst extensions look like excellent deals.
New York Knicks (Expectations): The Knicks have massive ambitions of a deep playoff run. They may not have a sexy name like other teams in the East but this is a well oiled machine with plenty of likeable players on the roster. They did bring in 2 of the better players on the market in Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. Not to mention they re-signed Derrick Rose and Alec Burks. Julius Randle is in his contract season and if he plays like he did last year he could be the longterm face of the franchise. You know what I find fascinating? This team did most of its damage without Mitchell Robinson last year. Now that he and most of their core from last year are back this team could get even better. The last thing the NBA needs is the Knicks to be contenders again. Although it’s actually good for the league because the ratings will go up. Those fans at MSG this year will have lots to cheer about considering the bright future of this team.
Orlando Magic (At least you had 3 Top 10 picks): This is a young team that isn’t ready for the big time just yet. I know they traded off pieces of the core last year but considering how Cole Anthony played last year, they are hoping for the same out of Jalen Suggs. This is a team that I will be watching very closely in terms of front office decisions over the next few years. They have plenty of draft capital from the Vucevic and Fournier deals and if they can add a few key pieces in the next couple of years then you see a team with playoff upside. But this year is going to be another tank year because many of their cornerstones haven’t broken out. At least they are on the right track.
Philadelphia 76ers (Paging Ben Simmons): Behold Ladies and Gentlemen, the biggest Gongshow in the NBA for the 2nd Year in a Row. Philadelphia is still trying to be knee jerk and make moves that look good on paper but kill them come playoff time. The 76ers signed Andre Drummond and brought back Matisse Thybulle at moderate deals. Next they had to lock up Joel Embiid, he was going to be a pending free agent in 2022 and luckily for them they are keeping him for the long term. 4 years at HOLY COW! 49 million a year! Look I get he is a Top 3 Center but you overpaid him by 7 million. I won’t mind that deal if everything works out. Considering that Embiid has at least 4-5 years of MVP form left if he is healthy. Then we get to the real problem. BEN SIMMONS! Apparently the Sixers tried trading him for Damien Lillard or Russell Westbrook but both teams weren’t willing to give up their best player for a player with as many flaws as Simmons. There were even rumors that they would trade him for Kyrie Irving. What happens? Simmons holds out, and then reports to camp unnoticed and tests negative for COVID. If I’m Doc Rivers I’d do the same thing that they did with him last year and possibly trade for another All Star player if things don’t work out. Considering how the rest of the East got better it could be a long year at Wells Fargo. Anyways, are they still going to stay there or what?
Toronto Raptors (Good to be home): This is a hard team to predict. The Raptors in many people’s eyes should be embracing mediocrity for the future. But here is why that point isn’t a good point. They were the first team in NBA History to play a full season on the road due to COVID restrictions in Canada. Now that the Raptors are back in Toronto, they also regain their massive homecourt advantage known as Jurassic Park. (It may have company in the conversation as the best gathering place in the NBA) Even if Kyle Lowry is gone they still have Pascal Siakum and Fred Van Vleet. And yes they were able to get Goran Dragic in place of Lowry. OG Anunoby is due for a breakout season and with a new contract he is primed for one. Plus with the bad season last year they were awarded a potential generational player in Scottie Barnes. He has similar traits to what Kawhi Leonard has so it clearly took them a couple of years to possibly fill the void. I wonder how this team will do now that they have their true home court advantage on their backs. Honestly with other contenders in the East I don’t know anymore. (Drake is going to back to his old tricks and get inside players heads)
Washington Wizards (Additions by Subtractions): Washington has taken 2 steps forward and one small step back. I get that they lost Russell Westbrook but they finally managed to add depth to their roster. They got an outstanding return in the Westbrook deal with the additions of KCP, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell. They also got Aaron Holiday from Indiana, and Spencer Dinwiddie from the Nets. Plus Bradley Beal is still around and they no longer have to deal with a fossil in Scott Brooks. The issue for the Wizards is that the rest of the East like last year is loaded and how will the highly touted Wes Unseld Jr fare as head coach? It will be hard just getting into the play-in round but they are still another couple of years away from being serious contenders. But if they trade Beal soon it’s going to be another long rebuild. PAUSE.
I think many people are going to disagree with me on this statement but I’m saying it anyway. This is the most competitive Eastern Conference the NBA has seen in a decade. 12 of the 15 teams have massive expectations of either a championship or a deep playoff run. Where does the prediction wheel land?
- Bucks
- Nets
- Hawks
- Heat
- 76ers
- Knicks
- Bulls
- Celtics
- Hornets
- Raptors
- Pacers
- Wizards
- Pistons
- Cavaliers
- Magic
Playoffs:
Round 1
#1 Bucks over #8 Celtics 4-1
#4 Heat over #5 76ers 4-2
#3 Hawks over #6 Knicks 4-3
#2 Nets over #7 Bulls 4-1
Round 2
#1 Bucks over #4 Heat 4-2
#2 Nets over #3 Hawks 4-1
Round 3
#1 Bucks over #2 Nets 4-3
(Finals Predictions in West Preview)
Bragging Rights Sports 