Things are changing for the better in the Eastern Conference.
Prediction No. 1: No Eastern team with a losing record will reach the playoffs. If that happens, it will be the first time since the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season. The last time that happened in a full 82-game season was in 2009-10.
Bold prediction No. 2: Three teams that didn’t make it to the playoffs last season — Miami, Indiana and Charlotte — will this time around. That would be big-time turnover.
Expect to see a faster-paced Eastern Conference this year. Washington is picking up the pace. Charlotte is spacing the court out and launching 3s at a breakneck pace. Indiana took its star, Paul George, and moved him to power forward in order to get quicker.
The impact of Golden State’s title run and San Antonio the year prior, and the Atlanta Hawks, which rode a pace-and-space game all the way to 60 wins last season, are changing how basketball looks in the East. And that’s good.
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The teams
A look at the Eastern Conference, in predicted order of finish:
1. Cleveland: LeBron James, a healthy Kevin Love and an eventually healthy Kyrie Irving give the Cavaliers a leg up on all competition in the East — and perhaps in the league.
2. Atlanta Hawks: Losing DeMarre Carroll hurts, but this team comes at opponents in waves, is still deadly from 3-point range and gets a big boost defensively with the return of Thabo Sefolosha.
3. Miami Heat: A full season from Chris Bosh would be huge. Goran Dragic gets a full season with the Heat, and the addition of rookie Justise Winslow ensures star quality youth.
4. Washington Wizards: Paul Pierce’s departure means more time and responsibility for Otto Porter Jr., but John Wall and Bradley Beal are ready to help this team truly take off.
5. Chicago Bulls: Surprised? Don’t be. A roster full of talent keeps the Bulls relevant, but a step back defensively will put them at arm’s length from the title run they seek.
6. Indiana Pacers: The slowdown, bruising style of play is gone, as are Roy Hibbert and David West. Enter relentless scorer Monta Ellis, the return of Paul George and a new era of small ball in the Hoosier State.
7. Charlotte Hornets: This Frank Kaminsky thing just may work out. Charlotte looks drastically different — and better — with Frank the Tank and additions such as Nicolas Batum. That should help space things out on the block for bruiser Al Jefferson.
8. Boston Celtics: We’re putting faith in the coach, Brad Stevens, because his roster is good but not great. Adding David Lee helps, but Stevens’ smarts are what gets the Celtics back to the postseason.
9. Milwaukee Bucks: This roster is better than Boston’s, and after finishing .500 last season, the Bucks might even be slightly better this time around. But they’ll fall just short of the playoffs.
10. Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry and DeMar Derozan continue to make this a formidable backcourt, and DeMarre Carroll’s addition helps, but teams around them are better, and that costs the Raptors this season.
11. Detroit Pistons: There are positive changes happening in Detroit under new coach and president Stan Van Gundy. The Pistons will make teams work to beat them and provide fans with as much hope as they’ve had there in years.
12. Orlando Magic: New coach Scott Skiles takes over a roster stuffed full of good young players. Rookie Mario Hezonja was on the Nuggets’ radar during the predraft process.
13. Brooklyn Nets: This remains one of the weirdest, most expensive rosters in the league. Brook Lopez can be a dominating center, and Joe Johnson remains capable of big nights. Brooklyn is going up-tempo, too, but coach Lionel Hollins will make sure defense remains the focus.
14. Philadelphia 76ers: The lose-to-win strategy is getting Philadelphia some nice, young pieces, but not enough to keep this team from languishing near the bottom of the conference.
15. New York Knicks: The Knicks continue to patch this thing together with role players while they clear things out financially. Drafting Kristaps Porzingis is a boost, but more is needed for N.Y. to be relevant again.
