Is the Eastern Conference getting any better?

[Swagnificent]

All the up and coming teams of the future seem to be out west. This years #1 pick (Karl Anthony Towns) and last years #1 (Andrew Wiggins) are in Minnesota. Anthony Davis (2012 #1 pick) is in New Orleans. Utah seems to have a nice core of young players (Gobert, Favors, Hayward). The Lakers got D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle. Sacremento got Boggie Cousins. Pretty much the only team in the West without a real future is Denver.

While out East, its the complete opposite. Other than for Milwaukee, I can't think of any other up and coming teams. The Magic are a trainwreck, they have no future all-stars on that roster. Philly doesn't know what its doing. Celtics have 10 average players. Washington may have peaked as a 4 seed. Toronto's already back to rebuilding. Unless Giannis and Jabari become superstars, the East might be without a real contender after LeBron falls off in the next 3-4 years.

even with all that tanking, all the talent seems to keep going west.

 

[Tunez]

Bucks get khris back, sign chandler, monroe or lopez

 

[IGSaint12]

You forgot the Bulls. They are the only legit chance at not having Lebron go to the finals out of the east for the next 5 years.

 

[Kaypain]

The fukk you think nikka?

 

[mbewane]

It's the East, we know this.

 

[DrunkerThanAMotherfucker]

You forgot the Bulls. They are the only legit chance at not having Lebron go to the finals out of the east for the next 5 years.

I'm a huge Bulls fan but I don't feel like they are going to get any better than this for a while. The core is getting older and while it's still one of the best in the East, the Bulls don't have a load of young promising talent. Butler is a beast, but the Bulls future is contingent a lot on the development of guys like Mirotic, Snell, McDermott, and Portis and obviously the health of Rose.

The organization does do a great job of developing players, though, so I'm excited to see what those guys can do. I'm also excited to see how the offense looks under Hoiberg's increased pace. I'm hopeful that the already established guys like Noah, Taj, Rose, Butler, and Hinrich can help keep some aspect's of Thibs' defensive scheme on the team too. I'm not expecting a title, but we will be competitive and hopefully exciting to watch.

 

[DrunkerThanAMotherfucker]

To answer OP's question, yes the East is getting better. Indiana and Miami are getting their two stars back and should be looking to contend in the East. The Bucks' core will continue to mature and get better as well. SVG and Brad Stevens are fantastic coaches with young talent so I can never count them out of sneaking into the playoffs.

Really only see Toronto regressing anytime soon. On the whole I think the NBA is getting more competitive.

 

[ALonelyDad]

You forgot the Bulls. They are the only legit chance at not having Lebron go to the finals out of the east for the next 5 years.

We have Bulls too many chances, after this season I am not trusting them anymore. KD needs to go to wizards to make east more fun

 

[Swagnificent]

You forgot the Bulls. They are the only legit chance at not having Lebron go to the finals out of the east for the next 5 years.

they're finished. their best chance was this season with kyrie and love hurt. they need to start over. d-rose is finished as a superstar.

 

[Swagnificent]

To answer OP's question, yes the East is getting better. Indiana and Miami are getting their two stars back and should be looking to contend in the East. The Bucks' core will continue to mature and get better as well. SVG and Brad Stevens are fantastic coaches with young talent so I can never count them out of sneaking into the playoffs.

Really only see Toronto regressing anytime soon. On the whole I think the NBA is getting more competitive.

indiana could't beat lebron when paul george had two healthy legs. what makes you think it'll be any different next year. Miami is the only threat but only if D-Wade can stay healthy. that seems about as likely as d-rose making it through an entire season w/o an injury.

 

[The God Poster]

indiana could't beat lebron when paul george had two healthy legs. what makes you think it'll be any different next year. Miami is the only threat but only if D-Wade can stay healthy. that seems about as likely as d-rose making it through an entire season w/o an injury.

SVG had Dwight looking dominant, you don't think he can do the same with Drummond. Dominant Andre with shooters is a team capable of making the finals

 

[The_Third_Man]

The Heat looks good. With Bosh coming back, Hassan and Dragic being there from the start of the season, the steal of the draft, Winslow, and of course Wade. They can be a real threat.

I'm waiting for the Pacer to make some moves, but they will be better than last years since Paul George is healthy again. The Bulls will be interesting under their new coach, but I expect better production from their bench. The Wizards is one piece away from being a great team IMO. I expect the Bucks to be better with healthy Jabari. The Magic have promising core, I won't be shocked if they make the playoffs. The boston didn't do too well in the draft, but they still have the best young coach in the NBA and good young players.

I don't think the Hawks and Raptors will be as good as last year after their underwhelming if not embarrising performances in the post-season. Nets and Hornets organizations don't have a clue what they're doing.

So some teams got better and some got worse.

 

[OG_StankBrefs]

Cavs, Miami, Bulls, and Hawks....gon be a nice competitive post season.


As long as err body can stay healthy.

 

[FakeNews]

Its going to be fascinating to see who finally dethrones Lebron in the east. I was for certain that the Bulls were going to do it this past season, but of course they failed. Maybe it'll be some team that comes out of the blue???

Its about time for the Magic to contend for a playoff spot. They have a nice young core. I also want to see if Detroit can make that next step.

Wizkids are close. If they get Durant I think it puts them over the top. Plus we know playoff Randy is no joke

Indiana is interesting to me. Zach Lowe wrote a nice article on them recently. He basically said they're going to have to remake their team. I don't necessarily disagree with him.
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/c...he-blazers-and-pacers-may-have-to-start-over/

 

[AVXL]

The Heat looks good. With Bosh coming back, Hassan and Dragic being there from the start of the season, the steal of the draft, Winslow, and of course Wade. They can be a real threat.

I'm waiting for the Pacer to make some moves, but they will be better than last years since Paul George is healthy again. The Bulls will be interesting under their new coach, but I expect better production from their bench. The Wizards is one piece away from being a great team IMO. I expect the Bucks to be better with healthy Jabari. The Magic have promising core, I won't be shocked if they make the playoffs. The boston didn't do too well in the draft, but they still have the best young coach in the NBA and good young players.

I don't think the Hawksand Raptors will be as good as last year after their underwhelming if not embarrising performances in the post-season. Nets and Hornets organizations don't have a clue what they're doing.

So some teams got better and some got worse.

Embarassing performance? We made the ECF for the first time in team history. Yea the Cavs series was disappointing but overall how was it underwhelming/embarassing? And how can you compare us to the Raptors who got swept in the first round with home court? I swear some of y'all don't watch games