After the Cavs, who are the 3 best teams in the East?

[MellowYellow]

Pacers - All they needed was more consistent offense to relieve some pressure off of George. Picked up Teague, Big Al, Thad Young while still retaining valuable components in Turner, Miles, Ellis, and Stuckey. Still thought they should've held onto Vogel, though.

They won the jackpot this offseason, right behind GSW.

Knicks - Their fans are the scum of the Earth, but you're lying to yourself if you don't think their starting 5 is easily one of the most well balanced lineups right now. The team will respond and do great if Melo allows them. No more holding the ball for 20 seconds and going iso.

Has enough scoring to fall back on now. No more excuses for that fat piece of shit.

Raptors - Basically stood pat. But they get a healthy Carroll back, and got a massive upgrade at the 4, with Sullinger. If he plays his ass off this year, do whatever it takes to re-sign him next summer.

Celtics. Now that I think of it, they're easily a top 3 team in the East. Lost Sullinger and Turner, but got Horford, Jaylen Brown, and Gerald Green. They're an elite team...in the East. A KD signing would have easily put them over the top. I feel like they're missing one more piece. KD was that piece. Another elite scoring option on the perimeter beside IT.


This is how I look at it...

1. Cavs - Just another level above the rest. No explanation needed.



2. Pacers
3. Celtics
4. Knicks
5. Raptors

LOL are u mad that melo had to save your boy from the embarrassment of causing team usa to lose in the olympics to australia?

[HylianNightmare]

Hawks
Celtics
Heat

[Monta Ellis MVP]

Pacers!

[GrapeApe]

Hawks
Celtics
Heat

I'm a homer and I'd be happy if they compete for a playoff spot, much less a top 4 seed. In fact I'm not entirely opposed to tanking (assuming Bosh is out).

I think the Raptors and Celtics are clearly the 2nd and 3rd best teams entering the season. After that it's pretty wide open, but the Hawks would probably be my pick as the 4th best team. A lot of people seem to be sleeping on the Hornets.

[Fudge]

LOL are u mad that melo had to save your boy from the embarrassment of causing team usa to lose in the olympics to australia?

meltdown lmao

[Dray n Klay]

meltdown lmao

[crunk-juice]

1. Cavs
2. Raptors
3/4. Celtics/Pacers

[red1]

2. raptors
3. celtics
4. pacers

[ILLsmak]

Knicks and Cs are prolly gonna do well, but I dunno who else... Raps/hawks will prolly win games and get rekt in the playoffs as usual.

Edit: forgot about Pacers. I guess they're my 3rd.

-Smak

[tanibanana]

Pacers - The offseason movement of this team is way too good, all we need to see if they will develop chemistry. Teague and Jefferson
Raptors - They are the only eastern team to challenge (a bit) the defending Champs, so it is definitely safe to say they are still a contender in the east. Especially the confidence they developed after that.
Hawks - The addition of Dwight will increase the paint's defense of Atlanta, although i have to agree that they will still miss Horford. Schroeder's growth need to continue.

[Draz]

Cavs
Celtics
Knicks
Raptors
Pacers
Hawks
Heat

[RedBlackAttack]

A lot of people are seriously sleeping on the Pacers. I loved their offseason moves and I think Myles Turner is going to be a really good player.

PG: Jeff Teague
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Paul George
PF: Myles Turner
C: Al Jefferson

Bench: Thad Young, CJ Miles, Ty Lawson, Aaron Brooks, Lavoy Allen, Rodney Stuckey


Because Turner is a versatile defender, they might slot him in as the starting center and start him and Thad Young together, which would allow them to limit Jefferson's minutes off the bench.

But, I really like the make-up of the team's 7-man rotation.

I wouldn't be shocked if they were a top four seed.

[El Gato Negro]

Raps , celts , pistons , I think the pistons take a big step forward next year. Hawks fall off.

[feyki]

Raptors,Celtics and Pacers .