His top 7:
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Raptors
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Heat
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Knicks
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76ers
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Cavs
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Bucks
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Celtics
The top of the Eastern Conference also doubles as the top of the NBA, at least until further notice.
It’s a strange thing to say when three of the past four championships were won by the other conference. However, the East had the three best regular-season records and the four best point differentials last season and, on paper, has by far the two best teams heading into the season. Either Boston or Milwaukee has been in the last seven Eastern Conference finals, and they had the two best 2022-23 regular-season records. After both clubs loaded up even further in the offseason, it looks like a two-team race at the top.
Alas, that quality trails off quickly. Miami, winner of the conference in two of the past four seasons (and nearly a third), lost key pieces and whiffed on Damian Lillard, leaving the Heat a step behind their rivals. Philadelphia is in similar straits while it plays out James Harden’s trade demand, which thus far has been a rerun of the Ben Simmons saga that brought Harden to Philly in the first place. Cleveland, and its talented core quartet, merits watching, but must prove it isn’t just a regular-season paper tiger. The Knicks are deep and fun, but lack star power. The Raptors similarly seem at least one player away from being anything threatening.
If you saw Strus in the playoffs, then not really.
Gabe Vincent was fine for the Heat, but most of our fan base agree he’s been meh to serviceable his whole career.
They got rid of Dedmon and Zeller and they got some Thomas Bryant, which was a massive upgrade.
They always have some up and coming new players they keep bringing in and then give official contracts like Haywood Highsmith and Jamal Cain and the fan base is pumped for them.
But the biggest win is getting back JRich, who some fans actually thought was too useful to trade Jimmy for, way back when. He knows the system and is now a seasoned vet.