Milwaukee Bucks
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 46-36
Division Finish: 2nd
Playoffs: Lost in First Round
Key Additions: Drew Gooden, Corey Maggette
The seventh-ranked rebounding team in the league last season added to their emphasis on crashing the boards by adding two solid rebounders at the forward positions. Gooden is a proven rebounder who plays decent low-post defense. He is an unselfish player and a solid role player.
Maggette, meanwhile, is a proven scorer (19.8 ppg last season), with a big body that enables him to score down-low against smaller forwards and help on the boards. He shoots for a high percentage from the field and from the charity stripe. If he can stay healthy, Maggette will be a nice scoring option for the Bucks.
Key Losses: None
The Bucks re-signed shooting guard John Salmons to ensure that any loss suffered would not be a crucial one. While players did leave Milwaukee (Dan Gadzuric, for one), none of the people who departed figured to be important to the Bucks this season.
Most Important Player: Andrew Bogut
Bogut finally put everything together last season and looked like the franchise center that the Bucks drafted first overall back in 2005. He averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in 69 games before suffering a nasty arm injury (video is not for the faint of heart). But prior to the injury, Bogut was a force on the low block. While he does struggle from the free throw line in Dwight Howard-esque fashion (62.9%), the Bucks need him to return to last season's form if they hope to contend for the playoffs. He is irreplaceable to this group.
Rookie Spotlight: None
Darington Hobson, the 6'7" swingman out of New Mexico, has officially been ruled out for the season after doctors informed the team that he needed surgery on his right hip (he had surgery on his left hip earlier this week). While this team has no notable rookies, it is a very young team with a young core.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 1st
The Bucks surprised a lot of people in the Eastern Conference last season, and I think they will parlay their success last season into this one. I am a huge fan of their starting line; starting point guard Brandon Jennings is blossoming into a great point guard after a spectacular rooking campaign that was highlighted by his historic night; the Bucks have two wing players who can score the ball in Salmons and Maggette; they have a solid rebounding/defensive-oriented role player in Gooden; and they have a go-to franchise center in Bogut. The bench is also pretty deep and features players like the dynamic Chris Douglas-Roberts, veterans like Michael Redd and Earl Boykins, and unselfish bangers like Jon Brockman and Brian Skinner.
I pick the Bucks to lock up the top spot in this division not only because they are good enough, but because their main competition, the Bulls, will be without star Carlos Boozer until December at the very least. I feel like Milwaukee will get off to a better start than the Bulls, and then the Bulls will need to readjust a bit once Boozer comes back, and those factors will lead to a better overall record for the Bucks.
Chicago Bulls
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 41-41
Division Finish: 3rd
Playoffs: Lost in First Round
Key Additions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Kurt Thomas
Although the Bulls won 61 games last season, many people thought they were still on the outside looking in when it came to being classified as one of the great teams of the league. What the Bulls needed, many said, was a low post scoring threat. Well, this past offseason, they went out and got someone to fill that void--Carlos Boozer. The Booze gives the Bulls a proven down-low scorer and someone who can run the pick-and-roll ad nauseum with Derrick Rose (a play that the Bulls did not utilize as often as many other teams last season). Boozer has averaged at least 19 points and 10 rebounds in three of his past four seasons and, now that he plays in a weaker Eastern Conference, should be able to easily duplicate those numbers, if not better them. Unfortunately, Boozer fractured the pinkie finger on his shooting hand and will be out until early December, as noted above.
Anytime you have a down-low scorer, you need to add shooters around him to punish teams for sending a double-down defender. The Bulls understood this and immediately grabbed Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans. Korver is one of the best three-point shooter in the league; last season in Utah he shot an absurd 53.6% from deep. He will add a much needed dimension to the Bulls offense that will not only give Boozer some more room to operate down low, but will also give Rose an outlet when he gets swarmed on dribble penetration.
Kurt Thomas provides the Bulls with another solid role player. The Bulls really surrounded their stars--Rose, Deng, and Boozer--with unselfish, gritty players. Thomas not only adds rebounding and defense, but veteran leadership.
Key Losses: Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas
The Bulls lost a lot in Hinrich, Miller, and Ty Thomas, but they ended with a net gain. Hinrich is obviously a great ball handler with the ability to score when needed. Miller is a versatile big man. And Thomas is an athletic guy who makes a difference with his shot-blocking ability. But they tried their best, and I think succeeded, in filling the voids left by these players.
Most Important Player: Luol Deng
Deng is the least-hyped of the Bulls' core, but I think the most critical if the Bulls hope to go deep into the playoffs this year. We know that they have a franchise point guard and a great low-post scorer. But we also know that every great team has a good wing scorer who can create his own shot and carry the scoring burden on any given night. Deng has shown the ability to be that guy in the past, and the Bulls will need him to be that guy this year if they hope to get deep in the playoffs.
Rookie Spotlight: Omer Asik
With Boozer on the shelf, new head coach has moved Joakim Noah to the four and Asik to the five in some preseason games. Asik is still a work in progress, but definitely has the size to make some modest contributions off the bench in the regular season. I personally think they should start Kurt Thomas and Noah, not Noah and Asik. But either way, Asik will get some minutes.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 2nd
While I don't think the Bulls will finish with the best record in the division, I think they will be the best team in the group when all is said and done. And I think they will make a deep playoff run. They are a very, very balanced team with all of the right pieces in place to win a championship. But I see two roadblocks to their success. First, can they gel quick enough to make that deep run happen this season? And second, is this squad simply together at the wrong time? They are a great team on paper, but have been assembled in the middle of a dynasty (Kobe and Pau's Lakers) and at the beginning of another one (Run DLC in South Beach).
Indiana Pacers
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 32-50
Division Finish: 4th
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Additions: Darren Collison, James Posey
The Pacers made a major upgrade at point guard by acquiring Collison from the Hornets and moving last year's starter, T.J. Ford, to the bench. Collison had a wonderful rookie season that saw the young guard breakout offensively. Watching him at UCLA, I honestly did not think his game would translate to a starting gig in the NBA; I thought he was a backup at best. But Collison put together stretches where he scored 20-30 points on a consistent basis. He is a true pass-first point guard, but he plays great defense (1.03 steals per game) and shoots above average from beyond the arc (40%).
Posey is a solid defender and three-point shooter. But most advantageous for the Pacers is the fact the Posey is a guy with winning experience. He has won two championships as a starter (with Miami and with Boston) and his attitude and approach will help this young team.
Key Losses: Troy Murphy
I documented the underrated Murphy in my preview of the New Jersey Nets. By losing Murphy, the Pacers will need center Roy Hibbert and power forward Josh McRoberts to step up in big ways. Hibbert made nice strides last season, but this season the onus of Pacers' inside scoring will be squarely on him. McRoberts will likely focus mostly on solid rebounding and defense because he simply does not have the talent to be a big-time scorer in this league. Thus, Hibbert will need to provide the team with at the very least 15.0 points per game if they hope to take some pressure off of the perimeter guys.
Most Important Player: Darren Collison
With apologies to Hibbert who will certainly need to step up as described above, it is Collison who holds the key to the car. Collison has the ability to take this team to the next level in its development. He won't have to carry the scoring load on most nights as Danny Granger is one of the game's top players, but Collison will have to do everything else: manage the personalities of a young team, handle the rock, distribute the ball, and make plays on defense.
Rookie Spotlight: None
I don't see any of the rookies in Indiana getting enough minutes to make any sort of noticeable contributions. A.J. Price will be the third-string point guard and may get some minutes in blowouts, but beyond him, you don't see many rookies on the floor.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 3rd
I think the Pacers' future looks bright, and this season they will take a small step forward with the Collison addition and LeBron's departure from Cleveland (more below). If Hibbert can develop into a dominant center, the landscape of basketball in Indiana would change considerably. But I don't think Hibbert is that kind of player; I think he's too soft. Only time will tell.
Detroit Pistons
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 27-55
Division Finish: 5th
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Additions: None
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 46-36
Division Finish: 2nd
Playoffs: Lost in First Round
Key Additions: Drew Gooden, Corey Maggette
The seventh-ranked rebounding team in the league last season added to their emphasis on crashing the boards by adding two solid rebounders at the forward positions. Gooden is a proven rebounder who plays decent low-post defense. He is an unselfish player and a solid role player.
Maggette, meanwhile, is a proven scorer (19.8 ppg last season), with a big body that enables him to score down-low against smaller forwards and help on the boards. He shoots for a high percentage from the field and from the charity stripe. If he can stay healthy, Maggette will be a nice scoring option for the Bucks.
Key Losses: None
The Bucks re-signed shooting guard John Salmons to ensure that any loss suffered would not be a crucial one. While players did leave Milwaukee (Dan Gadzuric, for one), none of the people who departed figured to be important to the Bucks this season.
Most Important Player: Andrew Bogut
Bogut finally put everything together last season and looked like the franchise center that the Bucks drafted first overall back in 2005. He averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in 69 games before suffering a nasty arm injury (video is not for the faint of heart). But prior to the injury, Bogut was a force on the low block. While he does struggle from the free throw line in Dwight Howard-esque fashion (62.9%), the Bucks need him to return to last season's form if they hope to contend for the playoffs. He is irreplaceable to this group.
Rookie Spotlight: None
Darington Hobson, the 6'7" swingman out of New Mexico, has officially been ruled out for the season after doctors informed the team that he needed surgery on his right hip (he had surgery on his left hip earlier this week). While this team has no notable rookies, it is a very young team with a young core.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 1st
The Bucks surprised a lot of people in the Eastern Conference last season, and I think they will parlay their success last season into this one. I am a huge fan of their starting line; starting point guard Brandon Jennings is blossoming into a great point guard after a spectacular rooking campaign that was highlighted by his historic night; the Bucks have two wing players who can score the ball in Salmons and Maggette; they have a solid rebounding/defensive-oriented role player in Gooden; and they have a go-to franchise center in Bogut. The bench is also pretty deep and features players like the dynamic Chris Douglas-Roberts, veterans like Michael Redd and Earl Boykins, and unselfish bangers like Jon Brockman and Brian Skinner.
I pick the Bucks to lock up the top spot in this division not only because they are good enough, but because their main competition, the Bulls, will be without star Carlos Boozer until December at the very least. I feel like Milwaukee will get off to a better start than the Bulls, and then the Bulls will need to readjust a bit once Boozer comes back, and those factors will lead to a better overall record for the Bucks.
Chicago Bulls
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 41-41
Division Finish: 3rd
Playoffs: Lost in First Round
Key Additions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Kurt Thomas
Although the Bulls won 61 games last season, many people thought they were still on the outside looking in when it came to being classified as one of the great teams of the league. What the Bulls needed, many said, was a low post scoring threat. Well, this past offseason, they went out and got someone to fill that void--Carlos Boozer. The Booze gives the Bulls a proven down-low scorer and someone who can run the pick-and-roll ad nauseum with Derrick Rose (a play that the Bulls did not utilize as often as many other teams last season). Boozer has averaged at least 19 points and 10 rebounds in three of his past four seasons and, now that he plays in a weaker Eastern Conference, should be able to easily duplicate those numbers, if not better them. Unfortunately, Boozer fractured the pinkie finger on his shooting hand and will be out until early December, as noted above.
Anytime you have a down-low scorer, you need to add shooters around him to punish teams for sending a double-down defender. The Bulls understood this and immediately grabbed Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans. Korver is one of the best three-point shooter in the league; last season in Utah he shot an absurd 53.6% from deep. He will add a much needed dimension to the Bulls offense that will not only give Boozer some more room to operate down low, but will also give Rose an outlet when he gets swarmed on dribble penetration.
Kurt Thomas provides the Bulls with another solid role player. The Bulls really surrounded their stars--Rose, Deng, and Boozer--with unselfish, gritty players. Thomas not only adds rebounding and defense, but veteran leadership.
Key Losses: Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas
The Bulls lost a lot in Hinrich, Miller, and Ty Thomas, but they ended with a net gain. Hinrich is obviously a great ball handler with the ability to score when needed. Miller is a versatile big man. And Thomas is an athletic guy who makes a difference with his shot-blocking ability. But they tried their best, and I think succeeded, in filling the voids left by these players.
Most Important Player: Luol Deng
Deng is the least-hyped of the Bulls' core, but I think the most critical if the Bulls hope to go deep into the playoffs this year. We know that they have a franchise point guard and a great low-post scorer. But we also know that every great team has a good wing scorer who can create his own shot and carry the scoring burden on any given night. Deng has shown the ability to be that guy in the past, and the Bulls will need him to be that guy this year if they hope to get deep in the playoffs.
Rookie Spotlight: Omer Asik
With Boozer on the shelf, new head coach has moved Joakim Noah to the four and Asik to the five in some preseason games. Asik is still a work in progress, but definitely has the size to make some modest contributions off the bench in the regular season. I personally think they should start Kurt Thomas and Noah, not Noah and Asik. But either way, Asik will get some minutes.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 2nd
While I don't think the Bulls will finish with the best record in the division, I think they will be the best team in the group when all is said and done. And I think they will make a deep playoff run. They are a very, very balanced team with all of the right pieces in place to win a championship. But I see two roadblocks to their success. First, can they gel quick enough to make that deep run happen this season? And second, is this squad simply together at the wrong time? They are a great team on paper, but have been assembled in the middle of a dynasty (Kobe and Pau's Lakers) and at the beginning of another one (Run DLC in South Beach).
Indiana Pacers
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 32-50
Division Finish: 4th
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Additions: Darren Collison, James Posey
The Pacers made a major upgrade at point guard by acquiring Collison from the Hornets and moving last year's starter, T.J. Ford, to the bench. Collison had a wonderful rookie season that saw the young guard breakout offensively. Watching him at UCLA, I honestly did not think his game would translate to a starting gig in the NBA; I thought he was a backup at best. But Collison put together stretches where he scored 20-30 points on a consistent basis. He is a true pass-first point guard, but he plays great defense (1.03 steals per game) and shoots above average from beyond the arc (40%).
Posey is a solid defender and three-point shooter. But most advantageous for the Pacers is the fact the Posey is a guy with winning experience. He has won two championships as a starter (with Miami and with Boston) and his attitude and approach will help this young team.
Key Losses: Troy Murphy
I documented the underrated Murphy in my preview of the New Jersey Nets. By losing Murphy, the Pacers will need center Roy Hibbert and power forward Josh McRoberts to step up in big ways. Hibbert made nice strides last season, but this season the onus of Pacers' inside scoring will be squarely on him. McRoberts will likely focus mostly on solid rebounding and defense because he simply does not have the talent to be a big-time scorer in this league. Thus, Hibbert will need to provide the team with at the very least 15.0 points per game if they hope to take some pressure off of the perimeter guys.
Most Important Player: Darren Collison
With apologies to Hibbert who will certainly need to step up as described above, it is Collison who holds the key to the car. Collison has the ability to take this team to the next level in its development. He won't have to carry the scoring load on most nights as Danny Granger is one of the game's top players, but Collison will have to do everything else: manage the personalities of a young team, handle the rock, distribute the ball, and make plays on defense.
Rookie Spotlight: None
I don't see any of the rookies in Indiana getting enough minutes to make any sort of noticeable contributions. A.J. Price will be the third-string point guard and may get some minutes in blowouts, but beyond him, you don't see many rookies on the floor.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 3rd
I think the Pacers' future looks bright, and this season they will take a small step forward with the Collison addition and LeBron's departure from Cleveland (more below). If Hibbert can develop into a dominant center, the landscape of basketball in Indiana would change considerably. But I don't think Hibbert is that kind of player; I think he's too soft. Only time will tell.
Detroit Pistons
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 27-55
Division Finish: 5th
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Additions: None
The only additions even in consideration of being classified as important are two washed up stars of yesteryear: Tracy McGrady and Ben Wallace. T-Mac will come off the bench and, if anything, at least puts butts in seats. Wallace will provide solid energy and probably some rebounding, but nothing that will make you drool.
Key Losses: None
Most Important Player: Rodney Stuckey
Stuckey was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dreadful year for the Pistons. The fourth-year point guard averaged 16.6 points and 4.8 assists per game last season. Stuckey is not very well known outside of Detroit mainly because he played college ball at Eastern Washington University. But don't let the lack of a big name college fool you, this guy is a big-time player. He will have to have a big year for the Pistons to beat out the Cavs for 4th in the division.
Rookie Spotlight: Greg Monroe
The big man from Georgetown will be third on the depth chart at either center/power forward, but should get some minutes considering the Pistons will not be very competitive this season. The Pistons hope that they can groom Monroe into being their franchise center of the future. And there's no reason why he won't be; Monroe has all the talent in the world and incredible athletic ability. Look for Monroe to make some good improvement this season and try to earn a starting job next year.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 4th
The Pistons have some interesting personnel decisions right now. This is clearing a rebuilding year for them, yet they have veterans at some spots with young players waiting in the wings. Richard Hamilton still provides steady numbers, but you have to wonder when the starting job will be handed to Ben Gordon, who has the ability to score in bunches. Stuckey obviously has a stranglehold of the point guard position. Tayshaun Prince is an underrated player, but Austin Daye, who has the same versatility but maybe even more raw talent, waits behind him. And at center, Wallace will probably start, but the bruising Jason Maxiell waits for his chance. I think they should go young at all of those spots, give those guys some playing time, and make a concerted effort to transition into the next era in Detroit basketball.
Cleveland Cavaliers
2009-2010 Recap:
Record: 61-21
Division Finish: 1st
Playoffs: Lost in Second Round
Key Additions: None
The Cavs screwed themselves over this season. Don't blame LeBron, blame Cavs management. The Cavs put all of their eggs in one basket and came out empty. By focusing ONLY on LeBron this past summer, they failed to plan for the "what if LeBron leaves?" scenario that ended up playing out. But perhaps even more interesting is that let's say the Cavs DID court King James back to Cleveland…they did not add anyone else! This would have been the same team that fell short last season, minus Delonte West. How do you expect to get over the hump with the same group of guys who have failed to pull through when it counts? Terrible offseason plan by the Cavs.
Key Losses: Some guy named LeBron James, who did this, also Delonte James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Never mind the names listed above. The Cavs key loss was any hope of a respectable season.
Most Important Player: Danny Green
Not because of his on-court play, but because of his dancing ability. He will need to bring impressive performances on a consistent basis to keep his teammates and the twelve fans in attendance entertained throughout this wretched season.
Rookie Spotlight: None
No rookie, no matter how impressive, can make this season watchable.
2010-2011 Division Outlook: 5th
The Cavs have a couple of players that could win a couple of games this season (Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison). But the drop-off from last season will be astounding. What was once a great show for the city of Cleveland will become a sideshow. Although I initially had the Cavs in 4th in the division, I dropped them to 5th because I think the train will completely fall off the tracks emotionally and psychologically after what happened this offseason.
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