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As the three-time defending Eastern Conference Champions, which teams have the best shot at defeating the Miami Heat in the 2013-14 season?
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Brooklyn Nets
2012-13 Record: 49-33 (4th Seed)
Postseason Finish: First Round
Projected Starting Lineup (As of July 1st): Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez
The Brooklyn Nets have been anything but silent this offseason. First, the team hired recent NBA retiree Jason Kidd as the head coach. Then, the Nets made the blockbuster move of the summer so far by agreeing to acquire veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics. Now, the Nets boast a starting lineup that has a combined 35 all-star appearances. Due to their now all-star studded lineup, Brooklyn may be the favorite to finish second in the East.
Brooklyn is in win-now mode. The front office traded away valuable assets away for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kevin Garnett, the youngest of which is 35 years old. They agreed to give away three future first round picks (2014, 2016, 2018). There projected payroll stands just under $100 million and could increase with free agency signings. According to multiple reports, the Nets are looking at adding veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver to the mix.
The Nets will without a doubt be one of the most talented teams in the NBA next season. But seeing if their all-star starting lineup works will be a huge question. Williams, Johnson, Pierce, and Garnett are all comfortable with getting a substantial number of looks at the basket. Due to this, I expect Brook Lopez's production to decrease somewhere along the way. With so many needs and egos on one roster, Williams will have the difficult task of keeping everyone satisfied.
Unless Indiana or Chicago makes any significant upgrade in the upcoming weeks, the Nets should have all the tools to be the front runner to compete with the Heat for the first spot in the East. These team can definitely go far in the postseason based on talent alone, but age and coaching inexperience may be factors along the way. Jason Kidd will have a huge task to handle in his first season as head coach. If he can get the roster clicking, this team will be a tough at both ends of the court and ultimately compete for an NBA Finals berth.
Indiana Pacers
2012-13 Record: 49-32 (3rd Seed)
Postseason Finish: Eastern Conference Finals
Projected Starting Lineup (As of July 1st): George Hill, Lance Stephenson, Paul George, David West, Roy Hibbert
To many NBA fanatics, the Indiana Pacers were one of the surprise teams around the league come postseason time. The young squad from Naptown took care of the second seeded Knicks in six games and then pushed the eventual champion Miami Heat to a seven game series in the Eastern Conference Finals. And the Pacers accomplished all of this without star small forward Danny Granger out of the rotation due to a knee injury. Now, the Pacers are looking to reload a depleted bench during the offseason in hopes of earning an NBA Finals berth in the 2013-14 campaign.
The biggest question mark surrounding the Pacers this offseason is what to do with star wing Danny Granger. After a tremendous start to his NBA career, as he increased his scoring average by five points per game each year over his first four years in the league, the former all-star may be on the outs in Indy. Rumors are circulating that Granger is a hot commodity for many teams around the league, and possible destinations include Los Angeles (Eric Bledsoe), Milwaukee (Brandon Jennings), and Boston (Rajon Rondo). But the Pacers front office will be hesitant to deal Granger unless the benefits are in plain sight. If he is not dealt and does return to the Pacers, he could be a deadly weapon coming off the bench.
Over the past few seasons Indiana has proven to be one of the few teams in the league that can expose the Miami Heat's weaknesses. This was especially evident in this year's Eastern Conference Finals. where the Pacers were one win away from defeating defending champions. Indy's style is blue collar basketball. They're not afraid to bully opponents down low with Roy Hibbert and David West. Both Hibbert and West were able to completely own Miami in the paint, making a laughing stock out of Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, and Chris Anderson. Their incredible defensive presence begins down low and then moves to the perimeter with pestering guards Hill and Stephenson, and one of the league's elite defenders, Paul George. Also, the offensive emergence of first year all-star George has given the team a young developing superstar out on the wing.
Aside from dealing with the Granger situation, Indiana's front office will have to add some scoring options off the bench this offseason if the teams wants to stay in contention next season. Although draft pick Solomon Hill will produce some, he is not the answer to the Pacers' problems. If the Pacers add a solid piece or two, or trade Granger for a valuable asset, Indiana will be a force to reckon with once again. I expect this team to compete with Miami and Brooklyn for the top spot and possibly occupy the Eastern Conference's spot in the 2014 Finals.
Chicago Bulls
2012-13 Record: 45-37 (5th Seed)
Postseason Finish: Second Round
Projected Starting Lineup (As of July 1st): Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah
With Derrick Rose (possibly? Has he had enough time?) returning for the 2013-14 season, the Chicago Bulls will once again be a tough team in the Eastern Conference. Rose is one of the premier floor generals in the league, probably the best point guard, when healthy, other than Chris Paul. The Bull's success will hinge on Rose's ability to compete at a high level and find a comfortable spot in Chicago's lineup again.
After taking Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Miami, it looked like the Bulls could possibly challenge the Heat for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. But that thought was short-lived. Lebron and the Heat torched an ailing Bulls roster the next for games, winning the series 4-1. The series only gave hope to Chicago fans, as it showed how truly talented the roster is without their star point guard.
Like the Indiana Pacers, the Bulls are a defensive-minded ball club, and one of the best defensive teams in the league. The big bodies of first time all-star Joakim Noah and veteran Carlos Boozer add a tough defensive presence inside for Chicago. Noah is emerging into perhaps the most defensively skilled center in the East. He rebounds extremely well and is the definition of a high motor player, although his offensive game needs some work. Loul Deng, the star player out on the wing, has been linked to many trade rumors this summer due to the emergence of former Marquette star Jimmy Butler. Add in Derrick rose to this mix and the Bulls have a very talented roster.
With Derrick Rose finally healthy again, I expect the Bulls to do damage at the top of the Eastern Conference one again. After a down year (where they got the 5th seed), the Bulls should compete for a top-four spot in the East. Rose returns to the form he showed during his MVP season, this team could be a serious threat, which upsets me because I despise the Bulls as much as anyone. This team should push the Knicks out of a top-four seed and engage in a full scale defensive war with the Pacers for the Central Division title.
New York Knicks
2012-13 Record: 54-28 (2nd Seed)
Postseason Finish: Second Round
Projected Starting Lineup (As of July 1st): Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler
After securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2013 playoffs, the New York Knicks were ousted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round. An impressive run to end the season overshadowed the team's true defensive weaknesses and outside shooting inabilities. Although Carmelo emerged as a true first-option scorer at times, and I emphasize "at times," the rest of the team failed to add consistent production during the second round series. The team has limited options in the postseason, as the trio of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Tyson Chandler is the highest paid group of three in NBA history. The three will make a combined $57 million next season.
Due to their salary cap situation, the Knicks will have a few options to increase their roster's talent this offseason. However, the team has already agreed to acquire Andrea Bargnani from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Steve Novak, Marcus Camby, and another player, according to league sources. Additionally, Sixth Man of the Year award winner J.R. Smith is a free agent this offseason, and is surely in for a hefty payday. Although his best interests are to stay with the Knicks, a more substantial offer from a team under the cap could lure Smith away.
There are many questions surrounding the Knicks and their abilities to compete with the conference's best. With Carmelo Anthony and former all-star Amare Stoudemire leading the charge, the Knicks own a talented roster. However, the team will have to make significant changes in order to compete with the likes of Miami, Indiana, and Brooklyn. First off, they will have to improve their abilities and efficiency on the defensive end. This was exposed as a glaring weakness in the Indiana series, as the offensively challenged Pacers were allowed to score at will most of the time. Also, Carmelo's poor shooting performance showed how horribly bad the Knicks were from beyond the arc last season. Their inabilities were masked because they shot the most three pointers out of any team in the league, therefore making a large number of shots, but at a low percentage.
Ultimately, I think the Knicks will regress and take a step back in the 2013-14 season. With Carmelo's scoring ability shaky at times and the rest of the roster not producing, the Knicks should struggle to battle with the conference's elite teams. This team should secure at least the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and may challenge Brooklyn for the Atlantic Division title. If Carmelo ever can find his superstar scoring ability, the Knicks could be a threat in the playoffs. If not, it could end just like this year, where the Knicks went out in the second found and Carmelo finished within the top five for field goals attempted during the postseason.
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