All Things Basketball with GD - 2021-22 NBA Eastern Conference predictions

The All Things Basketball with GD podcast - NBA Eastern Conference predictions

Show Notes:

NBA East Conference predictions (00:25)

Southeast Division

1) Miami Heat - bringing in Lowry takes pressure off of Jimmy Butler handling the ball as much; Victor Oladipo playing on a one year prove-it deal has a chance to contribute; new: Lowry, PJ Tucker, Markieff Morris

2) Atlanta Hawks - looking to replicate another run like they did in these past playoffs; looking for guys like De'Andre Hunter & Cam Reddish to stay healthy in helping Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari & Kevin Huerter; new: Delon Wright, Gorgui Dieng; rookies: Jalen Johnson, Sharife Cooper

3) Charlotte Hornets - need LaMelo Ball & Gordon Hayward to be healthy throughout for the team's success; guys like Miles Bridges & PJ Washington need to continue to improve; new: Mason Plumlee, Ish Smith; rookies: James Bouknight, Kai Jones

4) Washington Wizards - hoping that the new adds there will keep Bradley Beal content; the question is when will Thomas Bryant & Rui Hachimura return; Kyle Kuzma playing with a chip on his shoulder; new: Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Spencer Dinwiddie; rookies: Corey Kispert, Isaiah Todd (G-League)

5) Orlando Magic - in a rebuild mode; who is the starting PG: Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Michael Carter Williams?; how does Wendell Carter Jr & Gary Harris mesh with the young players? new: Robin Lopez; rookies: Suggs, Franz Wagner

Central Division

1) Milwaukee Bucks - what will the defending champs do for an encore? looking to replace the production of PJ Tucker & Bryn Forbes; new additions: Grayson Allen, George Hill, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye; rookies: Sandro Mamukelashvili, Georgios Kalaitzakis 

2) Chicago Bulls - hoping that their new additions propel them in a serious playoff squad; new additions: Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Tony Bradley; rookies: Ayo Dosunmu

3) Indiana Pacers - health is key for Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, TJ Warren & Caris LeVert; return of Rick Carlisle as coach certainly helps; new: Torrey Craig, Brad Wanamaker; rookies: Chris Duarte, Isaiah Jackson

4) Detroit Pistons - coach Dwanye Casey needs to rebuilt on the fly; need big things from their future backcourt of #1 overall pick Cade Cunningham & Killian Hayes; new: Kelly Olynyk; rookies: Cunningham; Luke Garza, Isaiah Livers, Jamarko Pickett

5) Cleveland Cavaliers - what will they do with both Collin Sexton, who is due a rookie extension, & Kevin Love? new: Lauri Markannen, Ricky Rubio, Tacko Fall; rookies: Evan Mobley

Atlantic Division

1) Brooklyn Nets - of course there's the Kyrie Irving debacle; FYI we can't be surprised that a flat earther would not believe in the vaccine; will James Harden sign his supermax contract? new: Patty Mills, Paul Millsap, DeAndre Bembry, James Johnson; rookies: Cam Thomas, Day'Ron Sharpe; David Duke Jr

2) New York Knicks (that's right, saying it with my chest!) - what will Kemba Walker add to this squad; how will Thibs manage this deep team? new: Walker, Evan Fournier, Luka Samanic; rookies: Quentin Grimes, Miles McBride, Jericho Sims

3) Boston Celtics - all rest upon Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown; can Robert Williams stay healthy & take it to the new level?; new: Al Horford, Dennis Schroder; Enes Kanter; 

4) Philadelphia 76ers - another debacle - what to do with Ben Simmons? new: Andre Drummond

5) Toronto Raptors - when will Pascal Siakam return & what to do with him? new: Precious Achiuwa, Goran Dragic; rookies: Scottie Barnes

PLAYOFFS: MIL, BKN, MIA, NYK, CHI, ATL

PLAY-IN: PHI, CHA, BOS, IND

CONFERENCE CHAMPS: MIL

DARK HORSE: MIA

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/allthingsbasketballwithgd/support

or https://www.buymeacoffee.com/allthingsbbgd