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.
Cavs continue to be the most overrated team in the Eastern Conference.
They won 54 games last year, had the 2nd best net rating, and got better. Just because the Knicks cleaned their clocks in the playoffs doesn’t mean the Cavs won’t be a better regular season team, again.