NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings

I wanted to avoid the whole LeBron situation, but I just can't. I will take a slightly different angle, creating my power rankings for the Eastern Confernce (nothing big has happened in the West). I also want to go on record saying that the Miami Heat will absolutely not win the title in 2010-11.

The East

Top 3

Orlando - I think this is the year that Dwight Howard develops a little bit of an edge. He doesn't really have a peer in the Eastern Conference. Joakim Noah will put up a fight, Andrew Bogut will challenge when healthy, and Amare Stoudemire doesn't believe in defense. The key for the Magic may be resigning JJ Redick, because I can see him being a crucial component to a deep team.

Boston - They remain in the conversation until proven otherwise. KG is entering his twilight years, but Boston has a very solid assortment of big men to give The Big Ticket plenty of rest. Pierce and Allen were important to re-sign, Rondo will look to stay in the upper echelon of active point guards but it's going to be how the role players and subs (Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, Avery Bradley, Luke Harangody) complement the Big Three that determine how far this team will go.

Miami - I'm going to call the 2010-11 Heat the LeDwyosh experiment. Will DWade and LeBron really be able to check their egos at the door? Will Bosh be better by osmosis? They are going to need a few things from their minimum contracts: a veteran point guard, a consistent 3-point threat, and a center who can play defense and shoot free throws.

Side note: LeBron is not the alpha dog on this team by any means. That player is Dwyane Wade. He'll be the one taking the shot at the end of the 4th quarter. I guarantee this.

Next 3

Chicago - They would have been phenomenal with LeBron, but they aren't too shabby how they currently sit. I can see Derrick Rose making a jump this year (hard to believe how good he might be), and the front line of Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah is quite talented. Underrated part of the Bulls? Signing Kyle Korver and possibly JJ Redick. Deadly 3-point shooting is always a plus.

Milwaukee - Don't want to be a homer, but the Bucks were phenomenal in their off-season moves, and that doesn't even include the draft. We added a complement to Bogut in the post (Gooden), added a solid 6th/7th man (Maggette) and re-signed our leader from the postseason (Salmons). If Jennings avoids a sophomore slump and Bogut comes back at the level he was at last year, the Bucks will not only be a playoff team but a solid contender in the East.

Atlanta - Joe Johnson received the most money of any free agent this off-season. He led his team to a second-round sweep. Atlanta is solid, but won't be great any time soon.

Fringe Playoff Teams

Cleveland - It's hard to imagine the Cavaliers without LeBron. It will be interesting to see if they can get any decent free agents, or if they'll have to play with the "complementary" parts that they have that are used to playing second fiddle. Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and an aging Shaq as your core? That screams 8th seed to me.

Charlotte - I don't know. They didn't add anyone in the draft. (Literally, no one.) A few talented pieces. Could be a repeat of their first-round sweep last year.

Knicks - Adding Amar'e sure helps, but then again they lost David Lee. Gallinari looks promising, and I like the addition of Anthony Randolph. But a team with Raymond Felton as your only point guard? I'm not sure.