Disclaimer before you bitch and moan: Alright, I am doing things a little different this year. To get my predictions, I ranked every starter and back up in the league and gave them a point value depending on where they were ranked. I ranked 60 centers, 60 power forwards, so on. I also ranked all head coaches and finally ranked teams by "chemistry". Through a complex, Harvard rocket science like formula these are the rankings that emerged. I definitely do not agree with all of them, but that was some of the fun in it. So enjoy!

First up, the East, which will be extremely wide open after the Heat thanks in part to the Derrick Rose injury and Dwight Howard departure.

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1. Miami Heat
2011-2012 Record: 46-20, 1st in Southeast
Playoff Results: Defeated Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals



Additions: G Ray Allen, F Rashard Lewis, C Josh Harrellson
Losses: FC Juwan Howard, FC Ronny Turiaf, C Eddy Curry
2012 Draft Picks: C Justin Hamilton, LSU (2nd round, pick 45)


Projected Depth Chart

C - Chris Bosh, Joel Anthony, Josh Harrellson
PF - LeBron James, Udonis Haslem, Dexter Pittman
SF - Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis, James Jones
SG - Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Mike Miller
PG - Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole

LeBron James finally silenced his nation of critics by winning his first NBA Championship. He was amazing from start to finish last year and is easily the best basketball player on the planet. The Heat added even more veteran firepower with the additions of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. The team has so many guys who can knock down the three. Thanks to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh is now the best player in the NBA that no one talks about. When he moved to Center, this team really took off. The Heat lack a real point guard and any type of shot blocker, but that is just nitpicking. They are the best team in the NBA.

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2. Indiana Pacers
2011-2012 Record: 42-24, 2nd in Central
Playoff Results: Lost to Miami Heat in Eastern Conference Semifinals



Additions: G DJ Augustin, C Ian Mahinmi, GF Gerald Green, GF Sam Young, G Ben Hansbrough
Losses: G Darren Collison, G Dahntay Jones, F Lou Amundson, G Leandro Barbosa, G AJ Price
2012 Draft Picks: FC Miles Plumlee, Duke (1st round, pick 26). Orlando Johnson, UC Santa Barbara (2nd round, pick 36).

Projected Depth Chart

C - Roy Hibbert, Ian Mahinmi, Miles Plumlee
PF - David West, Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Pendergraph
SF - Danny Granger, Gerald Green, Sam Young
SG - Paul George, Lance Stephenson, Orlando Johnson, Ben Hansbrough
PG - George Hill, DJ Augustin

The Pacers had their best season in years in 2011-2012, advancing to the second round of the playoffs and taking the World Champion Heat to six games. Indiana was able to keep their emerging center, Roy Hibbert, and didn't lose anyone of importance other then Darren Collison. Gerald Green, Ian Mahinmi and DJ Augustin are quality additions and add depth to one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. With Derrick Rose out for most, if not all of the season, the Central is ripe for the taking.

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3. Philadelphia 76ers
2011-2012 Record: 35-31, 3rd in Atlantic
Playoff Results: Lost to Boston Celtics in Eastern Conerence Semifinals



Additions: C Andrew Bynum, GF Dorell Wright, GF Jason Richardson, GF Nick Young, C Kwame Brown
Losses: GF Andre Iguodala, G Lou Williams, FC Elton Brand, G Jodie Meeks, FC Nikola Vucevic
2012 Draft Picks: F Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi St. (1st round, pick 27)

Projected Rotation

C - Andrew Bynum, Spencer Hawes, Kwame Brown
PF - Thaddeus Young, Lavoy Allen, Arnett Moultrie
SF - Evan Turner, Dorell Wright, Damien Wilkins
SG - Jason Richardson, Nick Young
PG - Jrue Holiday, Royal Ivey, Maalik Wayns

Andrew Bynum is obviously the huge addition. The Sixers were set to go with a front court of Kwame Brown and Spencer Hawes before they were able to muscle their way into the Dwight Howard trade. If Bynum can keep his head in the game there is no big man in the East who has any chance to stop him. Philadelphia surrounded him by shooters, bringing in three point specialists Jason Richardson, Dorell Wright and Nick Young. This team is very deep with versatile, talented young guys. Thaddeus Young, Lavoy Allen, Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday could all take big leaps this year. There is a lot to like about the Sixers, but you have to worry that Doug Collins could wear out his welcome at any time or the team could collapse like they did at the end of last season.

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4. New York Knicks
2011-2012 Record: 36-30, 2nd in Atlantic
Playoff Results: Lost to Miami Heat in Eastern Conference 1st Round



Additions: GF Ronnie Brewer, G Raymond Felton, G Jason Kidd, FC Marcus Camby, FC Kurt Thomas, FC Rasheed Wallace, F Chris Copeland, GF James White, G Pablo Prigioni
Losses: G Jeremy Lin, G Toney Douglas, GF Landry Fields, FC Jared Jeffries, C Josh Harrellson
2012 Draft Picks: None.

Projected Rotation

C - Tyson Chandler, Marcus Camby
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Steve Novak, Chris Copeland
SG - Ronnie Brewer, JR Smith, James White
PG - Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Pablo Prigioni

If it was 2005 this would be an NBA Finals team. The Knicks are opening their own museum and brought in fossils Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace and Jason Kidd. Amazingly, all four of those guys were drafted when I was in high school, and I'm an old man now. The Knicks will still go rely on their big three for almost everything. Carmelo Anthony had a hit and miss first full season with the Knicks, but played better when Mike Woodson became head coach. You always have to worry about Amar'e Stoudemire's body breaking down, but he is an offensive terror when healthy. Then you have Tyson Chandler, who was worth every penny last year. The rest of the roster is full of major question marks. Behind the Heat, the East is wide open. The Knicks could finish #2 or miss the playoffs all together, like most teams in the East.

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5. Boston Celtics
2011-2012 Record: 39-27, 1st in Atlantic
Playoff Results: Lost to Miami Heat in Eastern Conference Finals



Additions: G Courtney Lee, F Jeff Green, FC Darko Milicic, G Leandro Barbosa, C Jason Collins
Losses: G Ray Allen, G Keyon Dooling, F JaJuan Johnson, G E'Twaun Moore, C Greg Stiemsma, GF Mickael Pietrus
2012 Draft Picks: F Jared Sullinger, Ohio St. (1st round, pick 21), C Fab Melo, Syracuse (1st round, pick 22), F Kris Joseph, Syracuse (2nd round, pick 51)

Projected Rotation

C - Kevin Garnett, Darko Milicic, Jason Collins, Fab Melo
PF - Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, Chris Wilcox
SF - Paul Pierce, Jeff Green, Kris Joseph
SG - Courtney Lee, Jason Terry, Avery Bradley
PG - Rajon Rondo, Leandro Barbosa

Danny Ainge decided to give it one last shot, and the Celtics have a pretty deep and talented team. Kevin Garnett showed that he is not finished yet, and the team has more youth with Courtney Lee, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger aboard. You worry about lack of size with this lineup, but they match up pretty well with the Heat. In the East you can get away with Garnett at the five.

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6. Brooklyn Nets
2011-2012 Record: 22-44, 5th in Atlantic
Playoff Results: None



Additions: G Joe Johnson, F Reggie Evans, GF Josh Childress, FC Andray Blatche, F Mirza Teletovic, G CJ Watson, G Keith Bogans, GF Jerry Stackhouse
Losses: G Jordan Farmar, GF Gerald Green, G Sundaita Gaines, C Johan Petro, G DeShawn Stevenson, G Anthony Morrow
2012 Draft Picks: G Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas (2nd round, pick 41). F Tornike Shengelia, Georgia (round 2, pick 54)

Projected Rotation

C - Brook Lopez, Reggie Evans
PF - Kris Humphries, Andray Blatche, Mirza Teletovic
SF - Gerald Wallace, Josh Childress, Jerry Stackhouse, Tornike Shengelia
SG - Joe Johnson, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans
PG - Deron Williams, CJ Watson, Tyshawn Taylor

The Nets definitely have an imposing lineup on paper but I really worry about how it will turn out on the floor. I was never a fan of Avery Johnson's coaching, and he will have to figure out how to use all of these pieces together. Brook Lopez is one of the best scoring big men in the NBA, but a front court of him and Kris Humphries will get eaten alive defensively. Joe Johnson and Deron Williams might be the best back court in the NBA. Johnson has become a bit underrated to me. People call him overrated because of his contract, but he is big, strong, a good ball handler and can get you 20 points per night. Brooklyn has the talent to finish with the second best record in the East, but I think it will take them a while to figure out who they are, and it might take a few months for the wins to pile up.

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7. Chicago Bulls
2011-2012 Record: 50-16, 1st in Central
Playoff Results: Lost to Philadelphia 76ers in Eastern Conference 1st Round


Additions: G Marco Belinelli, F Vladimir Radmanovic, G Kirk Hinrich, G Nate Robinson, C Nazr Mohammed
Losses: GF Ronnie Brewer, GF Kyle Korver, G John Lucas, C Omir Asik, G CJ Watson
2012 Draft Picks: G Marquis Teague, Kentucky (1st round, pick 29)

Projected Rotation

C - Joakim Noah, Nazr Mohammed
PF - Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, Vladimir Radmanovic
SF - Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler
SG - Richard Hamilton, Marco Belinelli
PG - Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson, Marquis Teague

The Bulls played very well without Derrick Rose during the regular season last year, finishing with the best record in the NBA, but stood no chance in the playoffs. I think they will struggle to make the playoffs during a full year without Rose. Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng are nice role players, but they will struggle to carry the team without their MVP. The reason the Bulls had enough points to make the playoffs here is because of head coach Tom Thibodeau, one of the best in the business.

This prediction is assuming Derrick Rose misses the entire season.

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8. Milwaukee Bucks
2011-2012 Record: 31-35, 3rd in Central
Playoff Results: None



Additions: C Samuel Dalembert, GF Marquis Daniels, C Joel Przybilla
Losses: F Jon Brockman, C Kwame Brown, GF Carlos Delfino, G Shaun Livingston, F Jon Leuer
2012 Draft Picks: F John Henson, North Carolina (1st round, pick 14). G Doron Lamb, Kentucky (2nd round, pick 42)

Projected Rotation

C - Samuel Dalembert, Ekpe Udoh, Joel Przybilla
PF - Ersan Ilyasova, Drew Gooden, Larry Sanders, John Henson
SF - Tobias Harris, Mike Dunleavy, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
SG - Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Doron Lamb
PG - Brandon Jennings, Beno Udrih

The Bucks are an interesting team on paper. In the back court they have two guys who are great scorers, but need the ball in their hands to be effective. Up front, they have about nine guys who could give them minutes and provide, rebounding, shot blocking and defense. And in the case of Ersan Ilyasova, some scoring. Few teams in the East are as deep as the Bucks, and if Scott Skiles can make it work without pulling out what little hair he has left, this is a team that could make some noise in the East.

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9. Toronto Raptors
2011-2012 Record: 23-43, 4th in Atlantic
Playoff Results: None



Additions: C Jonas Valanciunas, GF Landry Fields, G Kyle Lowry, G John Lucas, GF Dominic McGuire
Losses: G Jerryd Bayless, F Gary Forbes, F James Johnson
2012 Draft Picks: G Terrence Ross, Washington (1st round, pick 8), F Quincy Acy, Baylor (2nd round, pick 37)

Projected Rotation

C - Jonas Valanciunas, Ed Davis, Aaron Gray
PF - Andrea Bargnani, Amir Johnson, Quincy Acy
SF - Landry Fields, Linas Kleiza, Dominic McGuire
SG - DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross, Alan Anderson
PG - Kyle Lowry, Jose Calderson, John Lucas


Other then the Landry Fields signing, which won't really kill them, I have loved what the Raptors have done post Chris Bosh. The two main additions this year will be Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Lowry. Valanciunas is the rare Euro that isn't afraid to scrap down low, and should provide toughness and size that Toronto was so sorely lacking. Lowry might not have been worth the lottery pick that the team gave up, but Jose Calderon is not a favorite of Dwane Casey, who has brought a strong defensive attitude to Toronto. Also, there are not that many good point guard prospects on the horizon. The key for the Raptors is the continued development of the young guys, especially Ed Davis and DeMar DeRozan, who both stalled last year. If all goes right the Raptors could be the team that gets run off the court by the Heat in Round 1.

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10. Washington Wizards
2011-2012 Record: 20-46, 4th in Southeast
Playoff Results: None



Additions: C Emeka Okafor, GF Trevor Ariza, G AJ Price, G Jannero Pargo, GF Martell Webster
Losses: FC Andray Blatche, F Rashard Lewis, G Shelvin Mack, G Maurice Evans
2012 Draft Picks: G Bradley Beal (1st round, pick 3), G Tomas Satoransky, Czech Republic (2nd round, pick 32)

Projected Rotation

C - Nene, Emeka Okafor, Earl Barron
PF - Trevor Booker, Jan Vesely, Kevin Seraphin
SF - Trevor Ariza, Chris Singleton, Martell Webster, Cartier Martin
SG - Jordan Crawford, Bradley Beal
PG - John Wall, AJ Price, Jannero Pargo

The Wizards hit reboot on their rebuilding project for the 50th time. Gone are Nick Young, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee. In are overpaid veterans Nene, Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor. Those three should help the Wizards fight for the 8th seed in the East, but if Washington ever wants to contend, they have to develop their young guys. There are plenty of promise with Jan Vesely, Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker, Jordan Crawford, Bradley Beal, Chris Singleton and most importantly John Wall. Wall needs to start to develop for Washington to have any chance. His stats look nice, but he still has a lot to learn about leading a team.

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11. Atlanta Hawks
2011-2012 Record: 40-26, 2nd in Southeast
Playoff Results: Lost to Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference 1st Round



Additions: G Lou Williams, GF Kyle Korver, F Damion James, C Johan Petro, G Devin Harris, G Anthony Morrow, G DeShawn Stevenson
Losses: G Joe Johnson, F Marvin Williams, G Kirk Hinrich, C Jason Collins, GF Tracy McGrady, GF Jerry Stackhouse, G Jannero Pargo
2012 Draft Picks: G John Jenkins, Vanderbilt (1st Round, pick 23). F Mike Scott, Virginia (2nd round, pick 43)

Projected Rotation

C - Al Horford, ZaZa Pachulia, Johan Petro
PF - Josh Smith, Ivan Johnson, Anthony Tolliver, Mike Scott
SF - Kyle Korver, Damion James
SG - Lou Williams, Anthony Morrow, DeShawn Stevenson, John Jenkins
PG - Jeff Teague, Devin Harris

New GM Danny Ferry has done what is unheard of in today's NBA. He began tearing apart a team that was good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to contend for a championship. It is a bold move but one that needed to be done. Gone is Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams, and in are several players who are nothing more then expiring deals. The nucleus of the Hawks is now Al Horford and Josh Smith. The two big men bring unique games to the board and are a nice foundation to build around. The team has slowly developed Jeff Teague to be their point guard, and he could break through this year. Newcomer Lou Williams should provide quite a bit of offense, and could even reach 20 points per game. Other then those four players and first round pick John Jenkins, no one else on the roster has much of a future in Atlanta.

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12. Detroit Pistons
2011-2012 Record: 25-41, 4th in Central
Playoff Results: None



Additions: GF Corey Maggette, C Viacheslav Kravtsov, F Kyle Singler
Losses: G Ben Gordon, FC Ben Wallace, GF Damian Wilkins
2012 Draft Picks: C Andre Drummond, Connecticut (1st Round, Pick 9). F Khris Middleton, Texas A&M (2nd round, pick 39). G Kim English, Missouri (2nd round, pick 44).

Projected Rotation

C - Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, Viacheslav Kravtsov
PF - Jason Maxiell, Jonas Jerebko, Charlie Villanueva
SF - Tayshaun Prince, Corey Maggette, Austin Daye, Kyle Singler, Khris Middleton
SG - Rodney Stuckey, Kim English
PG - Brandon Knight, Will Bynum

The Pistons have been on a steady decline since they won the title in the mid 2000's, and completely bottomed out in 2009-2010. It has been a curious rebuilding effort by Joe Dumars. Big deals given to Tayshaun Prince, Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva have backfired. But Detroit has drafted pretty well. Greg Monroe, Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight are the three players Detroit needs to build around. I absolutely love the Andre Drummond selection. At 9, the potential was simply too big to pass up. The Pistons still have too much clutter making too much money to make any kind of an impact, and will most likely be terrible again this year. At least they have a few good young players to build around.

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13. Orlando Magic
2011-2012 Record: 37-29, 3rd in Southeast
Playoff Results: Lost to Indiana Pacers in Eastern Conference 1st Round



Additions: G Arron Afflalo, FC Al Harrington, FC Nikola Vucevic, FC Gustavo Ayon, G E'Twaun Moore, F Josh McRoberts
Losses: C Dwight Howard, F Earl Clark, GF Quentin Richardson, G Chris Duhon, GF Jason Richardson, F Justin Harper, GF DeAndre Liggins, C Daniel Orton
2012 Draft Picks: F Moe Harkless, St. John's (1st round, pick 15). F Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure (1st round, pick 19). FC Kyle O'Quinn, Norfolk St. (2nd round, pick 49)

Projected Rotation

C - Nikola Vucevic, Gustavo Ayon, Kyle O'Quinn
PF - Glen Davis, Al Harrington, Andrew Nicholson, Josh McRoberts
SF - Hedo Turkoglu, Moe Harkless
SG - Arron Afflalo, JJ Redick, E'Twaun Moore
PG - Jameer Nelson, Ishmael Smith

The Dwightmare has finally come to an end, even though the Magic got a worse deal then anyone expected. They chose to get expiring deals and some youngsters, as well as several picks which will be very late in the first round. At least they finally get to move on. Which is almost the only positive thing you can say about this team. As far as the roster, Arron Afflalo has developed into a very nice player and could be a 20 point per game scorer who can play defense. Orlando has several young guys on the roster, but we do not know if Moe Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Gustavo Ayon and Andrew Nicholson will be anything more then backups. It will be a long, painful rebuilding process in Orlando, a franchise that has failed to sustain success with their previous rebuilding efforts.

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14. Charlotte Bobcats
2011-2012 Record: 7-59, 5th in Southeast
Playoff Results: None



Additions: G Ben Gordon, C Brendan Haywood, G Ramon Sessions
Losses: GF Corey Maggette, G DJ Augustin, F Derrick Brown, F DJ White
2012 Draft Picks: F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (1st round, pick 2). F Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt (2nd round, pick 31)

C - Brendan Haywood, Byron Mullens, DaSagana Diop
PF - Bismack Biyombo, Tyrus Thomas
SF - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeff Taylor, Reggie Williams
SG - Gerald Henderson, Ben Gordon, Matt Carroll
PG - Kemba Walker, Ramon Sessions, Cory Higgins

After the worst winning percentage in NBA history, there is nowhere to go but up for Charlotte. I think they are off to a good start. They have several youngsters who took major lumps last year and should be better off because of it. Are Bismack Biyombo, Byron Mullens, Gerald Henderson and Kemba Walker starting caliber players on good teams? Probably not. Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist, however, is. His offense is severely lacking right now, but his defense, toughness and rebounding will make him a very good player right off the bat. It will take several more bad seasons for the Bobcats to fix years of terrible drafting and development, but they are on the right track.

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15. Cleveland Cavaliers
2011-2012 Record: 21-45, 5th in Central
Playoff Results: None



Additions: GF CJ Miles, FC Jon Leuer, G Jeremy Pargo
Losses: F Antawn Jamison, G Anthony Parker, C Semih Erden, G Manny Harris
2012 Draft Picks: G Dion Waiters, Syracuse (1st round, pick 4). C Tyler Zeller, North Carolina (1st round, pick 17)

Projected Rotation

C - Anderson Varejao, Tyler Zeller, Jon Leuer
PF - Tristan Thompson, Samardo Samuels, Luke Harangody
SF - Alonzo Gee, Omri Casspi, Luke Walton
SG - Dion Waiters, CJ Miles, Daniel Gibson
PG - Kyrie Irving, Donald Sloan, Jeremy Pargo

Cavaliers fans will not like to hear this, but Cleveland ended up as the worst team in my preview. That is mainly due to the fact that there is next to no talent on this roster. Kyrie Irving was unquestionably the right choice for them and looks to be a future All Star point guard, but other then that the cupboard is pretty bare. Tristan Thompson had a decent first season but he is still very much a project. I think the team reached for Dion Waiters. He flew up the board late in the process and might only be a backup in the NBA. Other then those three players and Anderson Varejao, the rest of these guys are lucky to be on an NBA roster, let alone receiving key minutes. It will be another very painful year in Cleveland, there is just not enough talent yet. But the Cavaliers could possibly have three picks in the first round in 2013, which will go a long way towards getting back to the playoffs.

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Eastern Conference All Stars

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