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The league-wide crusade continues. Today’s NBA report turns our attention to the teams in the meat-and-potatoes Midwest. Here’s what’s on tap this season with the teams that comprise the Eastern Conference’s Central Division:

(33-49) Chicago received the ultimate gift and curse when they locked down the number one pick in the NBA Draft this year. After much debate about Michael Beasley, the team chose to ride with prodigal son Derrick Rose. Pooh will generate some excitement in a town that desperately wants a return to respectability, while getting to play with cool hand Luol Deng. Our favorite ponytail Joakim Noah should have a strong sophomore season, and Ben Gordon will be gunning for his life after holding out so long when his contract negotiations failed to go the way he wanted. The real problem this team faces is that it carries way too many guards. Trying to find enough playing time for them all will be like too many heads trying to smoke one little doobie. It’s just not enough hits to go around. The Bulls will battle for a playoff spot this year but there simply are no guarantees at press time

(59-23) The Detroit Pistons are like Buddy Revell in one of my old school favorites, Three O’Clock High. They clearly are the class bully in the East every year but once they got their bell rang by LeBron for 48 points in 2007, the nerds just aren’t scared of them anymore. Rasheed, Chauncey and Rip remain dangerous, but teams like the Cavs and Bulls know they can beat them on any given night. And the Pistons don’t have enough to punk Boston’s Big Three ensemble even though Jason Maxiel will be in beast mode this year. New coach Michael Curry will put the fire back in the Pistons game but I am not convinced it will be enough to detour a second round playoff exit. And that is not acceptable with all the talent in the Motor City.

(45-37) Everyone keeps talking about if LeBron will play in New York when he becomes a free agent in 2010. I guess those same people have forgotten that is two season’s away? And really, the time is now in Cleveland. With Bron Bron going for gold this summer and building on his desire to be a global icon, the addition of point guard Mo Williams kind of flew under the radar. Trust me, teams will be feeling the impact real hard in late April. The Cavs are one of the top-shelf teams in the East. They are potent enough to be in the Eastern Conference Finals.

(36-46) President Larry Bird is not playing with these Pacers and is doing everything possible to clean up the team’s image to media and fans in Indianapolis. The additions of rookie Roy Hibbert should help down low while T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack should certainly provide a better look offensively than simply relying on former Warriors Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy–that’s just ridiculous. The franchise’s overhaul will be complete once Bird finally deals with the hangover known as Jamaal Tinsley. Overall, don’t see much progress in their record this year. But there is promise in Indy’s future.

(26-56) The little tyrant Scott Skiles will actually be a good fit with this team and I think his blue-collar philosophy will score big and actually surprise many this season. Finally pairing Michael Redd with some talent will certainly liven things up in otherwise mundane Milwaukee. Plus, Richard Jefferson is probably happy to be away from the loafing ways of Vince Carter. I look for him to put up All-Star like numbers early in the season and the Bucks are actually penciled in on my list for the playoffs.