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. Read the rest of this entry »

NBA training camps have officially gotten underway, and my body is slowly stabilizing itself from the withdrawals it annually experiences when the NBA Finals conclude in June. My fellow junkies in hoop got a little reprieve while keeping up with the Redeem Team capturing the gold in Beijing. But it just ain’t the same as the phenomenon of NBA action. Plus, I don’t get to write my No Bitchassness Allowed reports. So for the next few days, Sportaphile’s NBA report will be giving our in-depth analysis of each team, by division. Consider this the training camp edition.

Today we look at teams in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic division. (Last year’s record)

(66-16). Never say never. I never in 1,000 years could have imagined myself rooting for the Boston Celtics. But this past spring, if loving them was wrong, I sure as hell wanted to be charged with the crime. I have a love for KG and won’t take the space to go on about the glory of the 2008 NBA FInals. Going into this season it’s the champs who hold the top spot (even without my guy James Posey) until a team is bold enough to beat them down and take it. That is no easy task, so as of right now, I have the Celtics in the Finals until further notice. My Finals pick will be posted on Opening Night of the NBA season.

(34-48) The Nets drew the line in the sand this summer and traded Richard Jefferson. In exchange, they got Yi Jianlian, who will undoubtedly expand the team’s marketing reach in China, but will not have that same impact where it counts–on the court. I do believe that the Nets scored a keeper in Chris Douglas-Roberts, though, who will be playing with a certified chip on his shoulder after being dissed in this year’s draft. CDR and Devin Harris should really push the rock once they get in sync but it’s truly shit or get off the pot time for Vince Carter in New Jersey as far as I’m concerned. Overall, the Nets aren’t making any noise this year. Read the rest of this entry »