Eyeing Eastern Excellence

The NBA season is slowly winding down as April creeps in for another year. The L.A. Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers have separated themselves from the pack, but what about the rest of the playoff contenders? The Western race is as tight as a pair of Air Jordan shoe laces tied securely. Several teams are separated by just a few games. The Easter conference also has some final post-season punchers in a neck-and-neck heat but the teams who will miss the playoffs are a lot clearer. Here’s a look at which Eastern teams could advance past April 15th, when the regular season comes to a conclusion (and those income taxes are due might I remind you).
The Cavs own a 60-13 overall record and the NBA’s most wins at home this year. Cleveland should finish with the best record, edging out the Lakers. The defense has stepped up this year to resemble an impenetrable rock. The brick-force Cavaliers are lead by none other than MVP candidate, LeBron James. James’ championship-level scoring and rebounding efficiency are the only real elements needed to take the team to the finals this year. Mo Williams doesn’t have a grandiose aire about him, but he assists James, and along with other capable shooters, provides depth in the starting five. Ben Wallace’s injury is of little concern right now because the team is 16-0 without him. Thanks to Joe Smith and James, the Cavs are poised for a championship ring. LeBron’s free-throw shooting will have to be on target against the Eastern elite teams in order for the goal of a trip to the Finals to come true. The front-running Cavs simply play smart ball and decimate opponents.
The Boston Celtics are defending champs for a reason, but now have a tall order in protecting their title and repeating. The Cavs have outclassed Boston this year and are breathing down their backs to claim the East. Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and company are unstoppable when a healthy and focused sea of green jerseys. Garnett will miss time due to his knee so it’s on the shoulders of Rondo, Pierce and Ray Allen to tweak their games and become court marshalls. Allen has to avoid suffering a heavy workload that could lead to burnout. The elite Boston defense makes them a heavy favorite this postseason, and their experience does help. Even with the star power on this team though, the Celtics must depend and rely on reserve players picking up the slack. The big men cannot handle all the shooting and physically will be drained if they are forced to. The Boston bench becomes that more important now. The Celtics have shown vulnerability and have been tried and tested during the season by teams with more heart but less talent.
The Orlando Magic have the potential to reach the semifinals if they stick with their strong defense and see Dwight Howard emerge as a playoff all-star. Stan Van Gundy deserves credit for keeping Orlando focused under pressure. The Magic’s Rashard Lewis may have to find a way to assist Howard in the perimeter and in rebounding and assists in order for Orland to make a splash. I like the Magic brand of basketball and they are the team playing the best ball right now. They hold a 55-18 record that is currently a notch above Boston. If Orlando does not have to face Detroit in round one of the playoffs, they will be in good shape for a deep run. For some reason, the Pistons have their number. Orlando is a threat because they can dominate up front and apply full court pressure.
The Miami Heat are lead by superstars, Dwyane Wade and Jermaine O’Neal. Mario Chalmers is also a basher on the boards. He has quietly pieced together a solid season down south. Wade is the man in the driver seat though, and if not for LeBron, would be the hands-down best player in the conference. If Miami plays to their strongest attributes, team quickness, they will win some playoff games. If not, Miami could be one and done. The Heat are a poor rebounding team and not efficient enough defensively. First year head coach, Erik Spoelstra, should aim to improve his team’s chances around the rim on defense. The team lost to the Pacers but were able to beat the Bucks in a high scoring affair recently. The inconsistency has lead to only 39 wins, but the in East, that is enough to make the playoffs.
Detroit is lacking something the former Pistons championship teams have embodied. Even with Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson together in the lineup, they haven’t exactly lit up the boards or been a confident winning team. I remember when I used to think AI was as smooth as a sea otter on the hardwood. Now he doesn’t look like the master carrying the sword in a Pistons uniform. He looks to me more like an anomaly. Iverson needs to pass more and the team needs to fully commit to playing their standard defensive style basketball. If the Piston aspire to advance past Boston or Cleveland, they also need to be healthy.
Say this much about the Chicago Bulls: they pulled off a terrific trade by landing the impact, John Salmons, during the season. The Bulls have perhaps one of the most favorable scheduled left to end the year. This stretch run should guarantee the Bulls a trip to the post-season, but beyond that, they are not expected to pull off many upset wins.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, NJ Nets and NY Knicks were all gearing up for an 8th seed ticket to the playoffs two weeks ago. Much has changed since. The Knicks are nixed. New Jersey is currently staring at a glaring 5 game losing streak and their “tragic” number continues to dwindle.
I like the Hawks’ Joe Johnson a lot. I feel his ability will lengthen Atlanta’s invite in the playoffs. Al Horford is a gamer and force too, but the Hawks have to find help in the rebounding department. The most recent homestand found Atlanta losing three crucial games to the Lakers, Celtics and Spurs. The defeats did nothing to prove themselves to anybody. Although the Hawks had surprise success in 2008, they might need more than a little smoke and mirrors to help their case in 2009.
The Sixers are mediocre and have had low expectations all year. The nothing-to-lose attitude could be a challenge to contending teams. Samuel Dalembert’s season came to a halt when he suffered an injured calf. Philly will be hard-pressed to overcome Dalembert’s interior play but with their fast tempo, could wreck havoc this Spring.

Parting points: Today is a good day for some Beastie Boys songs.