Breaking Down the Eastern Conference at the All-Star Break

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00:00So, the East, you know, certainly has probably, I would say, five teams, you know, that can

00:06fight, that can win.

00:07I still think the West probably better in the end, but the Cavs, Celtics, Knicks, Pacers,

00:12and Bucs with Giannis, we should always say that, Bucs with Giannis, are obviously going

00:16to be some sort of contender in the East.

00:18Good for Detroit, by the way, that they're 31 and 23 on the season.

00:20It's been a tough time for them the last few years, so they're there as well.

00:25But I have to believe that either Cleveland or Boston is going to finish number one, but

00:29I do think there's probably three or four, maybe even five teams with Milwaukee that,

00:33hey, you never know.

00:34It's the playoffs, seven game series, anybody could beat anybody, so I wouldn't rule even

00:38Milwaukee out.

00:39Right.

00:40We learned that last year, Craig, that it's about matchups, injuries happen, and things

00:44of that nature.

00:45When I think about teams that are built for success and making it all the way to the NBA

00:49Finals, I look at Boston first.

00:50I think they've been a little bored during the regular season, which is why they're not

00:54at first in the standings, but I think the Cavaliers have proven themselves capable as

00:58contending in the Eastern Conference.

01:00The Knicks as well, I think they need to establish themselves more and get a few more signature

01:04wins for me to really believe in them, but they've gotten some guys back healthy, which

01:08should be interesting for them as well.

01:09And then I put the Bucs right in a tier below those three teams because they have Giannis

01:13Antetokounmpo, and the fact that any series they play in, it's likely they'll have the

01:17best player in the series, and you always have a chance.

01:19But as we learned last year, anything can happen in the playoffs, so seeding will be

01:23very important for these teams in the East.