How do you think the Cavs will stack up against the other Eastern Conference teams and how that team will play?  There have been some big changes happening in the league and it's not going to be the same East it was last season.  Here's what I expect this season.

In the Atlantic, New York and New Jersey fans have nothing to look forward to.  Don't expect D'antoni's system to save the team when they're trying to sell off assets to get the types of players he wants.  They're rebuilding from the ground up and it's going to take more than one season.  New Jersey is the same, but I don't know what direction they're going.  At least New York has a path, right now it looks like the Nets are going to be Toronto during the Vince Carter years, but with Vince Carter being 50.  Don't expect them to do anything without Jason Kidd or Jefferson.  Neither of these teams are making the playoffs.

In the Southeast, don't expect Atlanta or Charlotte to make the playoffs.  It's been a long off-season for Atlanta where really all they did was lose a key contributor.  That's not good news when you're a marginal team to begin with.  (I hope they're selling before the deadline for Joe Johnson)  Charlotte just doesn't have enough firepower in this improved East.

Don't expect the Bucks to be improved in the Central.  RJ, Michael Redd, and Andrew Bogut sounds like a great trio on paper, and I bet they'll get their share of wins, but who is the creator on that team?  Indiana is just trash. 

Now for the teams that will make it.

8T.)  Miami Heat.  I know Dwayne Wade looked like a mad man in the Olympics, but let's face it, he's not Lebron.  They'll be good enough to make the playoffs, but they're untested and essentially have a new coach and a bunch of rookies and has beens around Dwayne and Marion.  That's not enough to win.  They'll get better in the future though.

8T.)  Chicago Bulls.  I like this team once they've had a chance to play with each other.  They actually got a pretty good deal from us so we could unload Hughes.  Don't get me wrong I like Ben Wallace and all, but I think most GMs would have to say that Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden are more appealing than Ben Wallace and Joe Smith.  Don't expcet them to get far, but they have a solid team, just noone to lead them yet.

7.)  Washington Wizards.  Everyone else gets better they stay the same.  I expect at least one of their stars to go down.

6.)  76ers.  They'll be good, but not good enough.  Once again, nobody to lead them past a tough team and they're lacking in the shooting department now that Korver has left

5.)  Orlando.  Dwight Howard is a beat down low and they match that with some powerful outside threats.

4.)  Detroit.  I think without blowing this team up, the only way they can get better is if you rebuild the system that they're used to playing in.  They've obviously gotten complacent and if I were their new manager, I would try to make them learn a new system to get rid of some of those bad habits.  They'll still be dangerous in the playoffs, but ultimately fail.

3.)  Toronto.  I know this one's crazy, but they solved their problem of too many point guards and they added some serious firepower to the front court.  Playing next to Chris Bosh will make JO's job so easy that he'll look like an all-star again and match that nasty front court with one of the best shooting backcourts in the league, that spells trouble for whoever has to take them on.

2.)  Cavs.  They're going to win homecourt and really take it to the Celtics this year.  Nobody is stopping us.

1.)  Boston.  They're still a powerhouse, and even though they lost Posey and Brown, they'll probably sign someone else who is ring shopping and PJ Brown might come back midseason.  I still think they'll lose to the Cavs in the finals.

I agree with who you have making the play-offs. I think it will be Atlanta, Miami, Milwalke and Chicago will all be fighting it out to get swept in the 8th round of the playoffs. I think the the top 6 will all be right up there, but anyone in there could pull together and grab a top seed. I think Cavs, Boston or 76ers have the best chance of grabbing the 1 spot, I don't think Detroit will have a huge win total, and I just think the Cavs, 76ers and Celts will win just to many and leave the Magic and Raptors a few games behind. But when it comes to the post season, all 6 of those teams will be rough matchups. Whoever has the top 2 seeds, will definitely have an easier post season mostly because of a much easier first round. If we can grab one of the top 2 seeds, I like our chances of getting back to the finals. I think the 76ers youth will give out in the playoffs against the more experienced teams and Toronto won't be able to stop anybody defensively consistantly, but both teams will be tough fights. Orlando will create a tough match-up with their big 3 for anyone,  and Detroits experience will make them tough as always. But I think it will come down to most likely the Cavs and Boston for the East. If we can get another solid player with Wally or Snows contract, I think we will be favorite in the East, and with LeBron, always have a chance to win it all.

1. Detroit............Thereis nothing wrong with these guys.  Old players are a year older, but so are Stuckey and Maxiell.  They'll just reload.  Joe Dumar's comments were just in the heat of the moment.  The new coach will be more popular

2,3,4 tier

Toronto...............We should have gotten O'Neal....interesting combo with Bosh.   Calderon and the Spaniards were just playing possum  in the  olympics 1st matchup.

Boston................Not as hungry.  Not much younger than Detroit.

Cleveland...........Adding good new PG cost the aging frontline &  reduces Gibson's role;  total effect close to even.

5,6,7,8 tier..........Phiily, Washington, Orlando.......... Milwaukee:  between Ramon Sessions & Luke Ridnour, breakout PG.  Redd, Jefferson, Bogut.

Miami..................messy

1.boston

2.cavs

3.piston

4.magic

5.toronto

6.philly

7.hawks

8.wizs

Celtics are still the class of the East, even with losing Posey.  Against every other team in the East, the Cavaliers stack up just fine.  There are a couple of very good teams like Philly, Detroit, and a healthy Washington team.  But, at worst, in a playoff match up with any of those teams, it would be a toss-up.  At best, the Cavs should have the advantage in each match-up against those other quality EC teams.  Atlanta and Toronto could possibly become contenders, but there are a lot of questions for each still.  I think the East is still fairly weak despite a couple teams making big moves.