2013-14 NBA Picks and Predictions: Eastern Conference Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2013-14 NBA Picks and Predictions: Eastern Conference Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: The 2013-14 NBA season tips off at the end of October, and once again, every team in the Eastern Conference is trying to figure out how to get by the Miami Heat. LeBron James and company posted the best record in the NBA on their way to their third consecutive Eastern Conference crown and second consecutive NBA title. With Miami’s roster essentially intact, the three-time defending conference champs figure to be major players in the East once again. However, the rest of the conference wasn’t idle in the offseason, and several teams made major moves to try to catch the Heat, including an Indiana Pacers squad that pushed Miami to seven games in last year’s conference finals. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the frontrunners, contenders and sleepers in the Eastern Conference for the 2013-14 NBA season.

The Favorites

Getting out of the Eastern Conference hasn’t been easy, but the Miami Heat have done so in each of the past two seasons. With LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen all back for at least this coming season, a third straight conference crown could certainly be in the cards. After all, the Heat also have some solid role players to go with their star power, and if Greg Oden and Michael Beasley contribute at all, it is game over for the rest of the East.

Despite playing relentless, tough defense every game, the Chicago Bulls simply didn’t have the offensive firepower to win the Eastern Conference last year. With former MVP Derrick Rose set to finally return, that is going to change in 2013-14. Rose gives Chicago a go-to scorer down the stretch of games and player that can create his own shot and open looks for others. Meanwhile, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler will help make sure the Bulls’ defense remains as stifling as ever.

They gave the Miami Heat a run for their money in the conference finals last year, and the Indiana Pacers have an even deeper roster heading into the 2013-14 season. Paul Georga has superstar written all over him, and the frontcourt of Roy Hibbert and David West is one of the biggest in the NBA. Meanwhile, Indiana signed power forward Luis Scola in the offseason to add some scoring punch inside, and a healthy Danny Granger should do the same on the perimeter. More offense firepower for a an already-strong defensive team could result in a conference crown.

The Contenders

While some chemistry will have to be developed, a busy offseason has left the Brooklyn Nets with an intimidating roster. The starting five now includes Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez. The bench isn’t bad either with newcomers Andrei Kirilenko and Jason Terry joining the likes of Andray Blatche and Reggie Evans. If all the new parts gel in time for the playoffs, the rest of the conference could be in trouble.

After finishing with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference last year, the New York Knicks made a couple of offseason moves to try to take the next step. Granted, the scoring of Carmelo Anthony and defense of Tyson Chandler will play a huge role in the team’s success, but offseason additions of Andrea Bargnani and Metta World Peace should add some offensive depth and overall toughness. First-round pick Tom Hardaway Jr. should contribute immediately, as well.

The Sleepers

While rumors are swirling about the Cleveland Cavaliers trying to bring LeBron James back to town after this season, the Cavaliers have already assembled a solid roster for the 2013-14 season. Point guard Kyrie Irving is a star, and fellow youngsters Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters have all shown signs of being quality pros. Cleveland also landed the No. 1 pick and added polished scorer Anthony Bennett to a frontcourt that will already be benefitting from the return of Anderson Varejao. The Cavaliers also landed Andrew Bynum in the offseason, and if they can get anything out of the oft-injured big man, they could be a threat to the conference frontrunners.

The Washington Wizards have been a bottom feeder in the Eastern Conference for a while, but with point guard John Wall healthy and other talented youngsters surrounding him, the trend could be changing. Shooting guard Bradley Beal should only get better in his sophomore campaign, and rookie Otto Porter Jr. figures to be a long-term fix for the team’s small forward position. If the frontcourt tandem of Emeka Okafor and Nene Hilario can stay healthy, the Wizards could be making some noise sooner rather than later.

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