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This may be the weakest division in the league. The Bulls were the one standout team here, but this season with Derrick Rose’s injury, the Bulls may not get 60 wins again. Only a couple of teams from this division have the potential to get 45 wins, the Bulls and the Pacers. Here’s a preview of the Central Division:
Sure Rose will come back and make the Bulls a formidable force in the playoffs once again, but by then their record will have suffered a little. Even though the Bulls’s record without Rose in the past has been in the green, they can’t win consistently as they can with him. Rose is out at least until Christmas, maybe till the all-star break too having torn his left anterior cruciate ligament.
Coach Tom Thibodeau is one of the best defensive minded coaches in the league. Chicago has led with a stifling defense for years under his reign. Rose or no Rose, on that end they will continue to thrive. In the preseason, new addition Nate Robinson has shown a lot of promise. And their roster has been filled this year with guards to make up for Rose’s absence. With Jeff Teague, Marco Belinelli, Kirk Hinrich and Robinson in the backcourt, the Bulls can hold on till Rose gets back.
This is quickly turning into one of the most entertaining underdog teams to watch. Underdog mostly because of their small market status and recent record. As they showed in the playoffs, the Pacers are capable of holding their own. But they need to get over the hump from good to great to make it past the second round in the playoffs. They may in fact finish with a better record than the Bulls this regular season. Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert make a great inside-outside duo which can give any defense nightmares. George Hill can do his part on the outside too. Look for the Pacers to top this division
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks feature one of the most entertaining/infuriating backcourts in the league featuring Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Outside of Milwaukee it is quickly forgotten that this was a team on the verge of playoff glory a few years ago. But Andrew Bogut’s freak injury came in the way and the Bucks haven’t been the same since. Now Bogut is gone and Dalembert will look to fill in the void. Stephen Jackson will be missed. The Bucks will be lucky to get to the playoffs.
Detroit Pistons
A decade ago this team won the NBA championship. Now they are scraping at the bottom of the barrel. But the team which won it all back in 2004 wasn’t comprised of superstars. That team personified synergy and teamwork, how a group of ordinary players can come together to make something extraordinary. And Motown still believes that every year something can come out of their city and team. Corey Maggette can come in to help, but he can’t make too much of a difference on his own. A lot will depend on how quickly Andre Drummond can establish himself properly.
Detroit always expects high things from their teams. To add fuel to those expectations, the Pistons ended last season with a 20-21 run. They had a very bad start last year going 5-20. They will look to come out of the gate strong this time.
The Cavaliers have one of the best players in the league in Kyrie Irving and that’s about all they have. Being a point guard, all he needs are some correct pieces around him and he can propel this team to the playoffs. Currently the Cavaliers are banking on their very young core to realize their potential, but it won’t be happening this season. Dion Waiters and Tyler Ziller can make a strong core in the future. The Cavs are placed to make some noise in the East. Noise other than the almighty loud boos when LeBron comes to town.
Speaking of the recently announced LeBron James comic, has him winning his seventh ring as a Cavalier. Maybe some comic book fans will carry cutouts of that comic when he comes to town. Making for something new about Cleveland, because as of now they don’t have much to look forward to.
