How Does The East Stack Up?

In the wake of the KG deal madness, every fan of a team in the East seems to be asking themselves the same question: Where does our team stack up now?

It's pretty a difficult question to answer as it's really anyone's guess how well KG will mesh with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. It truly is amazing how Danny Ainge pulled off this deal and revamped his team with so many blockbuster deals getting turned down in the NBA. If KG and his monster contract can be traded, then anyone can be. Kobe must be thinking this as he sucks his thumb and wets his diaper.

So where do the Magic stand in the east next season? That is completely open to interpretation, and I am open to your opinions, but for now (with an emphasis on for now, since there is much more time left in free agency...take note ESPN writer John Hollinger...) here is my ranking of the East next season:

1)Detroit

2)Chicago

3)Boston
4)Orlando

5)Miami

6)Washington

7)Cleveland

8)New Jersey

Detroit, Chicago, and Boston at the top of the list...did we just flash back to 1990?

Some of my reasoning behind my madness, again all opinions:

1)Detroit at the end of the day is still the most fundamentally talented team. They now have an even bigger chip on their shoulder after last years' playoffs.

2)Chicago will only get better in time as their young pieces develop, and they should make a run at the top spot. I expect Tyrus Thomas to bust out.

3)With the KG deal, Boston clearly threw themselves at the top of the conference. Toronto and New Jersey could challenge, but it will be an uphill battle.

4)Yes, you read that correctly. I think that (provided we get another backup big man) the Magic have the pieces to win the Southeast. This isn't based on homerism, but instead based on the simple fact that Miami is aging poorly, Washington is still trying to unload its big men, and with all of the teams so close in record last season the Magic have done more than either of those two teams by far to improve themselves this offseason. Charlotte is still a little ways away from contention, but could surprise next season with a respectable record.

5)As mentioned, Miami is aging poorly and their offseason deals to get younger were pretty crappy at best (Smush Parker). With Payton and Shaq being spot starters and teams learning how to practically triple-team Wade, this team's record will only go down.

6)Washington is sort of a 'mini-Boston', as they boast 3 power players in Arenas, Jamison, and Butler, but they are still very thin down low. I expect this team to stay competitive, but their team isn't any better roster-wise than it was last season.

7)Cleveland is poised to take a fall in my opinion, as Gooden is more than likely out so they can sign Varejao and Pavlovic. This team is a prime candidate for the post-finals loss funk.

8)This was a very tough call between New Jersey and Toronto, but I went with New Jersey because the return of Nenad Kristic should more than offset the loss of Mikki Moore and they have more to prove after a season of injuries and a dismal playoffs showing. If they fail, expect the team to be blown up mid-season.

Notable exemptions:

Toronto - The league has had a year to figure them out, Morris Peterson's stong bench play is gone, and despite their record they looked very shaky at times last season. Their eyes will be on New Jersey all season because in my opinion only one will sneak in.

Charlotte - Getting Jason Richardson and resigning Gerald Wallace made this past offseason a good one, and I can see Charlotte raising some eyebrows this season. They are a very young team though and are still a season away from the playoffs, but I think this season they could challenge for a .500 record.

New York - This team continues to play with optomism despite...well...themselves. Zach Randolph will no doubt help the team out, but I don't think he will mesh as well as most do. I will also go on record as saying Zebo will get in legal trouble at least once next season. In fact, why don't we just start getting ourselves mentally prepared now?:

There still is more time in free agency left, so plenty of time to see these rankings change.