Eastern Powers

The Bulls did not receive a vote in an ESPN.com poll of 53 NBA experts when they were asked who will win the Eastern Conference this upcoming NBA season.  In fact, only three teams received votes, the Cleveland Cavaliers (32 votes), the Boston Celtics (13 votes) and the Orlando Magic (eight votes).  That means roughly 60 percent of the panel expects the Cavaliers to represent the conference in the NBA Finals.  “It’s no surprise to see so many votes for a team that has the reigning MVP and won 66 games last season,” the article says.  ”On the other hand, the Cavs had the same points in their favor in May, and were the heavy favorites to win the East at that time, too.  But Orlando took care of Cleveland thanks to some amazing shooting and the dominance of Dwight Howard, and the Cavs were left licking their wounds.”

I think Cleveland has to be the favorite, considering they have the best player on the planet, but I think the Magic are second in line.  The Bulls exposed a lot of the Celtics’ weaknesses last season in the their first round playoff series, albeit without Kevin Garnett on the floor.  Still, the Cavs’ acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal and the Magic’s of Vince Carter will help those teams much more than the Celtics’ acquisition of Rasheed Wallace will aid Boston in their hopes of returning to the NBA Finals.

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