When it comes to the Eastern Conference in the NBA, we talk about how it’s always a very close race. However, with the 2022-2023 standings, they were a bit further apart than even the Western Conference. In the top five of the Eastern Conference, it goes from 58 wins to 47 wins. In the Western Conference, it goes from 53 wins to 44 wins. The East is getting much better than it has been in previous years, and with that, let’s start predicting!

1/ Milwaukee Bucks

2/ Boston Celtics

These first two teams are pretty interchangeable, but if there is a safe pick for the number one seed, it would probably be Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been unstoppable while on the court, and if we are being honest, Miami got really lucky against them. Boston is not far off with their duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

3/ New York Knicks

The Knicks have been great since getting Josh Hart, who applies more defense and is the best rebounding guard in the NBA. In his first 10 games as a Knick, the Knicks went 8-2. I haven’t seen someone adapt so quickly on a team, it was truly impressive.

4/ Cleveland Cavaliers

5/ Brooklyn Nets

Very good young team, Mikal Bridges has had a great year. Still, they are not a top three team because of how they are constructed, it seems like a rebuild situation.

6/ Philadelphia 76ers

Ultimately the big move here is that Philly is going to drop a little bit out of the first three because of their situation with James Harden. However, if Harden somehow reconciles (which is very doubtful) with Daryl Morey, they are easily a top three team.

7/ Atlanta Hawks

8/ Indiana Pacers

The Pacers acquired a new starting power forward in Obi Toppin. This duo of Toppin and Tyrese Haliburton will make the Knicks regret giving up Toppin. If Toppin puts up 20 points per game like he did while he was starting for the Knicks, this Indiana Pacers team is going to be very hard to beat.

9/Miami Heat

Assuming Miami does not make a trade for Damian Lillard. With the team they had, they were able to make a finals run, however, they seemed to disband that entire team, including the people who had a big impact. Max Strus and Gabe Vincent have left Miami due to a trade and signing with the Lakers.

10/Chicago Bulls

11/ Toronto Raptors

They have made zero moves, I don’t see them improving at all, only getting worse.

12/ Detroit Pistons

A little better, hopefully Cade Cunningham will come back from his injury and they can make a genuine push to the play-in.

13/ Orlando Magic

Paolo needs development, their whole team needs to get older and more experienced.

14/ Charlotte Hornets

15/ Washington Wizards

Their best player is Jordan Poole, although I’m very excited for their future, including Bilal Culibaly, and the prospective players can click on that team. Poole can most definitely win Most Improved Player this year.