CENTRAL DIVISION
CAVS
"Bron-Bron" might have wore a New York Yankees cap at a Cleveland Indians game but I'm sure the Cleveland faithful will give him a free pass if he can get the Cavs back to the Finals this season. It will be a tough task though. The Cavs really didn't add any star power this off-season and decided their core squad from last season will do. Some, Like I, think that is a mistake because it was pretty clear how the Spurs man-handled them in the 2007 NBA Finals. Lebron cannot and doesn't want to do it alone, unlike Kobe. Point guard Daniel "Booby" Gibson has to show that he will be effective all season and his playoff performances were not "flooks". Big Z is aging and every year it shows, so Power Forward Drew Gooden has to play bigger role this season. Larry Hughes needs to flat out earn his paycheck this season...that's it. Bench play for the Cavs is solid and needs to stay consistent to go back to the Finals and repeat as Eastern Conference Champs.
PISTONS
Arguably the best TEAM in basketball over the last 3-4 years, the Detroit pistons are always contenders in the East. Led by floor General Chauncey Billups, the Pistons have the most complete starting five in the NBA. RASHEED WALLACE!!!! is the glue that keeps this team together, with his grit and energy (always looks as if he has warrants out for his arrest) he is flat out un-guardable. They showed that life could go on with out Big Ben (Ben Wallace) and had center by committee with veterans Antonio McDyess and Nazr Mohammed. It will a tough task to stop the one-two punch of Richard Hamilton AKA Reggie Miller Jr. and Tayshaun Prince, the combo last season combined to average over 34-points a game. Rock City is hungry and ready for a second NBA championship in four years.
BULLS
With the possibility of Kobe Bryant ending up in Chicago, Bulls fans hope for a mediocre season. Unless they like the array of young talent on this years roster. GM John Paxon would be a fool not to get Kobe but maybe a bigger fool to break the NBA best crop of young talent. If the Bulls can show the promise they did last season when they knocked off the Heat in they first round of last years playoffs, then the bulls will probably move on without Kobe. Points are not at a premium with "Ballers" Ben Gordon, Kurt Hinrich, and Luol Deng. "Big" Ben Wallace is allowed to wear his headband this season and won't look depressed out on the court anymore. Forwards Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni are vital parts in the teams chemistry as well as back-up guard Chris Duhon AKA Special Teams Captain. Maybe the Bulls get off the hump this season and become true contenders for an Eastern Conference Championships.
MIKE
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