2020-21 Predictions: Eastern Conference

 1. Milwaukee Bucks

The bucks remain the strongest team coming out of the east this season. After signing reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to a supermax this offseason, there's a good feeling going around Milwaukee. The additions of Jrue Holiday and D.J Augustin give the backcourt the defensive boost that was missing from last season. Bobby Portis will be a solid addition if he can live up to his potential before his troubles in Chicago.

2. Boston Celtics

Boston lost Gordon Hayward this summer to the Charlotte Hornets in what would have been major news a couple of years ago. Hayward hasn't been the same player he was in Utah ever since he arrived in Boston, however that gruesome ankle injury on the opening night of his Celtics stint can be responsible for that. I still think the young Celtics will only get better from last year as well as Brad Stevens. The only doubt about the Celtics being this high up is that Kemba Walker will miss the opening part of the season, and with a reduced season this year, every game will matter that much more.

3. Brooklyn Nets

After waiting a season since the mega offseason for the Brooklyn Nets, it's finally time to see Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Deandre Jordan take the court together. The Nets without their stars still were able to compete last season in the bubble. Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris Lavert, and Joe Harris are very solid scorers who will have to get used to their production dropping with the stars getting all the shine now. Jarret Allen will be a huge bench boost to come in when Deandre sits out, and will hopefully have a Montrezl Harrel like role for them. I still think they'll be competing with the top, but getting that rust off at the beginning of the season will be what makes them fall to third.

4. Miami Heat

One of the best stories of the NBA bubble, the Miami Heat surprised a lot of people off of pure grit and grind. Jimmy Butler established himself as a leader in this league and the guys around him responded by playing just as hard. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo should see their PPG and overall effectiveness go up this season as they are both young and now have deep playoff experience to go off of. The additions of Avery Bradley and Moe Harkless gives them an upgrade on the defensive end and will hopefully compensate for the losses of Derrick Jones Jr, and Jae Crowder. I still think the culture down in South Beach will resonate throughout the team for another great season. We'll see about a deep playoff run, however.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

It's been a rough decade for Sixers fans as they went through a brutal rebuilding process riddles with injuries, and not much to show for it when it comes to playoff runs with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. This summer the team made big changes bringing in GM Daryl Morey, head coach Doc Rivers, and some solid pickups in Danny Green, Seth Curry, and Dwight Howard. With the departure of Al Horford, this is now a more balanced lineup that will hopefully produce some better basketball for the Philly faithful. The only issue I have with the Sixers is that they are yet to prove to me that they have that winning mentality. This could be the year that all changes in Philadelphia.

6. Toronto Raptors

The 2019 Champions lost 2 important players from that championship roster in Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. This is still a well-coached team by Nick Nurse and definitely has the talent to make the playoffs comfortably. They'll start the season playing in Tampa which shouldn't affect them too much, but being away from their families might have an effect on the players and staff mentally. Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet will have to up their game this season if they want to be more than a first-round exit.

Play-In Tournament

7. Indiana Pacers

Indiana has not been able to break out of the mid playoff pack for a couple of years now. They fired coach Nate McMillan after getting swept by the Heat in the bubble and hope to have more success this season. A full season of health would do the Pacers wonders. Oladipo and Sabonis are both all-star quality players in this league and if they can live up to their potential they could possibly give a first-round scare to one of the bigger teams. They'll need help from Malcolm Brogdon, T.J. Warren, and Myles Turner of course, but they've got the potential to have a very solid season.

8. Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young is an absolute stud offensively in this league. His points and assists numbers can prove it. He'll have to work on the defensive end to try and be a difference-maker for the Hawks. They got some solid additions in Bogdanovic, Ganillinari, and Rondo to bring some veteran experience to a relatively young team. John Collins and De'Andre Hunter need to take a step forward in their game as well. Kris Dunn can be a solid 6th man for them in a squad that has a decent amount of talent which should be able to take them to the playoffs.

9. Chicago Bulls

The biggest and most important change for the Chicago Bulls is the addition of Billy Donovan as head coach. Under Jim Boylen, the chemistry in the locker room was abysmal and it showed on the court. Under Donovan, I think the players will try to make a great first impression and will want to win. This Bulls team has a lot of young talent that with the right guidance can take a big leap forward in the standing. It's a bold call to have the Bulls so high, but they can live up to it.

10. Washington Wizards

The Wizards made a very bold move in moving John Wall this offseason for Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade. The Wizards will definitely be better this year than they were last year without Wall, but I'm not sure if they'll be that much better. Also, the strength of the east has picked up this season so I predict they'll still be fighting for that last play-in spot. The reason I have them over the Magic is the talent comparison between the two teams. I also think that the squad will be hungry to make it back to the playoffs. 

Eliminated

11. Orlando Magic

12. Charlotte Hornets

13. New York Knicks

14. Detroit Pistons

15. Cleveland Cavaliers