2012-13 NBA Preview, Predictions: Heat, Celtics, Pacers, Nets, Knicks, 76ers, Hawks, Wizards

We are getting closer to the start of the NBA season. Training camp begins for some teams at the end of this week and for the rest of the teams, it begins next week. We have already looked at some key free agent signings and which rookies will have the biggest impact.

Let’s take a look at how the NBA will shake down this year. Here are our predictions for the Eastern Conference

This is what the Eastern Conference playoff picture will look like.

8. Washington Wizards

It is time for the Wizards to take that next step. They have the superstar player in John Wall, who might finally be starting to understand what it takes to be a NBA point guard. They drafted Bradley Beal out of Florida to pair with him in the backcourt. The have a veteran frontcourt in Trevor Ariza , Emeka Okafor, and Nene. They will need some of their young bench players to step up, but the Wizards should be a playoff team this season.

7. Atlanta Hawks

Over the past few years the Hawks have had very successful regular seasons, but always fade in the playoffs. This season the Hawks should be a playoff team again, but they will not be as dangerous. Gone is Joe Johnson, but they still have talented players in Jeff Teague, All Horford, and Josh Smith. This year could be a big one for Josh Smith, who should be the go-to man for the Hawks.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers got the next best piece in the Dwight Howard trade in Andrew Bynum. They now have a legit post player on offense and defense. The only question is will he be committed enough to be a force for Philly. He will have help on the perimeter with Jason Richardson, Jrue Holiday, and Nick Young. The 76ers are also counting on Evan Turner to become a go-to scorer as well.

5. New York Knicks

The Knicks are one of the biggest question mark teams in the league. They have one of the best scorers in the NBA in Carmelo Anthony. He finished the 2011-12 season strong and carried it over to the Olympics. Can he keep it going? With Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler the Knicks have an outstanding frontcourt. If they get solid play from their guards, they could be dangerous.

4. Brooklyn Nets

There were two big storylines surrounding the Nets this offseason. First was their move to Brooklyn. Second was the franchise’s attempt to trade for Dwight Howard. They did not get Howard, but still built a solid team. It started when they resigned Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, and Brook Lopez. Then they traded for Joe Johnson from Atlanta. They have a solid starting lineup, with a good bench. The Nets will make some noise in Brooklyn.

3. Indiana Pacers (Central Champs)

The Indiana Pacers feel like they are the second best team in the East. That very well could happen, but it is hard to pick them over Boston and Miami. There is plenty to like about Indiana. What you should like most is that they play as a team and do not care who the leading scorer is. They have a great core with Danny Granger, David West, George Hill, Roy Hibbert, and Paul George. The bench is deep and everyone knows their role. Before they can claim a top two spot, they need to beat the top teams in the East.

2. Boston Celtics (Atlantic Champs)

You can never rule out the Boston Celtics. They were just one game away from making the NBA Finals again last year. They return most of their key pieces, minus Ray Allen who went to Miami. To replace him they signed free agent Jason Terry, who should be a spark off the bench. They were able to convince Kevin Garnett to come back which is huge after the way he played last season. They still have Rajon Rondo to run the point and Paul Pierce is still there as well. Boston will be looking at another deep playoff run.

1. Miami Heat (Southeast Champs)

The defending Champions should finish first overall in the East this year (finished second the previous 2 years to Chicago). They have the best player on the planet in LeBron James. They still have Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh also. Adding Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis gives them legit shooters on the outside. The rest of the team proved they are good enough to get the job done in the Finals.

Until a team beats Miami they should represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals for the third straight year.

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