If you were asked what conference was better in the NBA today, what would you say? I hope you would quickly respond back with the Eastern Conference, because they clearly are stronger than the Western Conference this year. With teams like the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Orlando Magic, the Eastern Conference compiles some of the best teams in the NBA as of right now.
Most people do not consider how great the Eastern Conference has become over the past five years. Winning three championships since the 04 season, the Eastern Conference has proven to take control of the entire NBA.
Boston Celtics
After winning the NBA Championship last season, the Boston Celtics have taken complete charge of the NBA with a league best record of 24-2, surpassing the 95-96 Chicago Bulls record of 23-2. At a current winning streak of 16, the Celtics have unstoppable written all over them.
Ray Allen has gotten the first year gitter bugs out of his system and is shooting a lot better this year (49.3 FG%) as opposed to last season (44.5 FG%). His PPG has risen to 18.81 this season and looks more like himself than ever before.
Rajon Rondo is turning into one of the best all-around point-guards in the NBA averaging career numbers in MPG (31.6), PPG (10.8), APG (7.6-eighth best in the league), RPG (5.0), and SPG (2.4-second best in the league). Rondo is only in his third season in the NBA and will grow into an All-Star point-guard in the years to come.
Kendrick Perkins has evolved into one of the most dominate centers in the NBA today. With experience and knowledge surrounding him, it is no wonder he has become an outstanding rebounder (8.4 per game), scorer (9.0 per game), and blocker (1.8 per game) in the league. Perkins is only 24 years of age and has the potential to become one of the elite centers in the game.
The Boston Celtics are in total command of the NBA today as Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce seek to win yet another Championship Trophy. They have the talent and the players around them to win 70+ games and have made a historic start to the NBA season and already look better than they did last year.
Who dares to get in the middle of the Celtics path and try to take them down?
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are off to their best start in Cleveland history with a 22-4 record. They have absolutely scorched the NBA this season blowing out eight teams by 20 or more points and have emerged as one of the top teams in the entire league.
LeBron James has taken over the NBA dominating everyone in his way, averaging 27.54 PPG (second best in the league), 6.35 APG, and 6.85 RPG. Besides being the only player in the NBA to average 20+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 6+ assists, LeBron is proving he can play defense as well averaging a career best 1.1 BPG and 1.96 SPG.
Delonte West has stepped up his scoring since last season averaging 12 PPG with 43 3PTM already this season. He has certainly heated up in his last four games averaging 17.5 PPG. West is a key player to the Cavaliers success as his clutch shooting comes into play during the end of many games.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas is the second most important player in the Cavaliers roster. Zydrunas’s health this season will determine whether or not the Cavaliers make it to the NBA Finals. Big Z is a force in the paint and creates havoc for many players on the opposing team. His presence down low makes players think twice before driving it in on him and his shooting ability ranges all the way to the three-point line. Z has a career high six 3PTM this season.
LeBron James is aiming for his first MVP season trophy, and with the great chemistry between the Cavaliers team, there is no stopping them from winning 60+ games this season.
Orlando Magic
There has been talk all season long about the Celtics and Cavaliers making it all the way to the Finals. Every NBA website you access, there is either a picture of LeBron James on it or the Boston Celtics Big 3. It seems as if the Orlando Magic and their terrific 20-6 start is being totally ignored. The Magic currently have the third best record in the Eastern Conference and the fourth best record in the NBA. They have beaten powerful team like the Spurs, Blazers, and Mavericks so far this season.
Dwight Howard is simply one of a kind on the NBA court. He has the ability to absolutely terrorize anybody in his path averaging 20.8 PPG, 14.2 RPG (best in the league), and 3.4 BPG (best in the league). Dwight has put up 20+ points and 20+ boards in the same game three times this season. He achieved his first triple-double against the Thunders putting up a ridiculous 30 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 blocks in 38 minutes of play. Dwight’s game has improved tremendously since playing for the USA team and has become one of the best defenders in the league averaging 1.6 more blocks per game than last season.
Jameer Nelson is a key player to the Magic’s success. This season he is averaging career highs in MPG (32.0), and PPG (16.3). He has been on a recent hot streak averaging 22 PPG and 6.2 APG over his last five games. It looks like Nelson has finally gotten comfortable with his role, and if he can continue his play the Magic will be a tough team to beat in the playoffs.
Rashard Lewis is an outstanding shooter that brings almost 20 PPG to the table for the Magic night in and night out. He currently leads the league in 3PTM with 71 and is a huge part of the Magic’s game. His rebounding (6.38 per game) needs to increase if the Magic want a chance at winning the title as Rashard will have to match-up against some of the most elite power-forwards in the game today.
With all the hype about the Celtics and Cavaliers, the Orlando Magic could see a historic season for themselves in the making if they could pass the 60 win mark. It would give them the best record ever in Magic’s history, beating the 95-96 Shaq and Hardaway season. Is it possible for the Magic to pass it this season?
To conclude, the Eastern Conference is officially the best Conference in the NBA. Do you not agree? Post a comment and we can battle out our opinions!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
go magic
The road to the NBA Finals goes through Boston
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