NBA: The 8 Eastern Conference Teams Making The Playoffs
4. Charlotte Hornets (50-32)
“Challenge accepted.” Those are probably the words of Michael Jordan when people were laughing at his ownership abilities. Remember what they say about he who lasts laugh?
Jordan’s Hornets (or Bobcats) made the playoffs for the first time last season. He did not rest on his laurels, however.
As crazy as Lance Stephenson is, he adds a lot to this team. He can score some points and is an irritant (in more ways than one) on defense. P.J. Hairston and Noah Vonleh will contribute immediately, and Al Jefferson will be the leader of a very strong frontcourt.
The Hornets defense ranked sixth in the league last season, and it should be strong once again. If their offense can improve (and it should) the Hornets should take a big step in the East. Not winning the East-type step, but a big step nonetheless.
3. Washington Wizards (52-29)
The Washington Wizards feel left out. They hear all the talk about Cleveland and Chicago and they wonder why they aren’t in the conversation as the best in the East. They did, in fact, take care of the Bulls in last season’s first round matchup fairly easily. They feel they should get more attention.
They may get more attention, but for the wrong reason. They added Paul Pierce, and right from the first preseason game, he got into it with Joakim Noah. Both got fined for their altercation and several Wizards players got suspended from the first regular season for coming off the bench during the skirmish.
After that game, a number of Wizards talked about them becoming the second coming of the Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boys of the late 80’s. The NBA did not like Bad Boys 1.0 and they certainly will not take too kindly to Bad Boys 2.0.
With that being said, the Wizards have a really tough team. They replaced Trevor Ariza with Paul Pierce. Pierce adds a big time player who can hit a bucket whenever you need it. If he can stay healthy and contribute regularly, that could be a big pickup. He is a dinosaur, though, and one never knows when the body gives out.
John Wall and Bradley Beal are boasting that they are the best backcourt in the NBA, and they may be right. For them to really be right, they have to continue their progress.
That progress may take a hit early on with Beal’s broken left wrist. It could keep him out of action through mid-December or longer. In a conference where the top two teams may get out to a good start, this injury could put the Wizards behind the eight ball right off the bat. Those Bad Boys 2.0 t-shirts may need to be put on hold for now.