The Case For and Against the Top 4 East Teams In the NBA
With the NBA All-Star Break right around the corner, the top four teams in the Eastern Conference are currently the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. All four of those teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Outside those four teams, none of them in the east have a shot to reach the NBA Finals this season.
A season ago, Boston was the number two seed and defeated the number one seed Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. However, the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in six games a season ago. What are the pros and cons for each team trying to reach the NBA Finals this season?
Boston Celtics
Pros: Boston might have the best dynamic duo in the NBA currently with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics have one of the more dynamic offenses in the NBA this season and play with a more up-tempo pace. They feel like they have the best chemistry in the conference.
Cons: They are too Jayson Tatum reliant and it can cost them when he doesn't score enough. Boston potentially has to face Donovan Mitchell and Giannis Antetokounmpo in back-to-back rounds in the playoffs and it can wear them down.
Milwaukee Bucks
Pros: Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. The Bucks are currently the hottest teams in the NBA. They just won it all two years ago.
Cons: Even though chemistry seems to be spot on right now with their winning streak, it has been an issue at various moments throughout the NBA regular season. They don't get enough help around Giannis Antetokounmpo in the scoring department. For the second consecutive season, they just run out of gas in the postseason.
Philadelphia 76ers
Pros: Joel Embiid is always dominating for 30 points and 15 rebounds every time he touches the basketball floor. They have a very good defensive game. Philadelphia also stays healthy.
Cons: They always get key injuries at the wrong time and James Harden and Tyrese Maxey already had to miss time this season due to injury. The 76ers also have one of the worst-rated offenses in the NBA this season and it will cause them to flame out in the postseason. Also, Philadelphia has Doc Rivers coaching them in the postseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Pros: Donovan Mitchell is one of the best scorers in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers also have one of the best defenses in the NBA. Cleveland also has had Darius Garland step up his game big-time in the backcourt.
Cons: Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are hit or miss in the front court. They don't have a reliable 3-and-d player to get it done and lock down other teams' best offensive players when it matters most. The Cleveland Cavaliers are still too young to compete on the big stage.