Chicago Bulls
Record Last Season: 48-34 (2nd in Central)
Key Additions: Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott (drafted), Aaron Brooks
Key Departures: Carlos Boozer (Lakers), D.J. Augustin (Bulls), Jimmer Fredette (Pelicans)
Projected Starters: (2013-14 season stats)
PG: Derrick Rose... 15.9 PPG, 4.3 APG, 3.2 RPG
SG: Jimmy Butler... 13.1 PPG, 2.6 APG, 4.9 RPG
SF: Mike Dunleavy... 11.3 PPG, 2.3 APG, 4.2 RPG
PF: Pau Gasol... 17.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.5 BLKPG
C: Joakim Noah... 12.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.5 BLKPG
Notable Bench Players: Kirk Hinrich, Taj Gibson, Aaron Brooks, Doug McDermott
Keep an eye on: Jimmy Butler (SG)
In only his third season last year Butler stepped up averaging 13.1 PPG while Derrick Rose was absent.
Preview: The Bulls haven't looked this good since the lockout season in 2011-12. They were the one seed that year until Derrick Rose tragically went down with a knee injury. They haven't been the same since. This year Pau Gasol was brought in from the Lakers to reinforce the frontcourt next to Joakim Noah. The Bulls have a pretty well-rounded bench to compete and go far in the postseason as well. There's high expectations in Chicago now and a brewing rivalry between the Cavaliers.
Projection: Lose in Conference Finals (2nd in Central)
Cleveland Cavaliers
Record Last Season: 33-49 (3rd in Central)
Key Additions: LeBron James, Kevin Love, David Blatt, Mike Miller, James Jones, Shawn Marion
Key Losses: Mike Brown, Luol Deng (Heat), C.J. Miles (Pacers), Spencer Hawes (Clippers), Andrew Wiggins (Timberwolves), Anthony Bennett (Timberwolves)
Projected Starters: (2013-14 season stats)
PG: Kyrie Irving... 20.8 PPG, 6.1 APG, 3.6 RPG
SG: Dion Waiters... 15.9 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.8 RPG
SF: LeBron James... 27.1 PPG, 6.4 APG, 6.9 RPG
PF: Kevin Love... 26.1 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 0.5 BLKPG
C: Anderson Varejao... 8.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 0.6 BLKPG
Notable Bench Players: Matthew Dellavedova, Tristan Thompson, Mike Miller, Shawn Marion
Keep an eye on: Dion Waiters (SG)
In two years Waiters averaged 14+ points per game. It'll be interesting to see if he gets the ball that much now with James and Love on his team.
Preview: Dan Gilbert wins owner of the year after successfully luring the King back to his castle and trading for double-double machine Kevin Love. In about one month he rescued Cleveland basketball from obscurity. The Cavaliers are instant title contenders, especially in a poor Eastern Conference. LeBron James' big three arguably upgraded with Kevin Love being a notch above Chris Bosh and Kyrie Irving having more upside than injury-stricken Dwyane Wade. Flashback, LeBron James carried Cleveland to the Finals with Eric Snow and Larry Hughes, I think he can do it again with this team.
Projection: Win NBA Finals (1st in Central)
Detroit Pistons
Record Last Season: 29-53 (4th in Central)
Key Additions: Jodie Meeks, Stan Van Gundy, D.J. Augustin, Caron Butler, Joel Anthony, Cartier Martin
Key Departures: Will Bynum (Celtics), Rodney Stuckey (Pacers), Charlie Villanueva (Mavericks)
Projected Starters: (2013-14 season stats)
PG: Brandon Jennings... 15.5 PPG, 7.6 APG, 3.1 RPG
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope... 5.9 PPG, 0.7 APG, 2.0 RPG
SF: Josh Smith... 16.4 PPG, 3.3 APG, 6.8 RPG
PF: Greg Monroe... 15.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 0.6 BLKPG
C: Andre Drummond... 13.5 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 1.6 BLKPG
Notable Bench Players: D.J. Augustin, *Jodie Meeks (Out), Kyle Singler, Caron Butler
Keep an eye on: Andre Drummond (C)
Drummond is emerging as one of the top centers in the league and could very much be an all-star this year.
Preview: Bringing in Stan Van Gundy as head coach/president was the best move Detroit made this offseason. Van Gundy brought the 2009 Magic to the NBA Finals with Dwight Howard and really no supporting cast. He also transformed Jameer Nelson into a legit point guard. We'll see if he can turn Brandon Jennings and his unnecessary shots into an Orlando Magic Jameer Nelson type. Josh Smith is playing out of position and needs to be traded immediately to make space for twin towers Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
Projection: Lose in First Round (3rd in Central)
Indiana Pacers
Record Last Season: 56-26 (1st in Central)
Key Additions: Rodney Stuckey, Damjan Rudez, C.J. Miles
Key Departures: Lance Stephenson (Hornets), Evan Turner (Celtics), Rasual Butler
Projected Starters: (2013-14 season stats)
PG: George Hill... 10.3 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.7 RPG
SG: Rodney Stuckey... 13.9 PPG, 2.1 APG, 2.3 RPG
SF: Chris Copeland... 3.7 PPG, 0.4 APG, 0.8 RPG
PF: David West... 14.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 0.9 BLKPG
C: Roy Hibbert... 10.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.2 BLKPG
Notable Bench Players: Luis Scola, C.J. Miles, Donald Sloan, C.J. Watson
Keep an eye on: Rodney Stuckey (G)
With Lance Stephenson and Paul George both gone this season look for Stuckey to have an opportunity to take over and prove himself.
Preview: The Pacers went from falling short of an NBA Finals appearance back-to-back years to a possible lottery team. Paul George was looking like an emerging star in the league until he tragically hurt his foot in a FIBA exhibition game this summer. Lance Stephenson walked away to head to Charlotte, which will hurt the Indiana blue-collar demeanor. What if the Pacers tanked this season and added a lottery pick with a returning Paul George next year? It's a thought.
Projection: Miss Playoffs (5th in Central)
Milwaukee Bucks
Record Last Season: 15-67 (5th in Central)
Key Additions: Jerryd Bayless, Kendall Marshall, Jason Kidd, Jabari Parker (drafted), Jared Dudley
Key Departures: Larry Drew (Cavaliers), Ramon Sessions (Kings), Carlos Delfino
Projected Starters: (2013-14 season stats)
PG: Brandon Knight... 17.9 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.5 RPG
SG: Giannis Anteokounmpo... 6.8 PPG, 1.9 APG, 4.4 RPG
SF: Jabari Parker... Did Not Play
PF: Khris Middleton... 12.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.2 BLKPG
C: John Henson... 11.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.7 BLKPG
Notable Bench Players: O.J. Mayo, Jared Dudley, Jerryd Bayless, Kendall Marshall
Keep an eye on: Giannis Anteokounmpo (G)
The Greek Freak!
Preview: Jason Kidd is the new coach in Milwaukee after a sticky situation in Brooklyn. He proved he can coach last year getting the Nets to the second round of the playoffs. As bad as this team looks, they might be the funnest. From future Rookie of the Year Jabari Parker to the Greek Freak Giannis this team is loaded with raw talent.
Projection: Miss Playoffs (4th in Central)
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