NBA Central Division Preview

November 1, 2007
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Source: DONBEST.com

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

The defending Eastern Conference Champions will be a contender again. The Jordan-like playoff performances from LeBron James will lead the Cavs deep into the playoffs.

Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas give the Cavs a capable frontcourt. Both have proven to be valuable assets but have a tendency to disappear for extended stretches. It's important for James and Hughes to keep the big guys involved with the offensive flow.

Cleveland needs to improve its defense and perimeter shooting, but the team should be motivated after being swept by the San Antonio Spurs in last year's NBA Finals. The Cavs will go as far as James takes them, and that could be a repeat trip to the finals.

2. Detroit Pistons

Detroit has made five consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference finals and may return for the sixth time. However, the Pistons may be on the tail end of a great run.

Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Chauncey Billups appear to be digressing slightly. Age may be catching up with the Pistons and third year coach Flip Saunders is under a lot of pressure. Saunders likely needs to reach the finals to keep his job. Saunders inherited a talented team but the window of opportunity is closing.

Detroit has veteran players who have experience with each other and know how to win games. It is paramount the young players develop and find a way to contribute early in the season. Rookies Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Afflalo are expected to play valuable minutes. They need to find their roles and fit in with Detroit's system.

Detroit still has one of the best starting five's in the league and added young contributors off the bench. However, the Cavs and Bulls continue to improve while the Pistons have started to go backwards. Detroit will be a factor all season but will be overmatched by a younger and more athletic team come playoff time.

3. Chicago Bulls

Scott Skiles brings a tough defensive attitude and the Bulls buy into the system. Chicago returns 10 players from one of the deepest teams in the league. They are still young but have gained valuable experience through last season's successful run into the playoffs.

The Bulls didn't use the offseason to go get the big name many Chicago fans were expecting. Joe Smith and Joakim Noah are the only notable additions so Chicago will have similar chemistry to last year's team.

Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon return in the backcourt to lead the offense. Both players averaged career-highs last season and are still improving. Thabo Sefolosha is a capable backup guard and should assume a larger role this season.

Ben Wallace and Luol Deng are the key components to the Chicago frontcourt. Last year Wallace, Deng and the departed P.J. Brown provided the toughness down low, but the Bulls didn't have much depth on the front line. Chicago will need to get valuable minutes from Smith or Noah to be a serious contender.

If the Bulls continue to improve they could be a serious threat in the East. The young and talented team has learned how to play with each other and plays into Skiles' team philosophy. Last year several individuals had career seasons which will be tough to repeat, but Chicago will be tough.

4. Indiana Pacers

Team president Larry Bird doesn't think the Pacers are rebuilding and is optimistic new coach Jim O'Brien's fast-paced offense will put Indiana back in the playoff picture.

Jermaine O'Neal believes the Pacers are committed to getting back a top the league and has publicly stated his desire to remain in Indiana. The emerging Danny Granger and Troy Murphy give Indiana a formidable frontcourt.

The guard position is where the Pacers have some deficiencies. Point guard Jamal Tinsley is adequate at best but will enjoy playing in O'Brien's up-tempo offense. Mike Dunleavy Jr. will likely start at the two guard. Dunleavy has been widely regarded as a disappointment and must improve his outside shooting. Marquis Daniels, Travis Diener and Kareem Rush will also contribute in the backcourt.

Indiana should be able to score more due to its deep and balanced attack. Danny Granger is becoming an excellent offensive player and Troy Murphy shoots 40 percent from three-point land. Talent and depth could get the Pacers to the playoffs but they need to improve in the backcourt.

Team leadership is a question. Jermaine O'Neal is the obvious choice but may not have the mental make-up to be the leader. It seems to be a laid back bunch who will settle into being below average. O'Brien will be intense but the Pacers will struggle in a competitive division.

5. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks were bad last year and will be bad again. Injury issues got the best of them last season so a healthy year will provide more victories, but the bottom line is the Bucks are overmatched by the other teams in the Central.

Andruw Bogut is the inside presence the Bucks are building the future around, but the center has proved to be nothing more than serviceable in his young career. Charlie Villanueva is coming off an injury-filled campaign and could provide a valuable spark. Bobbie Simmons and Desmond Mason will provide depth up front. Mason is a defensive specialist and Simmons can provide an offensive spark.

Michael Redd is Milwaukee's one legitimate star. Redd is one of the best shooters in the NBA and is capable of scoring in bunches although his defensive abilities are a serious question. Improving point guard Mo Williams and backup Charlie Bell give the Bucks a solid backcourt.