1. Philadelphia
They have the best player in the conference, and possibly the NBA. MVP Allen Iverson showed in the playoffs that he is both clutch and gutsy. And the rest of the 76ers showed they can do what it takes. They have a center with a big-time defensive presence and a complementary unit that does the little things right. But there has been turnover from last year's team. Tyrone Hill is gone, as is Todd MacCulloch. And rumours persist that the team wants to get more athletic, which may spell the end to Eric Snow's tenure with the team. The Sixers are raving about Speedy Claxton, who missed last year with a knee injury. They think he will be their point guard for years to come. Aaron McKie re-signed and will complement Iverson as he did last year. New faces include Robert Traylor, Matt Harpring and Cedric Henderson. Jumaine Jones, who emerged in the playoff series against the Raptors, is gone to Cleveland. Also new to the club is Jerome Moiso from Boston and Samuel Dalembert, a rookie from Seton Hall.
2. Toronto
The best off-season in team history doesn't change the face of the team all that much. The only difference is Hakeem Olajuwon is in and Charles Oakley out. For the first time, the Raptors have a consistent defensive presence is the middle, which will take a lot of wear and tear off Antonio Davis, who will move over to power forward. Olajuwon will help the Raptors most on offense, where despite his age, he continues to draw double-teams, which will open things on the perimeter for Vince Carter. Perhaps the biggest factor for Toronto will be Alvin Williams, who will undoubtedly benefit from another full year of being the starting point guard. Davis, who had a career year in 2000-01, will surely benefit from his position change where he will post up against smaller, less physical players. Depth will also be a Raptors strength at forward, where Jerome Williams, Keon Clark, Brian Skinner, Eric Montross, and rookie Michael Bradley will all see time. The team also hopes 7-foot Mamadou N'Diaye will be ready to play. In the backcourt, Chris Childs will spell Williams and Morris Peterson will surely improve from last year's inconsistent play.
3. Milwaukee
The Bucks finished five games better than Toronto last year and have done nothing to improve, although they are desperately trying to get their hands on Miami's Anthony Mason. They are truly a run-n-gun team and their top three players - Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen, and Sam Cassell - can match up against the top three of any team in the league. The Bucks problem is that after those three, they are very thin. Scott Williams and Ervin Johnson were not enough to match the Sixers inside in last year's Eastern Conference final. They really need Joel Pryzbilla, the #9 pick in the 2000 Draft, to develop quickly. The Minnesota product didn't see any playoff action and averaged less than two minutes a game during the regular season. They don't expect second round pick Andre Hutson of Michigan State to even make the team in the fall. Tim Thomas is still explosive and one of the NBA's best off the bench and Darvin Ham is a great rebounder. But the Bucks are no better than last year and will be fortunate to return to the conference finals.
4. Orlando
The Magic are still the chic pick in the East, even though they finished seventh place last year and have just gotten older and more brittle. Tracy McGrady was a second team All NBA selection last year and will be a force for the next decade. And the Magic will be bolstered by the return of Grant Hill, who if healthy is one of the top ten players in the league. The problem for the Magic next year may be not enough ball for their two superstars. McGrady was so effective last year because he was the man. Next year, Hill will handle the ball as much as McGrady and take some shots away. Either way though, the Magic are a far better team with them playing together. The Magic will have problems in the middle where Patrick Ewing will try to replace John Amaechi. Embarrassingly for Ewing, his game has digressed to the point where he is unlikely to do it. Horace Grant will provide depth in the frontcourt with rookie Stephen Hunter. The Magic will be better than last year's team, but still not as good as the top three teams in the East.
