After the trade deadline, it became clear there is an arms race in the Eastern Conference. A year after the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, and the Boston Celtics made the Eastern Conference Finals. There are three other teams who have a legitimate shot at representing the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors all made moves to improve their rosters and have a legitimate shot at making the NBA Finals. The incredible part is all of the aforementioned teams were already good but realized there was another level they need to reach to attain their goals.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers arguably started the arms race in the East by making a splash with the acquisition of Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers. They obtained Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott by trading Mike Muscala, Wilson Chandler and a couple of second-round picks. Additional depth was added by acquiring James Ennis III from the Houston Rockets and trading number one pick, Markelle Fultz, to the Orlando Magic for Johnathan Simmons. The Sixers now feature a starting lineup in which each player averages more than 16 points. They also have a dearth of wing players they can utilize as defenders on opposing perimeter players.
This is not the same team that lost in five games to the Celtics in last year’s playoffs. Instead of relying on Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons as the only consistent shot creators; they now have Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris as fully capable shot creators. The Sixers boast four players who shoot at least 37 percent on catch and shoot threes: JJ Redick, Tobias Harris, Mike Scott, and James Ennis III. Talent-wise, this Sixers team will be incredibly difficult to beat in the playoffs. Don’t look now but the Sixers have looked impressive in both of their wins against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks not only have the best record in the East but the best record in the entire NBA. They have the best Net Rating in the league and an MVP candidate in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Mike Budenholzer has done an excellent job putting this roster in prime position for success. Their success has not allowed them to sit on their laurels.
The addition of Nikola Mirotic adds additional depth to an already excellent team. The Bucks average the second most threes per 100 possessions in the league; however they only shoot 35 percent as a team which is around the league average. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Bucks still have the second best offense in the league when excluding garbage time. Mirotic only makes their offense that much more dangerous. He shoots 38.5 percent on catch and shoot threes and adds additional front court depth to the team. Mirotic had the highest on/off net rating in the playoffs for the New Orleans Pelicans last year. The Bucks are hoping he can match that playoff production for them as well once he is fully healthy.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have the second best record in the Eastern Conference. They have one of the best records in the entire NBA and realize they need much more for the season to count as a success. The Raptors realize it’s Finals or bust if they have any hope of keeping Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors have played well but realize they will likely need more fire power to improve their odds of making the Finals. This is when the acquisition of Marc Gasol comes in.
Marc Gasol is a three time All Star and a former defensive player of the year. Even though he has had his share of health issues this season, he has still been a relatively productive player. He ranks eighth in NBA RPM and twelfth in PIPM among Centers. Both stats show he is still a top tier NBA player. As good as the Raptors have been this year, with the resurgence of Serge Ibaka playing a majority of his minutes at Center and Pascal Siakam’s immense improvement, there is no guarantee they make it out of the East. Lineups and chemistry will take time but the talent Marc Gasol provides will be crucial.
Who Wins?
The Sixers, Bucks, Raptor, and Celtics all have a legitimate shot at coming out of the East. Each team boasts at least one star player capable of taking over a game. The Celtics were the most passive team this season but still have more playoff experience and recent playoff success than the other teams listed. The Bucks have had the best team all season and the best player in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors have Kawhi Leonard who has proven he has the ability to step up in the playoffs. And the Sixers have the best starting lineup in the East with five players capable of scoring double digits every night. It is an arms race in the East and only the best will come out on top.
