Eastern Conference Playoff Team predictions

Eastern Conference: The east is vastly improved, but the top of its food chain remains intact.

1) Celtics: The loss of James Posey will not prove as costly as perceived, as the continued emergence of Rondo, Powe, and Big Baby will combine with the Big Three for fifty plus wins and another Atlantic Division and NBA Title. 

2) Cavaliers: With the only major addition in the form of Mo Williams its hard to make this claim, but Lebron will win the MVP award this year and is flat out beasting the NBA.

3) Pistons: The acquisition of Allen Iverson is a fantastic move made by Joe Dumars and gives Detroit that offensive firepower the team lacked. The only problem is that this move came too late as the teams they will face in the postseason are too good. The Pistons will not be able to hang with the Cetlics or Cavs in a playoff series. 

4) Magic: Just give Orlando's new "Big Three" (born last year) another season together to make some noise in the playoffs. Dwight Howard had the following stat line a few weeks ago in a win over the Thunder: 30 points, 19 rebounds, and TEN BLOCKS. The only man to challenge Lebron for the MVP, Dwight will dominate as Turkoglu and Lewis will feed of superman's dominance. Also, you've got to love the emergence of Jamier Nelson and the pick up of swingman Mickael Pietrus. 

5) Raptors: Take the # one ranked three point shooting team last year and add Jermaine O'neal and give Jose Calderon the start at point gaurd and you have the second place team in the Atlantic and the five seed in the east.

6) 76ers: Elton Brand joins the upstart sixers, but this team is still a year away. Look for Brand and Dalambert to dominate the paint on D and Brand on O. Andre Iguodala will become a true all star this year and keep your eye on upstart small forward Thadeus Young. 

7) Hawks: This team discovered itself last year in the playoffs and is ready to move up its seed this year, but again exit in a first round loss to Clevland.

8) Wizards: They will get it together to grab the 8th seed when agent Zero comes back.