2007-08 NBA Season Preview: Central Division

With the next season coming up pretty quick, there are some questions as to who will win the division. Just last season, they started a new playoff format where the 2nd place team could get a higher seed if they have better records than the division winners of the other divisions within the same conference. Just last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers not only had the 2nd seed, but they also went all the way to the finals for the 1st time in franchise history. Detroit went to the Eastern Conference finals but got ousted by a young franchise.

Cleveland Cavaliers

With this format of how the divisions are set, it could be that this team is the team to beat. Even if it weren't the case, it would still be the same statement. While they have a good core, it also seems to be the experience factor on how to get it done as a unit. They have LeBron but he's not the only one to get this team far and he'll admit that himself. They did lose in the finals and got swept, that shouldn't really affect this team at all. In a season of expectations and having good years coming, it would be no surprise if this team were to win the division. In short, based on how've they been playing, Cleveland should take the division and could possibly have the best record in the league as long as they have that chemistry and win the important games.

Projected Finish: 1st

Detroit Pistons

The team has been on a slow decline but not too noticeable. They went to the Eastern Conference Finals only to get ousted by a young Cleveland team. As far as playoff contending team goes, that is a no brainer, as they are still someone to look out for despite the minor setbacks. Wallace and crew will be ready for this season. Like the baseball counterparts Indians and Tigers, this will be a very close division and it will come down to who really wants it more. Without much of a loss in what the team has done, it could really be a strong core but in the end, they will finish 2nd but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

Projected Finish: 2nd

Chicago Bulls

They had a dynasty and won 6 Championships and since that time, have not endured the same success as before. They recently got back into the playoffs but got knocked out to say the least. In what is really ironic is that this team also had a better record than the division winners and could be expected to be good this year. Though it might have been a fluke that they were better than the division winners outside the division, they still are a good team. They will have a tough time going above 3rd place so it is expected they go right in the middle.

Projected Finish: 3rd

Milwaukee Bucks

This will be a challenge for them to even be competitive but that is not likely to happen. They were very miserable and might just improve a little bit but not by much. The team chemistry isn't there and the coaching will need to do better. Their needs to be a unit that needs to adjust and play well as a team to win and that is going to take some work. They had one of the worst records in the league but shouldn't have that happen twice. Look for this team to maybe bounce up to 4th place in this tough and competitive division.

Projected Finish: 4th

Indiana Pacers

This team was a playoff contending team but last season fell down. It seems to be a decline as no matter what the team did, it couldn't pull itself out of a mess. It does seem that they are a shell of there former selves. It does not matter who is on the team and who isn't, it just matters that they win the important games that are necessary. With this division really being strong, the odds of them being a championship team would be rather slim. They will most likely finish just at last but not by a huge gap.

Projected Finish: 5th

Final ThoughtsAnticipation is going to be something major. Of all these teams, it looks to be once again a Cleveland-Detroit race to see who really wants it the most. Both of them have the star power and ability to go all the way this season and it will show in the end. With Chicago on a resurgence, it could be no surprise to see them as a possible challenger for the division but most likely in the wild card hunt. Coming up will be the projection of the Southeast division and then soon enough the Eastern Conference Wild Card Teams.