NBA Eastern Conference Midseason Observations

With the annual NBA All-Star game upon us, it is once again time for my annual midseason review of each team. Many have exceeded expectations while others have fallen far short of their stated goals. Here's the lowdown on every team in the league.

Atlantic Division

Toronto Raptors (23-23)
General manager Bryan Colangelo has already begun the transformation of this once floundering franchise. The Raptors have a nice mix of youth and veteran talent and are going to be a force to be reckoned with in another season or two.

New Jersey Nets (22-24)
The Nets are a total mess. The first thing they need to do is trade uninspiring forward Vince Carter for a froncourt player with an actual heartbeat. Until they do, they'll continue running in quicksand.

New York Knicks (20-28)
Believe it or not, head coach Isiah Thomas has gotten the Knicks to play fairly competitive basketball in every game this season. This team has absolutely no where to go but up.

Philadelphia 76ers (15-32)
The Sixers are barely clinging to life support. However, help should be on the way next season in the form of three first round draft picks. Then again, general manager Billy King, along with former head coach Larry Brown, will be making the selections.

Boston Celtics (12-33)
The Celtics are setting franchise records now - for futility that is. The Celtics have lost 13 staright and counting. I am totally amazed that GM Danny Ainge and head coach Doc Rivers, still have jobs.

Central Division

Detroit Pistons (26-18)
While the Pistons are still a very good team, they are no longer the nearly unbeatable team they were just a couple of seasons ago. While I expect them to finish with another 50-plus win season, all bets are off come playoff time.

Cleveland Cavaliers (26-19)
The Cavaliers have been utterly perplexing this season. One moment they look like Eastern Conference finalists and the next, they resemble a clueless lottery bound bunch. If the Cavs can come together and get some consistency, their season will end prematurely.

Chicago Bulls (26-20)
The Bulls are beginning to come together and will be a force down the stretch. With homecourt advantage there for the taking in the eastern conference, they could definitely find themselves playing in the NBA finals.

Indiana Pacers (24-21)
Expect the Pacers to make the playoffs this year but not much once they get there as they are still trying to figure out how they will use the three new players they acquired in this month's semi-blockbuster trade.
Milwaukee Bucks (18-28)
Bucks have been masterful at building their team through the draft and trades. Unfortunately they have suffered some significant injuries to three of their starters and head coach, Terry Stotts has all the creativity of a pet rock.

Southeast Division

Wasington Wizards (27-18)
While the Wizards do have one of the most explosive and exciting offenses in the entire league, they are also still the masters of the matador defense. If this team doesn't ever figure out that they will have to play some sort of defense come playoff time, then it may be time head coach Eddie Jordan to hit the road Jack.

Orlando Magic (24-22)
I thought the Magic would be one of the most improved teams in the league this season and they have been for the most part. Any team with Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, they must be doing something right. Expect even more growth from this team in the near future.

Miami Heat (20-25)
I said the Heat would turn it on in the second half of the regular season and now we shall see. Unfortunately, this team doesn't offer much talent or youth besides Dwayne Wade and could be in bigger trouble than anyone - even themselves - ever thought.

Atlanta Hawks (17-27)
Does anyone in Atlanta's front office have a clue? Until they trade one or two of their 15 small forwards for a legitimate low post player, no one will be calling the Hawks Hotlanta.

Charlotte Bobcats (17-28)
All I'm going to say is watch out for this team in the near future. The Bobcats have been quite impressive on several occassions this season, even in the midst of dealing with injuries and youthful mistakes. They will likely have a new head coach next season, but the foundation for success has already been laid for this franchise.