[ IMAGES: Images ON turn off | ACCOUNT: User Status is LOCKED why? ]

Hang your ass: non-Knick Eastern Teams


Author Poll
Panos
Posts: 10928
Joined: 1/6/2004
Member: #520
Outside of the Knicks, which Eastern team will finish highest in the Eastern Conference?
(Poll listed in terms of last year's finish order)

I think this year is going to be wildly unpredictable.
For kicks, you can post your prediction for the top 4 seeds going into the playoffs.
Also, who is the most improved team, and who will take the biggest step back?

Detriot Pistons
Boston Celtics
Cleveland Cavs
Toronto Raps
Atlanta Hawks
Philly Sixers
Orlando Magic
Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat
Milwawkee Bucks
Chigago Bulls
Brooklyn Nets
Indiana Pacers
Washington Bullets :-)
View Results


Author Thread
Panos
Posts: 30928
Alba Posts: 3
Joined: 1/6/2004
Member: #520
10/19/2026  11:02 AM    LAST EDITED: 10/19/2026  11:11 AM
I think people are too easily dismissing what Philly has done. Never mind Lebron, Jalen Brown for PG was a coup of amazing proportions. Lebron is just icing on the cake. I can see them finish at the top or top two.
1-4 playoff seeding:
1. Philly
2. Knicks
3. Miami
4. Cleveland
Have a hard time keeping Toronto out of that list. Also, lots of people talking about Pacers being a top team - maybe. Maybe not. I'm hoping not, so that's my heart talking more than my head.

Most improved: outside of Indiana who is getting Hali back so not so fun a pick, I see Washington possibly in the mix finishing somewhere 5-8 with both Trae and AD finally playing minutes, and if they can stay healthy (big if). Of course, starting from the bottom they have plenty of room for improvement.
Higher up the charts, Miami can make some noise as a massively improved team if Bam and Giannis can coexist in the front court. If they can, they are going to be scary. Expect Spolstra to be in the running for COTY.
Honorable mention: Brooklyn now has Randle. I wish him success. Still regret he wasn't here to share in the championship run. Thank you, big guy!

Most regressed: Obviously, Milwaukee. Can see them finishing last. Best player is Tyler Hero, then.... Kyle Kuzma?
More interestingly, I see both Detroit and Boston dropping significantly.
I think Detriot was a fluke last year.
Boston loses Brown, and the rest of the East got better. From their championship run just 2 years ago, they basically have Tatum and White left, and added PG. I dunno. I could see the wheels falling off if Tatum can't stay healthy.
Honorable mention: Charlotte lost Lamelo Ball.

AUTOADVERT
Nalod
Posts: 72851
Alba Posts: 155
Joined: 12/24/2003
Member: #508
USA
10/19/2026  2:16 PM
I mostly agree with you.
MIlwaukee? Hero, Turner and Jaime are not bad. Very good role players either stepping up or tank fodder?
Giannis and Bam are are a compelling duo. The Heat cutlture will be tested. Bottom line is Klay Thompson cooked or not? I think they are over rated given the lack of depth. That comes in season 2 of Giannis.
The Wiz? LIke you I can see it going going well. Anthony Davis in a contract year. Trae YOung I think is so bashed he is under rated at this point? Im not saying we have to like him, but what is he these days after resting?

Which reminds us that ATL is not a bad team. Nobody talking about them.
Orlando? New coach. Continuity? Getting Banchero right?
Cleveland? Its about Mobley being the 1st or second best player on the team. We know outside of Brunson, little guys don't carry teams thru finals! LOL..... They have Payton Watson now. Donovan Mitchell is still a top 10 player. Harden does not have to be the man for them to succeed. Conf. Finals was not a failure really. Qustion is can they go further?

Philly? Think mostly knick fans are bashing them given Embiid being older, uglier, and we used to him falling apart. I won't rest or sleep on them until they are eliminated. Why? The talent of that starting 5 is really really good! Bench? Suspect. Chemistry? To be determined.
Lebron? He was a hell of a player last year still. Embiid? This dude was on an MVP run the moment he got hurt 2.5 years ago. If he is on the floor he will have his moments. Some very good, and some we'll hate for for. Damn, the also have Maxey! Injuries will matter. IF we learned anything as knick fans is come playoff time anything is possible. They healthy they have the talent. ITs top heavy. They have a window.

Indy? The Big Zoob is a good paring for Haliburton. They still have Siakim and a talented core with a good coach. Detroit? Maybe they don't win the east or 60 games, but should be a top 6.

Boston? On the surface PG13 was limited last year. If healthy he could matter more. He was the salary fodder for the picks. Jason Tatum should be near peak and thats a hell of a player. Rest of the team is not so. THey have Mitch so that sucks for us, but are the going to keep his minutes low and if not, he gonna break again? Hard to read this team. If I had to hang my ass, I say they win 41 games.
Toronto? With Kawahi? Should matter. Quick is due to have a good season. Barnes is Legit. RJ likey gets traded or they let him walk.

Which brings us to the Knicks. The champs! We should run away with the east by winning 60 games. Injuries or an "It" team with fresh legs could make us miserable. But Knicks have the best odds coming out of the east.

Knicks
Philly
Clev
Toronto
Orlando
Indy
Washington
Miami
ATL
Bulls

Really Knicks are the only sure thing if healthy. Not saying we don't derail in playoffs, but regular season if reasonably healthy.

martin
Posts: 81897
Alba Posts: 108
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #2
USA
10/19/2026  5:23 PM
Man, Boston not in top 4 is wild
Official sponsor of the PURE KNICKS LOVE Program
Panos
Posts: 30928
Alba Posts: 3
Joined: 1/6/2004
Member: #520
10/19/2026  5:29 PM
martin wrote:Man, Boston not in top 4 is wild

Where do you see them finish?

martin
Posts: 81897
Alba Posts: 108
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #2
USA
10/19/2026  5:50 PM
Panos wrote:
martin wrote:Man, Boston not in top 4 is wild

Where do you see them finish?

Top 4?

They swap Brown for Tatum, lose Simmons, and add Paul George and Mitch compared to previous season, give or take?

Official sponsor of the PURE KNICKS LOVE Program
Panos
Posts: 30928
Alba Posts: 3
Joined: 1/6/2004
Member: #520
10/19/2026  6:16 PM
martin wrote:
Panos wrote:
martin wrote:Man, Boston not in top 4 is wild

Where do you see them finish?

Top 4?

They swap Brown for Tatum, lose Simmons, and add Paul George and Mitch compared to previous season, give or take?

Ok, so 4? Or 3? Obviously my prediction on Heat at 3 is very variable and needs to be proven. And they were better than Cavs last year, but I kind of think that roster overachieved, no?

martin
Posts: 81897
Alba Posts: 108
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #2
USA
10/19/2026  6:32 PM
Panos wrote:
martin wrote:
Panos wrote:
martin wrote:Man, Boston not in top 4 is wild

Where do you see them finish?

Top 4?

They swap Brown for Tatum, lose Simmons, and add Paul George and Mitch compared to previous season, give or take?

Ok, so 4? Or 3? Obviously my prediction on Heat at 3 is very variable and needs to be proven. And they were better than Cavs last year, but I kind of think that roster overachieved, no?

They did and added Mitch and PG.

Official sponsor of the PURE KNICKS LOVE Program
EwingsGlass
Posts: 27970
Alba Posts: 2
Joined: 4/29/2005
Member: #893
USA
10/19/2026  7:23 PM
I have Boston as my pick. I think they actually improved. Only question is whether Derrick White had a down season as the #2 option and will improve when he is back to #3. I think he does better with Tatum and George than Brown.
You know I gonna spin wit it
martin
Posts: 81897
Alba Posts: 108
Joined: 7/24/2001
Member: #2
USA
10/19/2026  9:06 PM
EwingsGlass wrote:I have Boston as my pick. I think they actually improved. Only question is whether Derrick White had a down season as the #2 option and will improve when he is back to #3. I think he does better with Tatum and George than Brown.

I’m the other Boston pick!

Official sponsor of the PURE KNICKS LOVE Program
JesseDark
Posts: 22840
Alba Posts: 0
Joined: 9/9/2003
Member: #467
10/20/2026  4:19 AM
I can see Boston cause they seem to chase that top spot and are well coached,
Bring back dee-fense
Nalod
Posts: 72851
Alba Posts: 155
Joined: 12/24/2003
Member: #508
USA
10/20/2026  9:18 AM
Boston is an interesting subject. They clearly wanted out of the Jaylen Brown business despite his gaudy numbers.
For a player of that caliber they did not get apparent value back so it looks awful. Judgement on the picks needs time.
PG13 is just two seasons removed from all star and with a player opton for next year, 56mm! his value on the surface is easy to slam. His biggest issue has been injuries and last year was suspended for an suppliment. Still that did not aid in his 4th quarter fatigue. He and Embiid just ran out of gas. But Boston is not stupid so one has to think what are they avoiding with Brown? He turns 30 soon and will want his extensinos. League is not as keen on certain numbers anymore with certain players. PG13 for example. But as said, he was playing well for while north of 30. Jaylen Brown is an intelligent player but head strong and perhaps it was just time to move on after 10 years and let Tatum have the sunlight to grow? If that was the best they could get for Brown in a trade perhaps that is telling?
one can also project that PG13 as an expiring trade next season could be added to the trade in time. Brad Stevens has proven to be a good executive so perhaps he gets the benefit of the doubt until hindsight is gained.

On the court? They got a guy that can grab a lot of offensive rebounds. Mazzula will light up ths sky raining 3's agian this year I assume. Mitch wants to play more. Mitch has a history of contact and non contact injuries. Lets see PG13 holds up. They are not contending, but they could be fun to watch.

Hang your ass: non-Knick Eastern Teams

©2001-2025 ultimateknicks.comm All rights reserved. About Us.
This site is not affiliated with the NY Knicks or the National Basketball Association in any way.
You may visit the official NY Knicks web site by clicking here.

All times (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy