When LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and attracted Kevin Love, Shawn Marion, and Mike Miller to join him, it seemed clear that they were the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
With Derrick Rose’s return to the Chicago Bulls, the East was supposed to be down to those two teams. But Rose hasn’t been able to stay healthy and the Cavaliers have stumbled out of the gate with a 7-7 record.
While the teams everyone thought would be 1-2 in the Eastern Conference deal with their issues, it has been the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards that have battled for top spot. It might still be early, but it’s clear both the Raptors and Wizards have the tools to finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference this season.
Raptors Favored To Win The Title?
If you look at the ESPN’s odds designed by John Hollinger, you’ll find that the Toronto Raptors are in fact the favorite to win the NBA Championship.
As hard as that is to believe, they are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the best record in the NBA at 13-2. That’s mostly thanks in big part to one of the best guard tandems in the league in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. There is a good chance that both will make the All-Star team this year, as they have each averaged more than 18 points for an offense that ranks second in the NBA in points per game.
The development of center Jonas Valanciunas remains the long term key for Toronto and, while the jury is still out on whether this team can handle the pressures that come with playoff basketball considering how they have played early on, it’s clear they have what it takes to post the best record in the Eastern Conference.
An underrated aspect of their success has been the fact that they have such great chemistry and that they have given a consistent effort every night. Those are two things the Cavaliers and Bulls can’t say they do.
Wizards Flying Under The Radar
The Wizards are in a similar situation with chemistry and effort playing key roles in their early success. John Wall and Bradley Beal have done an excellent job in Washington’s backcourt, while the arrival of veteran Paul Pierce has brought an element of experience to the table that the team didn’t have before.
Marcin Gortat and Nene have been excellent down low at both ends of the floor and, while they may not have the same level of depth that Toronto has, the quality of their starting five is strong enough to really carry them this season. The Wizards could have a tough time keeping up with the Raptors, but they certainly have enough talent to challenge for top spot in the Eastern Conference
Chemistry & Consistency
Chemistry and consistent effort are two things that the Cavaliers have lacked early on. While they could certainly pull it together as the season progresses, it might not be enough to beat out Toronto or Washington for top spot. Chicago is dealing with more injury problems as far as Rose is concerned and, without him, they could have a tough time keeping up.
The talent, depth, chemistry, and consistent effort is all there when it comes to the Raptors and Wizards and that is why they both have the potential to challenge for top spot in the East this season.
