Cavaliers vs Pistons
The Cavs have a load of question marks right now. We don't know if Andrew Bynum is going to contribute at all, Varejao is coming off a big injury, there's a logjam at the forward spots - it's just tough to predict what they'll be like.
Potentially they can be really good, imagine Bynum returning to full form and Bennett or Clark excelling at the SF position. Then this is an extremly talented team with a great bench, their absolute ceiling next year is probably a top 5 team in the East.
Realistically that most probably won't happen, you know either Bynum or Varejao is probably going to get injured, there will probably be some chemistry issues with guys like CJ Miles and Bennett getting much less minutes than they expected. But I'd say they make the playoffs.
I think Detroit should be better next season - they're more mature and experienced.
The Cavs, Wizards, and Pistons are all on the rise. I think Cleveland is going to have a better team than Detroit. The Cavs need to be healthy for this to happen but I think the Cavs backcourt is going to be a lot better. Irving, Waiters, and Jack is a much better backcourt than Knight, Stucky, Billups and KCP. The thing I think that separates them the most is that the Cavs have Irving. If Bynum is Healthy I think Cavs have a better shot at getting a higher seed. Im looking forward to a renewed rivalry.
I'm high on the Cavs this year. I'm not certain they are done making moves. The well noted logjam at the 4/5 could go in their favor when they attempt a trade. Last year Varejao was on fire before he got hurt. So essentially, you are bringing in/back, Varejao, Bynum, Jack, Clark, Karasev, and Bennett. Now through in an always improving Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters in his second season, and you have a pretty good team. No, they will not leapfrog anyone like the Heat, Bulls, Pacers, Knicks, or Nets, but they should make the playoffs. Even if Bynum or Varejao get hurt, you still have the other one AND Tyler Zeller (who is also no slouch). I'm not as concerned about possible injuries as others are. You can control their minutes to lessen the risk of injury because you have so many guys that can play. Pistons have certainly improved, but I think that the Cavs are ready to make the next step.
Pistons Lineup
PG - Brandon Knight / Will Bynum / Chauncey Billups / Peyton Siva
SG - Rodney Stuckey / Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Kyle Singler
SF - Kyle Singler / Josh Smith / Tony Mitchell / Khris Middleton / Jonas Jerebko
PF - Josh Smith / Luigi Datome / Charlie Villanueva / Tony Mitchell
C - Greg Monroe / Andre Drummond / Kravtsov V
Chauncey will also be spending some time at the sg
Josh smith is going to start at sf not pf
Monroe is going to start at pf not c
Drummond is going to start at c
Monroe will play c when drummond goes to the bench
Josh smith will play pf when either monroe or drummond isnt in the game
Luigi datome was brought in to play sf
i think it will be cleveland and washington getting those 7th and 8th seeds. i really think there will be 2 spots to fight for, miluakkee's and boston's. i think atlanta will probably still be in the playoffs with their team now.
i think the way the league is thinking right now is playoffs or tank. i'm interested to see what starts happening when the season starts to play out and what these teams do. i still think the pistons and raptors pick around 9-13 next year. both barely missing. and cleveland and washington make the steps into the playoffs.
I like the Cavs roster a lot better...especially if Bennett can end up starting at the 3...
The Pistons lack of shooting really concerns me, If Kyle Singler starts that just sad...and with Josh Smith starting at the 3, who is going to score??? I guess Billups and Monroe? I dont really see it...
These two teams had a decent rivalry back in the mid 2000's and started rebuilding at around the same time. This year, both teams are looking to compete for a playoff spot. Who do you think has the better team right now?
Cavaliers roster / Lineup
PG - Kyrie Irving / Jarrett Jack / Dion Waiters
SG - Dion Waiters / Sergey Karasev / C.J. Miles / Jarrett Jack / Carrick Felix
SF - Earl Clark / Alonzo Gee / Anthony Bennett
PF - Tristan Thompson / Anthony Bennett / Anderson Varejao
C - Andrew Bynum / Anderson Varejao / Tyler Zeller
(Hopefully, Matthew Dellavedova and Kenny Kadji make the team.)
Pistons Lineup
PG - Brandon Knight / Will Bynum / Chauncey Billups / Peyton Siva
SG - Rodney Stuckey / Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Kyle Singler
SF - Kyle Singler / Josh Smith / Tony Mitchell / Khris Middleton / Jonas Jerebko
PF - Josh Smith / Luigi Datome / Charlie Villanueva / Tony Mitchell
C - Greg Monroe / Andre Drummond / Kravtsov Viacheslav
Both teams have depth. The pistons have a great frontcourt while the cavs have a better backcourt. Also, both teams have new proven head coaches. I honestly can see them both making the playoffs ahead of a team like the wizards.