NBA Eastern Conference Tier List

Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Contenders Tier:

• Celtics

Arguably the most well-constructed starting 5 in the NBA. There have some depth issues and Jaylen Brown dribbles like he is missing a few ligaments in his left arm. If Porzingis plays how he is capable, and Tatum doesn't disappear, they are surely the favorites out of the East.

• Bucks

The duo with the highest potential, and we have certainly seen glimpses of it. Dame and Giannis have a very weak supporting cast, but if they play as well as we all know that they can, it is nearly unstoppable.

• 76rs

Embiid is having another MVP-caliber season, and Tyrese Maxey has filled a huge role. This team plays very well together, but the star power outside of Embiid may not be enough to get them to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Mickey Mouse Squad Tier:

• Magic

Straight out of Orlando, this Mickey Mouse, Disney Channel, Donald Duck team is fraudulent. Nobody knows why this team is doing well, and I am simply not buying it. They are an average team in almost every statistical category, and have practically no star power. Expect their record to respond accordingly.

• Pacers

What Tyrese Haliburton is doing for the Pacers is 2018 Lebron-level carrying. Every other player on the roster is below average at their position, including Myles Turner who couldn’t hold a middle schooler under 20 points if he tried.

Playoff Locks Tier:

• Knicks

This team fights for boards and can score from all three levels. If Julius Randle can play aggressively and find his way into the paint, the Knicks are actually a really solid squad. Despite this, they are a meme team, and their ceiling is likely getting swept in the second round.

• Cavs

The most confusing team on this list. On paper, they have the second or third-best starting lineup in the East, with scoring and defense both at elite potentials. With that said, they manage to throw games away, shoot inefficiently, and occasionally not play together as a team. Don't be surprised if they finish 4th in the East, or 9th.

• Heat

Jimmy Butler is the worst of all superstars, Bam is solid but not great, Caleb Martin is flashy but not consistent, and the rest of the team is straight from the G-League. Yet still, they remain capable of beating absolutely anyone, and a lot of the credit goes to head coach Eric Spoelstra. This team truly plays together, and made it to the finals last year for a reason.

Adam Silver, Thanks For the Play-In Tier:

• Nets

They lack star power, but are a relatively well-constructed roster. Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas are good players, and pretty much everyone else is an average role player.

• Hornets

A surprisingly high ceiling, as they have one of the best starting lineups in the East (Ball, Rozier, Miller, Bridges, Williams). They have played about 2 games together due to injuries and suspensions, but that doesn't mask the fact that they are 2nd worst in defense, have some of the worst depth in the league, and struggle to get consistency out of Hayward and Washington.

• Hawks

Ice Trae. They can make some noise, but don't have the depth and consistency to sustain enough regular season wins to keep them from facing the Bucks or Celtics first round.

• Bulls

They have strung some wins together, but it is very easy to look past it. Zach Lavine is somewhere crying not playing basketball, Derozan is showing his age and losing consistency, and Lonzo Ball hasn't touched a basketball in 3 years.

• Raptors

I don't know if anyone on this team knows a singular offensive basketball move. Led by Pascal Siakim, this team plays pretty good defense, and that is about it. Scottie Barnes is quietly having a very impressive season.

$2 Courtside Ticket Tier:

• Wizards

Words can't describe how bad this team is. To think that John Wall and Bradley Beal ever played in this arena before is mind-blowing. Kuzma and Poole are the worst duo in the league, and they have a center (Daniel Gafford) who probably isn't tall enough to go on the big rides at Six Flags.

• Pistons

What a dumpster fire this team turned out to be. Ausar may be a great defender, but he is probably the worst shooter in the entire league. (14% from 3). There is somewhat of a future here, but they seem allergic to winning at this point.