Purple&Blues Q&A : Eastern Conference
By Cody Powers
Feb 1, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Marreese Speights (15) and Detroit Pistons shooting guard Kyle Singler (25) battle for position during the fourth quarter at The Palace. Detroit won 117-99. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
2. Which team that didn’t make the playoffs last season, will make the playoffs this season?
Haslam – Cleveland and Washington- I absolutely love Kyrie Irving and think he is the best point guard in the NBA and if he can stay healthy that lineup is dangerous! Also the Wizards are an above .500 team when John Wall plays.
L. McDermott – Detroit Pistons. They already have talented young bigs in Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe but they made quite the spalsh in free agency to help those guys out. They added Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith and Chauncey Billups through Free Agency and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tony Mitchell and Peyton Siva via the draft. Throw in some solid role players in Kyle Singler, Jonas Jerebko, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum and you’ve got yourself a playoff team, not to mention a team that could be very fun to watch. If Billups can help Jennings develop those point guard skills even more, watch out.
R. McDermott – I’ll go with the Cavs. Kyrie has a breakout year and the youngs guys, Bennett, Zeller, Waiters (who I think is horrible) step up their games. Plus Bynum and a Healthy Varajao (spelling) make a good front court.
Newman – The Cavs and the Pistons have a great chance of making the playoffs this season. I’m really excited about this Cavs team though. They will be a fun team to watch with Irving, Bennett and Bynum. Kyrie Irving might possibly make a run at the MVP award this season.
Anderson – I like the Cavs chances, but I’m going to go with the Charlotte Bobcats.
Powers – I really like Cleveland this season. Kyrie is one of the best young point guards in the league. Bynum needs to stay healthy this season and they get Varajao back, that could be a solid frontcourt. I also like Detroit and what they’ve done this off season.