Well I hope Jermaine O’Neil works out or the Raptors might be staring at a lottery spot come April.

As the team introduces their new big man today, the rest of the conference is beefing up as well.

The Eastern Conference got a lot stronger last night when Elton Brand decided to leave L.A. and head for Philly. So now one of the youngest and most athletic teams in the NBA just added a dominate big man to the rotation.

Assuming they keep Iggy and do not make any other moves, the Sixers now have a starting lineup that includes Andre Miller, Andra Iguodala, Sam Dalembart and now Brand. They were already terrors on the boards and adding Brand will really make them tough.

And it does not stop there when looking at the landscape of the East

The Orlando Magic are expected to sign free agent Mickael Pietrus at some point giving them a boost at shooting guard. So that means a team that beat out the Raptors last season is going to be better, not even factoring in they have one of the best players in the game in Dwight Howard.

The Bulls are going to return to form with the addition of Rose and should make the playoffs easy (I thought that last year as well).

The Pacers got better on draft night, the Nets are going to bounce back with their youth movement and even the Knicks are going to be at least competitive this year. Hell if the Heat get a point guard they will be in the mix as well if D-Wade and Beasley don’t get hurt.

This is how the East finished last year.

Boston
Detroit
Orlando
Cleveland
Washington
Toronto
Philadelphia
Atlanta
——
Indiana
New Jersey
Chicago
Charlotte
Milwaukee
New York
Miami

basketball backboard

Of the top eight you have to figure Boston, Detroit, Orlando and Cleveland are automatic. Cleveland only because they have LBJ.

So then there are four spots to fight for between Atlanta, Toronto, Washington, Chicago and Philly.

If the Hawks don’t get Josh Smith back, you could throw Indiana into that mix or even the Nets.

There is always one surprise team (Philly last year) so that is where I would look for the Bucks or Heat to make a sudden rise.

Basically the East is not a lock anymore for the Raptors to get in the playoffs. Last season’s record of 41-41 may not do it and they certainly can’t afford injuries to Bosh or O’Neil or Calderon for long stretches of time.

Elton Brand moving to the East is part of the continuing trend that we all knew was coming. The East could not stay bad forever and it is time for the Raptors to prove they belong.

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