NBA Division Preview: Central

NBA CENTRAL DIVISION PREVIEW

It’s going to be tough to beat out a healthy Cleveland Cavaliers team. Both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are question marks heading into the start of the regular season. Even with the two All Stars on the bench the Cavs are still the team to beat in the East. There are other teams in the Central and if they can make it somewhat competitive then this could be a fun division to watch unfold.

Cleveland Cavaliers- Coming off a Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors in 6 games the Cavaliers are determined to get back to the mountaintop and ultimately capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy. They have the best player in the game still in LeBron James; they have one of the best young stars in Kyrie Irving, and one of the best shooting big men in the game in Kevin Love. James showed that he wasn't phased by losing his top two teammates and had the Cavs on the verge of winning a title, ultimately falling short. Offseason additions included Richard Jefferson and Mo Williams to add some more veteran leadership. With a healthy starting five the Cavaliers are the overwhelming favorites to come out of the east. 

Player to watch: Kevin Love

Prediction: 59-23

Chicago Bulls- The Bulls are a mystery when they really shouldn’t be. Derrick Rose is (finally) ‘healthy’, whatever that means for him. The former MVP was injured when training camp began after suffering a broken bone in his eye; all indications are that he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. On paper you can make the case that the Bulls can be a real threat to the Cavaliers but have yet to prove it when it matters. Along side Rose you have rising star Jimmy Butler who is only getting better, and the duo of Paul Gasol and Joakim Noah anchoring the inside. The question of healthy has plagued the Bulls over the years and this year unfortunately is no different, IF the Bulls are healthy then they can be a force, but that’s a big if though.

Player to watch: Jimmy Butler

Prediction: 51-31

Milwaukee Bucks- The Bucks are definitely a team on the rise in the East. They might not get there this year but they are going to make a splash. They’ll get a huge boost this year when the 2^nd overall pick in 2014, Jabari Parker, makes his return after tearing his ACL and missing the final 57 games last season.

The Bucks are a team with a lot of length and that will frustrate teams this year; third year point guard Michael Cater-Williams hopes to lead a young nucleus of talent to a deeper run in the playoffs. The Bucks went out and got their big man in former Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe, Monroe should help a young nucleus of talent keep climbing that ladder to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Player to watch: Jabari Parker

Prediction: 46-36

Detroit Pistons- The Pistons haven’t had much success in recent years, their 32 wins last season were the most since they won 39 in 2008-09. Prior to that the Pistons had made it six straight Eastern Conference Finals. The fans in Detroit hope head coach Stan Van Gundy can take them back to that level sometime in the near future. Much like Milwaukee, Detroit has a young group and a very talented group. Andre Drummond is the man in the middle and the building block for the organization going forward. Drummond is young, only 22, but has the makings of someone who can be one of the top centers in the game. Point guard Brandon Jennings had the Pistons right in the middle of the conference but after suffering a ruptured achilles and was lost for the year, Jennings looks to return to form and be a running mate with last years free-agent signing Reggie Jackson. If the tandem can co-exist they the Pistons will make some sort of noise in the East. But it won’t be very loud.

Player to watch: Stanley Johnson

Prediction: 41-41

Indiana Pacers- The success of the Pacers this year will fall on the shoulders of one man, Paul George. Before suffering a gruesome leg injury two years ago, George played in the final six games last season to get some actual playing time under his belt. If he can return to the level he was before the injury, which was one of the top players in the NBA, the Pacers will have a chance. A chance to win 40 games. Larry Bird went out and got Monta Ellis to take some of the pressure of George, but the pressure is still going to be there. I wouldn’t expect the Pacers to make a run in the East but 40 wins might have them fighting for the 8^th seed.

Player to watch: Paul George

Prediction: 40-42

Written by Stephen Springer, follow him on Twitter @Stephen_Springs