The NBA is currently making waves into continuing the 2019-2020 season. With a July 30 start date for the eight regular-season games, many have stumbled across the idea that their team could take advantage of the unique situation and win a title. Only nine teams from the Eastern Conference were invited to Orlando, Florida: the original eight teams that were currently holding the top seeds and the Washington Wizards who were 5.5 games out of the eighth seed. Here are each Eastern Conference teams’ pros and cons to the 2019-2020 playoffs
Milwaukee Bucks (53-12)
Pro:
The Bucks have a title hungry Giannis Antetokounmpo, who, last year, won his first MVP and could repeat.
Con:
The Bucks will need to find another player outside of Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to become their third scoring option consistently. They need Eric Bledsoe or Brook Lopez to take another step on the offensive side of the ball.
Toronto Raptors (46-18)
Pro:
One of the better benches in the league, the bench can win games and extend leads. Nick Nurse could run multiple lineups during the playoffs and have the offensive and defensive weapons coming off the bench.
Con:
The Raptors do not have a superstar anymore. Last year, the team had Kawhi Leonard, and his impact resulted in their first championship. This year, they are without Leonard, and while Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry are great players, they are not considered superstars.
Boston Celtics (43-21)
Pro:
Team chemistry is at an all-time high. This Celtics team has been fluid when they are on the court. Ball movement and personality egos have been a detriment to past Celtic teams. This year, however, the Celtics can harmonize with one another.
Con:
A defensive big man. With Robert Williams still developing and dealing with injuries, the Celtics rely on Enes Kanter as their center to come off the bench. Offensively Kanter matches up well, and he can rebound the ball greatly. But what Williams provides, and what the Celtics need more of, is the presence of a defensive-minded center.
Miami Heat (41-24)
Pro:
Grit. This team is built to win physical games. Much like the Memphis Grizzlies of the past the team plays incredible defense and can shoot the three with ease.
Con:
The Heat have no clutch scorers. An argument could be debated for Jimmy Butler, but as a consistent shooter who can take the game-winning shot confidently, the Miami Heat are lacking in that category.
Indiana Pacers (39-26)
Pro:
Experience is the best that this team has to offer. This core group of guys made it to the playoffs last year but were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics. Having that experience should help the team learn and progress for a deeper run.
Con:
Injuries. Victor Oladipo had just returned to the team and was on limited minutes before the season took a hiatus. Jeremy Lamb is also dealing with an injury to his knee and it is unclear if he’ll be able to return for the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers (39-26)
Pro:
Joel Embiid. No other center in the Eastern Conference can match up with Embiid. Embiid has the drive to prove doubters wrong that he can lead a team to a championship.
Con:
Chemistry. The team has struggled with finding a way to make both Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid happy. Both players are best suited for working in the paint, causing serious spacing complications. Both players have taken minor shots at one another throughout the season. Other players such as Al Horford had come out to the media saying that he is unhappy with his role and the team.
Brooklyn Nets (30-34)
Pro:
The three-point shot. Spencer Dinwiddie and company are all excellent shooters. They will be able to win games solely on the three-pointer.
Con:
No Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant. Irving and Durant are healthy enough to make an appearance during the playoffs, but both players have said that they will sit out the remainder of the season.
Orlando Magic (30-35)
Pro:
Youth. The Magic are a very young team and after a few months of being withheld from playing basketball, their journey to recovery will be easier than teams with older rosters.
Con:
Inexperience and Talent. Only a handful of Magic players have been to the playoffs, and very few have seen success in the playoffs. With the talent on their roster, it will be hard for the team to expand that experience.
Washington Wizards (24-40)
Pro:
Bradley Beal. Beal is one of the best scorers in the conference. With him on the court, the Wizards have a chance to make the playoffs.
Con:
Eight-game regular season. With only eight games to make the playoffs, the Wizards would need to win more than six of them to contend. And not only do they need to win, but they also need both the Nets or Magic to lose more than half of those games.
