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1. Boston Celtics (26-12)
After a scintillating 18-4 start to the season, the Boston Celtics have somewhat tailed off of late and have gone 8-8 since. Despite the recent struggle, they still hold the best record in the NBA as we enter the New Year, and will want to return to the Finals for the second straight year and go one better this time round. With last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, and perennial MVP candidate Jayson Tatum flanked by Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Robert Williams, and others, the Celtics look stacked and ready for another deep playoff run. Grade: A
2. Brooklyn Nets (25-12)
A 12-game winning streak has catapulted the Nets to the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference, and you could argue it’s their best run of the KD and Kyrie era. Question marks still remain over the roster, with Kyrie’s availability a constant topic of discussion, but with new Head Coach Jacque Vaughn steering the ship, the Nets finally look like a genuine contender. Grade: A-
3. Milwaukee Bucks (24-13)
Any team with Giannis Antetokounmpo on its roster is going to show up near the top of the standings. The 2021 Championship run has helped develop a culture of winning in Milwaukee, their first ring in 50 years, and it’d be hard to bet against the Bucks getting to at least the Eastern Conference Finals again. They have pieces around their superstar that compliment him perfectly, and we can surely expect a strong second half to the season. Grade: B+
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-14)
Year one of the Donovan Mitchell experiment hasn’t been without hurdles, but the dynamic backcourt of Mitchell and Darius Garland are starting to click and exhibit why the Cavs went after Mitchell in the summer. With the supreme length of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in support, this young Cavs group is trending upwards and an exciting project to keep an eye on over the next few years. Grade: B+
5. Philadelphia 76ers (22-14)
James Harden’s seemingly endless pursuit of an NBA Championship has him in a franchise with historic success, but recent struggles. The former MVP winner, and current MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid, are a force to be reckoned with when both are on song, but that happens a little too infrequently for the 76ers’ liking. In close pursuit of the teams above them, Philly are well positioned to make a run in the second half of the season. Grade: B
6. Indiana Pacers (21-17)
Maybe the surprise story of the Eastern Conference this year, the Pacers are well ahead of schedule thanks largely to the impact of Tyrese Halliburton. Flanked by defensive menace Myles Turner, elite shooter Buddy Hield, and the emergence of rookie Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers are a fun team to watch and will be hoping to stick around in the playoff positions. Grade: A-
7. Miami Heat (20-18)
After being one shot away from a second trip to the NBA Finals in three years, the Heat have taken somewhat of a step backward this year. Losing P.J. Tucker to Philadelphia has left a power-forward-shaped hole in the starting line-up, and availability issues for the Heat’s stars have halted their progression. A move will need to be made closer to the trade deadline if the Heat are serious about getting back to the Finals. Grade: C+
8. New York Knicks (20-18)
Another team that have surprised many this year, the Knicks can be pleased with their progress and find themselves in contention to make the playoffs for just the second time in the last ten seasons. Led by Julius Randle and summer acquisition Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have a fun core with R.J. Barrett in close support but are still a step away from the top tier of the Eastern Conference. Grade: B-
9. Atlanta Hawks (17-20)
At a complete juxtaposition to the Knicks, the Hawks have disappointed so far in a season that promised so much. The summer move for Dejounte Murray had experts pinning Atlanta as a playoff certainty, but it’s not been plain sailing for Nate McMillan and amid reports star man Trae Young wants out, is it already time to blow it up? Whoever said the Luka/Trae trade was a win-win…? Grade: C
10. Washington Wizards (17-22)
The Bradley Beal-led Wizards seem to be forever in tenth place. Looking for their first winning season since 2017-2018, Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma have been admirable support acts for Beal, but with a roster that lacks depth beyond its starting five, it’ll be a stretch for them to make the playoffs this year. Any odds on when the first Bradley Beal trade rumour will surface? Grade: C
11. Chicago Bulls (16-21)
Another disappointing start to the season for another team that promised so much. The start of the DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine era started so well, but after being bounced in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the Bulls have never really got going again. DeRozan and LaVine are still the standouts, but the current roster doesn’t look like it quite has enough to challenge the teams above them in pursuit of the post-season. Grade: C-
12. Toronto Raptors (16-21)
Toronto have taken a step backward this year, after an impressive season in 2021-22. On paper, the Raptors should be much higher in the standings, with the likes of Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes led by Fred VanVleet. With rumours swirling around the future of OG Anunoby, the Raptors will be keen to hold on to their young core, but for now, it’s looking like just a second season without a playoff appearance in the last ten years. Grade: C-
13. Orlando Magic (13-24)
A team in 13th place in the standings shouldn’t be this fun to watch, but they are. Rookie Paolo Banchero has been just about as dominant as expected and is almost a certainty to win Rookie of the Year. Other youngsters Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. have made the team shine at times, and coupled with the emergence of Bol Bol as a freak talent, the Magic have been an entertaining watch. Despite the intrigue, a team so young is bound to have growing pains. The future definitely looks bright down in Orlando. Grade: B-
14. Charlotte Hornets (10-28)
The absence of star player LaMelo Ball for a large chunk of the season has hurt Charlotte, but it’s a team on paper that is underperforming somewhat. There will almost certainly be no playoff basketball in Charlotte for the seventh straight year, but the future is still exciting for the Hornets with Ball at the helm. They’ll also be hoping to pull off a victory in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes come draft day… Grade: D+
15. Detroit Pistons (10-30)
Another team who will be clamouring for the 7’4” Frenchman come June, the Pistons have become accustomed to propping up the league in recent years, and currently have the worst record of all 30 teams. The face of the future for Detroit, Cade Cunningham, has barely played this season and their record speaks for itself. Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, and Isaiah Stewart all look like promising prospects, but even with a healthy Cade, this current iteration of the Detroit Pistons will be languishing at the bottom of the East for the remainder of the season. Grade: D
Team records correct at time of writing [04.01.2023].
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