The beasts have been asleep since June and slept through a gruesome summer of healing. What’s next for the Eastern conference’s teams who look to fight it out to reign supreme in 2024? Milwaukee changed the hands of Dame Time and look rejuvenated with a new head coach. Boston can’t figure out if Joe Mazzula is their coach of the future. Philadelphia’s biggest concern is more than what people think and Miami is the quiet beast who lurks around to devour the weakest beast in the East. As the late Heath Ledger said in The Dark Knight: “Here… We… Go!”
Milwaukee Bucks: Dame Time has arrived on schedule for the Bucks as they look to reign supreme in the East. After last season’s disappointing first round exit, the team needed a new voice. Head coach Mike Budenholzer was fired two seasons after leading the Bucks to the Finals. Not adjusting and relying on his own judgement led to his exit out of Milwaukee. A team who dealt with injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton hampered the Bucks title chances.
Milwaukee took notice to Giannis’ comments and made a coaching change, along with acquiring Damian Lillard from Portland. First year Head Coach Adrian Griffin was hired over the summer and to have Giannis and Dame in his inaugural season is icing on the cake. The Bucks said goodbye to all-star Jrue Holiday, who was a part of the Dame trade package. The window is still open and win now mode resonates with Milwaukee.
Can the new look Bucks win it all in 2024? Yes, here’s why. Milwaukee is expected to win the Finals; not only get there but to dominate the Eastern conference. Coach Griffin is going to have the luxury of playing big lineups with Giannis, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. Or he can play small with one big on the floor depending on the matchups. There’s no excuse as to why Coach Griffin can’t succeed with this team. I believe his old school philosophy will be the identity of Milwaukee; defense should be top five in the league. Pick and roll offense will be a masterclass with Dame and Giannis. Look for Milwaukee to be primed and ready to play into late June.
Boston Celtics: Who’s the closer for this team has been the struggle for a team who’s been overwhelmed at times. Joe Mazzula enters his second season as the head coach with little to be desired. Credit, he’s had the luxury of a great roster, but lack of motivation shows their true colors. Superstars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are sensational talents but play erratic in clutch moments. The lack of awareness has hampered Boston. Joe Mazzula reminds me of coach who clearly push the right buttons. Players have tuned him out; this was obvious
during the East finals last season.
There’s night’s Coach Mazzula looks comfortable, then panics like a deer in headlights. General Manager Brad Stevens has given him the support and roster to get back to winning ways. Hiring former ESPN NBA commentator and New York Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy as consultant sounds like his time is ticking. Boston has exalted and went to the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals; but have fell short of winning a title.
Can Boston finally win a title with Joe Mazzula as their coach? No, here’s my “khaotik” perspective. Boston still hasn’t addressed who the closer is; rather it’s Brown or Tatum. When the game gets tight, both players make bad decisions and cost a timely possession. You can’t be a title contender with the same guys making mistakes and expect to compete night in and out. Joe Mazzula must figure out the ideal lineup to close the deal. Veteran guard and NBA champion Jrue Holiday brings a defensive prowess along with scoring to replace Marcus Smart. Boston finds themselves looking around relying on their superstars to bail them out.
You can say they caught a big break against Philadelphia, but that’s neither here nor there. Point is, Boston has built this roster and possibly reached its ceiling with Coach Mazzula. It may be year two, but this roster feels like an inevitable breakup is on the horizons after this season. Adding Kristaps Porzingis doesn’t move the needle in winning a title. Overall, Brad Stevens is making the decisions to assemble the best roster and it’s up to Coach Mazzula in getting back to the Finals. If they fall short… Best believe Brad Stevens will make a tough decision next
offseason.
Philadelphia 76ers: Can a 'Nurse' heal Philly’s broken hearts and restore confidence in a solid roster? First year head coach Nick Nurse inherits a familiar team whom he beat while coaching Toronto enroute to their first championship. But… he’s on the Sixers side as he navigates through drama like a soap opera on television. He’s
had to answer questions about disgruntled star James Harden and seems to handle it very well. Not fazed by the noise, Nick Nurse is focused on who’s team versus James Harden.
This is one coach who understands the assignment and prepare as if Harden isn’t there. I applaud his honesty and keeping it business versus commenting on a situation he’s not a part of. Most coaches would’ve gone out of pocket to add more fuel to the fire. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid has been the cornerstone piece who’s caught debate as to if he’s capable of leading the Sixers to the East finals. Health and internal issues have shattered “dreams and nightmares” for Philadelphia. They seemingly can’t escape this nightmare of falling short; exalted draft equity, bad contracts given to Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris. Coaching issues in situational basketball moments.
Can Philadelphia finally wake up from this bad nightmare and win it all? No, allow me to explain. Joel Embiid has been injured during the postseason; rather it’s illness or ankle, knee, Philly’s title hopes rest on the shoulders of their superstar. Sixers fans have waited for an Eastern Conference Finals appearance and haven't been there since 2001!
Yes, it’s been that long of a drought; Sixers legend and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson led Philly to the East Finals and their last NBA Finals appearance. Fans have waited for their team to make it beyond the second round. Can a Nurse heal this team and have the right medication for a title run? All these questions and more
will be answered in 2024.
Miami Heat: A quiet beast who’s always lurking in the shadows like thief in the night. You don’t see them until they’ve arrived unannounced. Miami has overachieved with this roster and stayed the course. This team has been together five seasons and went beyond than most would think. Led by Jimmy Butler, the Heat have been places. Not too bad for a guy whose work ethics fit what Heat culture is about. Coach Erik Spoelstra has done more with less talent and prepared Miami every night. Bam Adebayo has been a solid all-star player, but Miami needs more of him to compete against the superior teams. Solid player but has been up and down in clutch moments.
Will Miami bring the Heat in 2024 and cross the bridge to a title? Maybe, and here’s how and why it’s a remote chance. Miami losing Gabe Vincent (Lakers) and Max Strus (traded to Cavaliers) depleted their depth. Both players were impactful in the postseason and will be missed. Gabe was a reliable point guard and solid shooter, whereas Strus’ energy and clutch shooting can’t be replaced. There’s still Tyler Herro who needs to really take the leap in helping Miami fill the scoring voids left by Vincent and Struss. Duncan Robinson has his moments of a hot streak but isn't the best defender. Kyle Lowry’s hamstrings are hanging by a thread and can’t be reliable during the season or postseason.
Miami had high hopes of trading for Damian Lillard, but Milwaukee had other plans in mind. For a team whose culture is their identity, it’s a safe bet they’ll always be in title contention. Playoff Jimmy is a real myth and aura, but his problem is sustaining enough energy to get through the Finals. He’s given great playoff performances, but it’s the Finals where he’s fell short of capping off a title. Someone else not named Jimmy Butler needs to step up and help take the pressure off him. Whether that’s Tyler Herro or whomever else Miami has, it’ll take everyone to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy at center court in June.
May the beasts of the east give us exciting basketball in 2024. Until then… Stai tuned…
