2012-13 Record: 45-37
Key Additions: Mike Dunleav, Tony Snell, Erik Murphy
Key Losses: Marco Belinelli, Richard Hamilton and Nate Robinson
Bulls didn't exactly do a lot in the off-season, after getting Mike Dunleavy and adding a couple of rookies in the draft the Bulls have become dormant.
Except for the drama on the downfall of contract negotiations with soon to be free agent Luol Deng there wasn't any news about Chicago. Or is there? Wait Derrick Rose is back! And because he is the Bulls jump back into championship contention. With the core of Noah, Boozer, Deng, Butler, Hinrich and Rose the Bulls are set to contend.
The Bulls lost good players in the off-season but they got back their MVP who has shown in the pre-season he still got it. My concern for Rose though is he seem too eager to slug it out when it's only the preseason where games don't really matter. Whoah, settle down boy it's a long season and you'll get your chance.
2012-13 Record: 24-58
Key Additions: Anthony Bennett, Andrew Bynum, Earl Clark, Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasev
Key Losses: Marreese Speights
With Kyrie emerging as one of the best PG's in the league the Cavs are knocking on the door for a return to the play-offs since LeBron James left Ohio.
Dan Gilbert did a lot of spending in the off-season building around it's talented young point guard, and with a stroke of luck managed to get another #1 overall pick and used it for... Anthony Bennett? While the guy has his qualifications as number 1 many questions were raised after he was taken. He's still recuperating from a previous injury sustained in college and is having a slow transition in the pro's. While he may take time to recuperate one intriguing addition is Andrew Bynum.
Bynum before the injury filled year in Philadelphia was regarded the most polished offensive center in the league. Because of his body and great footwork Bynum was an All-Star before he got traded to the 76ers in an uneventful year where the public saw him sit out the whole season. A healthy Andrew Bynum elevates these Cavs to serious play-off contention, make no mistake about it. While Kyrie Irving is the star of this Cavs, Bynum could be make or brake for them, he's just a big part of the puzzle for the Cavs right now.
PS. They got Mike Brown back as their coach.
2012-13 Record: 29-53
Key Additions: Chauncey Billups, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith
Key Losses: Jose Calderon and Brandon Knight
The Pistons brought back a piece of nostalgia when they got Chauncey back at the helm, as for the other additions? Well let's say I just can't figure out what Joe Dumars wants to do with his team.
Pistons are a young team and yes they want to be fast, but giving the ball to Jennings to do the job? Doesn't cut it. Brandon is a shot jocker in the very sense of the word, he is looking for his shot and although Dumars might be hoping Chauncey might share some valuable knowledge for Brandon I think what's natural would still come out. And that's not even talking about Josh Smith who'd rather chuck his shots from the outside than use his amazing athleticism to squeeze into the hoop for easy hoops.
Drummond and Greg Monroe still needs polishing but if they figure each other out and things pan out well for the Pistons this is a dangerous team no doubt about it.
PS. Mo Cheeks is now running the show in Detroit
2012-13 Record: 49-32
Key Additions: Chris Copeland, Solomon Hill, Luis Scola and C.J. Watson
Key Losses: Tyler Hansbrough and D.J. Augustin
Fresh from being a win away from getting bcak into the NBA Finals, the Pacers barge into the season full of hope and expectations.
Larry Bird returned as President of basketball operations and his first order of business is finalize an agreement with Paul George as the new face of the franchise handing him with a multi-year contract extension and almost handing him the key to the Pacers franchise.
Indiana revamped it's roster in the off-season. If the question for Indiana is continuation as soon as they get to the bench, the Pacers management responded by seeking trusted veterans throughout the league who can sustain their momentum as games progressed. The casualties include my personal favorite Tyler Hansbrough who was shifted to Toronto, a move that devastated him personally, The Pacers got better though on paper.
Indiana needs to work on its chemistry now because it's evident in the off-season that they were on and off and weren't that aware of each other in the early goings. Especially against Chicago where Derrick Rose blitzed them out in a lot of play, rusty and all.
Key Additions: Caron Butler, Carlos Delfino, Brandon Knight, O.J. Mayo, Zaza Pachulia and Luke Ridnour, Gary Neal
Key Losses: Samuel Dalembert, Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings and J.J. Redick
I have actually read a lot of blogs questioning what the Bucks were doing with their roster. Me personally, liked who they were bringing against who they lost? Bucks got more talented, got better and more consistent that what they had last year.
Ridnour is a consistent PG and could mesh well with Mayo or anybody in the backcourt because he's unselfish, and if I am not mistaken this is his second tour of duty in Milwaukee and that could bolster support from thei home crown since Luke was a fan favorite when they marched in the play-offs in 2010.
Plus they got even more scorers than last year limited to the shot jocking of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings team. They got Mayo now and Caron Butler and the sweet shooting Gary Neal fresh from the NBA finals this year. Bucks got better I don't know what the other bloggers are looking at.
PS. Former Atlanta coach Larry Drew packed his bags and relocated to Wisconsin state, home of the Bucks.
That's all for now, still have 5 more divisions to review, 'til then keep on reading guys.
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