The Eastern Conference Central Division features the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, the defending NBA champions.
Unlike the Atlantic Division it is seen as a less competitive division at this moment, with several teams seeking growth from the rebuilding of recent times.
Here we look at the task the Orlando Magic will face from the teams of the Eastern Conference Central Division.
CHICAGO BULLS
The Bulls have firmly set themselves the target of being part of the Eastern Conference playoff picture and not just as first round canon fodder. As such there has been heavy investment into the depth of the team.
Key Arrivals
DeMar DeRozan (SG), Lonzo Ball (PG), Alex Caruso (PG), Derrick Jones Jr (SF), Tony Bradley (C)
Key Departures
Lauri Markkanen (F/C), Thaddeus Young (PF), Tomas Satoransky (PG), Daniel Thies (C), Al-Farouq Aminu (F), Garrett Temple (G/F)
Extensions and Re-signings
Javonte Green (G), Evan Dotson (PG)
Potential Starting Lineup
Lonzo Ball (PG), Zach LaVine (SG), DeMar DeRozan (SF), Patrick Williams (PF), Nikola Vucevic (C)
As Magic fans we need no introduction to the play of Vucevic. Not a great defender but he is a double-double machine for points and rebounding. The Bulls have a great amount of ball-handling abilities from the quartet of Ball, Caruso, LaVine and DeRozan. Both LaVine and DeRozan are interchangeable so could easily swap positions.
However depth could be an issue outside of the starting 5 and Vooch may well be required to play a lot of minutes.
Matchups With Orlando
Nov 26th (H), Jan 3rd (A), Jan 23rd (H), Feb 1st (A)
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
As with Philly and Simmons, the Cavs off-season could be defined by how they resolve the Kevin Love contract. Love has 2 years remaining and is due to be paid $60 million. He is rumoured to be uninterested in the option of a buyout, has not requested a trade but would like a new start before the trade window closes.
Key Arrivals
Ricky Rubio (PG), Lauri Markkanen (F/C), Evan Mobley (PF) (rookie)
Key Departures
Larry Nance Jr (F), Tauren Prince (F), Matthew Dellavedova (PG)
Extensions and Re-signings
Jarrett Allen (C) (5 years at $100 million)
Potential Starting Lineup
Darius Garland (PG), Colin Sexton (SG), Isaac Okoro (SF), Kevin Love (PF), Jarrett Allen (C)
Last season saw the Cavs finish just ahead of the Magic in the Eastern Conference. They lucked out in the draft moving up to third and took Evan Mobley. This helped cause a logjam at the power forward position and who starts is a big question. Out of respect for the veteran (as here) it could be Love. Maybe Mobley walks straight into the spot, which will likely be his by later in the season. Throw in Markkanen, who the Bulls are paying a lot of money to and you can see the dilemma faced by head coach JB Bickerstaff.
The Cavs have a good backcourt both in the starting unit and backups. Garland, Sexton, Rubio and Cedi Osman are all effective players. At centre Jarrett Allen is a beast and securing his future services was a strong building block for Cleveland.
However in losing Nance their defensive play could be a weakened facet and as with many teams the need for wing shooting has not been fully addressed.
Matchups With Orlando
Nov 23rd (A), Mar 28th (A), Apr 5th (H) – 2 games in Detroit and 1 in Orlando
DETROIT PISTONS
The Cade Cunningham era for the Pistons begins. Having secured the number 1 pick in the Draft the question is what have they to put around him?
Key Arrivals
Kelly Olynyk (F/C), Trey Lyles (F/C), Cade Cunningham (SG) (rookie)
Key Departures
Wayne Ellington (SG), Mason Plumlee (C)
Extensions and Re-signings
Hamidou Diallo (G/F), Cory Joseph (PG), Rodney McGruder (G), Frank Jackson (G)
Potential Starting Lineup
Killian Hayes (PG), Cade Cunningham (SG), Sadiq Bey (SF), Jerami Grant (PF), Isaiah Stewart (C)
Four starters have Ben acquired in the past two drafts! That is a very young team and as with Orlando that means the consensus of opinion is that it won’t equate to many wins. As with the Magic we have already seen the backcourt pairing during Summer League in Las Vegas.
The bench has been strengthened a little by the acquisition of Olynyk and Lyles. However, as with Orlando the Pistons are still expected to be in the hunt for the best lottery odds for 2022. That being said they could be entertaining to watch develop.
Matchups With Orlando
Oct 30th (A), Jan 8th (A), Jan 28th (H), Mar 17th (H)
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers biggest changes has been at the position of head coach, investing in Rick Carlisle. The return from a season long injury absence of TJ Warren is an awaited boost to the team.
Key Arrivals
Torrey Craig (G/F), Chris Duarte (G) (rookie), Isaiah Jackson (F) (rookie)
Key Departures
Doug McDermott (F), Aaron Holiday (G)
Extensions and Re-signings
TJ McConnell (PG)
Potential Starting Lineup
Malcolm Brogdon (PG), Chris LeVert (SG), TJ Warren (SF), Domantas Sabonis (PF), Myles Turner (C)
The Pacers were very quiet this summer but as you look at their starting unit you can understand why. Changing the Coach will need to have an impact.
The return of the versatile forward TJWarren and his ability to score in bunches is huge for Indiana. The starting unit is packed with talent from the passing and scoring of Sabonis, the defence of Turner and the all round play of LeVert.
From the bench the tenacious and energetic McConnell leads, with support from Jeremy Lamb, Torrey Craig and Justin Holiday it is certain that the Pacers will be an opponent that many teams find themselves bettered by.
Matchups With Orlando
Feb 2nd (A), Feb 28th (H), Mar 2nd (H) – 2 games in Orlando and 1 in Indianapolis
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The defending champions have the depth and ability to mount a run to retain the crown. There is a strong argument that with the moves made they have improved upon the team that landed the title.
Key Arrivals
George Hill (PG), Grayson Allen (SG), Rodney Hood (SF), Semi Ojeleye (F)
Key Departures
PJ Tucker (PF), Bryn Forbes (SG)
Extensions and Re-signings
Bobby Portis (PF) (2 years at $9 million), Thanasis Antetekounmpo (C)
Potential Starting Lineup
Jrue Holiday (PG), Donte DiVicenzo (SG), Khris Middleton (SF), Giannis Antetekounmpo (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
The Bucks had a good off-season, despite losing both Tucker and Forbes. They addressed the need for some additional shooting and for a backup point guard by landing George Hill. Acquiring Allen, Hood and Ojeleye; whilst also resigning Portis gives the Bucks some impressive bench depth, when added to Pat Connaughton.
The Bucks will live and die by the performances of their double MVP and the 2021 Finals MVP; Giannis Antetekounmpo. He will have no doubt worked on the free throw routine that saw some very rapid and vocal fan counts at every playoff road game.
Ultimately what this team have done is put a strong supporting cast around his multiple talents and positioned themselves for another strong season.
Matchups With Orlando
Nov 20th (A), Nov 22nd (A), Dec 28th (H), Dec 30th (H)
THE EASTERN CONFERENCE CENTRAL DIVISION
Outside of the Bucks none of the Eastern Conference Central Division teams will be in the ultimate race for the NBA Finals, barring some huge shock. Two will expect to be in the consideration for being part of the post-season.
Upcoming episodes of the Orlando Magic U.K. podcast; Penny For Your Thoughts will focus on the teams of Eastern Conference. We will talk with U.K. fans of teams to get some insight and opinions about their team. If you have not already done so please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Make sure to hit the notification button so as not to miss future episodes.
