It’s never easy playing in the NBA but some years seem harder than others.
There are certain seasons when one conference appears far more stacked and difficult than the other and the challenges never seem harder.
That will definitely be the case for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
The Eastern Conference is going to be insane… 9 playoff teams and only 8 spots.
Celtics
Bucks
Heat
76ers
Nets
Raptors
Bulls
Cavaliers
Hawks🤯
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 16, 2022
Take a look at the Eastern Conference and you see a bunch of teams that could all be serious playoff contenders.
Teams like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat obviously have what it takes to best the competition in the playoffs and then make the Finals.
But then there are other teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets who could finally deliver on their promises made to their fans.
And don’t count out teams like the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and new-look Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.
The wild thing is that there are nine incredible teams who could reach the playoffs – yet only eight will make the cut.
The East Isn’t Easy
Which of these teams won’t make the postseason in 2023?
Obviously, teams like the Nets and Hawks seem the least likely to progress past that point, but that’s solely because they had a lot of trouble doing so last season.
Both of those teams are much more promising this year, which means they probably will be far better in the season ahead.
Certain teams like the Celtics and Bucks are the odds-on favorites to take sit atop the conference standings because of their recent histories.
But even their success isn’t guaranteed, especially with the intense level of competition.
The Eastern Conference has rarely been so impressive – and so unpredictable.
NEXT: Lakers Have A New Addition Show Off A Special Uniform