Usher's Take (Eastern Conference)

New Jersey Nets
An awful start! Scored 9 points in an entire quarter last game...NINE POINTS! And amazingly, it wouldn't surprise me if this became a regular occurance
Positives - Lopez! Terrance Williams is looking surprisingly good early on.
Negatives - They can't afford to fire Lawrence Frank.

New York Knicks
They've played better then their record suggest. They actually have a well-balanced side, though they are still missing the big man in the middle.
Positives - Danilo Gallinari...maybe they didn't screw up last seasons draft.
Negatives - Brandon Jennings is already a better point guard then Duhon. I bet they'd love to have that draft over again.

Indiana Pacers
They look like they may have serious point guard problems unless TJ can find some form.
Positives - Granger's filling up the boxscore, even if he did struggle against ‘Melo.
Negatives - Alarm bells should be ringing when Dahntay Jones is your top scorer.

Philidelphia 76ers
Proved they are a good side, but the loses to the Celtics and Magic show they are not in the elite.
Positives - Lou Williams is looking like a much capable replacement to Andre Miller.
Negatives - Brand doesn't look anything like a $80 million player.

Toronto Raptors
How do you beat the Cavs, and then lose to the Grizzlies!? As expected, this side will take a while to get going, but the Cavs victory showed what they can achieve.
Positives - Bosh and Bargnani - one of the elite East front courts.

Negatives - Their bench looks a lot weaker then expected.

Chicago Bulls
They lost their main scorer in Ben Gordon and failed to replace him...and it's showing. It looks unlikely they're going to be repeating their epic playoffs performance from last season.
Positives - Deng is healthy, and looks capable of putting up some nice numbers.
Negatives - Salmons may have jumped the shark during the playoffs last season.

Cleveland Cavaliers
A couple early hiccups, but like the Lakers, no need to panic yet. Just not sure Shaq is the missing link they were hoping for.
Positives - Parker has given the Cavs a much needed extra scoring option.
Negatives - Once again, most games are looking like the LeBron show.

Detroit Pistons
How on earth did a team with Ben Wallace and Kwame Brown contain Howard and the Magic? They may be able to sneak into the playoffs with more performances like that
Positives - Gordon and Stuckey are surprising looking good together.
Negatives - Do you think they'd take a mulligan on the Charlie V contract signing?

Milwaukee Bucks

They'll definitely get better as the season goes on, but won't be challenging for the playoffs any time soon.
Positives - Jennings is better then most expected this early. And Hakim Warrick looks like a great signing.
Negatives - Michael Redds injury hurts, though they'd be use to it by now.

Atlanta Hawks
The major surprise so far. I knew they'd be good, not this good. Anything but an improvement over last seasons record would be a major disappointment
Positives - Jamal Crawford's a great acquisition. Potential 6th Man of the Year.
Negatives - Bibby is no longer a top point guard, but Jeff Teague doesn't look ready yet either.

Charlotte Bobcats
They've managed to win 2 games despite only scoring over 80 points once. And 13 players have seen playing time so far, despite only Bell injured. Not a good sign...
Positives - Held the Knicks to under 100 during regulation. At least their defense looks solid.
Negatives - Tyson Chandler and Radmanovic... can someone explain what exactly they achieved by trading for these players... ???

Miami Heat
So far so good. Wade hasn't really unloaded yet, and they've still managed a 3-1 record. Their real test will come against Denver and Cleveland next week.
Positives - O'Neal is healthy, Beasley looks good, and Haslem is playing great off the bench. That's a nice front court.
Negatives - Haslem aside, not a lot going on from the bench.

Orlando Magic
My pre-season pick for the East, and I haven't seen anything on their behalf to change my mind. Even more impressive is that the juiced-up Rashard Lewis is yet to return.
Positives - Their off-season recruits all look solid. Carter's fitted in straight away, Ryan Anderson, Bass and Matt Barnes are capable of providing some solid minutes, while even Jason Williams is playing at NBA standard.
Negatives - Howard getting outplayed by Ben Wallace and Kwame Brown...The NBA - Where shit like that occasionally happens.

Washington Wizards
Started well, but their true form may be showing. Their bench looks much improved, and if healthy should challenge for a top 6 spot in the East.
Positives - Gilbert looks to have returned 100% and may challenge for the scoring title.
Negatives - Defence - They'll score 100 points a night, but probably concede 110. It's not going to get a whole let better either with Flip Saunders as coach.

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