Weak Sisterhood: The NBA East
The Golden State Warriors wouldn't make the playoffs if the NBA post-season started today.
They're in ninth place in the Western Conference.
In the weak Eastern Conference, however, the Warriors would be seeded third as there are only three teams over .500 in that conference. Miami and Indiana are easily the two best teams in the East, but after that, there's not much to talk about. Atlanta is the third team over .500, but the Hawks could go 82-0 -- if all they played were Eastern teams -- and still lose in the first round of the playoffs.
New York and Brooklyn were supposed to fight it out for the Atlantic Division title, but both teams have struggled mightly in the early season and find themselves behind Boston and Toronto in the standings. The Nets should get better as Deron Williams gets healthier, but the trade for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett has yet to work out. The Knicks are what they are, an overrated team that blew its chance last year. Injuries have been an issue this year, and Carmelo Anthony cannot carry the team every night. With players like JR Smith and Metta World Peace on the team, the Knicks will be also-rans no matter who gets back in the lineup.
The Chicago Bulls also figured to be near the top of the East, but with all-star guard Derrick Rose back on the injured list, the Bulls are near the conference cellar, behind the Detroit Pistons, who have played well in recent weeks. The Celtics, at 12-15, actually lead the Atlantic Division in a year where they would much rather be in the lottery.
Western teams like Golden State, Minnesota, Memphis, and the Lakers will wish all year that they could be moved to the Eastern Conference. Right now, it's looking like it will have more than one team below .500 in the playoffs.