Playoff Rotations: Eastern Conference

The trade deadline has passed in the NBA and now players who reached buyout agreements are talking to and signing deals with playoff teams. There are 6 contenders in the East. I think it's a clear Tier 1 (Celtics, Heat, Bulls) and Tier 2 (Magic, Hawks, Knicks). The 76ers are above .500, good for them, they can have Tier 3. But I will breakdown the 6 best teams in the East with what their likely playoff rotation will be. You tell me who is best equipped to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

TIER 1

Celtics:

• Rajon Rondo
• Ray Allen
• Paul Pierce
• Kevin Garnett
• Shaquille O'Neal
• Glen Davis
• Jeff Green
• Delonte West
• (Nenad Krstic/ Troy Murphy when needed)

Heat:

• Mike Bibby
• Dwyane Wade
• LeBron James
• Chris Bosh
• Center X
• Udonis Haslem
• James Jones
• Mike Miller (he can still shoot right?)
  
• Mario Chalmers (if Bibby & James foul out)
  

Bulls:

• Derrick Rose
• Keith Bogans (he'll start and that's about it)
• Luol Deng
• Carlos Boozer
• Joakim Noah
• Taj Gibson
• Kyle Korver
• Ronnie Brewer
• Kurt Thomas
• (Omer Asik depending on match up)
• (Brian Scalabrine for a victory lap)

TIER 2

Magic:

• Jameer Nelson
• Jason Richardson
• Hedo Turkoglu
• Brandon Bass
• Dwight Howard
• Ryan Anderson
• J.J. Redick
• Gilbert Arenas

Hawks:

• Kirk Hinrich
• Joe Johnson
• Marvin Williams
• Josh Smith
• Al Horford
• Jamal Crawford
• Zaza Pachulia
• Jeff Teague (maybe)

Knicks:

• Chauncey Billups
• Landry Fields
• Carmelo Anthony
• Shawne Williams
• Amar'e Stoudemire
• Toney Douglas
• Bill Walker
• Anthony Carter
• Ronny Turiaf

Unless he goes to the West, it appears that Corey Brewer will likely join one of these teams (specifically Tier 1). Each team has at least 1 All-Star. The Celtics have 4, Heat 3, Bulls 1 (but it's the MVP), Magic 1 (2-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year), Hawks 2, Knicks 2 (both started in the game.)

That's impressive. Throw in the fact that 4 of these teams will be matched up against each other in the 1st round, and you just know its going to be a great post season. I'm also pretty sure that all the teams dislike each other as well. Everyone hates the Celtics and the Heat. The Knicks can't be liked in the league, and they got an edge once again. I'm excited for April.


-Keefe