NBA 2013-14 Week One Report and Review: Eastern Conference
In the first week of the 2013-14 NBA regular season, the Eastern Conference teams have shown that practically no one is unbeatable, even those favored to win the crown.
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers 4-3
Toronto Raptors 3-4
Boston Celtics 3-4
New York Knicks 2-4
Brooklyn Nets 2-4
There might be some method to the madness in the 76ers' head office as the off-season acquisitions that made some observers believe they were taking for the 2015 Draft, or, as some people call it, going "Winless for Wiggins" have proven to be not-so-bad after all. First round pick Michael Carter-Williams has given fans reason to believe that the future is actually happening right before their eyes, and the release of Jrue Holiday has given Evan Turner the green light to shoot more. In contrast, the 2-4 Knicks and Nets have been simply disappointing; Carmelo Anthony and Brook Lopez are in dire need of offensive support.
Central Division
Indiana Pacers 7-0
Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4
Detroit Pistons 2-3
Chicago Bulls 2-3
Milwaukee Bucks 2-3
Paul George, in his third year with the Pacers, is putting his name in the mix for MVP consideration. George has been an excellent all-around player for Indiana, scoring, rebounding and passing the ball equally well in leading the Pacers to the NBA's only unsullied record in the first two weeks. The 2-3 Bulls, in contrast, have not received much production from Derrick Rose, whose long-awaited return has only shown signs of rust. Cleveland, too, has been disappointing, with much-ballyhooed #1 draft pick Anthony Bennet barely making an impact.
Southeast Division
Miami Heat 4-3
Atlanta Hawks 3-3
Charlotte Bobcats 3-3
Orlando Magic 3-4
Washington Wizards 2-3
The thing with the Miami Heat is that teams don't really bend over for them. A few months removed from their second straight NBA title, the Heat are 4-3 and bunched up with the 76ers in the battle for second place in the East. However, Miami's losses are all but beatdowns -- they lost to Philadelphia by 4, Brooklyn by 1 and Boston by 1. LeBron James has been his usual big-game self, stuffing the stat sheet every game. Fans are hoping that whatever's ailing the Heat at the moment gets cast aside pretty soon. Surprisingly, the Bobcats are suddenly not looking like a lottery team, beating Cleveland and New York behind Kemba Walker's stellar playmaking.