Miami Heat: Who will rule the Eastern Conference in 2018-19?

Who’s Got Second Place?

It stands to reason that the teams that finished best last season will be set up swimmingly for a repeat performance. Excluding the Cavaliers, the Raptors and Sixers showed the most promise.

Both teams notched historic, 50-win campaigns. For the Raptors, 2017-18 marked their highest win total in franchise history, while the Sixers managed 50-plus wins for the first time since Allen Iverson’s one-man Finals run in 2000-01.

Thinking optimistically, the Raptors should have a hold on second place again. Leonard, when healthy, is an upgrade over DeRozan on both sides of the ball and creates a fresh look for a team facing stagnation.

However, Toronto will assuredly drop in the standings if Leonard finds himself not playing, which is a very real possibility considering how the 2017-18 season unfolded. Leonard has his sights set on Los Angeles. Even if a Paul George styled courting were to happen between Leonard and the Raptors, the Lakers will have the space to pick Leonard up while offering him the chance to play with the best player in the league, James.

No. 3 through No. 5

These rankings become murky if Leonard isn’t ready from the first jump ball in October. The Sixers, who are returning their entire starting five, will look similar to the 51-win team from last year.

Towering over conventional lineups with four of their starting five standing 6-foot-10, Philadelphia puts teams in a conundrum offensively and defensively. Their loss of Marco Belinelli, Ersan Ilyasova and now Nemanja Bjelica is a jab at their depth, but another season of experience for Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Joel Embiid makes the Sixers as capable a team as any.

"“Our expectations have changed, and that’s a good thing,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said after the playoffs. “I love the direction that we’re heading all over the place. We’re on to something special here.”"

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sixers however are the Indiana Pacers and Heat. The Pacers, who have added offensive generator Tyreke Evans, are reentering the playoff race with their own formula for success: take what the defenses give you.

The Pacers led all teams with attempts in the 15 to 19-foot range (mid-range) with 14 per game. An antiquated shot in the era of 3’s, the Pacers will keep teams guessing on offense as Victor Oladipo likely cruises to another All-Star appearance.

That leaves the Heat wrapping up the fifth seed.

In a perfect world, the injury mishaps Miami faced this year will be a non-issue in 2018-19. Hassan Whiteside missed out on 28 games last season, leaving the Heat 14-14 without him. With him healthy, Miami can turn at least a few of those L’s into W’s, and improve on their 44-38 finish from last season.

Bringing back Waiters and McGruder in full health only further benefits the Heat, who will have flexibility in their rotations. Though Goran Dragic is a year removed from his Eurobasket title and All-Star appearance, he should prove a capable floor general for Miami’s playoff push.

Final Standings:

Philadelphia 76ers

Toronto Raptors

Indiana Pacers

Miami Heat