2013-2014 Predictions: Central Division

Four divisions down, two to go. Let's tackle the Central Division.


Chicago Bulls

2012-2013 Record: 45-37

Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau

Key Additions: Mike Dunleavy, Derrick Rose*

Prediction: 51-31

Scoop: Plain and simple with this team: the savior has returned. With Rose's return, the Bulls will benefit in more ways than one. They gain an MVP-caliber player in Rose, and this allows everyone to fall back into place. Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng will have a lighter workload, which should make them better. Jimmy Butler will continue to improve. This team nearly made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season without Rose. So with essentially the same team surrounding him, why wouldn't the Bulls be better?


Indiana Pacers

2012-2013 Record: 49-32

Head Coach: Frank Vogel

Key Additions: Chris Copeland, Luis Scola

Prediction: 49-33

Scoop: The Pacers are eerily similar to the Bulls. They should be better as they too have an All-Star returning in Danny Granger. They already had a great team, and they made it to the conference finals last season. Their team is still intact. Like the Bulls, they have an outstanding, defensive-minded coach. It's going to be fun watching Indy and Chicago battle each other in the Central.


Cleveland Cavaliers

2012-2013 Record: 24-58

Head Coach: Mike Brown

Key Additions: Andrew Bynum, Earl Clark, Anthony Bennett, Jarrett Jack

Prediction: 38-44

Scoop: I like this Cleveland team. I loved their offseason additions. I like their young core. I like the re-hiring of Mike Brown. The key question with them is obviously health. Can Bynum stay healthy? Can Irving stay healthy? Will Varejao be healthy? These three players will need to be if this team is to make a serious run at making the playoffs.


Detroit Pistons

2012-2013 Record: 29-53

Head Coach: Maurice Cheeks

Key Additions: Chauncey Billups, Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings

Prediction: 35-47

Scoop: Yes, this team is talented. Their starting five of Smith, Jennings, Billups, Monroe and Drummond should be among the more productive starting units in all of basketball. The big question is chemistry. Smith and Jennings are talented, but primadonnas. They need to sacrifice stats for the betterment of the team.


Milwaukee Bucks

2012-2013 Record: 38-44

Head Coach: Larry Drew

Key Additions: Caron Butler, O.J. Mayo, Brandon Knight

Prediction: 29-53

Scoop: At first, I figured the Bucks would be right around where they were last season. Then I looked at their roster again. They lost their two best players (Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings). Yes, they added O.J. Mayo, but how will handle the pressure of being "the man"? The Caron Butler signing would have been a good one about five years ago. Like with the Celtics, you cannot lose your two best players and expect to be good.