The Unpredictable NBA Eastern Conference: Wild Cards and Game-Changers
The NBA’s Eastern Conference is as unpredictable as it has been in recent history. With superstar injuries depleting two East powers during last season’s playoffs, the upstart Detroit Pistons are currently sitting atop the standings at the quarter mark. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a preseason conference favorite that returned most of last season’s 64-win team, are struggling to find their footing, currently ranked eighth in the conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who made a significant splash in free agency, are battling to stay in the play-in race as they await the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo. With so much basketball still to be played, it’s too early to predict the contenders that will match up for conference supremacy in the spring. While the superstars, including the Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, the New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, and the Bucks’ Antetokounmpo, are well-known, this race could very well be decided by players who fill in the gaps around them.
Wild Cards: Players Who Could Tip the Balance
These players are the wild cards, and they could determine the futures of their teams come postseason time. Let’s examine four players who fit the bill and what league insiders are saying about their seasons so far, plus break down one player who has the power to totally transform the race.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers: Mobley is having a breakout season, with career highs in points (18.9) and assists (4.0). According to a Western Conference assistant general manager, “Defensively, he might be the best in the league.” However, some insiders believe that Mobley needs to assert himself more and become a dominant force on the court. As one West GM noted, “Can he assert himself and [can] the team consciously feature him more? So much of this is on the team to force him to be more aggressive.”
Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks: Bridges is having a career year, with career highs in 3-point percentage (42.6), assists (4.1), and steals (2.0). He scored a season-high 35 in a near-comeback against the Celtics last week. As an assistant GM noted, “He takes his defensive matchup. He’s not soft… He can give you 20-25 points if you’re not careful.” However, some insiders believe that Bridges is more of a complementary player, as a GM stated, “Are you gonna ask him to step into a consistent role, as a dominant scorer? That’s not who he is.”
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons: Thompson is having a solid season, with career highs in scoring (11.8) and assists (3.1), and has a steal in 15 consecutive games. As an assistant GM noted, “I don’t just like him. I love him… He could easily be a top-10 player, he’s that level of athlete [with a] rare combination of size and strength and quickness.” However, some insiders believe that Thompson’s shooting will be a key factor in the Pistons’ success, as a GM stated, “The difficult thing for him: Cade is ball-dominant and Ausar isn’t a floor-spacer.”
Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic: Bane is having a solid season, with 18.3 points, 4.5 assists, and a career-low 31.9% from 3. As an East assistant coach noted, “He can play with or without the ball. Is he elite? No, but he’s good. He can score at all three levels.” However, some insiders believe that Bane’s shooting will be crucial for the Magic’s success, as a GM stated, “They need his outside shooting, and he struggled early, just like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope [whom Bane was traded for].”
The Ultimate Wild Card: Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum might prove to be the ultimate East wild card. After suffering an Achilles injury during the second round of the Celtics’ series loss to the Knicks, Tatum has been rehabbing and seems to be ahead of schedule. As he told former teammate Marcus Morris on the “Morris Code Show,” “At the 29-week mark, this is the strongest I’ve ever been.” This begs the question: Could Tatum really return for a late-season boost and turn the Celtics into a genuine title threat? As an East assistant coach noted, “I think he should sit this one out,” while a GM stated, “The tough thing about this is, he’s coming off such a serious injury. You can’t expect the Tatum we’ve seen over the last several years.”
With the Eastern Conference being as unpredictable as it is, these wild cards and game-changers will play a significant role in determining the conference’s fate. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these players perform and how their teams fare in the standings.
Thursday, Dec. 25
Cavaliers at Knicks, 12 p.m.
Spurs at Thunder, 2:30 p.m.
Mavericks at Warriors, 5 p.m.
Rockets at Lakers, 8 p.m.
Timberwolves at Nuggets, 10:30 p.m.
All times Eastern
