NBA Preview: Celtics one of many contenders in East
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2020 file photo, Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, shouts from the bench in the first half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Miami Heat in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Antetokounmpo has appeared in a government ad in his native Greece, released ahead of Christmas to urge people to observe public safety measures during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) Mark J. Terrill
FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2020, file photo, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, center, talks to the team during a timeout in the second half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference final against the Boston Celtics in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. Jackets are not. Rules for coaching attire will be relaxed by the league this year, though not as much as was the case during play at the bubble at Walt Disney World this past summer. Suit jackets o
East preview: Heat returning champs, but have challengers
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Milwaukeeâs Giannis Antetokounmpo is the two-time reigning MVP. Brooklynâs Kevin Durant is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and about to get back on the floor after recovering from injury. Washingtonâs Russell Westbrook is still a triple-double machine. Bostonâs Jayson Tatum signed an extension this offseason that could pay him close to $200 million over five years.
And none of them even play for the defending Eastern Conference champions.
The Miami Heat were the best of the East last season, NBA finalists for the first time since 2014 and bring back almost all their top players from a year ago â yet theyâre still bracing for what could be a very intense race this season. That speaks to how good the depth in the East will be, with the Bucks, Nets, Celtics, Toronto and Philadelphia all joining Miami as legitimate conference contenders entering the season.
East preview: Heat returning champs, but have challengers
By TIM REYNOLDSDecember 18, 2020 GMT
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo is the two-time reigning MVP. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant is a two-time NBA Finals MVP and about to get back on the floor after recovering from injury. Washington’s Russell Westbrook is still a triple-double machine. Boston’s Jayson Tatum signed an extension this offseason that could pay him close to $200 million over five years.
And none of them even play for the defending Eastern Conference champions.
The Miami Heat were the best of the East last season, NBA finalists for the first time since 2014 and bring back almost all their top players from a year ago yet they’re still bracing for what could be a very intense race this season. That speaks to how good the depth in the East will be, with the Bucks, Nets, Celtics, Toronto and Philadelphia all joining Miami as legitimate conference contenders entering the season.