The entire Central Division is going to be a tossup.  There are so many variables that will have substantial weight on whether this division is one of the premiere or bottom on the barrel.  After a complete letdown year for the Bulls, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact Derrick Rose will have.  I have to assume, because the Eastern Conference is still not up to the Western Conference standards, that the Central Division will have a legitimate opportunity to put three teams in the playoffs.

Chicago Bulls
As of today, the Bulls haven’t done much in the way of getting rid of one of the biggest black wholes in basketball, Ben Gordon.  Gordon has asked to be dealt, considered playing in Europe, and has even made mention of himself as the best player on the Bulls.  I realize that Derrick Rose will be the man from day one, but there is still no reason why the Bulls can’t keep Hinrich and get rid of Gordon.  Still, even with good back court play, the Bulls have an awful front court.  Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas aren’t going to win championships.  This is not Florida.  You must have a scoring big man.  Despite this, I do think we will see the Bulls in the playoffs as long as Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni stay healthy.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Expect to see the best basketball player in the world dominate an NBA season like we haven’t seen since Shaq.  I am of course talking about Anderson Verajao.  Just kidding.  Lebron James seems to keep getting taller, stronger, faster, and smarter; proving this during the Olympics.  He took the lead as the vocal chords of the Men’s National Team and brought home gold.  It’s going to be awesome to see Lebron playing with another scorer (Mo Williams).  In addition to that, the Cavs still found a way to resign Delonte West.  It will be interesting to see where he will fit in the lineup.  The Cavs should make the playoffs on Lebron’s back again.

Detroit Pistons
Finally, the Detroit Pistons are fading.  They proved this last year by allowing Philly to take even one game from them in the playoffs.  Billups, Hamilton and Wallace are all slowing down at the same time and pace.  The only hope for the Pistons this year is if Rodney Stuckey turns out to be a good point guard and not just a perennial sixth man.  I would expect to see less minutes for Wallace and McDyess and big opportunities for Jason Maxiell.  The Pistons will most likely make the playoffs, but they will not win a title.

Indiana Pacers
What an atrocity.  The look on Pacers fan’s faces when Jerrod Bayless was traded was just priceless.  The stare of 1,000 despair-filled faces when they learned that Jarret Jack would be leading the Pacers and not Bayless was heart-wrenching.  Nevertheless, the Pacers are stuck with a starting lineup starring Danny Granger (who isn’t ready to be a number one player in this league).  The Pacers better pray that Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert pay off.  They will most likely have a lottery pick next offseason.

Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have moved in a different direction.  They got rid of one of their only promising players, in Yi, and replaced him with Richard Jefferson.  Losing, for one reason or another seems to follow Jefferson, and has another great opportunity with the Bucks.  Despite the credentials of their new leader, the Bucks have several bright spots in Charlie Bell, Andrew Bogut, and potentially Joe Alexander.  I would be pretty surprised if they found their way into the playoffs, even with the help of hot shooter, Michael Redd.

Projected Standings:
1.    Cleveland Cavaliers
2.    Detroit Pistons
3.    Chicago Bulls
4.    Milwaukee Bucks
5.    Indiana Pacers