NBA 2018-19: Eastern Conference Power Rankings Week 9

There is a quote,"This too shall pass" which implies that every unfortunate occurrence will shape up to become something good in the foreseeable future. Sadly, the Eastern Conference of the NBA has been toiling away in search of talent and competition for far too long and has had to seek solace of this quote.

LeBron's presence masked many of the internal problems of the "leastern" conference, but as soon as he bolted for the Lakers everything was disturbed. Teams that had been in deep slumber awoke (ie Bucks), teams that had been crushed by the King's presence suddenly decided on gambling away their franchise player (Raptors, duh) and teams loaded with talent found a path to the NBA Finals again.

It seems like much like airing out a wine and letting it breathe, removing Bron's suffocating presence has revived the conference again.

Here are the best five teams from the Eastern conference through Week 9 of the 2018-19 season.

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#5 Indiana Pacers

Philadelphia 76ers v Indiana Pacers

Victor Oladipo is the Pacers' pride and joy. What initially looked like a fleecing by the Thunder in the Paul George trade has kept both teams happy and satisfied. Those are rare airs in terms of NBA trades.

Even though Oladipo has been injured for the Pacers' past 10 games, Indiana has kept its season well on track. In fact, they've won the past three games straight and are looking like a downright scary fourth seed in this conference.

Their recent form - most importantly a 113-101 win over the Sixers followed by a 110-99 win over the Knicks where a post injury Oladipo put up 26-7-8 stat is good reason to believe these young Pacers will only improve over time.

The Pacers defense is extremely good. At a 20-10 record, with talents like Myles Turner as a secondary scoring option and Sabonis averaging a near double-double of 14 points and 9.9 rebounds, this team can be a wild card for a top 3 seed as well.

#4 Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving

Finally, Boston (18-11) is where most fans expected it to be from the start of the season: back on track from last season's playoffs in terms of win margins.

A little factoid of their 133-77 victory against the lowly Bulls: The game was over in the third quarter, but when Brad Stevens looked down his bench he found only Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown to give garbage time. Part of the reason why this win was so lopsided because Boston is just way too deep at every position with interchangeable wings and starting caliber players at every position.

Before today's loss to Detroit's supersized rebounding combo of Griffin (27 and 8) and Drummond (19 and 20), the Celts had won eight straight. Kyrie is averaging 22.7 points and 6.3 assists, Tatum is averaging a solid if not remarkable 46.6 FG percentage and Brad Stevens is still Brad Stevens.

With a level headed veteran in Al Horford, young talents both starting and coming off the bench in Tatum and Jaylen Brown (11.7 and 4.2) and gritty players like Marcus Smart, Boston is clicking and everything else is just dandy in Titletown. These Celtics may have to get past the Raptors, Bucks and Sixers, but if any team can do it it'd be the Celts.

#3 Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid

Philadelphia (19-11) are a mixed team. I've never known a team with guards who can't shoot and yet considers itself a title contender. Fultz is out of the picture for this season's future, and Simmons has filled the point guard space beautifully, but Boston exploited these glaring weaknesses in last season's playoff match up.

Jimmy Butler's addition to the team gives them a prime, elite perimeter defender to handle the opposition's primary offensive weapon, since Philly gives up 112 pts every game (good for 23rd in the league).

Butler also gives Philly the addition edge that the young team might have not have had before, and he has certainly taken pains to assimilate with Philly's culture since his transfer.

Philadelphia has good offensive weapons, averaging a cool 113 ppg with the 7th best offense in the NBA, and Butler addition (19.7 points, 46% 3PT shooting) certainly gives the Sixers a breather in the shooting department.

Even though Philly lost its most recent game against the Pacers (113-101), it was due to an offensive slump in the third, where the Sixers blew a 10 point halftime lead in the third quarter.

This Sixers team has ups and downs, but there's definitely more upside than downside.

#2 Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks' Greek Freak

Finally, we see how good Giannis is in the right system. Under Mike Budenholzer's tutelage, Milwaukee has managed to overhaul its offense overnight. Coach Bud spaced the floor for Giannis, had shooters sit around the perimeter and gave Giannis the green light to do what he does best: average 26.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game while also getting 1.3 steals and blocks on the defensive end.

Khris Middleton (17.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.2 apg), and Brook "Splash Mountain" Lopez (36.7 3PT%) have reinvigorated the side and the Bucks' long-armed, rangy defenders can close passing lanes, contain perimeter threats and get the offense going nicely.

The Bucks have won five of their last eight and the three losses came against the Knicks and Warriors and, most recently, Pacers. Milwaukee stands at 19-9 and holds the second seed in the conference. #StayFreaky, as Giannis would say.

#1 Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors' Kawhi Leonard

We said last season and the season before that. But this time, it feels real. The Raptors are the best team in the Eastern Conference. At 23-9, the Raptors have the first seed at Week 9.

While a cynical fan would worry - the Raps have lost three of their last five to the Bucks, Nuggets and Blazers, I wouldn't worry. Toronto won't face Portland or Denver in the Finals, and the Kawhi-less Raptors just won away against Golden State at the Oracle Arena in a 113-93 blowout.

Pascal Siakam (14.4 ppg, 36.7 3PT%, 60.4 FG%) is a strong candidate for Most Improved Player, and Kyle Lowry has regained his formerly worrisome form, averaging 22 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists over his last two games against the Clippers and Warriors.

The Raptors have lost two straight, and somehow still have three more wins than anyone else in the league. The first seed in the East looks like a real NBA Finalist this time around.