As we enter the 2016-2017 NBA season, the Central Division has produced an NBA champion, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Central Division should be an interesting division this season due to all the offseason moves that were made in order to compete in the East.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally won a championship in Cleveland for the first time in 52 years. The curse has been broken. Entering the NBA season, they will be defending their title. Like any other reigning champion, it isn’t going to be easy, as teams in the Central Division have made changes in their roster in order for them to compete with the Cavaliers.
The Chicago Bulls had quite an offseason, trading away Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks and Joakim Noah departing for New York. The Bulls, however, did add Rajon Rondo and surprisingly enough, Dwyane Wade to the roster.
The Indiana Pacers also had a solid off season. Despite losing game seven to the Toronto Raptors, the Pacers added solid pieces in the offseason in order to contend for a championship.
The Detroit Pistons surprised everyone by making the playoffs and finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference. Despite them getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, they did give the Cavs a hard time in the series. We will have to see how the Pistons respond this season after making it to the playoffs.
The Milwaukee Bucks can’t be counted out. They have a really young core that is ready to make a splash this season after missing the playoffs this season.
Let’s have a more in depth look in the Central Division.