How Nene injury alters Eastern Conference playoff race
The Washington Wizards are without their most expensive player, whose presence alone seems to forecast success, for six weeks.
And they're focusing on that last part.
Veteran power forward Nene is expected to return to the Wizards in early April, not long before the playoffs come around. And though the Wizards are 8-33 when the Brazilian big man sits since acquiring him in March 2012, Randy Wittman showed the optimism of a coach comfortable with his place.
'This is the best-case scenario, a sprain,' Wittman said Tuesday before a victory against the Orlando Magic. 'You get into rehab, you work it and you see where you are in four or five weeks. It could have been a lot worse, obviously.'
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Of course, Wittman can be confident. His Wizards play in the Eastern Conference, where their 29-28 record is good enough for the No. 5 seed and a six-game cushion to make the playoffs. Even if those Nene-less woes - which the Wizards hedged against Wednesday by signing veteran forward Drew Gooden - rear up again, Washington should be able to hold its playoff position until he returns.
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The Detroit Pistons (23-34 and ninth in the East entering Wednesday) and Cleveland Cavaliers (22-36, 10th) are swamped in chemistry issues deep enough to lead to the firings of Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks and Cavs general manager Chris Grant already this season. The New York Knicks (21-36, 11th) were falling apart before the season even began after winning 54 games last year. The bottom four in the East have greater aspirations in the draft lottery than the playoff hunt.
So for the eight teams already in East playoff position, the emphasis for the next seven weeks might very well fall on seeding. The emphasis: avoid the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds and first-round matchups with the powerhouse Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat.
Here's a look at the other six teams in East playoff position, with records entering Wednesday:
No. 3 Toronto Raptors (32-25): On top of already holding the third seed, the Raptors have the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, according to ESPN.com, facing eight more teams better than .500 and playing 14 of their 25 games at home.
No. 4 Chicago Bulls (30-26): Coach Tom Thibodeau's defensive system is nearly self-sustaining. Chicago has the second-best defense in the NBA, behind Indiana, making up for the lowest-scoring offense in the league.
No. 5 Wizards: Like Toronto, Washington only plays eight more games against winning teams. The Nene injury is a blow, but Marcin Gortat and Kevin should hold post position enough to free up guards John Wall and Bradley Beal.
No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (26-28): At 16-7 in the new year, the Nets are primed for a run at the No. 4 or even No. 3 seed. But they are tied with the Heat for the most remaining games, and an old roster could fatigue with increased back-to-backs.
No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats (27-30): The Bobcats eased into a playoff spot as others fell. Michael Jordan brought in a new coach and post scorer in the offseason, and the effects are obvious. Steve Clifford's defense ranks sixth in points allowed per possession, and Al Jefferson has averaged 25.9 points and 11.1 rebounds in his past 20 games.
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No. 8 Atlanta Hawks (26-30): The Hawks took the loss of center Al Horford well at first, but they have lost nine of their past 10. If anyone opens up a playoff spot, it's likely to be Atlanta, who sorely need help inside for power forward Paul Millsap.
The Wizards haven't made the playoffs since 2008, and this Nene injury could be the latest wrong turn. But their woeful conference competition probably won't let the worst happen. And if he's back in six weeks from the medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee, as expected, he should be ready for the playoffs.
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