Alex Speers

First, just going by team records, this will likely end up being the strongest group of teams we've ever had.

every team currently in the east plan is 39 and 34 or better and they each have at least two remaining games against tanking teams okay so if you look back at the last two decades of east standings this level of competence is very unique

the previous two decades the eighth seed forget about nine and ten the eighth seed the team that was making the playoffs every year during so many of those years under 500 in 11 of those 20 seasons they were exactly 500 in another four seasons the only real comparison is the 21-22 season when all four east playing teams were above 500. i think that was the second year of the plan we had the dysfunctional nets who had just traded away james harden

had another trey young hawks team the calves in evan mobley's rookie season and then the hornets in lamello's second season his best season to honestly till this year that was his all-star season all those solid teams all at least four games above 500 but i think the crop of teams is even stronger this year led by those hornets who are the best team we've ever had in this position basketball reference has this metric called simple rating system or srs

It takes into account point differential and strength of schedule.

Charlotte is currently at a plus 4.13, which puts them at the seventh best team in the entire league.

Now the last time a team with an SRS above four didn't make the playoffs was the 71-72 season when each conference only sent four teams to the playoffs.

Okay.

So it would be very strange if Charlotte did not end up in the playoffs.

And after, and all these other teams, depending on the week, look like real threats to the very least annoy their first round opponent.

Like if we end up getting the Sixers with a healthy Embiid and Maxi and the Hornets as our seven, eight, those are the two best seven, eight seeds I can remember in the east.

Those are like two legit teams.

And adding on to the intrigue.

Three of the teams involved in this plan mix do not control their own pick.

So Atlanta is currently safe.

They're in fifth, but they're only one game out of the plan.

And if they lost in the play in San Antonio would be getting a lottery pick.

We all know that if Philly loses in the play in OKC would be getting a top four protected lottery pick.

But the most interesting one, which I don't feel like is being talked about enough, and it seems the most likely, is Orlando.

If Orlando loses in the plan, Memphis will be getting an additional lottery pick.