Atlanta Hawks: Eastern Conference Power Rankings, Nov. 19

Detroit has come back to Earth after their hot start and sit at 6-5. However, I see the Pistons as a team that should contend for a playoff spot for the entirety of 2015-16. HC/GM Stan Van Gundy is close to having his ideal basketball team in Motown, so expect a few more trades to go down at some point in this season.

The core of Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is certainly a talented trio the Pistons can get behind. How the Pistons fare in the tough Central Division will decide this team’s fate in 2015-16.

Like Detroit, Toronto has cooled off in recent games. The Raptors are still a playoff team in my eyes without a doubt. The back court duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan gives them a chance every night.

The Raptors under HC Dwayne Casey have been a great, but streaky team. They can look like a team capable of winning the East one night, but on other nights look like a team that will get swept in the first round. Expect Toronto to make the field of 8, but I’m starting to wonder if the team has hit its ceiling under Casey’s leadership.

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The best back court in the East resides in the Nation’s Capital. Having PG John Wall and SG Bradley Beal should stand as enough to get the Wizards back into the playoffs in 2016. However, I don’t know if this team has the mental toughness to make any noise once they are there.

It’s the make of a good, but not great team HC Randy Wittman has in DC. Surely, Washington can get out of the first round because they are fantastic at winning road playoff games, but do the Wizards have what it takes to make an Eastern Conference Finals. I feel that last year was their best chance. This year’s team is in a bit of transition with regards to on-court leadership.

Next: Tier II: Eastern Conference Finals Ceiling