As the Atlantic Division has been covered, the next stop is the Central Division. A division with lots of change and arguably the most unpredictable division in the NBA. So here we go, listed by prediction:

1. Chicago Bulls

Last Season: 48-34 (2nd in the division/4th in the Eastern Conference)

Many people have the Bulls finishing second in the division and second in the Eastern Conference. I will be taking a different approach. Derrick Rose is healthy. I wrote an article about a month ago questioning Rose’s commitment to the Bulls by risking his health playing for USA’s National team, but Rose proved me wrong and is healthy. Possibly putting him in the MVP category this season.

Even without Rose the Bulls put up 48 wins last season, and not only is Rose back, but the depth on this year’s Bulls roster is like it’s never been before since Rose was drafted. Pau Gasol replaces Carlos Boozer on the team, which is a huge improvement if Gasol stays healthy. With Taj Gibson the Bulls can watch Gasol’s minutes, because Gibson along with Joakim Noah continue to improve their games every year.

The Bulls also held onto Kirk Hinrich, Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler. For the Bulls, Butler will be taking more of a Luol Deng role, which he seems to be ready to take. Behind Butler, is a young shooter in Doug McDermott, who can put himself in the Rookie of the Year conversation this season, and Nikola Mirotic, a player the Bulls have long awaited to bring to the NBA from overseas.

The Bulls are carrying depth, and health seems to be on their side this year, so there’ll be a huge improvement from 48 wins.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

Last Season: 33-49 (3rd in the Division/10th in the Eastern Conference)

Here’s your NBA Championship favourites. LeBron James has come home, he brought along Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving will only improve under the wing of James. Making this big three as dangerous as the one James had in Miami. This Cavaliers team would be the favourites in a seven game series versus the Bulls, but they don’t play 82 games against each other. I’m giving the Bulls the Conference, but the Cavaliers will most likely out play the Bulls in the playoffs.

Love will have a healthy Anderson Varejao playing alongside him for help defence. Tristan Thompson will take a sixth man role this season, but his rebounding and ability to space the floor will be vital to James and Irving. Also to any pick and roll game involving Love.

I don’t favour the Cavaliers bench over the Bulls, however. There is Dion Waiters and Mike Miller on the wings. Both can shoot the ball, but after that it’s tough to see much spark. James Jones can shoot the three as well, but that’s pretty much it. Brendan Haywood isn’t the same player he used to be, and the same goes for Shawn Marion. Making it tough to give James and Irving enough rest during the season.

3. Detroit Pistons

Last Season: 29-53 (4th in the Division/11th in the Eastern Conference)

Pistons over Pacers? I’m a huge Stan Van Gundy fan and he taking over a young team lacking chemistry is the best thing that could happen to the Pistons. He’ll make the trio of Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond work, and he’ll make it work without all three on the court at the same time. Van Gundy can make Brandon Jennings into a legit point guard. He will find a way to make sure all 15 players on the roster are focused and understand their role, and that’s one key to success.

Kyle Singler is just waiting to breakout and he did improve last season, and it will only get better. Along with Singler, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the most thought after prospects in the game and at some point he will break open with his shooting.

Veterans like Caron Butler, Jonas Jerebko, Jodie Meeks and Aaron Gray will also be helpful pieces to an average season for the Pistons. One player not to forget is D.J. Augustin, who has slowly gone under the radar over the last two seasons, and if Jennings doesn’t improve, watch out for Augustin getting some starts.

4. Indiana Pacers

Last Season: 56-26 (1st in the Division/1st in the Eastern Conference)

Do I really think the loss of Paul George to a leg injury will affect the Pacers this badly? Yes. Without their leading scorer the Pacers are weak, and they aren’t that strong defensively either. They also lost Lance Stephenson, so that’s two top scorers gone.

Roy Hibbert and David West will have a lot on their shoulders. Hibbert showed last season that at times he just doesn’t care. His game is on when he wants his game to be, which is a sign of disaster. West, isn’t the same player he used to be, so it’s tough to see these two carry this team to the playoffs. George Hill isn’t no superstar point guard either, so the starting lineup to begin with his weak, and the bench…

Well the bench consists of an aging Luis Scola, C.J. Miles will probably start and he shoots the ball a little too much, C.J. Watson is just a normal backup point guard in the NBA, and after that the Pacers don’t have much unless Chris Copeland and Rodney Stuckey can turn their careers around.

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Last Season: 15-67 (5th in the Division/15th in the Eastern Conference)

There will be a lot of losses for the Bucks again this season, and watching Jason Kidd coach is never fun, however, the players themselves are interesting. Jabari Parker, Larry Sanders, John Henson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be a fun young core to watch during this season. Antetokounmpo is going to be one of those players who improves every year of his career, and if he plays point guard, well that will be beyond fun. Parker is a possible Rookie of the Year candidate, so it’ll be interesting to see how he develops. Beyond that the Bucks have O.J. Mayo, Ersan Ilyasova, Jared Dudley, Bandon Knight and more if you cared.