聯盟超級球星詹姆斯（LeBron James）所屬經紀團隊宣布，詹皇已與湖人以4年1.54億美元達成口頭協議，預告新球季他將從東區轉戰西區，這將讓聯盟東西區戰力失衡的情況更嚴重。
詹姆斯是今夏NBA自由市場上，最大咖的球星，他生涯4度拿下例行賽年度MVP，且3度奪得總冠軍，不過他轉戰西區湖人後，本季聯盟公布的年度第一隊成員，全是效力西區球隊的球員。
若把聯盟第二隊、第三隊成員全部算進來，僅有4人是東區球隊成員，意味本季選出的年度聯盟最佳陣容，有高達73%比例是來自西區球隊。
此外目前現役7名NBA例行賽年度MVP得主，全都效力西區球隊，且近5季聯盟總冠軍球隊當中，就有4次由西區球隊奪冠，唯一例外就是2016年由「詹皇」率領的騎士。
勇士今年季後賽雖以4比0橫掃騎士，4年內3度封王，不過他們在季後賽西區決賽，面對今年例行賽MVP哈登（James Harden）所率領的聯盟頭號種子火箭，仍被嚇出一身冷汗，若不是因為對方明星控衛保羅（Chris Paul）右腿拉傷缺陣，系列賽第6、7戰都缺席，勇士或許沒辦法在搶7大戰逆轉脫困晉級，挺進總冠軍賽。
目前擔任球評的前NBA球員巴克利（Charles Barkley）就直言，隨著詹皇落腳湖人，「塞爾蒂克未來將稱霸東區10年。」一語道破聯盟東、西區失衡的現況。
這幾年大家都在強調西強東弱的局面，顯然在LeBron James加盟湖人後，這情況嚴重不只十倍，不過到底有多誇張？我們透過兩年前的明星賽來看，當時東區12位全明星，現在只剩下七位還留在東區，其中Jimmy Butler、Isaiah Thomas、Carmelo Anthony、Paul George、Paul Millsap上季就已經轉往西區，加上本季的詹皇。
那反過來看看西區，目前為止12人只少了一位，那就是還在受傷中的Gordon Hayward。而且西區的全明星堆積的嚴重，勇士隊新球季將有五位，雷霆有三位。
以半個聯盟之力去擊敗一支球隊，這話題看似誇張，實則……是無比的現實與殘酷。在LBJ離開東區之後，東區正值成熟之年的球星們，竟然沒有一個年度第一隊的成員！上賽季例行賽場均得分前10位，更是只有字母哥一人來自東區。
1. Who are the top three teams in the Eastern Conference now?
(1)Ian Begley, ESPN.com:
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are obvious, but the final team is less clear. If Toronto doesn't trade any of its top players, it would essentially have the same roster that won an East-best 59 games last season. But the expectation of some opposing executives is that changes are coming to Toronto's roster, so I think the safer bet here is the Indiana Pacers for the third spot. Indiana returns mostly intact after winning 48 games last season and added Tyreke Evans, Doug McDermott and Aaron Holiday. If Myles Turner can take the next step in his fourth season, the Pacers could be a tough out in the East.
點名，塞爾蒂克、七六人，以及暴龍或溜馬。(活塞還真是沒有人愛啊!)
(2)Chris Forsberg, ESPN.com: Celtics, 76ers, Raptors -- Atlantic Division stand up! That said, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks might be a scarier playoff opponent than Toronto at this point. The Celtics nearly won the East without two All-Stars and should be the clear-cut favorite even if all they do is run back the same roster. Philly can make Boston sweat a bit if the Sixers trade for Kawhi Leonard or another proven star, and the Celtics might not have the best win total while easing Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving back into action, but all that will matter is clicking on all cylinders by April.
點名，Celtics, 76ers, Raptors。
(3)Chris Herring, FiveThirtyEight:
Raptors, Celtics, 76ers. Could also see the Pacers, who've had a solid summer, somehow cracking the top three. But those first three teams were the most consistent clubs in the conference even before LeBron James went West. So unless a major injury happens, I expect that to remain the case.
點名，Celtics, 76ers, Raptors。
(4)Jackie MacMullan, ESPN.com:
At this exact moment, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto become the new big three in the East, although that could change depending on how the Raptors shake things up -- and they should shake things up. Whether LeBron had stayed in Cleveland or not, the revival of the old Sixers-Celtics rivalry was emerging as the most lively and entertaining storyline in the East. I don't know if it can reach the level of Moses Malone chanting, "Fo', Fo', Fo'" and Larry Bird declaring, "Moses eats s---,'' but you know Joel Embiid will do his best to raise the stakes.
點名，Celtics, 76ers, Raptors。
(5)Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider:
Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto. Those were the top three teams last regular season, after all, and LeBron's move to the Western Conference only strengthens that position. The Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards can realistically aspire to crack that tier with offseason additions, but for now, I see no good reason to expect the top three to change.
點名，Celtics, 76ers, Raptors。
挑戰者，溜馬、公鹿與巫師，(活塞還真是沒有人愛啊!)
3. Which player is the new King of the East?
(對，我跳過第二題)
Begley: I'll take Giannis Antetokounmpo over Joel Embiid.
點名，Antetokounmpo。
Forsberg: Kyrie Irving. Giannis is probably the best player in the conference,
點名，Kyrie Irving 與 Antetokounmpo。
Herring: The best player is probably Giannis,
My hunch would then be to say Embiid, but that feels wrong, too,
點名，Antetokounmpo 與 Embiid。
MacMullan: It's Embiid, all day, every day, The Process has strength, range, ridiculous defensive instincts, excellent footwork and a social media command on the pulse of this league that has him on course to be the next Shaquille O'Neal. Talent and a sense of humor: best combo ever.
點名， Embiid。
Pelton: Giannis. If Milwaukee can crack the top four in the East, he could make a run at MVP.
點名，Antetokounmpo。
原文網址 http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24009553/5-5-experts-debate-state-eastern-conference-post-lebron-james-world-nba
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