The league's best teams often teeter on a knife's edge, thriving thanks to continuity but in a constant state of fragility, which explains the current state of the weakened Eastern Conference. The two favorites, who meet in a made-for-television opener Wednesday in New York, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks (7 p.m. ET on ESPN), are in this place because of the consistency of their rosters and misfortune of fellow contenders.
The Knicks are stocked with talent but also are laden with expectations with fans desperate for the team to make the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The Knicks could take a minute or two to adjust to coach Mike Brown's fast-paced offense, but as long as Jalen Brunson remains healthy, they have a solid chance of coming out of the East.
The devastating news surrounding Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov's injury has sent shockwaves throughout the NHL. Here's a player who's gone through everything and stood tall. He's withstood three straight Stanley Cup runs playing through just about every sort of injury hockey players can deal with. Yet, during a seemingly innocuous play, Barkov suffered a crushing knee injury that pretty much ended his season.
My focus has been on the top four. Finishing in the top four will give us a better chance than last season in the playoffs. We've still got some work to do now to get there. We have to win games, we know that. We are playing against opposition now that probably don't have so much to play for, but there are new head coaches. They will be looking to show them what they are all about for the beginning of next season.
Cincinnati surrendered top spot in the Eastern Conference after Miles Robinson's late header was ruled out in their goalless draw with Inter Miami.
I wanted to stay preferably in the Eastern Conference to be close to my family, who lives in Washington. That certainly was also something that played a factor for me personally.
