Real Beasts of East? Cavs, Sixers, Knicks aiming to make their claim

The Eastern Conference picture is starting to sharpen, but there are still a few pressure points worth watching entering the All-Star break.

For ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, it starts in Cleveland.

“Harden’s assimilation in Cleveland is an obvious one,” Bontemps said. “Will he and Donovan Mitchell successfully co-exist? Can he coax more consistent play out of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen? Was this the kick in the pants Cleveland needed to ascend back up the East standings?”

That’s the big one. Cleveland has looked different since the trade deadline. The question now is whether it’s a short-term jolt or something sturdier heading into April.

Bontemps also pointed to Philadelphia, where Joel Embiid’s health remains the central variable. The Sixers have shown life after last season’s collapse, but it all still runs through Embiid’s availability.

That’s where Vincent Goodwill jumped in.

“What will Philly look like when Paul George comes back from his suspension?” Goodwill asked. “Being a believer in the 76ers has historically been a fool’s errand, and George’s absence creates an easy excuse if they are to capsize.”

Goodwill also has his eye on New York. Specifically, whether Karl-Anthony Towns can rediscover last season’s form.

If Towns can’t consistently produce, the Knicks risk overextending Mitchell Robinson — and that’s a dangerous game.

In other words, the East is less about standings right now. It’s about which questions actually get answered.