I predict th
e division to finish in the following order1. Toronto Raptors
What I like: This team surprised a lot of people last year when they won the division and clinched the #3 seed, but I had seen them play several times back in November and that's all I needed to see. This team is fun to watch. They're very deep, they run the floor, have great shooters, brilliant team chemistry and an unquestioned leader in Chris Bosh. They added Carlos Delfino in the off-season to provide more athleticism and Jason Kapono to add yet another shooter. Bryan Colangelo has done a great job putting this roster together.
What I don't like: They're still not athletic enough. Delfino adds some to the equation, but overall this team looks a lot like a Euroleague squad. So they can run and shoot, but they're a little soft. Chris Bosh is the only guy who can really crash the boards. Added to that, they're still very young. Few guys on the team have any playoff experience besides last year, and frankly last year's first round exit really wasn't surprising.
Key Question: Will the team keep the hunger that they had last year? They were a young team looking to prove everybody wrong and surprised everybody. Now, will we see a continued rise or will this team look like the NFL's New Orleans Saints? I think the fact that all the attention has gone to the Celtics in the Atlantic Divisions keeps this team from really getting the respect that they deserve.
Dark Horse: Andrea Bargnani. He came on very strong at the end of last year, and should he continue to develop, could be a star by the time the season's over.
What I expect: I would expect the same thing we saw this team do in the second half of last year. Remember, they didn't really jell until midseason. Now, I would expect this team to roll from the start. They are more experienced, they'll be better in sync and since they are a young team they should be on the rise in every area of the game. I truly think they are the best team in the division.
2. New Jersey Nets
What I like: The Big Three in New Jersey all return ready to go, plus now you get Nenad Krstic back, a guy who was having a breakout season before getting hurt last year. Also, you bring in Jamaal Magloire, a former All-Star who could potentially refind his form, and in any case boosts frontcourt depth, a longtime team problem. But most of all I like the young guys on that bench that the team has drafted over the last few years. Josh Boone, Marcus Williams and Antonie Wright are three guys that are serious breakout candidates, and a strong contributer off the bench would do wonders for the brittle Richard Jefferson.
What I don't like: The Frontcourt, as always, looks weak. Krstic is being looked at as the savior here. He played well last year, but not that well. Alongside him is Jason Collins, who is a strong interior defender, but provides nothing offensively. Finally, we have to ask ourselves whether the Big Three can stay healthy?
Key Question: Did Nenad Krstic actually break out last year? It's tough to tell since he only played in 26 games. And if he did, how well is going to be able to comeback from tearing his ACL? The Nets entire frontcourt depends on his play this year.
Dark Horse: Jamaal Magloire. He is now in a position to win considerable playing time, since his only competition is incumbent Jason Collins. The former All-Star is actually still relatively young and is in a position to salvage his career.
What I expect: I expect the team to be good again. They'll make the playoffs, and a lot of it will be because of the young guys coming off the bench. I truly expect Boone, Williams and Wright to really start contributing to the team. A breakout season for one of them would do wonders, keeping the big three fresh. Jason Kidd is starting to realize that time is running out for him, and he'll
make sure he gets the most out of this bunch. They're my #7 seed.3. Boston Celtics
What I like: They're the most improved team in the NBA, no debate. By acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen they instantly vaulted themselves into contention. Kevin Garnett's inside presence should allow Allen and Paul Pierce to operate on the perimeter. Also, Pierce not having to shoulder the entire scoring load anymore should help him be a more productive player, as he no longer is forced to create for his entire team.
What I don't like: The Point Guard position scares me. Rajon Rondo wasn't even very highly touted coming out of Kentucky, and now is expected to completely handle point guard duties. He's a good defender, but his inability to shoot the ball, which could really hurt opposing teams focusing on Allen and Pierce, cripples the offense. Also, by trading away five guys, who gave them big minutes last year, for Garnett, they have become possibly the shallowest team in the league, with James Posey and Tony Allen being the only really experienced backups. Should one of the 'Royal Three' go down, the team will be in trouble. The Frontcourt is especially porous besides Garnett.
Key Question: Can Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett play together? Pierce and Allen play a very similar game and it will be especially interesting to see whether Ray Allen will actually ever get integrated into the offense. It's looking very much like Allen will overtake departed Wally Szczerbiak's role.
Dark Horse: Tony Allen. The other Allen, a combo guard who actually had a pretty solid year last year. If Rondo struggles, the team might be desperate enough to start Allen, who has played the point in the past, over backup Eddie House.
What I expect: I'm not a believer in the Big Three. I don't think they're styles fit and I really don't like what I see at the Point Guard position. I think having a dominating Big Man and a strong Point Guard are the foundation to a good team and this one lacks the latter. Their frontcourt depth is horrible. Kendrick Perkins does not compliment Garnett very well. You'll see a lot of young rookies get playing time before they're ready out of necessity and I believe it will frustrate the veterans on this team. I still think they'll make the playoffs, but won't make any noise this year. A full off-season with the Big Three should allow the front office to acquire some necessary pieces to make this team a contender.
4. New York Knicks
What I like: The addition of Zach Randolph adds a second inside scoring threat next to Eddy Curry, and could provide serious matchup problems for opposing big men. There is still a lot a of talent in the backcourt, and there's a lot of young talent on that bench. David Lee, Mardy Collins and Renaldo Balkman are all guys who come with the right attitude and do a lot of dirty work work for this team. Jamal Crawford keeps proving why he deserves to start for this team.
What I don't like: Stephon Marbury. He still believes himself to be one of the elite Point Guards in the league. Unfortunately, he's become no more than a score-first Point Guard who doesn't score very well anymore. Quentin Richardson is a pure shooter who has lost his shooting touch, yet the coaches are convinced enough of him to keep him around. Eddy Curry still doesn't play defense, rebound or hustle in any way. Finally, the New York City nightlife will provide Zach Randolph with a perfect place to get into trouble.
Key Question: With all this talent, will the Knicks finally figure out a way to make it work? Since Isaiah Thomas arrived in New York, it's been a case of acquiring all the talent possible and just putting it on the court, hoping that the puzzle pieces would fit. There are a lot of young guys on this roster that are great role players. The Front Office needs to give up on some of the veterans and build around those hungry guys currently coming off the bench.
Dark Horse: Fred Jones, buried in depth charts in Toronto and Portland, returns to the role he filled in Indiana and could be a good scorer off the bench. Jones provides excellent athleticism, and could be asked to provide that spark that the Knicks are looking for.
What I expect: I expect the same old same old. The Knicks look like they always do, and Zach Randolph isn't changing anything. I firmly believe that Marbury, Richardson and Curry just don't fit into what this team should be doing, and that's building forward towards the future. When you have a lot of young, high character guys, and you cripple their production with lazy, underachieving veterans, you hurt your present and your future. I've been calling for an overhaul for years, yet for some reason it never happens.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
What I like: The two Andres - Miller and Iguodala - are now the guys in Philadelphia. In a move to build towards the future, the team traded Allen Iverson and released Chris Webber, only to finish a game above .500 in games played after the trade. The secret is Iguodala's strong ability off the ball and ability to get open, paired with Miller's supreme passing ability. Miller is one of the game's very best passer's and makes the whole team better.
What I don't like: There just isn't much talent on this roster, and none was added in the off-season. Andre Iguodala is a phenomenal basketball player, but I'm not a believer in him as a #1 scoring option. And scoring will be a problem for this team. The frontcourt is very ugly. Samuel Dalembert and Reggie Evans can play defense and rebound, but are offensively challenged. Backing up those guys are Shavlik Randolph and rookie Jason Smith, who both can shoot but are as soft as mattress king and not starting options. Kyle Korver is a decent offensive threat due to his shooting ability, but is of better value to his team when coming off the bench. Unless Coach Cheeks decides to give Willie Green a starting opportunity, or one of the young guys - Rodney Carney, Thaddeus Young or Derrick Byars emerges from the pack, it's looking like another year of Korver and his defensive liabilities starting on the perimeter.
Key Question: Does the Sixers' success after the Iverson trade mean anything? They were hoping to have a bad season and get a good draft pick, but ended up sneaking up on a lot of teams and actually finished the season on a high note. The players were hungry to do whatever they could without Iverson in town and overachieved to a respectable record. Will the team play with that same hunger again this year? I personally doubt it.
Dark Horse: Rodney Carney. A relatively raw prospect when drafted in the first round last year out of Memphis, Carney slowly got integrated into the offense and by year's end was putting up respectable numbers. Carney brings tremendous athleticism to the game and is a lockdown defender. Should he emerge as the starter on the wing opposite Iguodala, you could be watching an exciting team this season.
What I expect: This team will finish at the bottom of the division. They simply are the least talented team in the division. I think they rallied around the two Andres last season after Iverson was traded and caught people off guard. I would be surprised to see that again this season. The biggest problem is the frontcourt, where there's plenty of athleticism and strength, but no real legitimate inside scoring threat. Because of the athleticism on this team, they'll be running a lot, and the personnel on this roster is made for a pick and roll offense, so they could be very fun to watch, despite probably finishing among the worst teams in the league.
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