NBA Preview: Atlantic Division
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by The Beast
This is part one of a seven part, NBA Preview, where I will breakdown all six NBA divisions, the playoffs, and season awards. So without further ado here is the Atlantic Division previews.
Last season, the young and gunnin' Toronto Raptors were one of the NBA's surprise teams, making the playoffs for the first time since the Vince Carter era. Another year of experience for this young team should help them win the title in the weak Atlantic Division. All-Star forward Chris Bosh has proven to be a 20 and 10 guy every time he steps on the court, and he should help a lot of the team's young guys to improve. Since Bosh should attract plenty of double teams, second year forward Andrea Bargnani should get plenty of open shots. Over the second half, of last season, Bargnani showed why he was worthy of the number one pick in the 2006 NBA draft. T.J. Ford also proved to be one of the league's better point guards last season but for the Raptors to have a chance he must stay healthy. What makes Toronto, the favorites to win the Atlantic Division title in my mind, is the team's great overall depth and high intensity. Look for this young Raptors team to be even better in 2007-2008, as they contend for the Eastern Conference crown.
All offseason long, the east coast media has pumped up the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to be the second coming of Jesus Christ and Moses. While their big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce should help to improve the team, depth is still a major concern. In trades for Allen and Garnett, the Celtics were forced to part with nearly half of their roster. What will happen if Garnett, Pierce, or Allen get hurt? How will Garnett, Allen, and Pierce, react to playing nearly forty minutes a game. Questions also swirl around the play of second year point guard Rajon Rondo. Can he handle the job of being an everyday point man? Boston will certainly have a good year but because of depth, they will fade down the stretch and quite possibly in the playoffs as well. Sorry ESPN but this team isn't a lock for the finals.
Clearly, the Nets have one of the best perimeter games in the entire NBA with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson. The "big three" is certainly capable of scoring points but the front court and health are major concerns. Last season, Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson, all missed significant playing time due to injuries. The front line is also quite thin and questions surround unproven center Nenad Krstic. IF Kristic can remain healthy and play more consistently than the Nets should be a very competitive team in the Atlantic Division.
Towards the end of last season, the Knicks appeared to be headed in the right direction, and management felt so good about the team that they gave Head Coach Isiah Thomas a contract extension. Good move? I think not. Over these past months, Thomas was involved in a nasty lawsuit with a former coworker. Look for this distraction to have a negative impact on the chemistry of his team. The Knicks have a solid starting five with Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph, Stephan Marbury, Jamal Crawford, and Quentin Richardson. However, chemistry has always been an issue with this team and I don't see them becoming a real close knight group.
5. Philadelphia 76ers This Sixers team is more inexperienced than ever, especially with the departures of Allen Iverson and Chris Weber. Still, they have a nice core of young players with Andre Igoudala, Kyle Korver, and rookie Thaddeus Young. Igoudala is a rising start and averaged 18.2 points per game last season. The Sixers are a really young team, and they are still a few years away before becoming serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
