EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION
1.) Boston 2.) Toronto 3.) New Jersey 4.) New York 5.) Philadelphia
All-Atlantic Team:
PG - Jason Kidd / T.J. Ford
SG - Ray Allen / Andre Iguodala
SF - Vince Carter / Richard Jefferson
PF - Kevin Garnett / Chris Bosh
C - Eddy Curry / Samuel Dalembert
1. BOSTON CELTICS
-- In 2004-05, Boston posted 45 wins, won the Atlantic division and made the playoff for the third straight season. After losing 58 games last year and missing the playoffs for the second straight season, Boston is ready for a drastic turnaround. By adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen their win total should easily rise. Garnett might not be as durable as he once was, Allen missed 27 games last year and one thing Boston battled last season was with the injury bug. As a team, Boston missed 73 more games than any other team last year. But if everyone can stay healthy the Celtics will run away with the Atlantic division. The big three of KG, Peirce and Ray Ray know that they haven't done anything yet. Key word: Yet.
New Additions: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Scott Pollard, Eddie House, James Posey, Glen Davis, Gabe Pruitt, Esteban Batista, Dahntay Jones, Jackie Manuel
Losses: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Allan Ray, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West
Player Under the Radar: Tony Allen / Kendrick Perkins
Big Games: Dec. 27 @ SEA, Jan. 25 vs MIN, Feb. 8 @ MIN, Mar. 17 @ SEA
2. TORONTO RAPTORS
-- You can't write anything about the Raptors without first mentioning the mastermind Bryan Colangelo. Colangelo has had a tremendous impact in the front office which has resulted in success on the court. The current Raptor's and former Phoenix Suns general manager has put together the right kind of players for the city that the team represents. He has constructed a team that is not only talented and unselfish, but has a winning mindset. Chris Bosh, T.J. Ford, Andrea Bargnani, Jorge Garbajosa, Anthony Parker, Jose Calderon and newly acquired sharp-shooter Jason Kapono will use a team mentality to rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors won't have a problem putting it up from deep, but a lack of size might cause them to struggle with scoring in the paint (the Raptors were second worst in the NBA in points in the paint last year). The emerging Raptors and new look Celtics make the Atlantic a tough division to conquer.
New Additions: Carlos Delfino, Jason Kapono, Maceo Baston
Losses: Morris Peterson
Players Under the Radar: Jose Calderon / Anthony Parker
Big Games: Nov. 2 @ NJ, Nov. 4 vs BOS, Dec. 7 @ BOS, Dec. 22 @ PHX, Dec. 28 @ SA, April 5 @ NJ, April 11 vs NJ
3. NEW JERSEY NETS
-- The Big Three in Boston aren't the original Big Three of the Atlantic Division. Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson might be playing with their primes behind them, but they won't go away just yet. The Nets made the playoffs last season for the sixth straight time. With Nenad Kristic returning from an injury that cost him almost all of last season and Jamaal Magloire coming in to replace Mikki Moore's solid contributions, the Nets could be playing in June for the seventh year in a row.
New Additions: Jamaal Magloire, Sean Williams, Darrell Armstrong, Jumaine Jones, Mateen Cleaves, Malik Allen, Rod Benson
Losses: Mikki Moore, Eddie House
Players Under the Radar: Josh Boone / Bostjan Nachbar
Big Games: Nov. 2 vs TOR, Nov. 10 vs BOS, Nov. 14 @ BOS, Nov. 14 @ BOS, Mar. 2 vs SA, Mar. 2 @ SA, April 16 @ BOS
4. NEW YORK KNICKS
-- It might be wishful thinking to beleive that the one-two punch of Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry will be a potent combination. The Knicks are a few years away from being a really good team. The core of younger Knicks players haven't approached their primes, but it's only a matter of time before we're seeing New York back in the playoffs. Renaldo Balkman, Wilson Chandler, Mardy Collins, Jared Jeffries, David Lee, Randolph Morris and Nate Robinson are all close to, but yet are all far from becoming strong and consistent NBA players.
New Additions: Zach Randolph, Allan Houston, Fred Jones, Wilson Chandler, Demetris Nichols, Jared Jordon, Walker Russell Jr., Roderick Wilmont
Losses: Channing Frye, Steve Francis
Players Under the Radar: Renaldo Balkman / Randolph Morris
Big Games: Nov. 29 @ BOS, Dec. 5 @ NJ, Jan. 4 @ SA, Jan. 5 @ HOU, Feb. 1 @ POR, Mar. 8 vs POR, April 14 vs BOS
5. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
-- Last season, Andre Iguodala led Philadelphia in scoring with 18.2 points per game. Iguodala should be great again this season, but the Sixers might be in trouble. Iguodala's 18.2 points per game was the lowest high output for a Sixer since 1953-54 when 17.1 led the team. One sign of hope could be that the 76ers had the best home record for a non-playoff team after the All-Star break and will look to continue the home court success into 2007-08. The 76ers have a young, but relatively unknown squad who will try to make the rest of the Atlantic division more familiar with who they are this season.
New Additions: Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith, Derrick Byars, Herbert Hill, Ricky Sanchez, Reggie Evans, Calvin Booth
Losses: Joe Smith
Players Under the Radar: Kyle Korver / Kevin Ollie
Big Games: Oct. 31 @ TOR, Dec. 1 @ NJ, Dec. 5 vs BOS, Jan. 6 @ DEN, Mar. 19 vs DEN
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