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Preview of the NBA's Atlantic Division

by Rob Centore
Exchange Staff

Boston Celtics

Key Additions

Key Loses

Ray Allen

Al Jefferson

Kevin Garnett

Delonte West

James Posey

Ryan Gomes

The Boston Celtics have gone from one of the youngest teams in the NBA to one of the oldest in one off-season. The acquisitions of Allen and Garnett make this team a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference and possibly for the championship. Questions still are asked about their depth and bench. I think both Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins will be able to hold their own and do what is asked for them. I think Perkins is a gem with this rotation and I foresee him averaging 8-10ppg and 8-10rpg. As for Rondo, I don't think you can ask for more than running the offense smoothly and playing great defense which he is capable of. Tony Allen and James Posey are also valuable defensive guys off the bench. I see the Celtics' advancing to the NBA Finals with no prediction to what will happen.

Starting Lineup

Stat Predictions

C

Kendrick Perkins

9.7 PPG

10.4 RPG

1.7 APG

PF

Kevin Garnett

20.5 PPG

15.6 RPG

5.3 APG

SF

Paul Pierce

21.2 PPG

7.7 RPG

4.1 APG

SG

Ray Allen

19.6 PPG

3.9 RPG

3.9 APG

PG

Rajon Rondo

7.2 PPG

4.7 RPG

5.1 APG

New Jersey Nets
Key Additions		Key Loses
Sean Williams		none
Jamaal Magloire
Vince Carter
The New Jersey Nets have three star caliber players in Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, and Jason Kidd. The problem has been keeping them healthy and playing at the same time. Jason Kidd is coming off a tremendous year, averaging near a triple-double. Still one of the best PG's in the league Kidd has a chance to lead the Nets into the playoffs again this year. The re-signing of Carter if the off-season was a big move for the team and it showed their commitment to this group of players. The rookie Sean Williams adds a defensive prescience that the Nets lacked last season. In what has grown into a competitive division, the Atlantic is going to be won by Boston, but New Jersey looks like a playoff contender barring any injuries.
Starting Lineup		Stat Predictions
C	Nenad Kristic	14.7 PPG	9.4 RPG	1.7 APG
PF	Jason Collins (won't be starting for long)	5.5 PPG	4.6 RPG	0.8 APG
SF	Richard Jefferson	19.2 PPG	6.7 RPG	3.1 APG
SG	Vince Carter	21.6 PPG	5.9 RPG	3.1 APG
PG	Jason Kidd	9.2 PPG	8.7 RPG	8.1 APG

New York Knicks
Key Additions		Key Loses
Zach Randolph		Channing Frye
Allan Houston		Steve Francis
The New York Knicks made a pretty big move this off-season in acquiring big man Zach Randolph from the Portland Trailblazers. He forms a good low post tag team with Eddy Curry. Bringing back Allan Houston was a bad move in my eyes, a washed up player who has been out of the league for two years doesn't seem like someone that I would want to sign. The Knicks are going to be an interesting team to watch this season because while they have some head cases, they some young talent in guys like David Lee. I am not sure if they are going to be one of the high scoring teams in the NBA, but I see them being able to dominant the boards with Curry, Randolph, and Lee. Stephon Marbury is running the point still, which isn't really a good thing. I don't see them making the playoffs this years, but they will definitely be a team to know during the season.
Starting Lineup		Stat Predictions
C	Eddy Curry	18.4 PPG	7.4 RPG	1.7 APG
PF	Zach Randolph	20.5 PPG	9.6 RPG	0.8 APG
SF	Quentin Richardson	13.1 PPG	4.7 RPG	3.1 APG
SG	Jamal Crawford	14.8 PPG	2.9 RPG	4.2 APG
PG	Stephon Marbury	12.2 PPG	2.7 RPG	6.4 APG

Philadelphia 76ers
Key Additions		Key Loses
Thaddeus Young		none
Daequan Cook

The Philadelphia 76ers made their big splash last season when they got rid of Allen Iverson and went with a youth movement. They had a pretty good second half and the future could be bright for them. Thaddeus Young comes in out of Georgia Tech and looks to add to this athletic team. Andre Iguodala is a stud and an all-star in the waiting. Both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, this kid can play. Andre Miller added a lot to this team with his ability to run the offense. The area that this team runs into is down low. Samuel Dalembert was a bust after signing a big contract and Reggie Evans is a banger, but nothing special. I don't expect to hear big news coming out of the Philly camp, but if they can build more around Iguodala than the future isn't too far away.
Starting Lineup		Stat Predictions
C	Samuel Dalembert	8.8 PPG	8.6 RPG	0.7 APG
PF	Reggie Evans	11.5 PPG	6.6 RPG	1.7 APG
SF	Andre Iguodala	20.5 PPG	6.7 RPG	4.3 APG
SG	Kyle Korver	14.8 PPG	3.9 RPG	2.7 APG
PG	Andre Miller	9.2 PPG	2.7 RPG	9.1 APG

Toronto Raptors
Key Additions		Key Loses
Jason Kapuno		none
The Toronto Raptors were a surprise team last year and I see them continuing to improve. Probably one of the deepest teams in the NBA, the Raptors have a superstar in waiting in Chris Bosh and an international delight in Andrea Bargnani. While I don't think Bargnani will live up to his #1 overall billing, he is a good role player. A lot of money was spent on Jason Kapuno and I really don't know why. Sure he can shoot, but by no means is this kid a superstar. I don't see the Raptors winning the Atlantic again, but the playoff could be in sight for this young team. I look for Chris Bosh to have a stellar year and finally getting recognized for it.
Starting Lineup		Stat Predictions
C	Andrea Bargnani	12.8 PPG	4.6 RPG	0.7 APG
PF	Chris Bosh	18.1 PPG	9.7 RPG	2.7 APG
SF	Jason Kapuno	15.1 PPG	4.2 RPG	3.2 APG
SG	Anthony Parker	8.2 PPG	1.9 RPG	2.7 APG
PG	T.J. Ford	13.1 PPG	2.5 RPG	8.8 APG

The Exchange

Standings
(Predictions)

Team	W	L
Boston Celtics	55	27
New Jersey Nets	42	40
Toronto Raptors	39	43
New York Knicks	31	51
Philadelphia 76ers	27	55