Behold the (ahem) Present: 07-08 Atlantic Division

The Atlantic Division has got some big dogs with KG, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen.

Boston Celtics

F Paul Pierce F James Posey F Brandon Wallace
F Kevin Garnett F Brian Scalabrine F Glen Davis
C Kendrick Perkins C Leon Powe
G Ray Allen G Tony Allen
G Rajon Rondo G Eddie House G Gabe Pruitt

The arrival of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to Boston immediately vault the Celtics to the top of the East. Though they gave up a lot of young talented players, and though the Eastern Conference as a whole is much stronger this season, the level of excellence that both KG and Allen have demonstrated throughout their careers is Hall of Fame stuff. Ditto Paul Pierce. These dudes know what time it is. Though their supporting cast is unproven, the GAP Band are used to working with young players. Their regular season play will be strong. Their post-season play will be stronger.
What can you even say about KG? Every aspect of his game is superlative. His physical gifts are ridiculous, his court sense impeccable, and yet it’s his intensity and quest for greatness that separates him. KG is gonna go freaking nuts this year. Ray Allen is another unbelievable player. Practically the prototype for All Star shooting guard, Allen has labored in obscurity since his heyday in Milwaukee. His pure stroke and aggressive dribble drives make him a perfect compliment to KG and Pierce. As for Paul, he may well have his finest all around year. And all three of these cats want so bad to win it all. The chemistry will be instant.
As for the other Celtics, some folks are going to have seriously elevate their games for team success. But Boston has some good candidates for the job. Point guard is probably the biggest question. Rajon Rondo has superior defensive skills and amazing hands, but in his second year finding consistency will be key. Eddie House is a good scoring third guard, but if Rondo is not effective, the Celtics have a problem. Kendrick Perkins, a highschooler Boston drafted in 2003, will bring great energy and physicality in the pivot. He will thrive alongside with the talented trio. So will the other young bigs off the bench. James Posey and Tony Allen offer solid depth. This is serious team. Assuming the young players fill their roles, the Celtics will play for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.




Toronto Raptors

F Jason Kapono F Joey Graham F Maceo Baston
F Chris Bosh F Jorge Garbajosa F Kris Humphries
C Andrea Bargnani C Rasho Nesterovic
G Anthony Parker G Carlos Delfino G Juan Dixon
G T.J. Ford G Jose Calderon

The defending Atlantic champs have gotten little respect for their unheralded barnstorming of the League’s weakest division. Perhaps this makes sense, considering the magnitude of the achievement (some team had to win). Or perhaps it is easy to overlook an unknown quantity. Led by the sensational Chris Bosh, the NBA’s only Canadian franchise receives hardly any airtime stateside. Rumors of their Euro-style and free flowing offense are read but not seen.
Know this: The Young Raptors are for real, and their 07-08 squad is even better than last year’s. Bosh has become a portrait of dominance in the mode of the modern power forward. The ease at which he faces the basket from 18-20 feet is frightening. He patrols the paint on the defensive end, and he is a top shelf rebounder. T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon are the best point guard combo in the League. Both have the ability to maximize their running mates’ offensive efficiency. They spread the ball around, while at the same time keeping Bosh as the focus of their half court sets. The emerging Andrea Bargnani teams with Bosh to lead a deep and experienced group of bigs off the bench. Bargnani is poised to take a major leap forward in his second year. Even if he stumbles, with a motivated Rasho and the heroic Garbajosa behind him, Toronto will be fine. On the perimeter, Toronto has a balance of shot makers and hustle guys. Chemistry runs strong North of the border.
With a juggernaut in Boston, an improved Toronto may not be able to win consecutive Division titles. But assuming that Bosh’s leg troubles are not a big liability and that Bargnani flourishes, the Raps may well being playing in the Conference Finals.



New Jersey

F Richard Jefferson F Bostan Nachbar
F Jason Collins F Josh Boone F Sean Williams
C Nenad Krstic C Jamaal McGloire
G Vince Carter G Antoine Wright
G Jason Kidd G Marcus Williams G Darrell Armstrong

With the 34-year-old Jason Kidd at the helm and the spectacular Vince Carter on the wing, all that stands in the Nets way is their health. Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic have the offensive tools to make the Nets a serious threat in the East. Though they will likely keep the scoring challenged Jason Collins as a fifth starter, he sets good picks and stays in the flow of the Nets movement oriented offense. Bostan Nachbar looked great for stretches late last season, and he appears ready to be a solid 6th or 7th man for the Jerse. Second year pg Marcus Williams and the ageless Darrell Armstrong give coach Lawrence Frank an opportunity to limit the 34-year-old Kidd’s minutes. With Jamaal McGloire, Josh Boone and Sean Williams, the Nets even have talented beef off the bench.
But health is a huge thing for these Nets. Krstic is returning from ACL surgery and has just started playing full contact basketball in the last three-four weeks. Marcus Williams is out four more weeks with a broken foot. Jefferson has missed 80 games over the past three seasons. Kidd has already been sidelined by a back problem. . . and did I mention that he is 34 years old?
On the plus side, Vince Carter is playing possibly the best basketball of his storied career. With visions of the Next Mike long ago discarded, VC has found himself a Superstar reborn in the swamps of Jersey. Always an otherworldly offensive player, he has discovered how to explode with in Frank’s offensive scheme. Assuming good health for Kidd, Krstic and Jefferson, Vince makes the Nets a very tough out come Playoff time. If Kidd’s back gives him trouble over the 82, or they lose either of their other primary scorers for 20 plus games, its lights out for NJ.


New York

F Quentin Richardson F Renaldo Balkman F Jared Jefferies
F Zach Randolph F David Lee
C Eddy Curry C Randolph Morris
G Jamal Crawford G Fred Jones G Mardy Collins
G Stephon Marbury G Nate Robinson

Hopelessly over the salary cap and strapped with players earning much more than they are worth, the Knicks opportunities for a serious make-over were quite limited over the summer. To the extent that they were able to move Steve Francis’ albatross contract, gain the also over-paid but highly talented Zach Randolph while only losing young big Channing Frye, NY had a good off-season. Looking at the squad as it stands, however, reveals only continued mediocrity in an improving East. Marbury is clearly on the downside of his career (and perhaps his sanity). Crawford has yet to reach his so-called potential. Much has been said about the redundancy in the Knicks power duo of Z-bo and Eddy Curry on the offensive end. Neither is a facilitator. In order for Zach and Curry to play well together, their teammates need to execute a game plan revolving around the big fellas. With chuckers like Marbury, Crawford and Richardson as likely starters, the road ahead for the New Yorkers looks rocky.
More important to the Knicks fate than finding an offensive flow is their ability to apply any defensive pressure. No one in the Knicks starting five will ever be remembered for their defense. David Lee and Renaldo Balkman are probably their two best defenders. The two young forwards bring an energy and relentlessness that helps any good team. Lee had a knack last season of bringing the best out of Curry, in part because his hustle helped cover for Curry’s lack of hustle.
The Knicks backcourt is highly suspect, starting with Marbury at the point. Without any shot blockers protecting the rim, Steph is going to have to stay in front of his man the majority of possessions--an unlikely prospect to say the least.
The Knicks may be better than last year. Despite their shortcomings, a lot of the guys on this roster are pretty tough-minded. Further, Isiah seems to have them all believing that they are good. At what point does it become clear that what Isiah believes is unrelated to reality? Curry was recently quoted that he knew his shoulder injury wasn’t serious because he was killing Jerome James in practice. Talk about unrelated to reality. Knicks have another bad year.





Philadelphia

F Andre Iguodala F Rodney Carney F Thaddeus Young
F Reggie Evans F Jason Smith F Herbert Hill
C Samuel Dalembert C Shavlick Randolph
G Willie Green G Kyle Korver
G Andre Miller G Louis Williams

Do not let that hot finish last year fool you: Philly is gonna stink it up big time in 2007-08. From a young star to a younger supporting cast, Philadelphia is dangerously green in key positions as they embark on the 82. Vets Andre Miller and the already banged up Samuel Dalembert must step up as major leaders, or Philly could drift into irrelevance by the winter holidays.
I am not sold on Andre Iguodala as a featured player in the NBA. True he is incredibly skilled and freakishly athletic. But with his current supporting cast and with opposing defenses trying to keep the ball out of his hands, Iguodala is going to struggle to produce the huge numbers Philly is expecting from him. Miller is the Sixers second best player. An above average point guard entering his early 30’s, he is a skilled distributor, rebounder and scorer. He is not a game changer. Dalembert roots the entire Philadelphia D and is crucial for Philly’s success. But injuries have often been a problem for the 7’0 Haitian. If he goes down, the Sixers will free fall.
Despite the high likelihood of a horrible record, Philly does have some intriguing young talent: Korver is a proven bomber, Willie Green and Louis Williams are explosive third-guard types, and several of their young forwards show promise. Rookie Jason Smith may have even won a starting job while Dalembert heals. Considering the improved East, many good things could happen this season in Philly and the team still fall short of 30 wins.


Central Division: Milwaukee and Indiana are loaded with young veterans entering their prime

Southeast Division: If Washington were for real, they would have this Division in a walk