NBA Preview 2009-10, Eastern Conference

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

Last year I didn't make the time for a preview and no one missed it, so to celebrate I'm making a huge comeback after a one-year (old son) hiatus last year to put my expectations into cyberspace to get fired up for the opening tip.  I've subscribed to league pass and I'm ready, though I feel like Jason Williams, rusty after my one-year hiatus.  Here goes with part one, the Eastern Conference...

Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics - KG's knees.  How much are you willing to bet that KG's knees will hold up from April to June after puffing through October to April? I for one haven't taken a mortgage out on my house (pardon the poorly-timed reference). That being said, how far would the Celts have gone with Rasheed playing "Scalabrine" minutes for a team that fought to the death with Orlando last spring?
New Jersey Nets - No joke, the three highest paid guys on this team are Devin Harris, Bobby Simmons and Tony Battie.  Oh and Beware! Courtney Lee's gonna try to play the revenge card a la Hibachi. But really now, how bitter is a 1st round pick from a small school that made it to the finals as a rookie? Oooh... scary.
New York Knicks - Are they playing any games in 2009-10?  How else can they explain the way they handled NateRob and David Lee.  Who was going to pick up the slack of 33-16-6, Eddy Curry and Larry Hughes? Puh-puh-please! If DWade and/or LeBron don't end up in NY (and I'm guessing they won't) this team is gonna be U-G-L-Y for many years to come.
Philadelphia 76ers - Intriguing, but not really.  Brand's like the slow alternate on the Jamaican 4x100 team, problem is he's a very highly paid slow alternate and, as such, the team as a whole has to suffer to get him some shine.  Playoffs?  I suppose so because they won 41 games last year, but I'm not comfortable about it.

Toronto Raptors - I love Hedo, I really do. I'm an old Kings fan and have seen glimmers of his ability through the years.  However, he just got paid for a ridiculous run for the Magic in the playoffs where he managed to hide the fact that he wasn't playing well behind a few clutch buckets (this reeks Al Davis).  In the end, his playoff line reads 16-4-5-.429 and only the FG% is above season average and was abysmal.  Getting the picture?  Hedo is not carrying this 33-win Raptor team over the threshold.  Hey Chris, like Miami?Central Division
Chicago Bulls

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