1) Boston Celtics
With Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joining Paul Pierce, the Celtics have one of the most explosive lineups in the Eastern Conference—explosive enough that a trip to the Finals is within the realm of possibility.
As it stands, it doesn't look like chemistry will be a problem. That’s because Garnett and Allen have always been high-quality, low-maintenance, unselfish people.
In fact, Garnett’s most glaring weakness is his unselfishness and inability to take over important moments of important games. Teamed with Pierce and Allen, he'll have no problems giving up the spotlight down the stretch.
This isn't to say that the Celtics don’t have question marks, though.
Can Pierce, Allen, and Garnett stay injury free? Can Garnett produce in the clutch? Will Pierce be comfortable playing alongside a legit superstar for the first time? Will KG? Will the team be effective defensively?
The most important questions involve the center and point guard positions.
First, will Kendrick Perkins and his notable flaws hold the Celtics back? Can he become a more active defensive rebounder, and a more disciplined defender?
If Perkins can’t improve, the Celtics will be left with Scot Pollard or Garnett guarding an opponent’s best big man.
Pollard is an active defender but picks up fouls almost as much as he picks up hair-do’s. Garnett is a decent (but wildly overrated) defender who's better at blocking shots than guarding his man—and can get overpowered by the stronger bigs in the league.
At the point, the talented but inexperienced Rajon Rondo will be asked to set the offense. Garnett's court vision and patience should help the youngster immensely.
But will Rondo be turnover prone? And when he's left open by double-teams, will be able to hit jumpers?
If Eddie House is able to hit his shots, his presence will give Boston some versatility at the point—but House is nowhere near the defender Rondo is.
Rounding out the bench, James Posey is an aggressive defender with a nice jumper. But Posey is chronically out-of-shape, and looked washed-up during last season’s playoff run with the Heat.
Tony Allen has tremendous athleticism but little idea what to do with it. If Brian Scalabrine is hitting his jumpers, he can emerge as a useful backup. Leon Powe has a bright future but won't contribute much to the present.
The Celtics are probably one more year of experience for Rondo, one more effective defensive center, and one or two more versatile bench players away from being a true championship threat.
But if Rondo improves his shooting touch, Posey improves his work ethic, and Perkins improves period, the Celtics may extend their season into June.
If they can’t advance past the first round, expect Doc Rivers to take the fall.
2) New Jersey Nets
Once again, the
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13 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Dave Finocchio about 1 year ago
I have to say...this division isn't half bad for the Eastern Conference.
Here are my record predictions:
Celtics: 54-28
Raptors: 47-35
Nets: 43-41
Knicks: 38-44
76ers: 37-45
Let the comments begin...
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
I think the Sixers will be worse than 37 wins. They just don't have much there besides Iguodala and Miller.
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Dave Finocchio about 1 year ago
But they played so well down the stretch last year. I think they've got something (if 37 wins can be considered something).
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
Yeah but just because a team played well down the stretch one season doesn't mean that it will carry over. The roster is so young, and none of their big men impress me. Dalembert can defend a bit, and Evans works hard, but that's really all they can do. They have little depth or versatility, and Iguodala alone isn't a savior. They might end up with one of the worst records in the league.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
I hope I don't offend any Knicks fans, but this organization is still the laughing stock of the league and I see no reason why they won't once again release a giant stink bomb all over their fans.
As for the Celtics: should be damn fun to watch...until one of the big three gets injured.
My predictions:
Celtics: 50-32
Nets: 46-38
Raptors: 45-37
76ers: 33-49
Knicks: 27-55
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Thomas Halzack about 1 year ago
Good rundown Erick.
Here are my own predictions from a week ago.
Celtics 50-32
Nets 44-38
Raptors 43-39
Knicks 37-45
76ers 29-53
I actually like a number of Sixer players, but I think they need a few years or a few more players.
Let's see what happens.
T
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
I mean I like what the Sixers did last year with the fact that they didn't tank and they they came together as the season went on. In fact, they played some great ball after New Years, and with such a young team with little hope of making the playoffs, I found their run to be really admirable. And Sixer fans should be very proud of their run.
I'm just not sold on all their youngsters. They still need to develop their awareness. Take Louis Williams. He excels in the summer league...he excels in garbage time, but in last night's preseason game with the Knicks, whenever his drives to the basket were cut off or he had no open shot, he had no idea what to do. His defense is very poor, and he'll take time to develop.
The sixer big men are all limited, and their guards and wings all have flaws (Willie Green's defense and consistency, the fact that everything Kyle Korver does on offense is predicated on whether his jumpers are falling, Kevin Ollie's limited offensive game, etc).
Of course, if they avoid injuries to the two Andres, if the young players all learn and develop, and if they play with the same heart they played with last year, then I'll give any team led by Andre Miller the benefit of the doubt to overacheive and reach their maximum potential.
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Thomas Halzack about 1 year ago
How good Jason Smith proves to be will make a difference there. Early results are mixed. But it is very early.
Thaddeus Young will be a player in a few years I'm guessing.
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Jay Bee about 1 year ago
Knicks: 49-33
Celtics: 44-38
Nets: 41-41
Raptors: 33-49
76ers: 23-59
Humble pie comes with the special. Enjoy!! There is a thought process that went with this; and no, it is not crack.
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Jay Bee about 1 year ago
Knicks: (49-33) Shocker alert: Isiah Thomas is a good coach and a good person. Find a former player of his other than Austin Croshere's stiff butt who wouldn't love to be playing for Isiah. It's odd how people try to throw him out of town when he gets a team together that's ready to contend. The guys on this team are loyal to him, only. He treats them with respect and has created a truly competitive environment. It is bringing out the best in the players. Don't believe it? He's got N8 playing like a man. I actually believe that 52 wins is not out of the question for this team. But I knew that would set you guys off for WWIII. Just know that I'm not drinking your kool-aid and you don't have to drink mine. But I will save a slice of that pie for you at the end of the season. Hopefully, we'll be able to see who said what and have a good laugh about it. You can't run Isiah out of the league with your poison pens, he's too good. This is the year he proves it. Good for Dolan being thick skinned enough to let him give it a go in spite of the media, the commish and the entire league spitting on him. Still paying for that "If Bird was black..." comment almost 20 years later. Sports writers don't forget. Let it go people. It wasn't even his statement. It was Rodman's. He just cosigned. Bird was great but deep down you know it was true, that's why it hurt. Work through the pain and grow from it.
Celtics: (44-38) I may be a homer, but I'm not sold on the "Big Three". I'm looking at another three; as in the one in front of all of their ages. They will win more this season, but father time is a real sum beach. He will come for us all at some point. Ray Allen goes down for his midseason nap around January and the "big two" begin taking "stabs" at each other (Sorry about that Pierce). However, the press has anointed these guys to take the East and win the ring. One problem though, o.k. several problems: First, in the East, we play defense. Teeeeeeeam Defense. The transplants will have to get used to the pounding they're going to have to take. And who is not going to stick their foot under Ray Allen to try to get them ankles or make him think about the shot? Second, their bench is D-League material. They are probably waiting on teams to release players so they can fill out their bench. That's what Cleveland did so why not.
Nets: (41-41) Byron Scott's team with a weaker coach. Funny how the media gives Lawrence Frank a pass when Scott took essentially the same team to the finals twice. Karma's a beeeeyatch though and they haven't been back since. Kidd's back is worse off than they're letting on. He had an epidural to alleviate the pain. Have a baby and see what an epidural can do to you. Kidd is going to miss a significant amount of games because the grind will grind his old azz up. He needs rest and they can't afford to give it to him. If he does go down, deduct seven games from that total. Someone has a little Jason Kidd voodoo doll and he's beatin' that little mutha in the back, that someone is Byron Scott. Without Kidd to make him look smart, Frank is exposed as a hard working fraud. He won't get fired though, because he's a "good guy". Well that and he's so little and cuddly with that swoop dog hairstyle. I'm sure Thorn doesn't go to bed without his little Frankie.
Raptors: (33-49) These furriners are going to be cussin' each other out in 5 languages by the all-star break. This year teams will get physical with Toronto and they will back down like the Euro panzies they appear to be. Barnanny will get that #1 shoved up his chocolate hwy. nightly. Two Spaniards, an Eye-talian and Black guy walk into a bar... Raptors regress, East is better, they practically stood pat, bottom line. I like the move to get Candace Parker's older brother though. She can really play. Maybe they can convince her to do a reverse Juwanna Mann for them. Maybe they already have...?? Anyway "Raptors lose" will become a recurring theme and Sam Mitchell will be fired for CWB.
76ers: (23-59) Someone called the Knicks the laughing stock of the league. This team just cut Derrick Byars who gave defensive specialist Jeff Green and the whole SEC fits. You mean to tell me Derrick Byars isn't good enough to be on the 76ers? I predict the 76ers will be accused of tanking games and won't be offended by the accusation. Downside: Greg Oden is already gone. Without Dalembert, teams will collapse on AIjr forcing him into career highs in turnovers and assists.
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Nick Steele about 1 year ago
I dont wanna have to, but I will tell all of you, before you start talking bout the sixers being a laughing stock, watch them play. They are a COMPLETELY different team from last year. Last year I would watch games and there was NOTHING to be excited about, there was nothing you could be proud of. But this year the sixers are playing with PASSION and DEFENSE!!!! Last year I couldnt watch my team play most the time because it looked like they were mailing it in, BUT this year my sixers are actually playing like they are there to win. I see defense and I see hustle, we may struggle to score big numbers, but with the type of defense we are playing this year, I truly believe we could suprise alot of people around the league. All I'm saying is, JUST WATCH... My Prediction 40-42
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Harris Beringer about 1 year ago
After watching the Knicks last night, it is completely clear that Curry still can't rebound, Marbury and Crawford both can't shoot nor defend (did you see the missed layups and wide open Daniel Gibson 3s?), and Nate Robinson should get more minutes. Isiah never calls timeouts when his team needs them. He loses confidence in Balkman even though his fouls were justified. Maybe with a new coach the team could play well.
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david ditty about 1 year ago
knicks and sixers are going to be lucky to get to 35 wins. nets and raptors will be between 40 and 48. and the celtics should win about 55. as long as rondo continues to play well they have a great shot at making the finals out of the east. you know what you've got with the big 3, and i believe also w/posey and house off the bench. so it's rondo, tony allen, and perkins who will determine just how far this team goes.
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