Written by: Phil Partington | Hoops4life.com
The Atlantic Division suddenly became interesting last summer, after the Boston Celtics pulled off two miraculous trades that landed them Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
Just months earlier, star forward Paul Pierce was showing his aggravation to the media and insinuating that his abilities might be better utilized in another city. Celtics GM Danny Ainge must have received the message, as he compiled a trio that would eventually win the NBA title in 2008.
The 2008 summer has also featured significant changes for the Atlantic Division—but not from the Celtics. Boston did lose sixth-man forward James Posey, but will rely on the lineup of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen with Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins to lead them into the new season.
The Toronto Raptors made a notable maneuver this off season. With the emergence of Jose Calderon as the team’s top point guard, there was no longer a need for the injury-plagued, undersized T.J. Ford. Toronto traded Ford along with Rasho Nesterovic to the Indiana Pacers for Jermaine O’Neal.
On the one hand, O’Neal hasn’t had a healthy season in a few years, and shouldn’t be relied upon to produce the same kind of numbers he was once capable of. On the other hand, it may be a valid assessment to suggest that O’Neal was simply not putting his best foot forward because of the mediocrity of the Pacers.
In other words, he may still have something left in the tank. With Chris Bosh in place, the Raptors don’t need O’Neal to be a star. What they really need is a big man who can play defense at the center position so Bosh can be free to carry the offensive load.
A good season for O’Neal would be 14-15 ppg with 10 rpg or so, and about 1.5-2 bpg.
Projected starting five: C Jermaine O’Neal, PF Chris Bosh, SF Jamario Moon, SG Anthony Parker, PG Jose Calderon.
The Philadephia 76ers shocked the world by stealing Elton Brand away from the “other” Los Angeles team. Brand will fit in nicely with the Sixers’ style. Philly still needs another perimeter shooter or two to open things up for Brand and the team’s athletic slashers, but they’re on the right track to doing some significant damage in the playoffs.
Brand joins a scary-looking frontcourt, with the athletic, shot-blocking center Samuel Dalembert, as well as Reggie Evans, Shavlik Randolph, and rookie Marreese Speights. Backup center, Jason Smith, who showed some promise his rookie season, tore his ACL and will miss the entire upcoming season.
In addition to the potentially dangerous frontcourt, the Sixers will have point guard Andre Miller and—assuming he re-signs—Andre Iguodala in the backcourt, with Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams and Willie Green filling out the rest of the roster.
Projected starting five: C Samuel Dalembert, PF Elton Brand, SF Thaddeus Young, SG Andre Iguodala, PG Andre Miller.
The New Jersey Nets
5 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Paul Dawkins 10 months ago
I disagree with placing the 76ers above the raptors for a two reasons:
Last season, especially in the playoffs, it became glaringly obvious that their team lacks consistent shooters. Signing Brand definetly vaults them up the ladder in the East...however they still cant shoot.
Toronto is a team loaded with players that can shoot, especially from deep so they had no problems scoring, they just couldn't stop anyone else consistently from raping them on the offensive boards.
Toronto addressed its only glaring weakness by brining in O'Neal, while Philly only addressed their need for a low post scoring threat. If you don't have shooters that can alleviate the pressure off a low post presence, it becomes significantly easier for teams to key in on the threat. They should've made a push for James Jones.
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Caelan B 10 months ago
i agree with you th offseason is almost over and sixers havent signed any decent shooters but even if they did they still would not be better than the raps because raptors have fantastic shooter with one of the best front courts in the league chris bosh is easily better than brand bosh can drive shoot and can push around some guys in the paint and is a decent rebounder elton can only do half that shit hes a vry good rebounder and he can score inside also jose caledron ie one of the best pgs in the league hes so good all around he is so fast driveing to the net he can shoot the ball escpiclly from mid range and raptors have a great bench
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sam the fact checker 10 months ago
i am pretty sure krstic signed with an european team like 2 months ago...
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Bobbo 10 months ago
The Nets had an opportunity to trade Carter, but passed, a deal that would have given them all the cap room they needed...a straight up deal for Wally Szcerbiak. Of course, if that had been included in the Nets' summary, it would have hurt the narrative, oh wait, the conventional wisdom.
It may surprise readers who are told "don't be fooled" that there is no indication the Nets want to trade Carter. Trading Carter at this point would make the Izod Center the world's largest echo chamber. The Nets management still believes it can make the playoffs with this group...and knows without Carter, it won't be able to sell tickets either this year or next year. I'm pretty sure they can't but I am not an expert...nor is the writer of this article.
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Paul Nuzzi 10 months ago
Regarding sixers.. I see Lou Williams and Miller starting, (Or Willie Green), with AI at the 3. I don't like putting T young in that position to have to knock down jumpers under pressure, especially with AI not being a sharp shooter. With L will at the 2 and AI at the 3, they are a good enough perimeter starting lineup. Maybe even Kareem rush being a starter, but not playing big minutes. You will see T young playing the 4 when Brand moves to the 5, and he will play some minutes at the 3, just not big minutes.. remember, he played the 4 last year.
Sixers: Sammy, Elton, AI, L Will, A Miller
Knicks: Randolph, Lee, Chandler, Richardson, Crawford.... that team can win 3o-35 games, but hopefully will miss the playoffs and draft Ricky Rubio out of Spain!!!!!!!!
For the Knicks.. I'm thinkin that Wilson Chandler starts at the 3 just to give them a chance of getting to 25 wins. Looks based on 4 summer league games(I know it was only 4), that he is at least ready to play 30 min a game and make mistakes and improve. Also, I think there is no gaurentee that Duhon starts. I would not be surprised to see Crawford and Robinson, or Crawford and Richardson start. Why put Duhon under that early pressure when he can be the guy the media pines for if he plays well of the bench. I want to audition Randolph and Richardson the first half of the year. No way jefferies starts. He may not even get 15 minutes a game.
also note: Crawford and Curry have opt outs after this season.. if Crawford scores 23 a game this year, no way he doesn't opt out and get his final solid money contract. Curry may just be fed up with the Knicks if they don't play him, and leave hoping to get some money somewhere, or a chance to reprove himself. My hope is that Randolph is gone by February's trade deadline, and Curry gets minutes down the strech and decides to stay.. but if he goes.. cap problems are over.
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