Celtics, Raps, Sixers and Nets Look To Be Prepared

The NBA's Atlantic division has long been known for containing the Leagues worst teams. With the Celtics winning an NBA title that notion is slowly starting to fade. And with the way the Sixers, Raptors, Nets and Celtics have prepared for the 2008-09 season that notion might just fade away like one Garnett's patented shots. For evidence of big improvements for the Atlantic division teams take a look:

Celtics: They are the defending Champs and there main core of payers that got them there, Allen, Pierce, and Garnett will be coming back. They lost James Posey who probably was their best perimeter player but they still have a deep bench with the likes of sharpshooter Eddie House and the improvements Glen Davis and Leon Powe. The bottom line is The Celtics are the team with nothing to prove except that that they can win a secon title whereas everyone else has to prove they can win one. Look for the Celtics to be an elite next season.

Sixers: They surprised us last year when they made a playoff run and proved to be opponents to take seriously versus Detroit. The reason why the Sixers should be taken much more seriously is that they improved on many different levels. Their young players like Thaddeus Young and Willie Green are going to continue to improve. Andre Iguodala had a great year last year and his new contract should give him 80 million reasons to continue playing on a high level. The Sixers biggest improvement came in signing All star Elton Brand who should help provide a formidable front-line for the Sixers.

Raptors: They got rid of T.J Ford and for good reason. Jose Calderon is much better for the team and is a great passer which is why he almost averaged a double-double last season with 11.2 ppg and 8.3 apg. Trading Ford for ONeal may seam like a gamble but it was a smart one. Players play at a high level when they feel wanted and content. Which is exactly how ONeal did not feel in Indiana. In and interview with SI JO said that the people saying he is washed up will get a "full dosage of [him] next year." Add that to the improvements of all star Chris Bosh along with returning highflyer Jamario Moon and you have a team in Toronto to reckon with.

Nets: Say what you want about their outlook with all of their young players but their new look is a good look. They finally have a combination of big men that can take them far. Yi Jinilian will have a much better season than his rookie year because he won't have to compete for miuntes with Villanueva and he will be in a metropolitan area that will suit him much better than Milwaukee. Devin Harris should continue to improve and while he may not give the Nets a triple double every other night he is quicker and a better scorer than Kidd which is what the Nets need more now any way. The Nets got steals in the draft especially with Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts, and they made  shrewd FA signings by getting Najera, Hayes, and trading for Keyon Dooling to further beef up their bench. And there is their main player, Vince Carter, a guy many people love to hate. Despite a not so Carter-like season last season(at least before the Kidd trade) due to an ankle injury, look for VC to step up. He knows he has to and his teammates say he looks healthy and motivated this summer. For the Nets that's a very good sign.

Knicks: There isn't much to write about the boys on the other side of the bridge mainly because their off-season has been quiet as ever. They drafted Danilo Gallinari and signed Chris Duhon but they still have Stephon Marbury on their roster and Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson and Zach Randolph(who is reportedly on the trading block)  may not be enough to keep the team above mediocre.But one thing is for sure they will better than last year for the simple fact that they got rid of Isaiah Thomas. And even if Thomas is still around in some way, no body will know it.