NBA 2008-2009 Atlantic Division Preview

With Brand doubling as an effective post defender, Samuel Dalembert can become a roaming weak-side shot blocker—the position he fills best.

Thaddeus Young can continue to fill whatever role Maurice Cheeks asks of him, while Reggie Evans will go back to the bench, giving him more energy to rampage the backboards.

Outside shooting is still a problem, but perhaps Kareem Rush can put his selfish, defenseless, score-at-the-expense-of-the-team attitude behind him and fill a necessary role.

Plus, Philadelphia’s “always defend” and “always play hard” attitude that allowed them to overachieve last year, gives them the leg up in battles against equally talented opponents.

The youngsters are probably a year away from having the necessary experience to prevail deep in the playoffs, but the Sixers have a bright present, and a brighter future.

3) Toronto Raptors

While dumping T.J. Ford for Jermaine O’Neal was the right idea, it’s hard to envision the Raptors taking a big leap in the East. That’s because O’Neal has had no interest in battling in the low post, no interest in rebounding in crowds, and no interest in playing physical basketball against physical opponents.

Instead of finding a way to shore up a team-wide lack of muscle, the Raptors acquired the brittle, injury-prone Chris Bosh—Version II.

Jose Calderon should excel without having to look over his shoulder at Ford, but now Toronto has a gaping hole at the backup position. Also, while Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker are capable defenders, neither of them are able to reliably get their shots off in a crowd. In fact, Toronto’s roster is littered with defenseless shooters like Andrea Bargnani and Jason Kapono.

If O’Neal is so overjoyed to be out of Indiana that he plays with passion, power, and energy, then perhaps he can team with the ultra-athletic Bosh to provide a dangerous frontcourt duo. Still, when Boston, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, even perhaps Orlando start shoving the Raptors around, will they have what it takes to push back?

4) New York Knicks

While the Isiah Thomas disaster is officially over, the Knicks are still a long way from respectability.

Even though Thomas is gone, his cast of characters still remain. The delusional Stephon Marbury, the self-absorbed Zach Randolph, the landlocked Eddy Curry, the worthless Jerome James. At least, the untamed athleticism of Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, David Lee, and Wilson Chandler will be set free by new head man Mike D’Antoni—but none of those guys can defend.

Is Chris Duhon as good at running an offense as people say he is? Will Randolph make the extra pass? Will Curry pass out on the court chasing after his teammates? Will Crawford ever be tamed from an athlete into a basketball player? Will Robinson learn the simplest pass is often the correct pass? Can David Lee defend (he can do everything else)? Will Stephon Marbury embarrass himself any more than he already has?

The current Knicks will score and should provide more entertainment to the fans—but they’re light years away from evolving from a circus into a basketball team.

5) New Jersey Nets

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