Belated NBA Predictions 2008/09 Part One: Eastern Conference

With all that went right for the NBA during the '07-'08 campaign, the playoffs came and went without much thrill or excitement. Sure, the Celtics were taken to the brink of elimination in consecutive rounds by Atlanta and Cleveland, but that was basically it.

The Hornets-Spurs series went seven but ended in standard fashion, with San Antonio coming out on top. Boring.

The league is looking to ride the wave of optimism that was created last year on the shoulders of a huge crop of young superstars, the ultra-competitive Western Conference, as well as the respective resurrections of the Celtics and Lakers. 

The '08-'09 season will be one to remember, so here is how it all should shake out. 

Atlantic Division

1. Boston Celtics

Outside of a scenario in which both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett miss significant time due to injury, there's absolutely no way I see the Celtics finishing anywhere other than first place in this division, as well as first in the Eastern Conference. Their only significant loss was F James Posey (signed by NO), but the team already has players that can step in and fill that void. Tony Allen should play a bigger role this season, and Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins should continue to develop into respectable players after making huge leaps last season. They drafted two athletic swing players in JR Giddens and Bill Walker, and, although they may not see much floor time early on, should have what it takes to play in the league for a long time. They should win 60+ games again this year, and I can see them going to the Eastern Conference Finals, at minimum. 

2. Toronto Raptors

The acquisition of Jermaine O'Neal could be huge for the Raptors, barring injury. He gives them a perfect complement to Chris Bosh in the low post on the offensive end as well as another great shot-blocker and rebounder. However, they lack a real offensive playmaker/scorer at the two or three positions, starting Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. Jose Calderon is now the unrivaled starting point guard, and he should be able to continue his high-level play with the added minutes this season. Jason Kapono gives them a nice deep threat off the bench, but really doesn't provide much else. If O'Neal remains healthy for the majority of the season, I feel like they're good enough to advance through at least the second round of the playoffs. 

3. Philadelphia 76ers

With Elton Brand on board, I feel like the Sixers are right on the border between being good and being really good. Thaddeus Young is a huge talent that should only improve this season going into his second year. Brand gives them the punch down low that they've been lacking for years, and that should be a huge relief to Andre Iguodala. They still sorely lack a real outside shooting threat, and do not have much depth coming off the bench. Lou Williams emerged last year as a great scorer and will continue to improve as well. I think they have what it takes to get to the second round as well, but not much further unless they address their outside scoring. 

4. New York Knicks

Just last night the Knicks looked like a completely different team, scoring 120 points and knocking off the Heat in the season opener. As far as for the entire season, this team is a total wild card. They have enough talent to be at the top of the conference, but it's really just a matter of the personalities and players gelling into a cohesive unit that can share the ball enough and do enough of the small things to win. Jamal Crawford should thrive in the running D'Antoni system, and Zach Randolph is the perfect big man for it as well, given his ability to knock down the outside shot. Eddy Curry not being in the rotation should be to nobody's surprise. He's fat and unathletic, how is he supposed to run up and down the floor with the tempo that D'Antoni requires? I'll hold off on putting them into the playoffs this season, but they won't be nearly as bad as the Isiah teams were. 

5. New Jersey Nets

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