2013-14 Atlantic Division Preview

New York Knicks  

• 2012-13 Record:

54-28

• Additions: 

Metta World Peace, Tim Hardaway Jr. (Rookie), Andrea Bargnani ,Cole Aldrich, Ike Diogu, Beno Udrih, C.J. Leslie (Rookie)

• Subtractions:

Jason Kidd (Retired), Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, Marcus Camby, Chris Copeland

• Looking Forward:

With the dominance of Miami, the resurgence of Indiana, Chicago expected to get a jolt with the return of Derrick Roseand the Brooklyn Nets making a huge offseason splash, on paper the New York Knicks is most likely the 5th best team in the East. Carmelo Anthony remains one of the premier scorers in the league and C Tyson Chandler will still be a defensive stout in the middle. The questions remain whether other complementary players like Raymond Felton and JR Smith can contribute on a consistent basis this season. Also can Amar’e Stoudamire have a somewhat healthy campaign? If these things can fall into place which the Knicks have shown to do in doses, they will remain a very dangerous team not just in the Atlantic but in the East altogether.

• Prediction: 

48-34

Brooklyn Nets

• 2012-13 Record:

49-33

• Additions:

Jason Kidd (Head Coach), Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Andrei Kirilenko, Shaun Livingston, Alan Anderson, Mason Plumlee

• Subtractions:

Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans, Jerry Stackhouse, CJ Watson

• Looking Forward:

In now just their 2nd season in Brooklyn, team owner Mikeal Prokorov has put his money where his mouth is and revigorated this Nets franchise. By acquiring future hall of famers in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from Boston,  the Nets are set out to make a statement. But realistically their championship window is one MAYBE 2 years. No rest for the weary from this franchise. Also Brook Lopez made good strides last season and is looking to become an elite center. Expect the Nets to be in the thick of things in the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference. Whether they compete with Miami is all about injuries.

• Prediction:

55-27

2012-13 Record: 
41-40

• Additions: 

Brad Stevens (Head Coach) Lucas Nogueira. Vitor Faverani, Phil Pressey, Donte Greene, Keith Bogans, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brooks, Gerald Wallace.

• Subtractions:

Doc Rivers (Head Coach), Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Chris Wilcox, Terrance Williams, DJ White

• Looking Forward

With the Big Three era in Boston finally over and a offseason of major shakeup right down to the coaching staff, the Celtics have now arrived at a point where fans haven’t seen in over 6 years….Rebuilding. Boston fans are going to need to be patient with the new direction of this franchise as Brad Stevens takes over a revamped roster. Rajon Rondo return status remains unclear but speculation continues as to whether he will be with this franchise beyond this season as the Celtics start the rebuilding process. It’s going to be a tough year for the C’s. Patience is the word from here on out. 

• Prediction

22-60

• 2012-13 Record: 

34-48

• Additions: Brett Brown (Head Coach), Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, Tony Wroten, Royce White,  James Anderson,  Tim Ohlbrecht, Arsalan Kazemi,  Darius Morris, Khalif Wyatt
• Subtractions:

Jrue Holiday, Andrew Bynum, Nick Young

• Looking Forward

Not to make light this but this could be the worst team in the league going to into this season and most likely coming out of the ’13-14 campaign. A team that was once building a young solid core a few short seasons back around guys like Lou Williams, Jru Holiday and others have now turned into a team that is selling off talent with each passing season. The Sixers still do have big potential in Evan Turner but there still remains a waiting game whether he can take that next big step. Plus coming off the failure of Andrew Bynum last season who ultimately signed in Cleveland, there isn’t much to honestly look forward to in Philly this season…..at least in the short term

• Prediction

24-58

Toronto Raptors: 34-48

• 2012-13 Record: 

34-48

• Additions: 

Tyler Hansbrough, Steve Novak, DJ Augustine, Dwight Buycks, Austin Daye

• Subtractions: 

Andrea Bargnani, Linas Kleiza, John Lucas III, Sebastian Telfair, Alan Anderson, Mickael Pietrus

• Looking Forward

There is some to be excited about north of the border. The Raptors will get a full season of Rudy Gay  and Demar DeRozan is a star in the making. The Raptors were actually one of the more exciting and intriguing teams to watch in the 2nd half of last season and if things fall positively this year for them this team can actually find  themselves competing for an #8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

• Prediction

40-42