Yahoo! Atlantic Division Predictions!!!

Sort of a middling division. Other than New Jersey, the rest seemed pretty clumped in the Bad to Medicocre area. I could see 2-5 in any order.

1. New Jersey Nets
Last Year: New Jersey has nothing to be ashamed of about last year. Still, the question remains whether they are actuall Eastern Conference contenders. They ended the year looking good, until they met the Heat. But then again the Heat did win it all...

This year: Everyone's lauding them for their late round pick of Marcus Williams and he may very well pay dividends as Kidd ages, but shouldn't be much of a factor for them this year. Nevertheless, even w/o any big changes, the Nets should win their division pretty easily (unless 2 of the trio Carter, Jefferson, or Kidd gets injured- which is a possibility).

2. Boston Celtics
Last Year: Went with only Pierce in the veteran role and weren't able to pull out a playoff spot.

This Year: For them to get into the playoffs again, at least one of the following players needs to emerge as a star: Telfair, Gerald Green, Perkins, or Al Jefferson. If one uses summer league play as an indicator, it might be 0 for 4. Telfair probably has the best chance. He'll be playing in an offence (fast) that suits him and he already might be the quickest PG in the league. He also has something to prove. Ainge better hope he turns it on, b/c Brandon Roy (who the Blazers drafted w/ the pick they got for Telfair) looked like a can't-miss star in Summer League.

3. Philadelphia 76ers
Last Year: Middling middling middling. Got close enough to sniff the playoffs, but that's not saying a lot in the East.

This Year: Why oh why didn't they trade Iverson? This team is going nowhere and this is probably the last off-season they'll be able to get anything for him. They won't be terrible, but they aren't going to be very good either. Iverson and Webber's contracts are dragging them ever further down as the two ex-superstars continue to age. And as nice a guy as Cheeks is, I'm not sure he's NBA coach material. This year could be ugly.

4. Toronto Raptors
Last Year: I seem to remember them not being terrible last year, but checked to see that they only won 27 times. Ouch. But Bosh did emerge as a start (just in time for a contract extension!)

This Year: I am intrigued by the Raptors. It appears that, along w/ Colangelo, they are importing the Suns offence. So, who knows? Maybe speedy TJ Ford will be Steve Nash Canada, Bagnini will have a Gasol-like rookie season, and Bosh will take that next step up to Lebron/Wade-super-stardom. More likely, this will be a transition year, but is at least in the right direction.

5. NewYork Knicks
Last Year: Total utter disaster

This Year: And a man named Isiah shall lead them. Let's hope so. The Knicks' overpaid underachieving roster has become the biggest joke in the league and part of me thinks some type of Karma will be on the Knicks' side this year. On the other hand Curry is lazy, Marbury and Francis are ball hogs, and I don't see the addition of Balkman or Jeffries really doing much. Maybe a fast-paced offence under the more positive leadership of Thomas will do the trick. Probably not.