By Sam Amico / the Amico Report

The numbers next to each team are Sam Amico's predicted finishes in the division. This is the Atlantic division. These are not the consensus predictions of Inside Hoops. Our predictions come this week.

1. NEW JERSEY NETS

Coach: Byron Scott, third year.

Last season: 52-30, lost to Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Finals.

Starters: C Dikembe Mutombo, F Kenyon Martin, F Richard Jefferson, G Kerry Kittles, G Jason Kidd.

Key subs: F Rodney Rogers, F/C Aaron Williams, G Lucious Harris, G Chris Childs, C Jason Collins.

New faces: Mutombo, Rogers, Childs, F/G Tamar Slay (r).

Strengths: Kidd, and overall depth. The addition of Rogers and Childs, and continued development of second-year players Jefferson and Collins, give the Nets the same type of squad they had last season -- athletic, smart, and lots of fun to watch. And unlike last season, the Nets will have some real aggressiveness in the frontcourt, a real credit to team president Rod Thorn and his offseason maneuvering.

Weaknesses: Shooting guard. Kittles and Harris are solid , but lack consistency. Also, does the 36-year old Mutombo have anything left?

Outlook: Pretty darn good. The Nets showed signs of collapse during the second half of last season and first round of the playoffs -- but Kidd and Martin consistently pulled them through when it mattered most. The addition of Rogers gives them outside shooting and firepower off the bench, and if everyone stays healthy, New Jersey could win close to 60 games. At the same time, the entire Eastern Conference is improved, and it will be interesting to see how the Nets react with every gunning for them. No more surprises, kids.

Radio: WOR-710 AM.

2. WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Coach: Doug Collins, second year.

Last season: 37-45, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Brendan Haywood, F Charles Oakley, F Michael Jordan, G Jerry Stackhouse, G Larry Hughes.

Key subs: F Kwame Brown, F Bryon Russell, G Tyronn Lue, F Jared Jeffries, F Christian Laettner, C/F Etan Thomas, G Chris Whitney.

New faces: Oakley, Stackhouse, Hughes, Russell, Jeffries (r), G Juan Dixon (r).

Strengths: Great mix of veterans and first- and second-year players. Young legs combined with wise basketball minds makes this arguably the deepest team in franchise history. Stackhouse, Jordan and Hughes are all very good mid-range players.

Weaknesses: Lots of new faces, and it could take some time to gel. There are also a lot of guys -- Jordan, Russell, Stackhouse, even Hughes -- who play the same position. Will there be enough minutes?

Outlook: Jordan appears to be as fit as ever, which is unlike last season when he was still trying to play his way back into shape at the All-Star break. But even if he does come off the bench, or spend some time on the injured list, this remains a deep and talented team. Brown may start in front of Oakley, and Thomas and Jahidi White will battle Haywood for the staring center position. Also, Lue has looked great in the preseason and could eventually force Hughes to come off the bench. Without a healthy Jordan, the Wizards should still make the playoffs and might even be able to pull off a first-round upset. With Jordan, they could be this year's Nets.

Radio: WTEM-980 AM.