NBA Atlantic Division Predictions

[insidehoops]

For the upcoming 2008-09 season, predict the order of finish for the five teams in the Atlantic Divsion. And, put at least one sentence next to each team, with your bottom-line thoughts about them. Put real insight into what you say, even if it's just a single sentence.

Useful: Check depth charts (starters and key bench) for each team here. Hit that and remind yourself of each team's core players.

Also useful: Last season's final standings.

Atlantic Divison teams: Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York

[ChuckOakley]

1. Boston - The King of the NBA
Predicted record: 55-27

2. Philly - All the need is another shooter and time.
Predicted record: 48-34

3. Toronto - So many questions. Can JO stay healthy? Can Calderon play 40 mins for 82 games? They may have the worst perimeter rotation in the NBA
Predicted record: 42-40

4. New Jersey - A rebuilding year with little expectations.
Predicted record: 30-52

5. New York - Another long season in NY.
Precicted record: 27-55

[AItheAnswer3]

1. Boston
Defending Champs. Big 3. Nuff said

2. Philly
Had the best offseason in the NBA. Really improved their bench and added Elton and will make some noise in the playoffs.

3. Toronto
Added Jermaine but lost a couple of players. Who knows how many games will Jermaine play since he's injury-prone. Though I expect a much better season for the Raps. Bosh & Calderon are hungry and pumped up after winning medals in the Olympics.

4. New Jersey
In Rebuilding mode. Lost Kidd last season and now Richard Jefferson. Added Brook Lopez whom I predict will turn out to be a bust & Najera who will bring some energy off the bench. Carter will have a great season in terms of stats and this might be Devin Harris' breakout season. No more than 25 wins for the Nets.

5. New York Knicks
Arguably the worst team in the NBA. Everything's messed up for the Knicks. Things are totally going in the wrong direction.

[out|hoops|side]

My predictions are the same as above, no point in being redundant.

[Young Money]

1. Boston Celtics - I think they'll win 60+ games again this season and win the Eastern Conference as well.
Predicted Record - 64 -18

2. Philadelphia 76'ers - I see them gelling quickly and winning 50 games this season. They won't make it far in the playoffs though. I think it'll take them another year to qualify as true contenders for a championship.
Predicted Record - 50 -32

3. Toronto Raptors - They'll be barely edged out in the regular season by Philly, though I see them making more noise in the play-offs.
Predicted Record - 48 - 34

4. NY Knicks - I think they'll come close to 40 wins this season in a new rejuvenated system.
Predicted record - 37 - 45

5. NJ Nets - I don't see the Nets winning 40 games this season. I see them neck and neck with the Knicks as the seller dwellers of the Eastern conference.
Predicted Record - 34 - 48

[ZeN]

1. Boston Celtics - I think they'll win 60+ games again this season and win the Eastern Conference as well.
Predicted Record - 64 -18

2. Philadelphia 76'ers - I see them gelling quickly and winning 50 games this season. They won't make it far in the playoffs though. I think it'll take them another year to qualify as true contenders for a championship.
Predicted Record - 49 -33

3. Toronto Raptors - They'll be barely edged out in the regular season by Philly, though I see them making more noise in the play-offs.
Predicted Record - 44 - 38

4. NY Knicks - I think they'll come close to 40 wins this season in a new rejuvenated system.
Predicted record - 37 - 45

5. NJ Nets - I don't see the Nets winning 40 games this season. I see them neck and neck with the Knicks as the seller dwellers of the Eastern conference.
Predicted Record - 34 - 48

that sounds about right...

[LJJ]

1. Boston Celtics.
reigning champions. Not too old yet, but they won't dominate the East this season.

2. Toronto Raptors
Still weak on the wings, their achilles' heel since Vince left. The big ? is of course JO. Is he motivated and healthy? If the answer is yes, Toronto has a very dangerous squad that will dominate the boards against any opponent.

3. Phila 76ers
Their best player is the new guy. That always gives a few problems. With a point guard that always keeps everybody involved I doubt it will be a big problem though. Williams might become this seasons Monta Ellis.

4. New Jersey Nets
As long as Carter is still there, they will be in the place no team wants to be. Too good to get good picks, too bad to come close to making the playoffs. Carter will look great, the record will look bad.

5. New York Knicks
Still trash.

[sixerfan3511]

this one's easy to me.

Boston
Philly
Toronto
New Jersey
New York

[White Chocolate]

Boston(60-22)- not much will change since last year

Toronto(45-37)- acquiring Jermaine was a good move

Philadelphia(41-41)- Elton Brand will help, but competing in the same division as Boston/Toronto and the same conference as Detroit won't help

New Jersey(34-48)- rebuilding year

New York(25-57)- nothing will change, well maybe an extra win or two

[AItheAnswer3]

Nets won 34 games last year
Quite surprising how some of you have them winning 34 games this season

[T.O.RAPS]

1. Celtics
2. Raps
3. Sixers
4. Knicks
5. Nets

[out|hoops|side]

Nets won 34 games last year
Quite surprising how some of you have them winning 34 games this season

You think they will win more or less?

[quasimoto]

Wow, the Nets' roster looks really awful. They have Vince Carter and that's basically it. They better get that no. 1 pick.

[AItheAnswer3]

You think they will win more or less?

Less! Not more than 25 wins as far as I'm concerned.

[nicsman]

Boston(60-22)- not much will change since last year

Toronto(45-37)- acquiring Jermaine was a good move

Philadelphia(41-41)- Elton Brand will help, but competing in the same division as Boston/Toronto and the same conference as Detroit won't help

New Jersey(34-48)- rebuilding year

New York(25-57)- nothing will change, well maybe an extra win or two

Wait, Philly only winning one more game than last year, even after replacing Calvin Booth, Rodney Carney, Kevin Ollie, Shavlik Randolph and Louis Amundson with Elton Brand, Kareem Rush, Theo Ratliff, Royal Ivey and Donyell Marshall? We've only lost Jason Smith, and Lou, Iggy and Thad have another year of experience under their belts. I don't get it.