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The 2004-05 NBA Atlantic division preview, with teams listed in predicted order of regular season finish.

Note: InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner feels the Knicks will win the division, and the Nets will sink to the bottom. Sam Amico predicts the 76ers will take it and the Nets will surprise, like the Bucks did last year.

1. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Coach: Jim OBrien (first year with Sixers, 139-119 in four years overall).

Last Season: 33-49, did not make playoffs.

Projected Starters: G Allen Iverson, G Willie Green, F Glenn Robinson, F Kenny Thomas, C Samuel Dalembert.

Top Reserves: F/C Marc Jackson, G Aaron McKie, F Corliss Williamson, F Brian Skinner, G John Salmons, G/F Kyle Korver.

New Faces: Williamson, G/F Andre Iguodala-r, G Kevin Ollie, G/F Kedrick Brown, F Josh Davis.

Strengths: Iverson still has tons of guts and ability, and seems to have matured after the disappointing Olympic experience. Robinson remains an effective scorer who should flourish in OBriens ball-sharing system. Thomas is one of the leagues most underrated forwards, and McKie is a pros pro.

Weaknesses: Like so many Eastern Conference teams, the Sixers desperately lack consistent center play. Also, Green is talented, but is moving into the starting spot almost by default. Hell struggle to replace the many wonderful qualities previously provided by Eric Snow (traded to Cleveland).

Outlook: OBrien is one of the games great strategists, having been tutored by father-in-law and coaching legend Jack Ramsey. He also has a reputation for getting along with the players, and if the Sixers follow the game plan, they could be the surprise team of the league. At the very least, theres enough talent here to win the division.

Prediction: 49-33.

2. NEW YORK KNICKS

Coach: Lenny Wilkens (second year with Knicks, 1,315-1,133 in 31 years overall).

Last Season: 39-43, lost to New Jersey Eastern Conference first round.

Projected Starters: G Stephon Marbury, G Allan Houston, F Tim Thomas, F Kurt Thomas, C Nazr Mohammed.

Top Reserves: G Jamal Crawford, F Michael Sweetney, G/F Penny Hardaway, F Vin Baker, F Jerome Williams, G/F Shandon Anderson.

New Faces: Crawford, F Trevor Ariza-r, G Jamison Brewer.

Strengths: Marbury displayed much more faith in his teammates toward the end of last season, figuring out what it takes to be a leader. Hes a pretty darn good one-on-one player, too. Crawford will provide much-needed depth and scoring, and Kurt Thomas is one tough hombre whos willing to sacrifice his body on each possession.

Weaknesses: Mohammed is talented but unproven, and theres no backup should he falter (unless you count 6-foot-9 Jerome Williams as a center). Houstons knees may as well be made of Jell-O, and if he doesnt hold up, the Knicks will have a hard time replacing his consistency on offense.

Outlook: Wilkens had the Knicks succeeding via pure teamwork at the end of the regular season, and a repeat of that unselfish attitude will mean good things. Theres still not enough talent and chemistry here to contend for a championship -- but New York could certainly spoil someone elses run.

Prediction: 47-35.

3. NEW JERSEY NETS

Coach: Lawrence Frank (second year, 25-15).

Last Season: 47-35, lost to Detroit in Eastern Conference semifinals.

Projected Starters: G Jason Kidd (when healthy), G Ron Mercer, F Richard Jefferson, F Aaron Williams, C Jason Collins.

Top Reserves: F Eric Williams, G Zoran Planinic, F Brian Scalabrine, G Jacque Vaughn, G Rodney Buford.

New Faces: Mercer, Eric Williams, Vaughn, Buford, F/C Kyle Davis-r.

Strengths: The passing of Kidd and the slashing of Jefferson. Mercer cant shoot from the perimeter like Kerry Kittles (traded to the L.A. Clippers), but Mercer is a better scorer. Aaron and Eric Williams are the ultimate role players.

Weaknesses: The Nets wont be able to replace the defense, rebounding, and overall feistiness of Kenyon Martin, who was dealt to Denver for a bunch of draft picks. Until Kidd returns in December, the Nets will have to rely on Vaughn to run things -- a shaky plan at best.

Outlook: Even if Kidd stays injured and angry over the trades of Kittles and Martin, there are enough guys left who know how to win -- and the Nets could be this years Milwaukee Bucks. Then again, even with Kidd, New Jersey can forget about returning to the Finals for awhile. A slow start is imminent.

Prediction: 42-40.

4. BOSTON CELTICS

Coach: Doc Rivers (first year with Celtics, 171-168 in five years overall).

Last Season: 36-46, lost to Indiana in Eastern Conference first round.

Projected Starters: G Gary Payton, G Ricky Davis, F Paul Pierce, F Raef LaFrentz, C Mark Blount.

Top Reserves: G/F Jiri Welsch, F Al Jefferson-r, F/C Walter McCarty, G Marcus Banks, F Tom Gugliotta, F Kendrick Perkins.

New Faces: Payton, Jefferson, Gugliotta, G Tony Allen-r, G Delonte West-r, F Justin Reed-r.

Strengths: Despite the initial protests over being traded to Boston, Payton seems content -- which should make him much more valuable than he was last year in L.A. Pierce is the teams best perimeter shooter and, believe it or not, most reliable low-post threat.

Weaknesses: When Mark Blount is your starting center, you have issues in the low post. Blount is an effective defender, but who will score underneath? Davis is inconsistent and disruptive -- and other than Payton, the backcourt is extremely young.

Outlook: Pierce, along with the coaching of Rivers, will keep the Celtics competitive. But overall, this is a bad mix of players. Theyre either too young (Banks, Allen, West) or too injury-prone, ineffective or over-the-hill (everyone but Pierce and Welsch). This is a team in dire need of an overhaul. Unfortunately for Boston fans, it just had one.

Prediction: 33-49.

5. TORONTO RAPTORS

Coach: Sam Mitchell (first year).

Last Season: 33-49, did not make playoffs.

Projected Starters: G Rafer Alston, G Vince Carter, F Donyell Marshall, F Chris Bosh, C Rafael Araujo-r.

Top Reserves: G/F Jalen Rose, G Alvin Williams, G/F Morris Peterson, G Roger Mason, G Milt Palacio, F Lamond Murray.

New Faces: Alston, Araujo, C Loren Woods.

Strengths: Carter is still Carter, a guy who will score lots of points and bring fans out of their seats with nifty dunks. Alston is coming off a career year and is now more NBA point guard than street ball legend. Bosh displayed flashes of becoming a poor mans Tim Duncan last season, and Marshall may be the most undervalued 14-point, 10-rebound guy in league history.

Weaknesses: Rebounding is a major concern, as Marshall is the only Raptor who really goes after the ball. Carter whined for a trade during the offseason, and hes becoming the worst kind of team leader: One who always pouts.

Outlook: With Alston, Bosh, and human pick Araujo, the Raptors have the makings of a nice young team. The problem here is Carter. He doesnt always play hard, but Mitchell will feel obligated to leave him in the game at the fans (and upper managements) insistence. Bottom line: The Raptors remain relatively talented -- and in utter disarray.

Prediction: 30-52.