Can the Nets Make it Five of Six?

A year ago, the Atlantic Division was the NBA's weakest division. The New Jersey Nets won their fourth division title in five years, eleven games ahead of the second-place 76ers. As a whole, the division finished 70 games below .500, and the four teams outside New Jersey combined for a woeful .369 winning percentage.

Heading into 2006-07, the division's four also-rans continue to chase the Nets. The Nets return all five starters, however, and still look to be the class of the Atlantic Division.

New Jersey Nets
2005-06 Results: 49-33, Atlantic Division Champions, lost in Eastern Conference Semis to Miami

It was a quiet off-season for the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets; coming off yet another division title, the Nets left the Big Three of Richard Jefferson, Jason Kidd, and Vince Carter intact. Frontcourt starters Jason Collins and Nenad Kristic return as well.

The Nets did an excellent job adding depth, picking up former Sun Eddie House at guard and trading for Seattle reserve center Mikki Moore. The additions of UConn products Marcus Williams and Josh Boone with back-to-back first-round picks should give the Nets one of the league's deepest benches. With their three stars all somewhat injury-prone, depth is key for the Nets to continue their regular-season success.

The question for the Nets is whether they can reach the NBA Finals in the suddenly competitive Eastern Conference. With defending champion Miami, developing teams in Chicago, Cleveland, and Washington, and Detroit still talented, the Nets probably needed to do more in the off-season. Still, a 50-win season and another Atlantic Division title seem well within New Jersey's reach.

Projected Finish: First

Boston Celtics
2005-06 Results: 33-49, 3rd place in Atlantic Division

The Celtics again try to build around underrated (and undersupported) franchise player Paul Pierce. A mid-season trade with Minnesota and an off-season deal with Portland reshaped the Celtics' roster, importing Wally Szcerbiak, Sebastian Telfair, and Theo Ratliff, among others.

With Pierce as a capable 25-point scorer, Boston's success this season will depend on the development of their young players and the ability of their veterans - namely Szcerbiak, Ratliff, and third-year forward Al Jefferson - to stay healthy. As composed, the Celtics' roster is much improved. They have scoring with Pierce and Szcerbiak, defense with Jefferson, Ratliff, and reserve center Kendrick Perkins (1.5 blocks per game in limited action a year ago). Telfair, Tony Allen and Gerald Green provide youth, energy, and explosiveness off the bench.

If the Celtics can stay healthy; if Telfair, Delonte West, Jefferson, or one of their other youngsters can develop into consistent second or third scorers; and if coach Doc Rivers can manage a suddenly deep rotation, then Boston can compete for the division title this season. As it stands, it seems that the Celtics are still behind the Nets, but they may be able to make a run at one of the final playoff berths in the Eastern Conference.

Projected Finish: Second

Toronto Raptors
2005-06 Results: 27-55, 4th place in Atlantic Division

It's a new team in Toronto; three of last year's top five scorers are gone, as the Raptors rebuild around talented center Chris Bosh. The Raptors are loaded with young talent, including overall number one pick Andrea Bargnani. Like in Boston, the question for Toronto is how quickly their young players will grow. Point guard T.J. Ford impressed in his second NBA season last year; if he can score fifteen points a game, then he, Bosh, and forward Morris Peterson can help create a consistent offense. Center Rasho Nesterovic should improve his numbers as he switches to the Eastern Conference, and young, international products will provide depth.

The Raptors' holes are in the backcourt, where journeymen Anthony Parker and Fred Jones are competing at the two guard position, and, most importantly, on defense. The Raptors were 29th in points allowed per game; even worse, they were dead last in opponents' field goal percentage, allowing their foes to shoot 49% on average. Ford and Bosh are building blocks for the future, but Toronto has a ways to go before they reach the top half of the conference.

Projected Finish: Third

Philadelphia 76ers
2005-06 Results: 38-44, 2nd place in Atlantic Division

After a tumultuous season in 2005-06, observers were surprised to see the Philadelphia front office make few moves to improve the team in the off-season. Long-time star Allen Iverson was supposedly dangled in trade talks, but will return for his eleventh season with the Sixers. The draft-night acquisition of former Memphis star Rodney Carney will help, long-term, but the 76ers needed immediate help, and journeyman Alan Henderson - their lone acquisition outside the draft - was not the answer.

With AI, Chris Webber, and Andre Iguodala, the 76ers still have talent. But the Webber/Iverson tandem appears to be a failure, and chemistry and defense remain major issues (Philly finished 25th in points allowed a year ago). It's hard to imagine any major improvement in Philadelphia this season. Iverson will still score, the 76ers will still win, but even a playoff berth may be too much to ask from head coach Maurice Cheeks and the 76ers.

Projected Finish: Fourth

New York Knicks
2005-06 Results: 23-59, 5th place in Atlantic Division

It's hard to remember a last-place team, in any sport, that received more scrutiny than the 2005-06 New York Knicks. This year, with GM Isiah Thomas taking over, the scrutiny will continue, and possibly increase.

What, then, to expect of these Knicks? According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein: "The growing consensus seems to be that Thomas can indeed coax a playoff-contending 40 wins out of these misfits by playing a lot of guards and going up-tempo."

Huh? Thomas "coaxed" 40 wins out of each of his three Pacers teams, teams that had more talent, and far more chemistry, than these Knicks. (That same Pacers team won 61 games, best in the NBA, the year after Thomas left.) A year ago, the Knicks finished 27th in the league in points allowed. Playing up-tempo with a lineup full of shooting guards with 43% shooting percentages (the career numbers for both Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis), the Knicks may set a record for points allowed, but they won't win 40 games. Adding swingman Jared Jeffries will help the defense, and young forwards Channing Frye and David Lee can play, but this is a dysfunctional team. Thomas' job as both coach and GM is on the line in 2006-07, and odds are he won't make it to 2007-2008.

Projected Finish: Fifth