Atlantic Preview

[Skyhooker]

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division Preview

Orlando Magic

Key Returners
Vlade Divac 20.6ppg, 13.2rpg, 2.9bpg
Patrick Ewing 19.8ppg, 10.5rpg, 3.2bpg

Key Additions
Jason Williams 1st rd draft pick

Last Years Results: Lost 0-4 in Eastern Conference Finals
This Years Prediction: Championship Finals
The Magic have clearly decided that there will be no easy baskets in Orlando this year as they bring back 2 All-Star regulars in the post. With Divac and Ewing defending the basket, opponents better have the outside shooters that can hit the 3 pointers. That was their downfall last year as the Bucks defeated them quite easily in the Eastern Conference Finals utilizing just that strategy. The only thing seemingly the Magic have changed to defend the perimeter is draft PG Jason Williams out of Florida. Williams was lauded for his ball handling skills not necessarily his perimeter defense. With Dana Barros now in the Western Conference the path might be there if the Magic can just improve that 3 pt defense. With plenty of assets available to trade and management that’s never been afraid to pull the trigger then this might be the Magic’s year.


Boston Celtics

Key Returners
Grant Hill 8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3 apg

Key Additions
Rex Chapman 30.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.1 spg
Nick Van Exel 14.0 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.3 apg
John Williams 12.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.4 spg
Antonio Davis 13.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg

Last Years Results: No Playoffs
This Years Prediction: Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
No team in the league perhaps has undergone a transformation like the Boston Celtics. In fact, the head coach had all players wear nametags during the 1st week of Training Camp. Management decided the direction of the whole team needed to be changed and made several off-season trades to bring in a more veteran group that epitomizes the Eastern Conference toughness. In fact, no team in the league will outrebound this team this year. Even PF Nick Van Exel is above average at his position pulling down the boards. A history of turnovers has plagued Nick the Quick in the past. If he can cut that down then he is a weapon at the PG position. With he and Chapman throwing 3’s, perhaps the Celtics can challenge the Magic in the East. Is this the team that will make it through the year or will more moves be made to transform the team even more? No one knows, but lack of depth at the PG and lack of scoring in the post are serious concerns that may need to be addressed.


New York Knicks

Key Returners
Dale Ellis 22.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.4apg
Gheorge Muresan 15.8ppg, 12.6rpg, 2.8bpg

Key Additions
BJ Armstrong 14.7ppg, 8.2apg, 2.3spg
Ron Harper defensive stopper

Last Years Results: Lost 1-4 1st round playoffs
This Years Prediction: 1st round playoffs
If there’s one thing that you will always be able to say about the Knicks, it is they will play defense. Other than that I’m having a hard time getting a grasp of this years Knicks team. Solid PG play with low turnovers for the whole team combined with strong defense means they won’t beat themselves. They don’t own their own pick this year, so wouldn’t anticipate a full on tank job, but the ceiling is not all that high for this team. Limited assets and aging super stars mean the Knicks will likely have to win as much as they can and hope for a splash in the FA market next year.


Miami Heat

Key Returners
Shawn Kemp 24.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Christian Laettner 16.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.4 spg

Key Additions
None

Last Year Results: Lost 2-4 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
This Years Prediction: Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
This years Heat team is another that presents a bit of a conundrum when trying to analyze their future. Last years Heat team put up the biggest challenge against the eventual champion Bucks, but even still that was a semi-final loss. That was followed up by a Training Camp that was less than inspirational. The question with the Heat is the same as it is for others that did not make many changes, such as the Magic. Is the demise of the Bucks, enough to get the Heat over the top? The defense is solid, the rebounding adequate, but what the Heat may lack is that big time scorer. Who’s gonna take the last shot in a close game? And will a team that shoots below average from the Free Throw line be able to win a close game come playoff time? With no draft pick this year and an aging expensive big man in the middle, this may be the Heat’s best chance to win in the near future.


Philadelphia 76ers

Key Returners
None

Key Additions
Milos Babic 15.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.0 bpg
Vince Carter 1st Round Draft Pick
New Management

Last Years Results: Missed Playoffs
This Years Prediction: Miss Playoffs
The 76ers are a team in transition. They played most of last year under league management and the team spent as little money as possible so the rest of the league’s owners could pocket profit. Now the cupboard was bare to start this year out. The first move made by new management was to draft Vince Carter out of North Carolina. They expect him to have a long and productive career in Philadelphia, but he can’t do it alone. In FA the 76ers were able to sign a couple very solid post players in Milos Babic and Roy Tarpley, but both players are not happy to be on a rebuilding team at this point in their careers. Tarpley’s offensive game had been repressed in New York the last couple years but expect that to change on this 76ers team. The 76ers have a long ways to go to build any depth to become competitive. To keep fans happy they’ve begun selling tickets at a deep discount.


New Jersey Nets

Key Returnees
Steve Nash 20.9 ppg, 9.0 apg, 2.3 spg
Jim Jackson 19.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.2 apg
Brian Grant 14.4 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg

Key Additions
None

Last Years Results: Lost 0-4 1st round playoffs
This Years Prediction: Miss Playoffs
The Nets have 3 stars on their roster and 1 legitimate superstar in Steve Nash. The problem is that there’s not much there after those 3. Rebounding prowess is not very good. Defensively they are okay, but not great. And the team has a few too many turnovers. All this together means the team could win a few games when the 3 stars are on, but if they don’t all play great together there will be some long nights. The Nets don’t own any 1st round picks in this years draft and signing Steve Nash in the off-season is going to cost a pretty penny. The Nets will need to find a way to get some strength in rebounding and shot blocking with limited funds over the next couple seasons or their story could repeat year after year.


Washington Bullets

Key Returnees
Paul Pierce 9.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.4 apg
Sharif Abdur-Rahim 16.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg

Key Additions
Cuttino Mobley 1st round draft pick
Mike Bibby 1st round draft pick
Brad Miller 1st round draft pick

Last Years Results: Missed Playoffs
This Years Prediction: Miss Playoffs
There is one word to describe the Washington Bullets and that word is Young with a capital “Y”. The Bullets had 3 1st round picks last year and added 3 potential starters in the process. Abdur-Rahim and Pierce have superstar written all over them. Will they want to stay around though over the next few years as the Bullets go through growing pains? Luckily both are under contract for a couple more seasons. Meanwhile the Bullets have draft picks and money to spend in Free Agency. While this year there’s not much to look forward to for Bullets fans, the future seems bright. Defense and rebounding would seem to be an area the Bullets need to focus on next year. Smart selections in the draft and free agency next year can go a long way.

[Zyme]

Absolutely fair. Aging superstars trying for one last unlikely shot, spot on. I think I'll go 2nd round but that is splitting haris. Great write up.

[duckyoubeavers]

They don’t own their own pick this year, so wouldn’t anticipate a full on tank job, but the ceiling is not all that high for this team

it is top 10 protected this year but i still dont think he will go to full tank especially after his 7-1 start

[Goose!]

No team in the league perhaps has undergone a transformation like the Boston Celtics

I think that's a fair statement for any team eddy's owned

Good write up!

[eddy_zamora]

No team in the league perhaps has undergone a transformation like the Boston Celtics

I think that's a fair statement for any team eddy's owned

Good write up!

More than a fair statement lol.

[pistolpetejr]

The Magic's bigs won't have it easy if they make the Finals if I make it