In the off-season the Atlantic Division was the busiest Division in the NBA for free agents signings and trades. Boston added all-stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen; New York adds Zack Randolph; Philadelphia started the season without Allen Iverson for the first time in eleven years; New Jersey added Canadian Jamaal Magloire to play alongside the Kidd, Carter and Jefferson; Toronto said goodbye to fan favorite Morris Peterson and said hello to Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Jamario Moon. Here is a quick report card on the Atlantic Division teams.
Boston Celtics (29-3) A+
Points: Paul Pierce 21.5; Rebounds: Kevin Garnett 10.1; Assists: Rajon Rondo 5.1.
The addition of Garnett and Allen has arguably made the Celtics the best team in the NBA. They’ve only lost 3 games (Detroit, Orlando and Cleveland) and they’re undefeated against the West. The Celtics are on pace to set a record for the most wins in NBA history and are early candidates to win it all.
Toronto Raptors (17-17) B+
Points: Chris Bosh 20.4; Rebounds: Chris Bosh 9.5; Assist: Jose Calderon 8.2.
Injuries to starting point guard TJ Ford and forward Jorge Garbajosa has hurt the Raptors depth so far this season. The emergence of Jose Calderon in Ford’s absence has been a great story, but the thought of them playing together for a full season is exciting. All-star Chris Bosh is playing great basketball, but he’d be so much better if teammate Andrea Bargnani can live up to the hype and become a consistent NBA player. It looks as though the Raptors won’t repeat as Atlantic Champs (barring a complete and terrible collapse in Bean town), but they are a playoff caliber team in the East and look to get past the first round.
New Jersey Nets (17-16) B
Points: Richard Jefferson 24.5; Rebounds: Jason Kidd 8.8; Assists: Jason Kidd 10.7.
Earlier this season the amount of trade rumours coming out of the Swamp was unreal. Kidd was rumoured to be moved to a contender so the Nets could rebuild their team, but strong play as of late has the Nets back in the playoff hunt. They lack the inside presence to compete with Detroit, Boston and Orlando, but there isn’t another team in the East that can run like the Nets. They are a playoff caliber team and can never be counted out when Kidd, Jefferson and Carter are healthy.
Philadelphia 76ers (14-20) B
Points: Andre Iguodala 19.1; Rebounds: Samuel Dalembert 9.3; Assist: Andre Miller 6.3.
The 76ers are in a rebuilding stage right now. With Allen Iverson gone, the franchise tag now belongs to Iguodala. Besides Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert, the 76ers are as thin as you can get in the NBA. They’ve already traded Kyle Korver away to the Utah Jazz for Gordan Giricek, which created more cap room for free agent signings in the off-season and the rumours have circulated around point guard Andre Miller. Andre Iguodala in a RFA after this season and the 76ers will need to re-sign him. The playoffs are never too far out of reach when you play in the East, but I think the 76ers have aspirations of a high draft pick then of a first round sweep.
New York Knicks (8-24) F
Points: Jamaal Crawford 18.7; Rebounds: Zach Randolph 10.4; Assists: Jamaal Crawford 4.6.
The Knicks season has been nothing short of a disaster. I don’t understand why Isiah Thomas is still around when your team is tied for the worst record in the East but has one of the highest payrolls in sports history. The Knicks need to clean house ASAP. If I was GM, which I’m not, I would get rid of everyone but Randolph, Lee, Robinson, Crawford, and Balkman. It must be tough to rebuild in the Big Apple, but unless something is done soon the Knicks will be in the basement for the next 5 seasons. The Knicks have the talent to make the playoffs, but cannot seem to jell and they remain a joke around the NBA.
FAQ’s
Can the new “BIG 3″ stay healthy and win an NBA title? Can Andrea Bargnani live up to the hype and help lead the Raptors deep into the playoffs? Can Jersey put it together and make a Championship run? Will the 76ers resign their franchise player and make a significant off season signing? When will the Knicks fire Isiah and start rebuilding for the future? Why doesn’t Isiah play David Lee more?
Technorati Tags: Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Andrea Bargnani, Boston Celtics, Chris Bosh, Isiah Thomas, Jamaal Crawford, Jason Kidd, Jose Calderon, Kevin Garnett, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Paul Pierce, Philadelphia 76ers, Ray Allen, Richard Jefferson, Samual Dalembert, Toronto Raptors, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph
Popularity: 52% [?]
January 7th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
“The addition of Garnett and Allen has arguably made the Celtics the best team in the NBA.”
Who’s arguing this? Does his name start with and I and end in ‘aih?’
January 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
i don’t know if the raptors are B+ at this point. seems a bit much for a 500 team, B i could live with.
it is starting to look like jersey is going to be a raptor spoiler again this season, i hope not, but they have the talent to make a playoff run. i predicted three teams from the atlantic going to the playoffs (don’t know if i blogged it, or said it…will have to research), but it looks like that may happen.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Watch out for Jersey, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they grab second place in the division. They’ve got better talent than us and even with Kristic out they’re dangerous. They looked impressive in their win in Orlando and if they can stay healthy, they’ll be a threat to win a round or two just based on experience.
Philly will be looking to trade, they’re paying Miller and Dalembert way too much and one of them will probably be traded. We should at least listen to what they want for Daly.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I think Philly deserves a higher rating than Toronto. For them to be 14-20 with what they have is impressive. Kudos to the new AI; he is a player. And I love Sam Dalembert. If they can keep those two guys and sign an impact player in the off season, then they will be alright.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:55 am
B+ is generous to say the least. C+ makes more sense. They are still in rebuilding mode and we will see what BC does next. As a fan it’s hard to be patient and the announcers make it sound like they could contend in the East. As the last few days showed they are middle of the pack.
Hard on a coach when 1 starter is gone for the year, another is missing extended time (or worse) and the #1 draft pick is still trying to find his way. So I would be happy with a 500 year. Last I checked they are right at that mark.
January 8th, 2008 at 9:22 am
i think 500 is reasonable, which is what i predicted based strictly on the 4 wins we had against boston last season.i geniusly predicted that we wouldn’t win 4 against them this season, lol.
i wouldn’t mind dalembert, but hes a $10mill/year player, that is a bit much to swallow.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I think a B should be the Raps rating. B+ is too much, but if you consider losing two key players from their 47 win season (TJ and Garbo) then you could argue the +. Also, the Raps have played Phoenix twice, Boston 3 times, Dallas twice and Cleveland 3 times. throw in a seven game road trip that lasted almost a month.
Hey Dinosity, I think juddi means that they are arguably the best team in the NBA, meaning you could argue it. San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas would argue.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
perhaps i’m a little biased with such high hopes coming into this season. but after watching so many disappointing (choke) losses from the team (cavs, sonics, portland.. etc) how do they deserve a B+ rating? yeah the loss of tj has hurt them badly, but there have been so many games where they controlled 3 qtrs and completely bombed in the 4th..
they lack that maturity/toughness required to close out games and accomplish something real in this league - and show little sign of improving. i dunno, it’s hard for me to imagine bosh/bargs turning into monsters that are capable of taking over playoff games.
you all say .500 is respectable, but c’mon ppls! the east is just ugly.
the team has so much talent, but as long as smitch is the coach, they’ll keep hitting that glass ceiling of mediocrity.
flame on =D
January 9th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
i don’t think anyone is happy with being 500, but more realizing that this incarnation is a 500 team. talent doesn’t mean anything, look at the knicks. they have all sorts of talent, but can’t put it together. this is the same sort of situation, but not even close to being as disastrous.
the raptors are deep, but don’t have a real starting lineup, and a coach who is a motivator/hard worker, but not a strategy guy. what else do you expect?
given all that, 500 seems ok with me. not sure at about the B+ tho…
January 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
is it possible to give New york an F- LOL philly’s grade is a little high pretty much everyone but boston’s grade is a little high