Brooklyn Nets
2011-2012 Record: 22-44
Place in Division: 5th (last)
Head Coach: Avery Johnson
Key Additions: Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Reggie Evans
Prediction: 34-48
Scoop: Let's hope that a new name, new location, new players, and what should be new found excitement inspire these Nets to make things interesting in the Atlantic. Although they were the front runners to win the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, the Nets quickly faded from the picture. And now the Nets have extra motivation as The Big Shamrock (a.k.a. Shaquille O'Neal) was quoted as saying last week that the Knicks are the better team in New York. With a dynamic scorer in Johnson, one of the best point guards in the game in Williams, and a nice complimentary piece in Gerald Wallace to go along with big men Kris Humphries (insert Kim Kardashian joke here) and Brook Lopez, the Nets have some nice individual talent. The question is can they put it all together. They still do not have a team leader, and the closest thing they have to that is Deron Williams. Once they can start playing total team defense and find some sort of identity, the Nets will continue to be near the cellar of the Atlantic.
2011-2012 Record: 36-30
Place in Division: 2nd
Head Coach: Mike Woodson
Key Additions: Jason Kidd, Marcus Camby, Raymond Felton
Prediction: 43-39
Scoop: To give the Knicks some credit, they did not get caught up in the Jeremy Lin hype and invest a ton of money to keep him around. If they were to do that, then they would have never been able to add Kidd and Camby. Bringing back Felton was underrated, but this was a great move. Felton is familiar with New York and did a commendable job running the show during his brief stint in the Big Apple. However, this is do or die for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire need to find a way to make this thing work. Tyson Chandler needs to continue to provide top-notch defense along with the ancient Marcus Camby, and Jason Kidd will provide the kind of veteran leadership that these Knicks have so desperately needed. The Knicks should be better, but will the high expectations get to these fragile Knicks? And with an improved division, can the Knicks keep up? We'll find out.
2011-2012 Record: 23-43
Place in Division: 4th
Head Coach: Dwane Casey
Key Additions: John Lucas III, Kyle Lowry
Prediction: 28-54
Scoop: Well, they're trying, eh? Their main goal this off-season was to try and lure Canadian-born Steve Nash, but that feat was unsuccessful. The big blow to them last year was losing their leading scorer and former number one overall pick Andrea Bargnani for 35 games due to injuries. In his absence, players such as DeMar DeRozan, Jerryd Baryless, and Amir Johnson had the opportunity to showcase their skills, and they did just that. With these guys at the center piece, the Raptors have something to build with for the future. But those last two words are what Toronto should be focused on: the future.
Philadephia 76ers
2011-2012 Record: 35-31
Place in Division: 3rd
Head Coach: Doug Collins
Key Additions: Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson, Nick Young
Prediction: 47-35
Scoop: Losing Andre Iguodala is big, but they replace him with someone just as big in Andrew Bynum. Bynum, an All Star last season, is finally starting to put it all together. Jason Richardson is a nice pickup too, as he is an athletic player who can space the floor and play good defense. This is a very young team, and last year's experience in the playoffs should really boost their confidence coming into this season. And let's not forget what a great influence Doug Collins is on these guys. If players like Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, and Thaddeus Young can continue to build upon the successes of the past two seasons, watch out for the Sixers.
Boston Celtics
2011-2012 Record: 39-27
Place in Division: 1st
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Key Additions: Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, Jeff Green* (missed all of last season with heart surgery)
Prediction: 53-29
Scoop: After coming ever so close to returning to the Finals, Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers decided once again to bring the band (minus Ray Allen) back together to make another run. With Kevin Garnett sipping from the fountain of youth and regaining a new found prominence, Rajon Rondo's emergence into a super star, and Paul Pierce continuing to be The Truth, the Celtics made things interesting last season. Will this core be able to do it again? With what I believe is their deepest roster in a long time and an infusion of youth to compliment their aging veterans, the Celtics should be just as good, if not better, than what we have seen from them in the Garnett era.
Be sure to check in soon for the rest of my predictions.
Celts will run the table!
ReplyDeleteThey'll go as far as Rondo can take them.
ReplyDelete