schub

Well, the Nets are three-time defending Atlantic Division Champs, and with the new six-division alignment, things have changed a bit. With the losses of Martin and Kittles, you would think that this could be the year for someone to dethrone the Nets, but Miami is gone and there's no obvious favorite left in the division:



Boston Celtics

Last year: 36-46, 4th in the Atlantic, 8th in the East
Swept by Indiana 4-0 in 1st round

Roster

Key additions: Al Jefferson (R- #15 - Prentiss HS), Delonte West (R - #24 - St. Joseph's), Tony Allen (R - #25 - Okla. St.), Tom Gugliotta (FA - Utah), Gary Payton (Trade - LAL)

Key departures: Chucky Atkins (Trade - LAL), Jumaine Jones (Trade - LAL), Chris Mihm (Trade - LAL), Brandon Hunter (Expansion - Cha.)

A lot of talent on the wings with Pierce, Welsch, Davis and Allen. Not too deep up front, which is good for the Nets. With the three rookies, their best years are probably ahead, but they should still be a slightly better team than last year.




New York Knicks

Last year: 39-43, 3rd in the Atlantic, 7th in the East
Swept by New Jersey 4-0 in 1st round

Roster

Key additions: Trevor Ariza (R- #43 - UCLA), Jamison Brewer (FA - Indiana), Jamal Crawford (Trade - Chi.), Jerome Williams (Trade - Chi.

Key departures: Othella Harrington (Trade - Chi.), Dikembe Mutombo (Trade - Chi.), Cezary Trybanski (Trade - Chi.), Frank Williams (Trade - Chi.)

Hmmm. You never know what to make of the Knicks. With the additions of Crawford and Williams, they seem to have more talent, but I don't see much defense on this roster, and I'm not ready to believe in a Steph-led team. Still, they should be more dangerous than last year.




Philadelphia 76ers

Last year: 33-49, 5th in the Atlantic, 10th in the East

Roster

Key additions: Andre Iguodala (R- #9 - Arizona), Brian Skinner (FA - Milwaukee), Kedrick Brown (Trade - Cle.), Kevin Ollie (Trade - Cle., Corliss Williamson (Trade - Det.

Key departures: Eric Snow (Trade - Cle.), Derrick Coleman (Trade - Det.)

Iverson's health is always a factor. Robinson is too inconsistent. Solid, veteran squad, though that definitely under-achieved last year. I like O'Brien, and they should improve as well.




Toronto Raptors

Last year: 33-49, 6th in the Central, 10th in the East

Roster

Key additions: Rafael Araujo (R- #8 - BYU), Rafer Alston (FA - Miami), Loren Woods (FA - Miami)

Key departures: Eric Snow (Trade - Cle.), Derrick Coleman (Trade - Det.)

Carter is unhappy. Carter is fragile. Talented starting line-up, but I don't know how much of a "team" they are.



I think, overall, the East will improve, and you won't see the records for the 5-8 seeds like we saw last year (41-41, 41-41, 39-43, 36-46). The Atlantic looks to be a serious dogfight, where every team has a shot to finish first or last. One of these teams, though, will get at least the 3rd seed in the playoffs. The Nets fortunes depend a lot on Kidd's health and the possiblity of a trade. If he is dealt, they could be in serious rebuilding mode.

schub

Two weeks into the season, and the division is already ugly. Toronto started out 4-1, and has now lost 3 straight:

Standings on 11.17:
1. Boston 3-2
2. Toronto 4-4
2. Philly 4-4
4. New York 2-4
5. New Jersey 2-5

Nets are only 2 games out!

schub

Still nobody above .500:

Standings through 11.28:
1. New York 6-6 - --
2. Philly 6-7 - 1/2
3. Toronto 6-9 - 1 1/2
4. Boston 4-8 - 2
5. New Jersey 2-11 - 4 1/2

ToddMacCulloch11

Thats so sad

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hi.

cpawfan

First team to 36 wins gets the title, although I'm not certain that any team will actually get there.

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vi3t_boi11

Weakest division in the nba n the Raptors r 3 game below .500

Dragnsmke1

I like the Raptors chances...

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All Or Nothing

schub

Standings through 12.06:
1. New York 8-8 - --
2. Boston 7-10 - 1 1/2
3. Philly 6-11 - 2 1/2
4. Toronto 7-13 - 3
5. New Jersey 5-12 - 3 1/2


Nets are back in the hunt!!

ToddMacCulloch11

The sad thing is, as HORRIBLE as we started off, we were never reall out of it.

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hi.

Excel

No the really really sad thing is that if Ratner didn't completely f-things up we'd easily win this division.

Hope Kidd comes back soon so we can these other chumps out of their misery.

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'I Excel & prevail!' - Nas "It Ain't Hard To Tell"

ToddMacCulloch11

Thats true...but honestly, with Kidd back now, I think once we get clicking, we have a chance to win the division too.

raptors are falling apart, and if they trade vince and whoever else, its gonna take them a while to get going, and who knows how it'll work out.

Sixers and Celtics...they seem to be having their problems...and the Knicks, they're at .500 now, and I can see them staying around that.

I'm not saying our team is perfect, we're far from it...but really anyone can take it.

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hi.