Atlantic Division Predictions
Boston Celtics:
The runner up in last year's NBA Finals are coming into this new year with one goal in mind, to return to last year's success. Since we’ve last seen the C’s, over the summer they avoided the big team-wide altering move of trading for Kevin Durant which I believe was a great idea. No reason to destroy team chemistry and give up on the young pairing of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Instead of shipping away half of the team and many 1st round picks they decided to make the savvy move of adding Malcolm Brodgon.The addition of Malcolm on the other hand will be a major plus for them. This team desperately lacked a flowing offense in the finals, mainly that of an on ball guard to distribute the rock. Marcus Smart has increased his assist per game numbers every season of his career, but it just wasn’t enough to unlock the offensive duo that the Celtics have. Malcolm should give their bench a good jump and I’d imagine he will be a part of the closing lineups depending on the size of their opponents. This team isn’t overwhelmingly deep, but their solid 9-man rotation should bring them back into the high ranks of the Eastern conference. Now before September 21st, this team looked ready to return to championship level basketball. With the suspension of Head Coach Ime Udoka for the entire season, I do believe this limits the Celtics ability to reach that pinnacle of play we saw last season. I do believe this squad will have regular season success, but I don’t believe it’ll translate into the playoffs, when coaching truly matters. Throw in the injury to Robert Williams for the next couple weeks, we will need to see the young duo step up early. With the added experience of the playoffs and finals for Jaylen and Jason, a new hunger should drive these two. I expect a solid season and the Celtics escaping the play-in tournament and landing at the 4th seed in the East.
The big question: how much of last year’s mid-season success and eventual title run was due to the head coach? Without Ime at the helm, can this squad stay afloat in the heavy eastern conference?
Brooklyn Nets:
The Nets are coming into this season after getting routed 4-0 by the Celtics in last year's opening round of the playoffs. Kyrie Irving has recently stated that the team “needed to be humbled” and boy did they. I don’t believe I’ve witnessed such a rollercoaster of emotions of an off-season for a team to then not follow through on any of the trade requests they intended. All in all this was a wise move because there’s no reason to trade away Kyrie and Kevin Durant after all the previous successful changes they made this offseason. Adding a player like Royce O’Neal, a 3 & D guy who knows how to play his role, will add quality depth to this team. Secondly, if TJ Warren has any of that bubble magic left in his bag then we may have a sixth man of the year candidate.. Ben Simmons is coming into this season with many doubters. I’d reason that Ben has the potential to really bring this team somewhere in the East. The last time we saw Ben on an NBA court, he had the most career assists that were 3 pointers by any player since his debut. Put him on a roster that has 5 players that shoot the deep ball at a 40% clip and Ben will return to that high level of offensive play we loved about him. Also, Ben will now be guarding the other team's best player, so KD will now have more energy to score rather than waste it all defending. Nic Claxton has looked very good thus far in pre-season and even if this team lacks size, I think their overall depth will make up for it. I believe this team will have a more successful campaign than their previous season and I have picked this team to finish 3rd in the East.
The big question: if this team doesn’t attain some form of great success this season, what does that mean for the big 3 in Brooklyn next year?
New York Knicks:
The Knicks may have not made the Donovan MItchell splash New Yorkers wished for but the progress they made isn’t something to scoff at. The addition of Jalen Brunson feels like a good fit for a team lacking strong guard play. He now takes control of an offense lacking direction and needing direction away from Julius Randle isolation attempts. Hopefully Julius can succeed in this new role and his efficiency can return closer to his All-NBA 3rd team season not long ago. If his play continues down the sour path we all saw last year, a divorce may be in the works for the two parties. RJ Barrett didn’t make the 3rd year jump that many eventual elite players do, but I’m not sure it is entirely his fault as the entire Knicks team regressed after securing the 4 seed the year before. Now having a ball dominant point guard to draw in defenders, it will provide more open opportunities for not only RJ but the entire team. I believe the Knicks bench will be one of the more fun benches to watch and may even be the best in the NBA. Derrick Rose, Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Cam Reddish making up this bench allows the Knicks to have 11 players all capable of logging quality NBA minutes assuming Thibs will play them (i.e. Cam Reddish). This has to be the first time in NBA history where the best 3 players on a team are all left handed - not sure what this means but it has to be a good thing. The Knicks made a good leap, but with how deep the East is this season and the fact this team doesn’t have a truly elite player it will be difficult for them to be a great team. I’d like to believe the playoffs are in order once again in the Garden, but this time from the play-in tournament, landing at the 10 seed.
The big question: will Coach Tom Thibideau be able to find success with his unique style of coaching - if not, is the writing on the wall for him and his career?
Philadelphia 76ers:
I know Philadelphia fans are intense but I can’t foresee a single fan who’d be disappointed in the moves this offseason for this squad. The only worry about this team is what the fine will be for the salary cap tampering job to sign PJ Tucker, which I’d imagine will be worse than just a 2nd Round pick. Nevertheless, signing PJ, Montrezz Harrell, Daniel House Jr. and making the draft day trade for De’Anthony Melton were all steals. Adding four solid rotation guys gives this team incredibly strong depth for the season and the eventual playoffs. Joel Embiid has been a part of some good teams in his tenure with the 76ers and I’d argue this team has potential to be the best in his career. Surpassing their 20-21 season success that Philly fans find traumatic mention (i.e. Ben Simmons, open layups, etc.) James Harden has a complete squad around him, will The Beard return to his Rockets glory? With the depth of this team, I can imagine that James will have less weight to carry on his back and therefore can play more efficiently on offense. As long as Daniel House Jr. doesn’t give James 2018 Conference Finals Game 7 flashbacks, this team should be fine (i.e. see 27 consecutive missed threes for reference.) Tyrese Maxey has looked so incredibly good in pre-season, I don’t know if it even matters if James can return to his MVP form. It might be the year for his big leap, and all of philly is here for it. I pin them this squad a top 3 lock in the Eastern Conference, finishing at #2.
The big question: Joel had his best season in the NBA last year while playing in his most games in a single season as well. How likely is Joel to continue to compete without missing games to injury?
Toronto Raptors:
The Toronto Raptors are an interesting team. Another one of the handful who dipped their toe in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes to then eventually remove said toe in favor for the squad they already have, a wise removal I’d add. The Raptors are building something that should be scaring the league, not just the East. Everyone on their team can handle the ball, shoot and defend, also I might add most of them are 6’8” and above as well. I’d argue that this team is the best in the NBA, not in terms of seeding or ranking, but this team plays like a team better than any others. Last year they had five players average over 15 points per game, which is more than any other team. Their two main additions: Otto Porter and Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangomez) both will stretch the floor and stand above 6’8”. Truth of the matter is, outside of Thaddeus Young, this team has good youth. Precious Achiuwa has been looking shifty in pre-season action, and will be a great piece off the pine for them. We all get to see another season of watching Scottie Barnes play, which is a reason to turn on the Raptors on the TV alone. I’m looking forward to a scorching season from Gary Trent Jr. lighting up from behind the arc. Still cannot believe Portland gave him up for one season of Norman Powell. Fred Vanvleet and Pascal Siakam may not be on the same level of other star players in the East, but these two are great leaders and play high IQ basketball. Toronto should be lucky that they can build around them. I do like this team but with the overall depth of the league, I see the Raptors being a play-in tournament team. I have them slotted at the 8 seed.
The big question: What happens when Fred gets off the court and their back-up point guard comes in? This team's only real flaw is their lack of depth at the 1 spot.
