Atlantic
Boston Celtics
2010-11: 56-26, L in Eastern Semis to Miami Heat
Key Addition: JaJuan Johnson, PF (Rookie)
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| Paul Pierce |
Pros: The Celtics have more experience playing together than anyone in the Eastern Conference...When they're on their A-game, they can beat anyone in the NBA on a given night... The Big three and particularly Paul Pierce, are still star players on most nights...Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in the game...The Celtics can win with defense.
Cons: Rajon Rondo is very unhappy; more and more bad stuff is coming out about him and how Doc Rivers wants him traded...The Celtics are old, that is obvious... Kevin Garnett could break down at any point in time... Paul Pierce isn't going to take over games consistently anymore... The Celtics don't have the same kind of depth they had a couple of years ago.
New York Knicks
2010-11: 42-40, L in Eastern Quarters to Boston
Key Addition: Tyson Chandler, C
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| Carmelo Anthony |
Pros: The Knicks are on the brink of success... They can beat you with Carmelo Anthony, they can beat you with Amare Stoudemire or they can beat you with both... Tyson Chandler is a big time force underneath, given the Knicks more help defensively... The Knicks have an underrated supporting cast, Landry Fields and Toney Douglas are good role players for the Caremelo and Amare.
Cons: Defense is still a question marks... Their backcourt took a step back with the loss of Billups and the addition of Mike Bibby... Chemistry issues still remain in tact.
Philadelphia 76ers
2010-11: 41-41, L in Eastern Quarters to Miami
Key Addition: None
 |
| Andre Iguodala |
Pros: 76ers were vastly improved in 2010-11, that could continue with their young nucleus... Evan Turner is a star in the making, this could be his break out year... Jrue Holliday is an underrated point guard... The 76ers are a quality defensive team... They still remain under the radar.
Cons: Lack big time presence underneath... Still a piece away from becoming contenders... Still need to prove they can beat Boston.
New Jersey Nets
2010-11: 24-58, Did Not Make Playoffs
Key Addition: None
 |
| Deron Williams |
Pros: Deron Williams give the Nets a chance to win most every night... Brook Lopez is a nice piece to go along with Deron Williams... Dwight Howard could be a Net by February.
Cons: No depth whatsoever... Kris Humphries might or might not have a productive season after a rough offseason for him to say the least... Again, besides Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, no depth whatsoever.
Toronto Raptors
 |
| Andrea Bargani |
Key Addition: None
Key Loss: None
Pros: Demar DeRozen is a good young player to build around.
Cons: The Raptors don't have much talent on their roster... They don't have much rebounding at all... They aren't even deep in their starting lineup.
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| Amare Stoudemire |
1 New York Knicks
Outlook: The Knicks are ready to become serious contenders. The addition of Tyson Chandler will solidify the Knicks against teams who have dominant big men. The rest of the NBA is also ready to see just how dynamic the duo of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire can, and will be. The Knicks are poised to potentially make a serious run into May this year.
Record: 41-25
2 Philadelphia 76ers
Outlook: Do I smell a changing of the guard in the East? Evan Turner is ready to burst onto the scene and become the next star in Philly, Jrue Holliday is ready to crack the top half of point guards in the NBA and Andre Iguodala is ready to take the 76ers to a second straight playoff appearance. The big question for the Sixers is whether Elton Brand or Spencer Hawes steps up to give the 76ers a true post presence to contend in the East.
Record: 37-29
3 Boston Celtics
Outlook: If the Celtics are healthy and Rondo is happy, sure the Celtics can win the division and be a contender in the East. Here's the problem. It is clear that Doc Rivers wants no part of Rajon Rondo, meaning that Rondo will be miserable for the entire season unless he is traded. A disgruntled Rondo, an aging core of super stars that will not be able to bring it night in and night out in such a condensed season and not much youth to build around means the rebuilding starts now for Boston.
Record: 35-31
4 New Jersey Nets
Outlook: Deron Williams will keep the Nets competitive for most of this season but it will take a few role players at least to make the Nets into a playoff team. I expect the Nets to acquire Dwight Howard eventually and we'll see whether or not Howard is a Net by midseason. If the Nets can acquire Howard, they could sneak into the playoffs very easily. If not, they are headed for another 24 win season.
Record: 24-42
5 Toronto Raptors
Outlook: The Raptors are clearly rebuilding and it would take a miracle to turn this team around and into a playoff team. The Raptors will take a few baby steps towards improvement this year but are very far away.
Record: 19-47
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