The competition has improved within the Atlantic Division, but no team can keep up with the Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics
I say the experience counts and the hunger is still there. After all, they have Kevin Garnett. But with no solid veterans among their offseason pick-ups, question marks abound.
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There is a new starting point guard (Chris Duhon), but little else has changed. They hope that Stephon Marbury looks good so they can unload him. Look for trades this season as D'Antoni and GM Donnie Walsh try to rebuild this poorly assembled team. It is more than a one-year project, lads and lassies.
Watching halfcourt players Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph run should be interesting.
Prediction: 29-53
New Jersey Nets
Vince Carter might sleepwalk through this rebuilding season, as the Nets await the big free agency summer two years from now.
Their bigs Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Josh Boone and Sean Williams have some promise but need teaching and game experience. Williams can be a defensive force. Boone showed improvement but can't hit a foul shot.
Newly-acquired Yi Jianlian is still in the "potential" category. Similiar to Andrea Bargnani, he must adjust to the NBA game and its physicality. Joining the crowd around the basket takes a certain mindset. A step forward would be in order as he will get to play in front of far more of his countrymen thanks to the New York City Asian population.
Eduardo Najera, Keyon Dooling and Trenton Hassell make up a core group of hustling defenders but can't all be on the floor at the same time, because none of them can shoot. Skill-wise, Devin Harris is who he is — a quick, up-tempo, slashing guard with an unremarkable outside shot.
Should be a long year of teaching for Lawrence Frank. Will he be a good teacher?
Prediction: 23-59
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