Last season in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors won the division and a Wild Card team that barley made it in the New Jersey Nets followed it. A known fact is that is the division was pretty much convincing as to who survives and who doesn’t. The Celtics were miserable last season and looking to use this season as a rebound to prove that it was a mere fluke. Philadelphia and New York both were miserable and want to prove something. To get this started, here are the teams and projected finishes.
Toronto Raptors
This team has had its up and downs but last season they got it together to capture their 1st Division championship. Looking at the history of this franchise, they’ve never made it to the Eastern Conference finals so for this to happen to this year, the team would have to go with that important team chemistry that is needed. After 5 straight bad seasons, they got back in but got knocked out by New Jersey, a team that was .500 and generally with records like that or lower don’t do well in the playoffs. This team is going to be a year older but a year smarter. They may not have the stars they once had but it won’t make a difference as this team could put it together and get back into the post-season. Toronto will receive back-to-back division championships this season.
Projected Finish: 1st
New Jersey Nets
What more can be said about this team as lucky to get in the 1st place. Most circumstances would not see this happen but it did and they got out of the 1st round before getting knocked out by eventual Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers. It is amazing and is interesting to note that this team has gone to the NBA Finals but came up short in the end. While this team had won ABA Titles, they never ever held an NBA Title in franchise history. The Nets had an ok year but they will be better as they are not on a complete decline. Expect them to compete in the division but will finish no further than 2nd.
Projected Finish: 2nd
Boston Celtics
From a team that used to be something great, they really bombed big time. How could that happen is unbelievable. To put it in perspective, there was no chemistry and no motivation to go out and win. They have the record for the most NBA Titles and most consecutive championships perhaps not just in basketball but also in all sports bar-none. They made an effort to get new talent and got Garnett, a long time Timberwolves player in hope of returning to the post-season. They should be better than last season but as far as the playoffs, that will be another story to talk about. It won’t be another last place finish but in a shocker, expect to see them go no higher than 3rd place.
Projected Finish: 3rd
Philadelphia 76ers
Thinking closely about what this team was, it’s stunning to see them fall down but now they don’t have Iverson with them. They were miserable last season and have been on a steady decline. There seems to be neither any chemistry nor desire to improve at all and it will continue this season. Whether or not they get the worst record is another story. Look for them to finish just ahead of being last. That should be the only thing that the 76ers should concern themselves with.
Projected Finish: 4th
New York Knicks
New York barley missed losing 50 games last season and this season is not supposed to be any better. It seems that no matter what they do, it has been a disaster. During last season, they had some moments where they could have played good but overall they just played horrific. To say this team will be any good would be a joke. There is no chemistry on that team and there isn’t much of an effort put by the office to improve the franchise. At the rate they went last season, they will finish horrible and go dead last. The only way that won’t happen is if they actually get on the ball and get moving. It matters not if they are the best players or not, they just have to play and win as a unit.
Projected Finish: 5thThere is the projection on how it will look for the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. New York right now has a basketball team that is just bad while they are better at other sports it seems. No city is immune to that but right now the quick recap as it will be most likely Toronto getting the division though they will have competition between New Jersey and Boston. That is all for this area and coming up soon will be the Central Division in the Eastern Conference.
