Atlantic Division one of the toughest?

[u2larkin04]

With Melo probably going to New Jersey, does anyone else think that what was easily the worst division in the league for the past few  years is now one of the toughest? Obviously the Raptors will suck pretty hard but with Amare and some other improvements in New York, Melo and some other solid youngsters in NJ, and a good young Philly team that I think will be pretty tough this year... I think we're gonna be in for some tough battles in the Atlantic this year. I think the Southeast is going to be the only other division that is really stacked as much as the Atlantic team-wise. The East is really going to be a lot better than the West this year, which should be interesting for the Celtics.

(Sorry if this is in the wrong board)

[dark_lord]

it definitely improves its credentials, but i wouldnt say it is one of the toughest either.

[xmuscularghandix]

Amare to the Knicks doesn’t really scare me. His whole career he’s flourished through working with Steve Nash  AND he hasn’t been the best defensive player. So I think our front court can control him.

Carmelo was scary in Denver because of all the other pieces around him: Chauncey, JR Smith, K-Mart. Terrence Williams is gonna be a good player, and Brook Lopez is going to be a top 5 Center over his career, but i don’t think it’s enough firepower YET to scare anybody.

Philly could be a dark horse because i think Evan Turner is gonna be a “Young Grant Hill TYPE”. If the Iguodala can use his USA experience to turn into a leader... this year is going to be a breakout season. Combine that with the possibility of Brand coming back into his own... I can see The 76ers coming in second behind us.

[gar]

Atlantic Division has a long way to go. NY and NJ are setting up for big moves next year; but have a way to go. Will make for more interesting season for sure.

Felton
Mason
Gallinari
Stoudemire
Turiaf

vs.

Nate
D West
Quisy
BBD
JO/shaq

I take the C's Second Lineup any day.

or post trade Nets

Jordan Farmar
Morrow
Melo
Murphy
Lopez

A little better perhaps; but our second unit would decimate there second unit. They need to work a trade for Travis Outlaw and/or Graham for a PG or PF before I get too worried. Would love to see Outlaw with the C's but not likely.

[Jon]

Amare to the Knicks doesn’t really scare me. His whole career he’s flourished through working with Steve Nash  AND he hasn’t been the best defensive player. So I think our front court can control him.

Carmelo was scary in Denver because of all the other pieces around him: Chauncey, JR Smith, K-Mart. Terrence Williams is gonna be a good player, and Brook Lopez is going to be a top 5 Center over his career, but i don’t think it’s enough firepower YET to scare anybody.

Philly could be a dark horse because i think Evan Turner is gonna be a “Young Grant Hill TYPE”. If the Iguodala can use his USA experience to turn into a leader... this year is going to be a breakout season. Combine that with the possibility of Brand coming back into his own... I can see The 76ers coming in second behind us.

I agree about New York.  They've essentially traded David Lee for Amar'e Stoudemire.  I like Amar'e better, but as xmuscular pointed out, Amar'e is hardly a career winner.  Moreover, Shawn Marion might be Exhibit A as to why Amar'e's game may crumble without Nash around. 

While they've made some other minor additions, let's remember that even a modest improvement on a 29-53 team is hardly scary. 

[Who]

Toronto is the second worst team in the East. Philadelphia is one of the five worst teams in the East.

New Jersey are the second best team in the division and the only other likely playoff team and they'll only be the eight seed. The Knicks should finish just outside the playoffs.

An 8th + 9th seed in the East + two of the worst teams in the conference does not equal a tough division.

[Roy H.]

I think the Celtics are going to cruise to another division title.

The Raptors and Sixers are horrid.  The Nets and Knicks are borderline playoff teams (that would be left out in the West, but could make it in the East).  I don't really see any candidates to win more than 40 - 44 games, other than the Celts.

[housecall]

It looks like a few AD teams have improved by adding a good player or two but as we all know,it takes more than (1)star and a bunch of scrubs on a team to become relevant when it counts.  

[pearljammer10]

How could you think the Atlantic Division is one of the toughest division in the league? The Celtics beat up on the competition last year and they have significantly improved.

The Knicks added Amare, other than that they don't have much to fear. They reconstructed their entire team and will take a while to gel.

The Nets may add Melo... But have to give up Harris and Turner to get him. A team of Lopez, Melo, and Murphy might be lucky to win 20 games next year instead of 12.

The 76ers were horrid last year, drafted a good young talent and made no significant additions therefore will still be horrid.
 
And the Raptors were a below 500 team and lost their best player without adding anyone significant or replacing him.

The Atlantic Division might still be one of the weakest divisions in the league at the moment. The SouthEast, NorthWest each had 4 teams go to the playoffs last year, while the Central had 3. While the SouthWest has 5 teams that, if the played to their potential (Memphis and NO) could also make it to the playoffs.

[guava_wrench]

I think Amare and Melo would bring a lot of hype, but I don't see their teams as particularly good. NY was artificially bad last season due to dumping everyone to get space, so they will be better. I can see them potentially as a low playoff seed.

I'm not sure I see the Nets making the playoffs yet, with or without Melo.

[u2larkin04]

I probably should have made it clear that I don't at all think anyone will contend with the Celtics for the division title, but the Division has certainly improved more so than probably any other division overall, except for maybe the southeast simply cause of Miami.

[Celtics34205]

Ya with Melo coming to the nets and Amare on the Knicks celtics going to have a tough time this year definitely wont be a cake walk to get into first place like every other year. We always have trouble with Toronto but without Bosh that could change too in favor of the Celtics.  But overall Melo and Amare in our division is going to be real tough to stay on top of the division.  But on the other hand we have the BIG SHAMROCK so we have no worries.

[pearljammer10]

How is it that one player on each the Knicks and Nets are going to give the Eastern conference champions, who also got better!, a run for their money? I just dont understand the logic behind this one.

[Celtics34205]

Im not saying those two players are going to win the eastern conference  this is a Celtics blog bro. Celtics are my team to going for 18 no doubt and Melo, Amare, Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Bosh are not going to stop us.  All I was trying to say was that it will be a tough matchup on the eastern conference. But we going to Finals so Atlantic division is not the problem.

[Celtics34205]

This certainly isnt the toughest division since we always cruise through just saying we might hit a bump or two. Since Nets owner is a billionaire he going to try to get more all-stars than just Melo.