Atlantic Division Previews

[Donoghus]

I really think we're going to see one Eastern Conference team overperform expectations (ala Milwaukee last season) and surprise people by making the playoffs. 

I really wouldn't be shocked if it was an Atlantic team (Philly or NJ, maybe?).  My other leading candidate would be Cleveland.  Most pundits have that team dead & buried.  Their roster really isn't that bad. 

[fairweatherfan]

My other leading candidate would be Cleveland.  Most pundits have that team dead & buried.  Their roster really isn't that bad. 

Cleveland is gonna surprise some people with how not-completely-awful they'll be this year.  That team had some nice pieces outside of LeBron.  A Cavs-Heat 1st round matchup isn't out of the question, although I might have to keep my TV off until it's over.

[Fafnir]

My other leading candidate would be Cleveland.  Most pundits have that team dead & buried.  Their roster really isn't that bad. 

Cleveland is gonna surprise some people with how not-completely-awful they'll be this year.  That team had some nice pieces outside of LeBron.  A Cavs-Heat 1st round matchup isn't out of the question, although I might have to keep my TV off until it's over.

If they play Sessions enough minutes and Jamison stays healthy I think you're right.

But I think they'll fall short of the playoffs.

[Donoghus]

My other leading candidate would be Cleveland.  Most pundits have that team dead & buried.  Their roster really isn't that bad. 

Cleveland is gonna surprise some people with how not-completely-awful they'll be this year.  That team had some nice pieces outside of LeBron.  A Cavs-Heat 1st round matchup isn't out of the question, although I might have to keep my TV off until it's over.

If they play Sessions enough minutes and Jamison stays healthy I think you're right.

But I think they'll fall short of the playoffs.

What's your "8" to make the playoffs in the East?

[Who]

Cleveland is going to have a tough time defensively if they start Mo Williams and Jamison together. Especially with their weak wings.

They'd get lit up by every top perimeter player in the league. No standout defensive wing and Mo is very weak defensively + throw in Jamison's pathetic defense and weak PnR defense = suddenly Cleveland can't stop any team's top offensive threats on the perimeter. Plus Jamison can't contain his own man.

Those two will be much more effective for them coming off the bench where they'll be able to spend a good portion of their court time (not all but a sizable amount) matched up against less talented opponents. It would also let the other Cavs set more of a defensive tone to start games off.

[Fafnir]

My other leading candidate would be Cleveland.  Most pundits have that team dead & buried.  Their roster really isn't that bad. 

Cleveland is gonna surprise some people with how not-completely-awful they'll be this year.  That team had some nice pieces outside of LeBron.  A Cavs-Heat 1st round matchup isn't out of the question, although I might have to keep my TV off until it's over.

If they play Sessions enough minutes and Jamison stays healthy I think you're right.

But I think they'll fall short of the playoffs.

What's your "8" to make the playoffs in the East?

I think New York will make the playoffs.

The other team I think that could make it is Detroit, but I think Ben Wallace's age and their otherwise woeful PF/C rotation will hold them back.

[fairweatherfan]

Cleveland is going to have a tough time defensively if they start Mo Williams and Jamison together. Especially with their weak wings.

I think they've confirmed that Hickson will start at the 4 for the time being, with Jamison coming off the bench.

[Who]

Cleveland is going to have a tough time defensively if they start Mo Williams and Jamison together. Especially with their weak wings.

I think they've confirmed that Hickson will start at the 4 for the time being, with Jamison coming off the bench.

They did earlier in the summer + on media day + early in training camp ... but Scott has become irritated by Hickson's defensive lapses and is threatening to put him on the bench if he doesn't right his ship.

Byron Scott's doghouse is no joke.

[Fafnir]

Byron Scott's doghouse is no joke.

No kidding, with the Nets and the Hornets he's left players there for entire seasons.

[fairweatherfan]

Cleveland is going to have a tough time defensively if they start Mo Williams and Jamison together. Especially with their weak wings.

I think they've confirmed that Hickson will start at the 4 for the time being, with Jamison coming off the bench.

They did earlier in the summer + on media day + early in training camp ... but Scott has become irritated by Hickson's defensive lapses and is threatening to put him on the bench if he doesn't right his ship.

This was from yesterday though - he's definitely going to begin the season as the starting 4.

[Chris]

Option A: If the Knicks start Turiaf or Mosgov and give Randolph 16-24 minutes a night as reserve.

Option B: The Knicks start Randolph and give him 28-34 minutes a night and use Turiaf/Mosgov as reserves.

Option A is a better team today (only slightly better) but I firmly believe that by the end of the regular season the Knicks would be a superior team if they choose option B.

The Knicks will be a better team come playoff time if they bring Randolph along quickly + they'll be hugely better off for their long term future.

Also, nothing could help them more in the Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations than watching Randolph put up 14/15 points and 9/10 boards (plus 3 blocks/steals) while showing flashes of potentially being a 20/10 player someday.

See, I think it has a greater chance to hinder Randolph's future to throw him out there with too much pressure too early.

I think if they take him along the right way, let him learn the system, and let him build his confidence back up coming off the bench, he could be starting within a month or two, and could be a better player in the long run for it.

In general, I like to give coaches the benefit of the doubt on these things.  Just looking at the C's, I think that is how Doc handled just about every young guy (Gomes, Perkins, Rondo, Powe), and it worked out well for all of them.  And I think the same thing could happen in NY with Randolph, if he has it in him.

[Chris]

I think the biggest surprise of the East is going to be NJ.  Lopez looks ready to take the next step, they are miles better on the wing than last year, Terrance Williams could be the breakout player of the year, and they have a coach who I think is perfect for a young team that needs discipline.

Avery Johnson is going to have a similar effect on this Nets team that Skiles had on Milwaukee last year.  I think he has a short shelf-life, but in a 1 or 2 season stretch, he can get a young team to execute and play defense. 

[Who]

Cleveland is going to have a tough time defensively if they start Mo Williams and Jamison together. Especially with their weak wings.

I think they've confirmed that Hickson will start at the 4 for the time being, with Jamison coming off the bench.

They did earlier in the summer + on media day + early in training camp ... but Scott has become irritated by Hickson's defensive lapses and is threatening to put him on the bench if he doesn't right his ship.

This was from yesterday though - he's definitely going to begin the season as the starting 4.

Oh great, excellent. Hopefully he manages to keep the job.

[Who]

Option A: If the Knicks start Turiaf or Mosgov and give Randolph 16-24 minutes a night as reserve.

Option B: The Knicks start Randolph and give him 28-34 minutes a night and use Turiaf/Mosgov as reserves.

Option A is a better team today (only slightly better) but I firmly believe that by the end of the regular season the Knicks would be a superior team if they choose option B.

The Knicks will be a better team come playoff time if they bring Randolph along quickly + they'll be hugely better off for their long term future.

Also, nothing could help them more in the Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations than watching Randolph put up 14/15 points and 9/10 boards (plus 3 blocks/steals) while showing flashes of potentially being a 20/10 player someday.

See, I think it has a greater chance to hinder Randolph's future to throw him out there with too much pressure too early.

I think if they take him along the right way, let him learn the system, and let him build his confidence back up coming off the bench, he could be starting within a month or two, and could be a better player in the long run for it.

In general, I like to give coaches the benefit of the doubt on these things.  Just looking at the C's, I think that is how Doc handled just about every young guy (Gomes, Perkins, Rondo, Powe), and it worked out well for all of them.  And I think the same thing could happen in NY with Randolph, if he has it in him.

Again, in general, I agree with everything you are saying and that is my outlook on the overwhelming majority of young players but in this specific instance (this player, this team) ... Randolph needs to be out on the court.

He just needs minutes. Games and minutes. Experience, as much game experience as he can get his hands on. Nothing will help him more than that.

[Who]

I think the biggest surprise of the East is going to be NJ.  Lopez looks ready to take the next step, they are miles better on the wing than last year, Terrance Williams could be the breakout player of the year, and they have a coach who I think is perfect for a young team that needs discipline.

Avery Johnson is going to have a similar effect on this Nets team that Skiles had on Milwaukee last year.  I think he has a short shelf-life, but in a 1 or 2 season stretch, he can get a young team to execute and play defense. 

Yeah, I've been becoming more and more of a believer in New Jersey over the past two months. Big fan of Avery Johnson and I think he can do good things with their defensive capabilities.

Plus, there is a lot of solid role players throughout the rotation with Farmar, Morrow, T-Will, Outlaw, Favors, Humphries and Troy Murphy.

A team with solid veteran role players and depth usually plays around .500 ... which is playoff worthy. 

I am most excited about the effect Avery Johnson will have on Brook Lopez. Hoping he'll get through to him and get him to concentrate more on defense and rebounding. Lopez has been too mediocre in both areas for a player of his capacity. Plus, hopefully Avery will get D.Harris playing defense again.

I got NJ in 9th place right now behind NY. Indy 10th. Then Cleveland and Detroit. Then Phily. With Toronto and Washington as the worst teams in the East.