BOSTON CELTICS
Reasons for Success:
The proved everyone wrong last season by reaching Game 7 of the Finals and if it weren't for an injury to Kendrick Perkins, this team may have have their second title in three seasons. With the activity in Miami, Boston reloaded their frontcourt and brought in the O'Neils - Shaq and Jermaine. The Big 3 return along with Rajon Rondo running the show (when will writer expand it to the Big 4? Is it not blatantly obvious that Rondo is the best player on this team now?). The supporting cast may be the best in the league with Big Baby Davis, Nate Robinson, Delonte West and Jermaine O'Neil providing the spark off the bench.
Causes for Concern:
If last season was a fluke, it won't happen again. Teams will not let their guards down against the C's this time around and there will be no sneaking up on anyone. The team is another year older and the window is slowly closing on many of these former allstars. KG will need to regain his form and Perkins needs to return healthy and be a defensive disrupter in the middle. Can Shaq finally win that 5th title?
Prediction: 1st Division 2nd Conference
NEW YORK KNICKS
Reasons for Success:
The Knickerbockers have finally added players who can run Mike Dantoni's run-and-gun system. Amare Stoudamire was brought in along with Raymond Felton to run the SSOL offence. They have guys who can run in Anthony Randolph and Wilson Chandler along with Danillo Gallinari launching 3s. The on-court personnel finally makes sense.
Causes for Concern:
If Eddy Curry, in any shape or form, steps on the court.
Prediction: 2nd Division 7th Conference
NEW JERSEY NETS
Reasons for Success:
It can't get any worse than last season. After flirting with the wrong side of history, the Nets have reason for optimism. They have promising young talents in Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and Derrick Favors. And they have their new Russian billionaire owner to party at the 40/40 with Jay-Z.
Causes for Concern:
They striked-out in the free agent market and missed out on getting John Wall in the draft. Not exactly the best outcomes to market a team that plans on moving to Brooklyn in the near future. The weak division will help them increase their win total from last year but they will struggle overall.
Prediction: 3rd Division 11th Conference
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Reasons for Success:
They have a promising backcourt in Iguodala, Holiday, Louis Williams and rookie Evan Turner.
Causes for Concern:
The dead corpse known as Elton Brand
Prediction: 4th Division 13th Conference
TORONTO RAPTORS
Reasons for Success:
None.
Causes for Concern:
Everything.
Prediction: 5th Division 15th Conference
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