Moving stars, changing rosters and defending champions, the Atlantic was nothing like I predicted. So, here I go again to get this season just as wrong, enjoy.
BOSTON CELTICS
Starting Five: Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter
Key Bench: Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams, Daniel Theis
Coach: Brad Stevens
Losing Irving, Rozier, Horford, Morris and Baynes means that if anything this roster will look different, seeing all these guys were in the rotation. Kyrie has admitted he wasn’t mentally into it last year and coach Stevens was trying to straddle two types of ways to play without having a clear identity, so Irving leaving might be an accidental blessing in disguise. Big Al will be the biggest loss from this group, now it’s centre by committee. Celtics success will depend on the growth of both Tatum and Brown into legit stars and the regaining form of Hayward, here’s hoping. I predict Boston will finish:
3rd in the Atlantic with a 50/32 win/loss record.
BROOKLYN NETS
Starting Five: Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince, Jarrett Allen
Key Bench: Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Rodions Kurucs
Coach: Kenny Atkinson
Arguably the winners of free agency with the arrival of Durant and Irving. Even though Durant is injured for this upcoming season, his presence puts the Nets on the map and also on the clock. Kyrie added and D’angelo leaving is an upgrade in talent but Russell was an all-star on a together team which cannot be said about Irving. Maybe next season all will be revealed but for this season I predict Brooklyn will end up:
2nd in the Atlantic with a 51/31 win/loss record.
NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS
Starting Five: Dennis Smith Jr, R.J. Barrett, Kevin Knox, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson
Key Bench: Elfrid Payton, Bobby Portis, Alonzo Trier
Coach: David Fizdale
New York is slowly building a young talented team. This sentence feels ominous for every NY fan. Historically they try to jump the queue to success with disastrous results, so it does feel inevitable that this will go astray sooner than later. Same owner, can’t think he would change tactic at this point. That said as currently constructed I predict the Knicks will finish:
5th in the Atlantic with a 18/66 win/loss record.
PHILADELPHIA SEVENTY SIXERS
Starting Five: Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Joel Embiid
Key Bench: Trey Burke, Zhaire Smith, Matisse Thybulle
Coach: Brett Brown
Al Horford, Josh Richardson coming in changes everything. Losing Reddick’s shooting will hurt but the addition of Al really helps them match up with anyone. This could be their year, finals bound and a Simmons jump shot to boot? Unless a four bounce shot gets in the way. I predict:
1st in the Atlantic with a 56/26 win/loss record.
TORONTO RAPTORS
Starting Five: Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol
Key Bench: Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Coach: Nick Nurse
“We are the champions my friend” I can’t write more than that without royalties 🙂 Well I didn’t see that coming, Masai’s Kawhi gamble payed off in spades. Without Kawhi this season the Raptors will have a harder time than most champions to defend their crown. O.G. looks to fill in but not many would be able to match the tear that Leonard was on at the end of last year. Good luck Toronto, I predict they will be:
4th in the Atlantic with a 45/37 win/loss record.
Well that’s that Division done for another year, I wonder if there is a eventual champ in this lot? Only another eight months to find out, happy NBA everyone!
Signing off
JRod
of the Possingham Enquirer
Nice work JRod. Agree with your Philly prediction to top the division. I’m not 100% sold on the Nets, but if they get continued improvement from LaVert and Allen, plus a bounce back from Prince, then agree the 50 wins is likely. Reckon your Celtics might struggle a little more than you have called out – mid-40’s wins fro me. Big core of that team hasn’t rested as they played in the World Cup and in the latter part of the season that may come back to bite?? Raptors and Knicks look about right too, although the Knicks could sneak into the 20 win area if some of those forwards perform and one of their PG’s steps up!