The NBA preseason has begun, which means the NBA regular season is right around the corner. The season boasts a number of outstanding young superstars hoping to get their chance at the ultimate prize, an NBA championship. In the Atlantic Division, there are more contenders than any division in the Eastern Conference.
#5 - Brooklyn Nets
Well, at least they have a former number one pick, right? The Nets have gotten themselves into ugly situations by trading first round picks for players that don't do anything for them at all. From the dumb Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett deal that won the Celtics a championship within a decade, to the James Harden and Ben Simmons deals that sent more talent out of Brooklyn than it brought in.
This season, the Nets need Simmons to return to his high end form, yet I don't see that happening. They have great pieces like Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson, but I could see them trading those players in order to gain assets for the future. Role players Dorian Finney-Smith and Bojan Bogdonovic are past their more productive days, so I really don't see them making much of a difference. Overall, this franchise needs to start making calls and getting draft picks.
#4 - Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have a bright future, but they're probably playing in the wrong division. Former first round pick and NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes has replaced Kawhi Leonard wonderfully, but the pieces around him aren't what they need to be for Toronto to make a run.
They did invest in some young players when they got Immanuel Quickley to run the point and RJ Barrett to slide in next to Barnes. After great years with the Knicks, their roles should be even more prevalent north of the border. With Kelly Olynyk in the middle and Gradey Dick making his presence felt off the bench, the Raptors should be in the play-in discussion, but don't ask for too much from them right now.
#3 - Philadelphia 76ers
Talk about a team that had a reshape. This team at one point didn't have enough players to put on the floor. Now, they are a completely different team. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were already enough to consider the 76ers a playoff team, but the signing of Paul George and the addition of Eric Gordon made them a title contender. This team is loaded with star talent.
The reason that the 76ers are in the number three spot is because I don't see these stars gelling in the way that they need to in order to win a championship. Embiid is a former scoring champion, George has always been a ball-dominant scorer, and Maxey isn't really a distributer. How does this offense possibly work? I have no idea. I'm not even sure the 76ers will be a guaranteed playoff team, but they will be fun to watch.
#2 - New York Knicks
After a great season last year, the Knicks return with a ton of potential...many of whom are Jalen Brunson's college teammates. The additions of Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges give the "Nova Knicks" a championship spice to it. They initially had Donte DiVincenzo as well, but they give him and Julius Randle away in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. Capped off with a sign-and-trade deal for OG Anunoby, the team looks very spaced out with various scoring options. I've never known the Knicks or Tom Thibodeau to play 5-Out basketball, but with the changing nature of the game, it's good to see.
However, I just don't see the pieces in this team that are usually necessary to win a championship. While teams are not necessary derived around a traditional point guard anymore, Brunson's scoring mentality gives this team nobody to fulfill the secondary ball-handling and facilitating role. You can't just isolate people all night in the NBA. On top of that, you have to have a guard that can get rebounds while Towns is challenging shots. While Mitchell Robinson will see a lot of time on the floor with Towns as he transitions to the 6-man role, you can't just give up offensive rebounds whenever one of these players comes off the floor.
Too many holes for the Knicks means that all that championship potential goes to waste. Still, I agree that this team could go far.
#1 - Boston Celtics
The reigning NBA champions made ZERO changes going into next season. While that's usually a bad thing, these guys are all still at the perfect age to fulfill their roles. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are a one-two punch that makes teams have to spread out their defense and get back in transition. The facilitating and defensive presence of Jrue Holiday is why he is respected as an NBA champion wherever he goes. Combine that with the shooting of Derrick White, and the physicality of bigs Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, and your core group is already hard to beat.
On top of those guys, the Celtics bring back their entire bench from last season's run. Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Xavier Tillman, and Luke Kornet are the key players that Boston got back in order to keep the process moving forward. This team will be fast, efficient, will make hustle plays, will make shots, and will be one of the teams to look out for this year. They could easily repeat as champions.
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