Toronto Raptors (47-35)
The Raptors won the Atlantic division title for the first time in franchise history last season.  They’ve got a well balanced team centered on power forward Chris Bosh. Fourth year coach Sam Mitchell won Coach of the Year honors for helping his team to reach their outstanding accomplishment. 

The team was led last year by point guard T.J. Ford in assists, with 7.9 per game, and in steals with 1.35 per game.  Ford has great speed and quickness—he’ll need to improve his outside shooting as starting point guard.  He’s backed up by Jose Calderon who did very well in the FIBA Eurobasket tournament.  Anthony Parker is a good all around player coming off the bench for the Raptors.

Small forward Jason Kapono averaged 10.9 points per game last year as well as 1.2 assists.  He only averaged 2.7 rebounds; as a shooter he’s a real threat, having the ability to spread the defense of the opposing team, but he’ll need to work on snagging more rebounds.  Chris Bosh and center Andrea Bargnani both averaged over 22 points per game last year.  Bargnani averaged 10.7 rebounds while Bosh pulled in a near equal 9.2.  Andrea Bargnani is a versatile player who can fill the forward positions if need be.  Bargnani’s offensive versatility makes him difficult to guard, but he has his own difficulties in guarding the other team.  With Coach Mitchell’s focus on defense this year, Bargnani will benefit in his game.  The defensive presence of the entire team, especially their center is going to determine whether the Raptors repeat their historical season. 

New Jersey Nets (41-41)
The core and operating system of the New Jersey Nets is their “big three;” Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.  After an okay season and good run to the second round of the playoffs, the Nets sought out help in the paint during the off-season.  There were some interesting additions, and some losses which could have a detrimental effect.  Players who left the team this summer include free agents Eddie House, Mikki Moore and Clifford Robinson. 

Superhuman Jason Kidd led the team in rebounds (8.2), assists (9.2), and steals (1.59) per game last season.  He’ll probably play the same number of minutes and deliver the same exceptional level of all around play as he has year after year.  Lawrence Frank is in his fifth season as head coach.  He emphasizes defensive play which yields fast break points which is what Jason Kidd thrives on.  This year the Nets will have to step it up on defense in order to have a good versus an okay season.  Vince Carter is a shooter; he averaged 25.2 points per game last year.  He pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out 4.8 assists last season.  A finally healthy Richard Jefferson returns to the Nets this year having averaged 16.3 points per game last season.  Marcus Williams will contribute some valuable minutes at guard for the Nets backcourt.

The frontcourt sees the return of Nenad Krstic who missed 56 games last season with a torn ACL.  With the loss of Eddie House, the Nets will need Boki Nachbar to fill that position coming off of the bench.  New Jersey signed Malik Allen and Jamaal Magloire and drafted Sean Williams to shore up the forward/center postions.  Jason Collins, twin brother of Jaron Collins of the Utah Jazz will return this year.  He averaged 2.1 points and 4 rebounds per game last year.  Collins is a good low post defender; he contributes, but will need to make some strides to retain his starting position. 

Philadelphia 76ers (35-47)
The main news for Philly last year was the trading away of Allen Iverson for Andre Miller and Joe Smith (since vacated).  There was much talk and gnashing of teeth regarding the loss of thee player, basically the one considered by many to be thee team.  Funny thing is the 76ers improved after he left.  The scales were tipped back to the balanced position.  While the strides made by the 6ers were in the right direction, there is still improvement to be made, and the 76ers are really working toward a few years down the road. 

Former University of Utah standout Andre Miller leads the team on the floor now; he is an assist minded player, who could stand to improve his outside shooting.  Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, and Kyle Korver could all compete for shooting guard or forward.  Iguodala averaged 18.2 points last season along with 5.7 assists.  Rodney Carney is an athletic guard who might also be a contributing factor this year.

There’s not a whole lot going on for the frontcourt in Philadelphia.  Without any real standouts, there is opportunity for someone to come up and show something to Head Coach Maurice Cheeks.  With new acquisitions, Reggie Evans, Herbert Hill, Ricky Sanchez, Jason Smith and Thaddeus Young; there’s a lot of work and figuring out to do.  Expect to see many combinations with the 76ers until they find out what meshes the best for them. 

New York Knicks (33-45)
What can one say about the New York Knicks?  The first name that jumps out when you mention this team is Isaiah Thomas.  Not because of excellent, league-renowned coaching either.  Eventually things may die down surrounding the infamous legal problems facing the team and the coach; who remains employed as of this writing.  Until then, we can talk about the fifth from last place defensive ranking the Knicks received last year. The team did win 10 more games than last year under Thomas’ tutelage; which isn’t saying all that much. 

The team is full of offensive fire power which hasn’t equated to wins.  They were 16th in the league last year with points scored (97.5), but they were 20th in the league with points allowed from their opponents (over 100).  Somebody’s got to let them in on the secret; defense is a necessary component of winning basketball games. 

The backcourt is led by Stephon Marbury, not only does he lead as the point guard, he leads as a representative of Knicks style basketball; lots of offense, little defense.  He averaged 16.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.  Shooting guard Jamal Crawford averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists.  An improved Mardy Collins and Nate Robinson will have to compete for back up duties behind Marbury. Newly acquired Fred Jones should provide some defensive play at back up guard to Crawford.  Quentin Richardson who averaged 13 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists will start at the three, likely backed up by Jared Jeffries. 

The Knicks traded for Zach Randolph who is another offensively talented player.  He averaged 23.6 points per game, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists last year.  Center Eddy Curry averaged 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and less than one (.8) assists per game.  The last stat is one of the main reasons the term “black-hole” is bandied about quite frequently in describing Eddy Curry.  David Lee should provide some defensive effort off of the bench, he averaged 10.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists last year.  Renaldo Balkman is another defensive player likely to come off of the bench; he averaged 4.9 points, and 4.3 rebounds. 

Perhaps the practice Isaiah Thomas had this summer in defending himself legally will help him to encourage his team to practice some defense of their own.  They could be a team to make it to the playoffs if they decrease their turnovers, stay out of slap and reach foul trouble, and allow less scoring from their opponents. 

Boston Celtics (24-58)
In dealings that elevated GM Danny Ainge from buffoon to superhero in the minds of many fans, the Boston Celtics have amassed one of the most exciting line ups in years.  Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce make up the Boston “Big Three.”  Boston fans shouldn’t start printing up the t-shirts just yet; however.  The three aforementioned players will need to stay healthy for the Celtics to be successful and live up to the hype. 

Rajon Rondo will carry out point guard duties; he has the opportunity to pass to some of the best in the league.  His assist average was 3.8 per game last year.  His new teammates should help him to pad that stat.  Rondo has got to develop his outside shot; 6.4 points per game isn’t going to cut it for drawing the defense.  There isn’t much depth on this team, so if anything major occurs; the Celtics have a problem.  If all goes well; expect 25 points per game from Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.  Tony Allen, Eddie House and James Posey fill out the bench in guards.  Eddie House was a good pick-up for this team, he’ll contribute some outside shooting as a back-up either at the point or the two spot.

Kevin Garnett’s 22.4 points per game are not the reason to bring him to Boston, neither are his 12.8 rebounds (although their not a bad bonus), the reason is the star-power he brings to the Celtics.  Garnett, more than anyone will fill the seats, which is just what Danny Ainge needs right now.  The frontcourt is filled out by Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, Brian Scalabrine, and the ever-questionable Scot Pollard.  If this team remains healthy enjoy the show.  If something happens to just about anyone on the team, things get good real ugly for Coach Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics. 

- By Annie Whittaker