Post by ib4 on Aug 30, 2010 11:41:54 GMT -5
ATLANTIC DIVISION PREVIEW
Boston Celtics (9-7 Preseason)1999: 47-35
2000 Prediction: 48-35
Notable TC's:
Paul Pierce SF 23 6'7'' 220 B B+ C B C+ B
Paul Pierce SF 23 6'7'' 220 B B+ C A- C+ B
Antoine Walker PF 24 6'9'' 245 B B- C B+ B- B
Antoine Walker PF 24 6'9'' 245 B B C A- B B
Although the GM has been M.I.A. this past offseason, the Celtics had some nice TC's for their power-punch duo of Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker. Pierce averaged 23.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 3.4 APG in Preseason. Toine had a nice Preseason himself, averaging 19.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 2.9 APG. On paper, you'd think meh when you look at the roster, but they were a 47-win team last year, and could actually even win 50 this year if all goes right. With not much decline from TC everywhere else, the Celtics should be a playoff team once again if Jeb sits on this team for another year.
Miami Heat (9-9 Preseason)1999: 49-33
2000 Prediction: 40-42
Notable TC's:
(no one really)
The worst thing imaginable when long-time Heat center and DPOY Alonzo Mourning bailed in FA to join the sharp-shooting Pacers in Indiana, who eventually traded him to the Grizzlies to join fellow Olympians Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Jason Kidd, who also left their teams to form a totally-unfair-stacked-roster in Vancouver. Fans in Miami will surely boo this man when the Grizzlies head to town on Day 107. Mourning's departure has made Heat GM shawncro so furious that he has indicated some desire to "quit sims for good". Hopefully that is not the case. With Zo out of the picture, the Heat will look for veterans Eric Montross and Derrick Coleman to step up their games, but this team is now all about Grant Hill, Doug Christie and Tim Hardaway.
New Jersey Nets (16-1 Preseason)1999: 41-41
2000 Prediction: 45-37
Notable TC's:
Stephon Marbury PG 23 6'2'' 180 B B+ A- B D A
Stephon Marbury PG 23 6'2'' 180 B A- A B D+ B
Ron Artest SF 21 6'7'' 235 B- B- C B+ C B
Ron Artest SF 21 6'7'' 235 B- B C B+ C+ B
Tim Thomas SF 23 6'9'' 230 B C+ D+ B C B
Tim Thomas SF 23 6'9'' 230 B- B- D A- C B
The Nets were the big story of the Preseason, going 16-1 averaging a league-best 107.0 PPG. The 23-year old star PG Stephon Marbury was the bright spot, averaging 25.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 11.5 APG. Artest also came to play, averaging 23.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.9 SPG. Tim Thomas wants to disprove the notion that he was a bust, as he improved his defense and jumper in training camp and averaged 2.1 SPG. The addition of Marcus Camby also helps out their front line, so lookout for those surprise NJ Nets.
New York Knicks (7-11 Preseason)1999: 37-45
2000 Prediction: 32-50
Notable TC's:
Bobby Phills SG 30 6'5'' 217 B- B- C B C- D
Bobby Phills SG 30 6'5'' 217 B- B C B+ C- D
Keith Carter SG 23 6'5'' 200 B- C+ C- B C- C
Keith Carter SG 23 6'5'' 200 B B- C- B C- D
Mark Jackson PG 35 6'3'' 192 C B B+ B C- D
Mark Jackson PG 35 6'3'' 192 C B A- B- C- D
The Knicks have been re-shaping the image of their franchise. In the past few seasons, they have shipped away Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Marcus Camby. Latrell Spreewell and Charlie Ward still remain with some new faces, such as Jerry Stackhouse, who actually declined in TC despite receiving a nice long contract last year. With Spree and Stack as the 1-2 punch in NY, I still don't know how much noise they can make in the Eastern Conf standings this year. My prediction is lotto team for a 2nd straight year.
Orlando Magic (8-12 Preseason)1999: 37-45
2000 Prediction: 42-40
Notable TC's:
Penny Hardaway SG 28 6'7'' 200 B B B- A- C C
Penny Hardaway SG 28 6'7'' 200 B+ B+ B A C- C
Last year was a forgettable season for the Magic, as the team missed the playoffs and never really could figure out why they couldn't click. This year, the Magic added Bryon Russell to help out their depth at the wings and also added Etan Thomas via the draft. Still, only Penny had a good TC and everyone else seemed to decline or stay the same. Mutumbo is in his final year of his contract and hopefully should play like a contract-year player should in order to get a new contract. Still though, Penny will need some scoring help, or else this lotto team will be a lotto team for another year in a row.
Philadelphia 76ers (13-5 Preseason)1999: 50-32
2000 Prediction: 50-32
Notable TC's:
Aaron McKie SG 28 6'5'' 209 C C C+ B+ C- B
Aaron McKie SG 28 6'5'' 209 C C B- A- C- C
The Sixers won the Atlantic Division last season and look like they can do it again this year with basically the same team, though they did add some veterans in Bo Outlaw and Dana Barros for bench help. You know Iverson, who was named to the All-League 1st Team last season, will not miss a beat, and he came to play in Preseason, averaging MVP numbers: 28.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 8.6 APG, and 2.5 SPG. "The Mailman" Karl Malone still has game left in the tank, expect him to get his usual 20/10 this year. I expect the Sixers to finish on top of the Division again this year, if healthy.
Washington Wizards (9-10 Preseason)1999: 37-45
2000 Prediction: 43-39
Notable TC's:
(no one really)
Carlos has been making some bold moves, trading away their future for more "now" players. The Wizards said goodbye to Baron Davis, Quentin Richardson, and Joe smith former lotto picks, as well as veteran Juwan Howard for Gary Payton, Ike Austin, and Hersey Hawkins. Not too shabby, and I foresee the Wizards making the playoffs this season. Their chances will only increase if they can find some scoring help alongside Gary Payton, who averaged 22.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 9.9 APG, and 2.3 SPG in the Preseason.
