The NBA Title has a home in the Atlantic Division with the Boston Celtics.
By Mike Gill
Last season the Atlantic Division was home to the NBA Champion Boston Celtics. While they are the favorites, the gap is closing and the division is getting better. Boston may be the favorite, but the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors are moving in the right direction and the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks are getting better as well. While the division might not be the best, its still the northeast, so lets take a look at the 12 best players in the division.
Starters
PG – Andre Miller (Sixers) – Miller enjoyed a career year with the Sixers, and should be even better this season with more weapons. He scored 17 points per game and dished out almost seven assists per night.
SG – Andre Iguodala (Sixers ) – He is maybe the most athletic player in the division and is coming off his best NBA season and should only get better with the addition of Elton Brand.
SF – Paul Pierce (Celtics) -Pierce is a six-time all-star and can still score in bunches. While he may be slowing down a little bit, he is still them man in the clutch and is the best at this position.
PF – Kevin Garnett (Celtics) – Six-foot-11 and can shoot from anywhere on the floor, Garnett is one of the best not only in the division, but the game. Not only is Garnett a scary offensive player he is the defensive player of the year, this is a deep position in the Atlantic and he is the best.
C – Jermaine O’Neal (Raptors) – I know O’Neal has been injured the past couple of seasons with the Pacers, but I think the move to Toronto could be the best thing that happened to him. Paired with Chris Bosh, the Six-foot-11 O’Neal will have some athletic help down on the blocks.
Bench
PF – Elton Brand (Sixers)
SG – Vince Carter (Nets)
C – Samuel Dalembert (Sixers)
PF – Chris Bosh (Raptors)
SG – Ray Allen (Celtics)
PG – Rajon Rando (Celtics)
SF – Thaddeus Young (Sixers)
Coach – Glenn “Doc” Rivers
Current Predictions
1. Boston Celtics
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. Toronto Raptors
4. New York Knicks
5. New Jersey Nets
Stumble it!
I like Devin Harris and Jose Calderon, as well. They are nice players in an obviously talented Atlantic division. Loaded at PG as well, eh?
I also like this “honorable mention” player: David Lee F/NYK,
Side Thought : Anyone still think Sammy D is over paid? Sure looks like he set the market for athletic big men with his contract. (First few years he WAS overpaid, though).
Agree with John, both Calderon and Harris are better than Rondo. I might even make Calderon the starter and move Miller to the bench.
In addition, you could move Bosh to center, take O’Neill out entirely and include both Calderon and Harris on the roster.
I still like Rondo on this roster, though. He plays tenacious D and started to develop his scoring touch. He also doesn’t make the “Ryan Madson Oh Crap they put me in a close game in the 8th inning” face anymore in the fourth quarter of close games.
And O’Neill still must have a place. Have a 15 man roster, which is allowed and leave them all on. Tough to leave any of those guys off.
I like Calderon too, Harris is an up-and-coming guy, but Rando has NBA Finals experience under his belt.
I thought about the Bosh to center thing, but I dont think he will get many minutes there with O’Neal and Bargnani there.
I like David Lee too, if I was putting together a “team” he is on it, these are more the best 12 players in the division.