Provided the chemistry is there, the New York Knicks seem likely to finish first in the Atlantic Division, edging out the Brooklyn Nets. There’s no doubt that Carmelo Anthony is one of the NBA’s top scoring threats, while new acquisition Andrea Bargnani should create some defensive mismatches as a three-point shooting seven-footer. Despite those two offensive threats (and Sixth Man of the Year JR Smith), coach Mike Woodson continues to preach defense, and he’s got some stoppers on his lineup in Tyson Chandler, Iman Shumpert, and former L.A. Laker Metta World Peace. Still, one has to wonder if chemistry won’t fail the Knicks in 2013-14. As for the Nets, age and health may be the biggest obstacles for this team, which now has forwards Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett on the wrong side of 30, and Brook Lopez and Deron Williams both slowed down by injuries.
The Toronto Raptors could finish third as off-guard DeMar DeRozan and center Jonas Valanciunas continue improving, while Rudy Gay leads the way in his first full season in Canada. Still, it might not be enough for a playoff push. The Boston Celtics lost Pierce and Garnett to the Nets, and are essentially a one-star team with Rajon Rondo remaining in charge at the point. Don’t expect to see them any higher than fourth. They may not, however, finish last, as the Philadelphia 76ers boast a collection of youngsters and journeyman-caliber players guaranteed to rival their 1972-73 lineup (yes, the one that finished 9-73) in ineptitude.
CENTRAL DIVISION
The Indiana Pacers had surprised some last year when they had topped the Central Division and taken the Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals, but if they repeat this year and remain on top of the Central Division, pundits shouldn’t be surprised anymore. The Pacers’ nucleus of Paul George, Roy Hibbert, and David West returns, while the returning Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson should make it an interesting battle for who will start alongside George in the wings. And provided Derrick Rose is healthy, the Chicago Bulls could potentially top the Central Division, but may likely come in at a close second. Expect bigger things from young “threes-and-D” shooting guard Jimmy Butler, and the usual strong defense from the likes of Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, and Taj Gibson. And if Rose’s injuries remain a problem, head coach Tom Thibodeau is sure to make the most of whatever he has in his lineup.
The Cleveland Cavaliers added oft-injured Andrew Bynum and drafted Anthony Bennett first overall, but even with those acquisitions and the presence of one of the NBA’s best young point guards in Kyrie Irving, the Cavs may have to settle for third, yet eventually make it to the Playoffs. Fourth and fifth may be a toss-up between the Detroit Pistons, who added Brandon Jennings via trade, Josh Smith via free agency, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope via the draft, and the Milwaukee Bucks, who look to be in full-on rebuilding mode.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
What else is new? The Miami Heat look like the favorites to take the Southeast Division and top the Eastern Conference as well. They’ve got almost all their key players back, including the “Big Three” of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. And while all of the team’s key role players except Mike Miller are returning, things could get interesting if the comebacking Greg Oden, once the first-overall pick in the NBA Draft, proves to be at least a competent reserve at center.
The rest of the Southeast Division look like the proverbial midgets to the Heat’s giants, though one would argue that might not be the case with the Atlanta Hawks, who added Paul Millsap from Utah to replace Josh Smith at power forward; he will join center Al Horford and point guard Jeff Teague in making up the team’s nucleus. Then we have three teams likely to take an early vacation and miss the boat to the Playoffs – the Washington Wizards, who may finish third behind young guards John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Charlotte Bobcats, whose acquisition of Al Jefferson (great on offense, but still one of the NBA’s worst defensive big men) may push them to fourth, and the Orlando Magic, who really don’t have much on the plate despite the addition of two-way threat Victor Oladipo as second-overall draft pick.