2019-2020 NBA Preview and Predictions – Atlantic Division
Last season, the Atlantic Division was represented by 4 different teams in the Playoffs. That was most in the Eastern Conference, and tied with the Northwest Division in the Western Conference. This season will be interesting, as all 5 teams will look much different than last season. Here is what we are looking at coming into 2019-2020.
New York Knicks
For being pretty much everyone’s pick to be the worst team in the NBA this upcoming season, I am very, very hesitant to say this, but…I think the Knicks will be in the Playoff hunt! Dennis Smith, Jr., Marcus Morris, Julius Randle, and Bobby Portis are all solid, and rookie RJ Barrett has the potential to be a star. And don’t forget, they are in the Eastern Conference. They may fall short, but they will be significantly better than last year, and significantly better than you think they will be. I see them around the 40 win mark.
Brooklyn Nets
This will be the tale of potentially 2 teams. The team without Kevin Durant, and the team (potentially) with Kevin Durant. They unloaded D’Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll, Allen Crabbe, Shabazz Napier, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to make room for Durant and Kyrie Irving. Long-term I believe this will pay major dividends, but with Durant possibly not being back until next season, 2019-2020 might be a struggle. Will Kyrie and a cast of role players be enough to make the Playoffs? In the Eastern Conference, probably. I will say though, IF Durant comes back for the Playoffs, they would be a pretty scary 6ish seed in the East.
Toronto Raptors
Can you think of a defending Champion with less momentum and expectations coming into the next season? The only example I can think of would be the 1998-1999 Bulls. The Raptors took a chance by trading for Kawhi Leonard last offseason, and by all means, it was worth it. They got a Title. They knew there was a chance he may not re-sign with them when his contract was up. Well, he is now a Clipper, and the Raptors are left with a team built around Kawhi…without Kawhi. They still have nice pieces in place, including Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, & Marc Gasol, so they will still be competitive. They will make the Playoffs, but will take a major step back from last year.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics were the trendy pick for the NBA Finals coming into last season, but got steamrolled by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2nd Round of the Playoffs. They did add Kemba Walker and Enes Kanter, but that more than likely will not make up for the losses of Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, & Marcus Morris (51 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists per game combined). This will give Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, & Marcus Smart more opportunities though, and with an average age of 22, this may be their core moving forward. X-Factor for this team – Gordon Hayward. After averaging over 20 points per game his last 3 seasons in Utah, he averaged just under 12 per game last year, while logging his lowest minutes per game since his rookie year. If he is fully healthy, he can be a major factor for this team.
Philadelphia 76ers
On paper, this is the best team in the Eastern Conference, possibly in the NBA. With the exception of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, this roster has been completely revamped from a year ago. With a starting 5 that consists of Embiid, Simmons, Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, & Al Horford, there is no reason this team shouldn’t win the Division. What to watch for – Ben Simmons has been working extensively on his outside shot. Once he can add this weapon to his game, that makes him one of the more dynamic players in the game. Will it be this year though?
This Division is loaded with talent, but also loaded with unknowns. To an extent, all 5 teams will be learning how to play with each other the 1st half of the season, so I will take the team with the most talent, and that is the Philadelphia 76ers. Atlantic Division Winner – Philadelphia 76ers.
Now, tell me what you think!!!
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