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With the NBA season coming, we take a look at one of the league’s most competitive divisions. The Atlantic Division was home to four of the Eastern Conference’s playoff teams last year, showing their dominance over their Eastern Conference rivals.
The Boston Celtics open as favorites to win the Atlantic Division this year off the back of a fantastic Finals run in 2021-22. But don’t count out the Philadelphia 76ers who actually tied the Celtics’ overall regular season record last year. Both the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets look to be improved threats going into this season as well.
It’s sure to be an exciting year for the Atlantic Division this season!
Odds taken from Caesars Sportsbook
Boston Celtics to Win Atlantic Division (-4000)
The Atlantic Division looks to be one of the toughest in the NBA. While the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors can put up a good fight, the Boston Celtics have the combination of talent and consistency needed to stay competitive through 82 games.
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Coach: Ime Udoka
2021-22 Record: 51-31 (1st in Atlantic, 2nd in East)
2021-22 Result: Lost in NBA Finals (2-4 vs. GSW)
Key Additions: (G) Malcolm Brogdon, (F) Danilo Gallinari
Key Losses: (C) Daniel Theis, (G) Aaron Nesmith
Averaging 36.7 PPG over his last 6 games… relive Jayson Tatum’s top plays during that stretch!
Tatum and the @celtics visit Steph and the Warriors at 10pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/ASJutANPsc
— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2022
The Boston Celtics chose to re-tool this offseason, suitable for a young team that earned their first NBA Finals berth since 2010. The play of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown showed that Boston have a bright future, but they’ll need to make another jump to maintain their accomplishments from last season.
After an impressive run through last season, Boston have chosen to re-tool this offseason. In a bit of trade market brilliance, the Boston Celtics were able to acquire former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers. After possibly sorting out their playmaking issues, the Celtics look primed for another strong season.
The Boston Celtics are young, talented, and led by one of the league’s most exciting coaches. Barring any significant injuries or issues, the Celtics are sure to be competing for the top spots in the Eastern Conference.
Coach: Steve Nash
2021-22 Record: 44-38 (4th in Atlantic, 7th in East)
2021-22 Result: Lost in NBA Eastern Conference First Round (0-4 vs. BOS)
Key Additions: (F) Royce O’Neale, (F) T.J. Warren, (F) Markieff Morris
Key Losses: (F) LaMarcus Aldridge, (F) Blake Griffin, (G) Bruce Brown Jr.
49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, playing all 48 minutes… Relive Kevin Durant’s historic Game 5 performance! #ThatsGame
KD and the @BrooklynNets look to advance tonight in a WIN OR GO HOME GAME 7 vs. Milwaukee at 8:30pm/et on TNT. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3GXNlgwvEL
— NBA (@NBA) June 19, 2021
Despite the Brooklyn Nets struggling through the offseason, due to Kevin Durant’s trade request, they come out of the ordeal looking quite strong. They still own two of the NBA’s best players, while also exchanging unproductive veterans with less flashy, but focused role players.
Steve Nash enters his third year as the Brooklyn Nets head coach with a very precarious situation on his hands. His roster has been reloaded with improved role players, but he’ll need to intelligently manage the play and emotions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
On paper, the Nets can be an excellent team. However their off-court turmoil and inconsistency makes them a terribly difficult bet going into the season. They could end up anywhere from the top of the conference to the lowest in the Play-In – or worse.
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Coach: Doc Rivers
2021-22 Record: 51-31 (2nd in Atlantic, 4th in East)
2021-22 Result: Lost in NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (2-4 vs. MIA)
Key Additions: (C) Montrezl Harrell, (F) P.J. Tucker, (G) De’Anthony Melton
Key Losses: (G) Danny Green, (C) DeAndre Jordan, (F) Paul Millsap
JOEL EMBIID DUNK OF THE YEAR, NO QUESTIONS ASKED | @Wendys pic.twitter.com/KkcY6abCMu
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 13, 2022
The Philadelphia 76ers finished last season with the joint-best record in the Atlantic, while also reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite that success, their talent and depth suggests that they disappointed. They enter this season with some impressive reinforcements, and a full training camp with James Harden.
The Sixers’ offensive and defensive potential is through the roof, but their consistency leaves much to be desired. Sixers general manager Elton Brand has shored up their rebounding and defensive issues by signing former Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell, and one of the league’s best defenders in P.J. Tucker. However the question lies in how well they can be integrated into their schemes.
Expect the Sixers to compete for the top of the Atlantic Division. They have all the talent to challenge their division, if not the Eastern Conference as a whole. How the Sixers and Doc Rivers manage the team’s health and the usage of Joel Embiid will determine if they can win the division.
Coach: Nick Nurse
2021-22 Record: 48-34 (3rd in Atlantic, 5th in East)
2021-22 Result: Lost in NBA Eastern Conference First Round (2-4 vs. PHI)
Key Additions: (F) Otto Porter Jr., (C) Christian Koloko
Key Losses: (G) Armoni Brooks, (F) Yuta Watanabe
Raptors draft pick Christian Koloko already looks like a monster on defense. ?
(?: @NBA)pic.twitter.com/ELL9iEQBvh
— theScore (@theScore) July 9, 2022
The Toronto Raptors came on late last season, but a post-All-Star break win rate of 64% helped them to a surprising playoff berth. Bolstered by a return to form by the All-NBA Pascal Siakam, a Rookie of the Year winning campaign from Scottie Barnes, and All-Star worthy run by Fred Vanvleet, league opinion of the Toronto Raptors took a 180-degree turn.
Despite losing their first round playoff series against the Sixers, their performance showed great promise for the future. The only significant additions they’ve made this summer were the acquisition of Otto Porter Jr. and drafting their only true center Christian Koloko. As is usually the case, the Raptors will rely on internal development in order to improve on their run last season.
The Toronto Raptors play the league’s truest form of positionless basketball. But they struggled to adapt to open last season. If they hope to make the playoffs again, Toronto will need each player to improve in order to overcome the lack of off-season reinforcements.
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Coach: Tom Thibodeau
2021-22 Record: 37-45 (5th in Atlantic, 11th in East)
2021-22 Result: Failed to qualify for NBA Playoffs
Key Additions: (G) Jalen Brunson, (C) Isaiah Hartenstein
Key Losses: (G) Kemba Walker, (C) Nerlens Noel, (G) Alec Burks
Jalen Brunson on the #Knicks and a championship:
“I think the city deserves that.” pic.twitter.com/KKunpkdZyV
— Knicks Latest (@NYKnicksLatest) July 23, 2022
The New York Knicks continue to be one of the NBA’s most polarizing franchises. Despite a massive market and fan base, the Knicks have not been able to produce consistent success. After a short-lived playoff run in 2020-21, the Knicks followed that with a finish worthy of last in the Atlantic Division.
Make no mistake, the Knicks are still a young team that are building around Canadian guard R.J. Barrett. Seeing as playmaking was their biggest issue last year, Knicks president Leon Rose went out and signed coveted point guard Jalen Brunson to the most lucrative deal ever earned by a player with no All-Star berths.
Outside of the acquisition of Brunson, the Knicks have struck out this summer. They failed to generate a package attractive enough to trade for Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell, losing out to their city rivals and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With limited visible improvement to the roster, the Knicks will look internally for improvements that can help them compete in the Eastern Conference.
Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.
Email: [email protected]
More info on Christian Jope
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