Three potential Finals teams in the toughest division of the league. Boston with Gallinari knocked out and coach Udoka suspended, loses leadership. Toronto intriguing, Knicks still mediocre
& commat; simonesandri
The Atlantic Division is at the starting line of the season with at least three teams, Boston, Philadelphia and Brooklyn, with ambitions for a conference final. Toronto, which can boast a very talented starting quintet, remains a loose cannon in the East while yet another championship without rings is expected for the Knicks.
Boston Celtics
The “Udoka affair” weighs a ton
Why believe in the Celtics A team that has come close to the NBA title has, at least theoretically, improved the roster with the addition of Gallinari and Brogdon. The injuries of Gallo and Robert Williams certainly change the prospects but the team remains solid and can count on a superstar like Tatum and a potentially All Nba player like Brown. The room for maneuver for the technical staff is not that imagined after the signing of the blue and a low and versatile quintet becomes much more problematic but with the return of Williams (out for at least two months) a change of pace can be expected similar to that of last year.
Why not trust the Celtics Too many technical management question marks. The promotion to head coach of 34-year-old Joe Mazzulla after the surreal event that led to the suspension (and probable dismissal in the near future) of Ime Udoka, raises more than acceptable question marks. Will a young coach in his first NBA experience be able to collect Udoka’s heavy legacy and be respected by the locker room? The injuries of Gallinari and Robert Williams certainly do not help and risk becoming an important factor.
Quintet: Smart, White, Brown, Tatum, Horford.
Main reserves: Brogdon, Greg Williams, Pritchard, Griffin, Hauser, Robert Williams (injured), Gallinari (injured).
Brooklyn Nets
The tantrums of Irving and the Durant saga
Why believe in the Nets Resolved summer stomach ache in one way or another, the Nets show up at the starting line with a really solid roster on paper. An Irving who appears motivated and the best Kevin Durant can dictate the law in the Eastern Conference, the recovery of Ben Simmons gives coach Nash several cards to play, even a really intriguing quintet with the Australian as pivot. The returning Harris forms with Curry, Mills and the very interesting O’Neale a battery of shooters on duty that can best support the Big Three. So much talent, and a deep roster.
Why not trust the Nets The delusion that the KD issue has completely settled could prove dangerous. The idea that the telenovela Durant, after a trade request, is definitively archived is perhaps unrealistic, if discontent re-emerged, the season would automatically become complicated. Then there is, as always, the Irving variant, a player whose reliability is always suspect. Brooklyn needs to start the season on the right foot to gain confidence and leave the offseason troubles behind, otherwise it could be coach Steve Nash who pays for everyone.
Quintet: Irving, Harris, Durant, Simmons, Claxton.
Main reserves: Mills, Curry, O’Neale, Warren, Morris, Sharpe.
Philadelphia 76ers
With the couple Embiid-Harden you can dream
Why believe in the 76ers With a Harden in good shape, with the desire to forget his bad 33% from last season’s three, Philadelphia is aiming for the big target. The first offensive option naturally remains Embiid. The pick and roll between the two potential mvp award nominees, at least in the words of Doc Rivers, can really become devastating. The progress of an excellent Maxey and the summer additions of PJ Tucker, a thick player on the court and in the locker room, and of the former sixth man of the year Harrell, make Philadelphia a team to be taken with a grain of salt for everyone and not only in the East.
Why not trust the 76ers James Harden remains the big question mark of Coach Rivers’ team. The former Nets struggled last year, not only shooting badly from the field but also showing a lackluster athletic condition. Harden must first demonstrate that he has recovered an explosiveness seen very little in the past season. With Harden seen in his parenthesis in Philadelphia, post trade with the Nets, playing the cards for the title becomes decidedly complicated for Philadelphia.
Quintet: Maxey, Harden, Harris, Tucker, Embiid.
Main reserves: Melton, Thybulle, Harrell, Korkmaz, Milton.
New York Knicks
Many talented young people, but an unknown factor remains
Why believe in the Knicks Despite the great regret related to the failure to acquire Donovan Mitchell, who seemed very close to the Knicks before ending up at the Cavs, the New York franchise has managed to assemble an intriguing roster with many very interesting young people, from Quickley to Toppin, passing through Grimes, without forgetting Reddish and of course Robinson. Brunson, leaving the Mavs and Luka Doncic, must prove he can carry a team on his shoulders but with RJ Barrett and a Randle wanting to cancel last season’s disappointing season, the Knicks can try to start building for the future.
Why not trust the Knicks After having given disappointments in series to their fans for years, to think that this group could change the direction of the franchise, after a decidedly negative season, seems too optimistic. Randle may have deluded two years ago, only to return to his levels last season. But what if it really went back to being a thorn in the side of the opposing defenses? And is Thibs himself the right coach to make this group grow? Legitimate questions that make the Knicks a real unknown.
Quintet: Brunson, Fournier, Barrett, Randle, Robinson.
Main reserves: Rose, Grimes, Toppin, Reddish, Quickley.
Toronto Raptors
Super quintet, but short bench
Why believe in the Raptors After winning 48 games last season, the Raptors are back with a team that has changed very little. The frontline of the Canadians can be the envy of the whole Eastern Conference with a Siakam ready for an All Nba season, an incredibly reliable Anunoby and the talent of rookie of the year Scottie Barnes. Adding an element of experience like Otto Porter Jr. gives interesting alternatives to the bench. A respectable starting quintet and a coach capable of bringing out the best in his players seem to be a guarantee.
Why not trust the Raptors The real problem in Toronto comes from the lack of reliable changes for the starting backcourt. Coach Nurse also in this championship will be forced to squeeze VanVleet and Trent Jr., a situation that in the long run risks paying dearly. To make the leap in quality, the Raptors need to find more consistency from long range.
Quintet: VanVleet, Trent Jr., Anunoby, Barnes, Siakam.
Main reserves: Porter Jr., Boucher, Achiuwa, Flynn, Birch.
11 October – 15:18
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