Post by dthomp34 on Sept 21, 2004 23:01:43 GMT -5
This is the New York Knicks preseason preview for all to read about.
The Atlantic looks to be a very competitive conference as most will be this 1990 basketball season. We have perenial players such as the Celtics, 76ers and Knicks. There are also some young teams looking for a playoff shot this season in Miami and Orlando. Then there's the Nets and Bullets who will be fighting with expansion teams and the Kings for the right to draft the likes of Derrick Coleman, Gary Payton, Kendall Gill, and Dennis Scott among many other talented college players.
Atlantic Division at a Glance
1. New York Knicks- At the moment the Knicks seem to have the best team on paper, but we all know you don't play basketball on paper. They have one of the best centers in the league in Patrick Ewing, as well as a big enforcer down low with him in Charles Oakley. New York is still very weak at the SF, hoping the talent everywhere else will cover this hole. Gerald Wilkens is a great inside/outside player sharing the backcourt with defensive extrordinair Mark Jackson. They seem to have a capable enough bench with Eddie Lee, Maurice Cheeks and Trent Tucker hoping to play some good ball this season.
2. Boston Celtics- I'd have to say the only reason they're not number 1 is the age factor. Parish is still a great center but is a good ten years older then most centers in the division, and his durability will be tested this year since Joe Kleine still hasn't developed into a good enough backup yet. 32 year old Kevin McHale is still a very great player in a division of great PF's and should be a big part of the Boston Celtics this season. Now onto one the best players in the league, Larry Bird. He does everything for this team. The leader in most catagories is one of the best players in the league will need a huge year to help Boston win the division this season. Boston runs very deep at the guard positions, however doesn't have a top tier PG to lead them. DJ will be fine but an upgrade at the point puts them at the top of this list. Their starters are great but they have no bench. One injury spells doom for the Celtics this year.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- Philly. Brotherly Love. The Chuckster. Ah the beloved sixers, well unless they start off slow that is. Philly loves to hate their sports teams, and anything less then contending will bring hatred to all in this organization. Philly, like NY, Miami and Orlando even, has a core that could make them contenders for a long time. Gminski, is in a contract year and will show if he's worth resigning long term which they might have to, seeing as he's their only center on the team right now. Great players such as Barkley, Hawkins, and Dawkins will be a great core. Can Charles bring a ring to the people of Philly?
4. Orlando Magic- As expected the Magic have overhauled their team already with many, many trades. Which is also expected knowing their GM. They have made improvements at pretty much every position except the one they need, at center. The additions of Cliff Robinson, Shawn Kemp, Nate McMillian, and Mookie are very good. However they seem to be the long term answer and not the short. Will Orlando be willing to wait or try to make a move to contend this season. One questions after moving what could be a very good pick in this years draft could be deadly. They've improved at every position but I still question if they can contend with Boston, Philly, and New York. I wouldn't rule out a 7th or 8th seed however.
5. Miami Heat- I really question what happened in Miami. They had what could have been a top 3 team in this division with Seikaly, Rice, and Douglas, and traded away Seikaly and Douglas for what seems like just Terry Porter. I just question trading away a top notch center in a division with such good centers. They still have Rice and Porter but will it be enough? I don't think so yet.
6. New Jersey Nets- Well, in a race not to be last in division the Nets miss out thanks to our following team, but not by much. The Nets only bright spot may be Sam Bowie, yes that Sam Bowie, the only other player of mention is Purvis Short who at 7 million a year in his final year probably isn't going to be resigned anyway at his asking price. Short may be the only talent that New Jersey can shop around for maybe some depth, since New Jersey could use it at any position.
7. Washington Bullets- I'd be announcing Washington is on the clock if it wasn't for expansion this season. The Bullets have their work cut out for them this season. They have some good defensive players but none of them have any offensive ability. They have no real center or power forward which will be very quickly exposed by most other teams in the division. The best offensive weapon out here is Jeff Malone who has already seen better days but may be asked to carry a huge load this season. Playoffs, not likely but a good lotto pick could bring new hope to Washington.
The Atlantic looks to be a very competitive conference as most will be this 1990 basketball season. We have perenial players such as the Celtics, 76ers and Knicks. There are also some young teams looking for a playoff shot this season in Miami and Orlando. Then there's the Nets and Bullets who will be fighting with expansion teams and the Kings for the right to draft the likes of Derrick Coleman, Gary Payton, Kendall Gill, and Dennis Scott among many other talented college players.
Atlantic Division at a Glance
1. New York Knicks- At the moment the Knicks seem to have the best team on paper, but we all know you don't play basketball on paper. They have one of the best centers in the league in Patrick Ewing, as well as a big enforcer down low with him in Charles Oakley. New York is still very weak at the SF, hoping the talent everywhere else will cover this hole. Gerald Wilkens is a great inside/outside player sharing the backcourt with defensive extrordinair Mark Jackson. They seem to have a capable enough bench with Eddie Lee, Maurice Cheeks and Trent Tucker hoping to play some good ball this season.
2. Boston Celtics- I'd have to say the only reason they're not number 1 is the age factor. Parish is still a great center but is a good ten years older then most centers in the division, and his durability will be tested this year since Joe Kleine still hasn't developed into a good enough backup yet. 32 year old Kevin McHale is still a very great player in a division of great PF's and should be a big part of the Boston Celtics this season. Now onto one the best players in the league, Larry Bird. He does everything for this team. The leader in most catagories is one of the best players in the league will need a huge year to help Boston win the division this season. Boston runs very deep at the guard positions, however doesn't have a top tier PG to lead them. DJ will be fine but an upgrade at the point puts them at the top of this list. Their starters are great but they have no bench. One injury spells doom for the Celtics this year.
3. Philadelphia 76ers- Philly. Brotherly Love. The Chuckster. Ah the beloved sixers, well unless they start off slow that is. Philly loves to hate their sports teams, and anything less then contending will bring hatred to all in this organization. Philly, like NY, Miami and Orlando even, has a core that could make them contenders for a long time. Gminski, is in a contract year and will show if he's worth resigning long term which they might have to, seeing as he's their only center on the team right now. Great players such as Barkley, Hawkins, and Dawkins will be a great core. Can Charles bring a ring to the people of Philly?
4. Orlando Magic- As expected the Magic have overhauled their team already with many, many trades. Which is also expected knowing their GM. They have made improvements at pretty much every position except the one they need, at center. The additions of Cliff Robinson, Shawn Kemp, Nate McMillian, and Mookie are very good. However they seem to be the long term answer and not the short. Will Orlando be willing to wait or try to make a move to contend this season. One questions after moving what could be a very good pick in this years draft could be deadly. They've improved at every position but I still question if they can contend with Boston, Philly, and New York. I wouldn't rule out a 7th or 8th seed however.
5. Miami Heat- I really question what happened in Miami. They had what could have been a top 3 team in this division with Seikaly, Rice, and Douglas, and traded away Seikaly and Douglas for what seems like just Terry Porter. I just question trading away a top notch center in a division with such good centers. They still have Rice and Porter but will it be enough? I don't think so yet.
6. New Jersey Nets- Well, in a race not to be last in division the Nets miss out thanks to our following team, but not by much. The Nets only bright spot may be Sam Bowie, yes that Sam Bowie, the only other player of mention is Purvis Short who at 7 million a year in his final year probably isn't going to be resigned anyway at his asking price. Short may be the only talent that New Jersey can shop around for maybe some depth, since New Jersey could use it at any position.
7. Washington Bullets- I'd be announcing Washington is on the clock if it wasn't for expansion this season. The Bullets have their work cut out for them this season. They have some good defensive players but none of them have any offensive ability. They have no real center or power forward which will be very quickly exposed by most other teams in the division. The best offensive weapon out here is Jeff Malone who has already seen better days but may be asked to carry a huge load this season. Playoffs, not likely but a good lotto pick could bring new hope to Washington.
DJ's not one of his options, and Mark isn't one of mine? 
