The Atlantic Division provided plenty of Playoff teams. But without an influx of talent, the division could return to its place among the worst in the NBA.
Last season the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets all were Atlantic Division playoff teams. All three clubs were promptly bounced, and few expected anything less from the Celtics and Nets at least.
The Raptors meltdown in the first round against the Wizards was a bit more surprising, but should have been a harbinger of change in Toronto. It really signaled no such shift, which is what seems to seal the fate for Toronto being little more than playoff fodder for the top contending teams yet again.
The Celtics are an interesting team to latch on to for adherents and believers in the value of a coach. Brad Stevens has done a miraculous job of coaxing production from a group not saturated in talent. He has a strong backcourt stacked with different types of talents, and some depth up front, but he lacks any real standout performers in the fold.
Even so, in the Eastern Conference, Stevens could pose a threat to all of the top teams. Marcus Smart still could be the best two-way guard in his class, and Isaiah Thomas could be a Sixth Man of the Year in the future. If he does not start, that is.
Brooklyn is living on borrowed time after giving its whole warehouse to Boston to lure two of its Big Three three years ago. The 76ers and Knicks are also both in full-on rebuilds, with the 76ers showing a windup to something big in the frontcourt and the Knicks counting on a rookie Latvian to guide it out of the abyss.
Next: Near Extinction