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Predicting the Atlantic Rankings

1. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are coming off of a monster season. After winning the division in the 2013-'14 and '14-'15 season, the Raptors, led by their All-Star backcourt of DeMar Derozan and Kyle Lowry, shook off an early exit from two seasons ago and fought to the conference finals only to be sent to the dungeon by King James and his Cavaliers.

The Raptors return both All-Star guards in 2016 as well as up and coming star center Jonas Valanciunas. They were able to sign Jared Sullinger in the offseason to add a rebounding presence but lost big man Bismack Biyombo to free agency which could cost them should Valanciunas battle with injury as he did a season ago. The Raptors should look to build upon the success they last season, under coach Dwayne Casey, and when all is said and done they should stand at number one or two in the division again this year.

2. Boston Celtics

Before I get hate comments for putting the Celtics at number two on their own fan blog, please understand these are simply my REGULAR SEASON rankings. The Celtics have unquestionably improved upon the team they had a season ago. They were able to add a career thirty-six percent three point shooter in Gerald Green and drafted an explosive, athletic player loaded with potential in Jaylen Brown. Oh, and not to mention, Al Horford. I've wanted this dude to be a Celtic since i saw him play on Florida's championship team. He adds a much needed defensive presence and helps solidify Boston as one of the meanest teams to face in the league.

The Celtics made individual improvements last years in addition to the strides they made as a team. At times Avery Bradley looked like the type of scorer you could run an offense through. Jae Crowder was playing the best basketball of his career before he sprained his ankle last season. He was never the same last year but should return to full form this coming season. Horford is an offensive presence as well but, as is the case with any new players, there will be an adjustment period before the offense flows the way Brad Stevens would like.

I believe the Celtics can pull off a 55-plus win season but I'm not certain that would be enough to win the division with a tough Raptor's team playing in Toronto.

3. New York Knicks

The Knicks made some puzzling moves this off-season. With a young star in Kristaps Porzingis, Phil Jackson added a banged up Joakim Noah and a waning Derrick Rose. Possibly the best piece the Knicks got in the deal could be Justin Holiday who will be buried in the depth chart by Rose and Brandon Jennings. They signed Courtney Lee, who isn't going to make or break any seasons and would have probably been better suited as a role player on a championship contender. I doubt the Knicks break forty wins riding Carmelo Anthony until his post fade-away stops working and Phil Jackson may take some heat.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers are loaded with young talent. Everybody wants to trade with them and I'm sure either Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor will finish the year wearing a different uniform. Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid are all making their much anticipated NBA debuts but it will be tough for such an inexperienced team to win a lot of games, even in the Eastern Conference. Expect around thirty to thirty-five wins which would be a huge jump from last years whopping ten.

5. Brooklyn Nets

I have all the faith in the world that the Nets will be earning the Celtics another early draft pick. Their best player is an often injured, middle of the road center and Linsanity wont be enough to make up for the severe lack of talent on this roster. Expect the bulk of the scoring to come from Bojan Bogdanovic and Brook Lopez with a few good games by Jeremy Lin. Anything other than a last place finish would be optimistic for Nets fans. No wonder Jay-Z abandoned them.

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