By Andy Charles

We all know it has been a busy summer in Toronto, with almost a new roster ready for the start of training camp, but what about the rest of the Atlantic Division, one in which the Raptors could only manage to finish fourth last season.

Little has changed in Boston, although judged on last season’s dominance little had to. But the changes the Celtics have made should, sadly for the competition, make them even more rounded as a team in 2009/10.

Seems strange to be saying that about a team that has added Rasheed Wallace and all of those technical fouls that will undoubtedly happen from the first night, but when you look up and down the roster, it’s hard not to like what you see.

Kevin Garnett returns from injury to join Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kendrick Perkins….I need say no more! Then add in Big Baby Glenn Davis, Wallace, another summer add Marquis Daniels and sharp-shooter Eddie House and this division is settled already.

Finishing 21 games down on Boston, the Philadelphia 76ers have a strong front five on paper, but whether they have the same depth as the Raptors is questionable.

Elton Brand returns after playing 29 games in his first season with the club but they have a new point guard starter in Lou Williams and will probably sophomore Thad Young at the four, but apart from three-point artist Jason Kapono the bench looks very thin.

I think the New Jersey Nets will struggle this season, with the only real positives on the roster Devin Harris and second-season center Brook Lopez.

While those guys are undoubtedly talented, and both Yi Jianlian and Courtney Lee could improve, a team without a lot of veteran leadership or talent off the bench looks like one that will spend a lot of time behind on the scoreboard.

So that leaves the Knicks and they, as ever, are not an easy team to predict, but we’ll give it a go anyway.

My fearless prediction, and one which basketball betting supports, is that the Raptors and Knicks end up battling it out for second place in the division, and that the Knicks just edge it on their home form as Mike D’Antoni gets the best out of a bunch of retreads and former troublemakers.

Their starting five (Chris Duhon, Larry Hughes, Wilson Chandler, Al Harrington and David Lee) has a bit of everything and plenty of application in the frontcourt at least.

And there is a bench that includes Nate Robinson (will he be angry or more motivated after contract troubles?), Danilo Gallinari, who is poised for a big second season, and Jordan Hill, a banger who was one of their better first round draft picks in recent history.

Popularity: 1% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!