NSL Atlantic Division Preview

The Atlantic division has undergone tremendous change since last season, with goals re-aligning, star players shifting and even GM�s shifting.

If you look back at last season, the Atlantic would only have one team make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors in 6^th place and the Atlantic had the dubious honour of having the Eastern Conferences 15^th team, the Brooklyn Nets. With The Philadelphia trying but failing to get out of the play in�s, the Boston Celtics likely not wanting to get out of the play in�s and the New York Knicks hitting the big rebuild button trading for the injured Kawhi Leonard, it is pretty clear the Atlantic division was the East�s weakest division. How things have changed heading into 2023.

Let�s discuss each team now, in the order that I predict that they will finish in the division by seasons end.

 

New York Knicks

With some terrific timing and a little luck, GM Smokey has transformed the New York Knicks into in my opinion the most feared team in the Eastern Conference. Smokey hit the rebuild button hard when he got involved in the famed Kevin Durant trade, bringing in the injured Kawhi Leonard. Then with a couple of lottery picks in his possession, Smokey hit the jackpot securing the number 2 selection in the Lottery. With this pick, he was able to secure a trade for Jimmy Butler, easily building the best combination of defensive wings and probably 2-way wings in the league. The trades have all been good since then and the Knicks are suddenly stacked, deep and ready to contend. The only thing that could threaten to derail their season is recurring injury drama for Kawhi.

Projected Starters:

PG: Monte Morris

SG: Jimmy Butler

SF: Kawhi Leonard

PF: Cameron Johnson

C: Clint Capela

 

Toronto Raptors

With a new GM comes a new approach to roster building, and GM Dylan has waited no time reshaping the Raptors as he see�s fit. The divisions best team last season looks very different but is still very talented and I know Dylan is trying everything he can to get this team to be the best version of itself. Zion Williamson remains on the squad and appears ready to play again, but most of the other guys around him are new faces. Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, OG Anunoby and Marcus Smart have all been hand picked by Dylan to try and grow into a real contender this season and beyond. This team boasts length, and guys that excel on a particular side of the ball. With the mix seeming about right, and if Zion plays most of the season, the Raptors can certainly challenge New York.

Projected Starters:

PG: Marcus Smart

SG: Brandon Ingram

SF: OG Anunoby

PF: Zion Williamson

C: Ivica Zubac

 

Boston Celtics

Running back the majority of last seasons roster, sprinkled with a handful of new rookies, the Boston Celtics will be hoping their internal development see�s them safely in the playoffs in the East this season. Or will they? GM Toby has been holding this team back as much as he can so far, opting for a slow and methodical rebuild. The roster boasts only one player over 24 years old. Jayson Tatum, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr. and Alperen Sengun are all top tier talent and should carry this team into the playoffs if that is Toby�s desire. While some shine has come off a few of the youngsters on this team, it still boasts a tonne of young talent that could see them reach the pinnacle of the division and perhaps the league at some time soon.

Projected Starters:

PG: Darius Garland

SG: Luguentz Dort

SF: Dorian Finney-Smith

PF: Jayson Tatum

C: Alperen Sengun

 

Philadelphia 76ers

Well and truly back to there roots, the Philadelphia 76ers and GM Nenjabin have an army of second round picks and almost as many terrific defenders to try and take that next step out of the play in�s and into the playoffs this season. With the athleticism of DeAaron Fox and Andrew Wiggins, the smarts and veteran savvy of Draymond Green, Al Horford and the sheer presence of Steven Adams this Sixers roster looks so much more cohesive than last seasons offering. This will be one of the hardest teams to score on and they will hurt you the other way with there speed and teamwork. Certainly, at the very least another play-in team, it wouldn�t be a stretch to imagine Philadelphia being the fourth team from the Atlantic division featuring in the 2023 Eastern Conference playoffs.

Projected Starters:

PG: DeAaron Fox

SG: Andrew Wiggins

SF: Draymond Green

PF: Al Horford

C: Steven Adams

 

Brooklyn Nets

A mainstay stays, an injured star returns, and another�s appears to be rising in Brooklyn. GM Breece couldn�t sign Jusuf Nurkic�s contract fast enough; the big man is a big favourite of the Nets GM and will again anchor the middle in Brooklyn. Joining him in the frontcourt is Lauri Markkanen, a true breakout candidate currently enjoying an amazing season in the NBA. But leading this team will be the returning Jamal Murray who has missed a season and a half of basketball. When he went down, so did Brooklyn�s chances of any kind of success. He�s back now and has a terrific fit next to him in Khris Middleton. Not holding their first round pick this season, another poor finish in the East would really hurt the energetic but proud GM and the people of Brooklyn. So, let�s start seeing those wins.

Projected Starters:

PG: Jamal Murray

SG: Khris Middleton

SF: Herbert Jones

PF: Lauri Markkanen

C: Jusuf Nurkic

 

Final Thoughts

It�s fair to say that every single one of these teams has improved since last season and it�s going to be fun watching how the battles in this division play out. Health will be a key factor here with 4 of these teams having key players all returning from missing over a year of basketball. And it�s certainly clear to me that this division has probably gone from the weakest to the strongest in the Eastern conference. Best of luck to all teams this season, let the games begin!