Two years ago the Atlantic Division was the doormat of the NBA, the worst possible division ever imagined. You had a Boston Celtics team that was up to its now usual lowly self, a New York Knicks team that was showing “significant improvement” never even made the playoffs, a New Jersey Nets team was starting to show its age, a Philadelphia 76ers team was through with the Iverson era, and the one truly bright light was a Toronto Raptors team that was young and talented, but lacked any experience.

Fast forward to this season and the division holds the new defending champion Boston Celtics, a Philadelphia 76ers team that has added enough talent to challenge for a title, a Toronto Raptors team that is still talented, has two extra years of experience and has added a star at center, a New Jersey Nets team that has undergone a youth movement, and a New York Knicks team that has finally gone through the necessary management changes.

But how will this division play out, who will win the battle for supremacy, can anybody unseat the Celtics at the top of the division? Here is my preseason preview in order of their predicted finish, from worst to best:

5. New Jersey Nets
The Nets were going nowhere with the trio of the artist formerly known as Jason Kidd, Vince “cry baby” Carter and Richard Jefferson. In fact, it was pretty clear that the in-season trade of Kidd was just the start of the house cleaning. Their only valuable trading chip, Richard Jefferson, was moved to Milwaukee for a young Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Devin Harris for Kidd can now officially be called a steal as Jersey turned an ageing player into a young talent. Yi is also a nice pickup, but Jefferson might have been worth more than what they initially got for him. My biggest problem with this bunch is that Vince Carter is supposed to be the veteran leader here. Is it really a good idea to let young players be influenced by a guy who got traded here after he started mailing in games because his team was not winning enough already? If they get rid of Carter, the Nets might actually be better than the Knicks.
 
4. New York Knicks
They only had one significant player signing this off-season, with Chris Duhon arriving to give them a true point guard. Yet I still expect them to be a whole lot better this season. Not playoff-bound better, but respectable-better. That is what happens when you finally get rid of Isiah Thomas (the man who amongst many other “good” deeds crashed the CBA into the ground). Plus they added a great duo, with GM Donnie Walsh and coach Mike D’Antoni. Both will get an extended honeymoon period in New York. There is enough talent on this roster, but too many people playing the same positions. Expect trade rumors all over the place, but do not expect any panic moves. The Knicks should start building a team now, and it is going to take a while.

3. Toronto Raptors
I might be the only one, but I do not like the TJ Ford for Jermaine O’Neal trade for either Indiana or for Toronto. Ford was a sparkplug for Toronto when he was not injured, which did not happen often. So Raptors fans went ecstatic when news of the trade broke. Hello! Jermaine O’Neil is not exactly an iron man either. O’Neil has had his fair share of injuries these past years. He might only be turning 30 this October, but he has played in as many games as most 34-year-old NBA players. He has played in less than 52 games (that’s 30 games missed) three times in the last four seasons, and his production fell drastically last year. Still, there is enough talent here to grab a lower tier playoff seed and finish third in the division.

2. Philadelphia 76ers
Fret not, Philly fans I am giving the Celtics top spot only by virtue of them being the defending champs. This 76ers team has become the real deal with the addition of Elton Brand. If anybody asks why I believe in Brand and not in Jermaine O’Neil, well Brand is a year younger, has three years less NBA wear and tear, and this is only his first injury for which he took the time to rehab as the doctors ordered. None of these ring true to O’Neil though. Andre Miller’s situation is the key to this club. The veteran point guard is the glue that will get this finely tuned engine running. There is talent, there is depth on this roster. I really cannot criticize them right now. On paper, this is a top tier team in the Eastern Conference.

1. Boston Celtics
The Champions. The question here is can Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen complete like there’s no tomorrow when they do not have that enormous chip on their shoulders of not having won it all. Last year they were not always the best team on the floor, but they always wanted it the most. Their determination was example setting. What might make them worry some more is the loss of James Posey. Imagine San Antonio without Bruce Bowen – that’s Boston without James Posey. He was the one getting the tough defensive assignments in crucial minutes. Do they have anyone that can replace him? At the moment I am giving them the benefit of a doubt, but they will have to prove their greatness from the get-go to lead a much-improved Atlantic Division.