i think that some people touched on this before. i know the atlantic was horrid this season. however, there are many signs pointing to a better future. ironically it starts with the worst team in the division: boston. people criticize ainge and rivers for wht they are doing but i can see clearly what they are doing. 2 things: developing their young talent and tanking games purposely. this is genius because their chances of getting a high pick is very likely. so if they do get a oden (ideal) or durant that is a team that could turn it around in two years tops. they have a decent amount of young talent with green, rondo and the emergence of al jefferson. they will have a "healthy" pierce next year who provides veteran leadership and savvy, this will be a team that will win multiple division titles. think san antonio and duncan sweepstakes but maybe not THAT drastic. toronto is another team that will be good for years to come. they may not make a lot of noise in the playoffs this year but they will get better with a hungrier bosh next year. tj ford proves to be one of the best off season moves and he will be an all-star in the future. bargniani is proving why he is a number one pick and will continue to do better. this is a team on the brink of greatness. the other three teams will do well if they play their cards right. philly seems to never catch a break. they are on a hot streak at the least convenitent time. i know billy king is not happy with that. he realize that the only way to get better is through the draft. however, he will have a high lottery pick so he will not get someone that will make them instantly better. but iggy and korver are still producing as they are key components. dalembert is quietly having a solid year anchoring the defense in the middle as well as rebounding. the underrated andre miller is the glue that holds it together. an old school point guard who provides leadership on the floor and in the locker room. nets have a dilemna this off-season. carter will most likely walk so that will cause problems with them staying competitive. kidd will always will them to win but he is starting to slow down and jefferson is proving to be injury prone. a healthy kritstic could be the key. he is a very good center who could be an all-star in the image of a mehmet okur. if he develops as well as jefferson staying healthy and kidd mentoring marcus willimas the right way, they will remain competitive. ironically, the knicks have the most riddles. they could remain bottom dwellers for years or make moves that will improve them instantly. they have a young core that shows promise but they are still inconsistent. it starts with the development of lee and curry. they are a frontcourt that could dominate. but they must stay healthy and in shape to do so. marbury has slowed down considerably and crawford reached his peak so their backcourt could be an issue. collins is another promising guard but must show improvement this summer. well in closing, a lot of people are laughing at this division the same as when they laughed at the pacific and midwest division. but in about two years we will see who is laughing then.

and you left out BALKMANIA baby! he'll be the best SF in the division next yr!

jazz74..I agree with your optimism.

Boston is going to be one heckuva team if they get lucky and get Oden. Not sure if they get Durant because then they would have to move somebody and Ainge is the white Zeke when it comes to trading players. But Oden with Big Al Jefferson is a fearsome frountcourt along with Greene and Pierce would be a force.

Toronto is just sick. They just need some time and if TJ gets a consistent shot they are going to be deadly.

The Nets are well the Nets. Good management good team.

Phila - eh! They need a few more players.

Knicks - GO NY GO NY GO! Mardy, Marbury, Balkman, Lee, Curry. You start that 5 next year and we win the division baby! gulp, gulp..KookAid good. Haterade bad!

Posted by arkrud:

Imagine if you are right what will be the Knicks record - like 18-64?
We can consistantly get the high lottary picks for several years to come. Cool.

well, that is only one scenerio. thomas keeps making bad decision after bad decision. he has to make a good one eventually. this offseason, he can't do minimal like last year. the division will get better and we will continue to watch other teams improve while we continue to wallow on the bottom. our youth must improve and not regress ( like frye did this season). isaih must make moves to bring us up to a competitive nature or we will have more disappointing seasons like these.