Rising tide
Flurry of moves has Atlantic Division dreaming big

Posted: Monday August 27, 2007 12:15PM
Updated: Monday August 27, 2007 1:17PM

It's back-to-school-time. So why not take a moment to look back on the NBA offseason and hand out some grades? We'll start with the Atlantic Division, a group that has had so many teams under water in recent years it has become known as the "Titanic."

With Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joining Paul Pierce in Boston, the Atlantic won't be a laughingstock anymore. One could argue the division now boasts three teams (along with the Raptors and Nets) that have as good a chance as any to win the East. Even the Knicks made a big move that might put them back in the playoff hunt.

Boston Celtics

What went right:

• They scored Da Big Ticket

In the offseason's big blockbuster, they landed 10-time All-Star Garnett from the T'wolves for Al Jefferson and a package of spare parts and draft picks. With KG joining Pierce and Allen, the Celtics immediately became an Eastern Conference title contender. It represented a coup for GM Danny Ainge, who was in danger of being run out of Beantown.

• They found Jesus

Looking to do anything to shake things up, Ainge first acquired Allen (aka Jesus Shuttlesworth from the film He Got Game) from the Sonics in a trade for Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and the No. 5 pick in the draft. The seven-time All-Star would have helped Boston with his sweet outside shooting alone. But his arrival also helped persuade Garnett to sign off on the subsequent deal that brought him to Boston.

• They got Boston buzzing again

Whether or not the Garnett trade pushes Boston over the top in the East, there can be no denying its impact on the Beantown sports scene. After a decade of futility, the Celtics suddenly are relevant again. In a market that already has two championship contenders in the Red Sox and Patriots, it can't be underestimated. Even some NBA players seem to have caught Green fever: free agents House and James Posey signed with the Celtics.

What went wrong:

• They lost out on No. 2 pick

It actually turned out to be a blessing, but at the time it seemed like another terrible blow to the franchise. Despite owning the second-best chances, the Celtics didn't land either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the draft lottery -- and a shot at Greg Oden or Kevin Durant.

• Reggie Miller decided to stay put

Despite a call from Ainge, the former Pacers great and future Hall of Famer opted not to come out of retirement and join the new-look Celtics. Boston could have used his clutch three-point shooting to open the floor for its other stars.

GRADE: A+

He owes friend Kevin McHale a hearty "Thank you," but Ainge managed to transform his doormat club into a legitimate Eastern Conference title contender.

New Jersey Nets

What went right:

• They kept their Vin-Sanity

Despite rumors All-Star small forward Vince Carter might bolt for Orlando or some other NBA destination, the Nets locked him up with a four-year, $60 million deal. Like him or not, New Jersey couldn't afford to let Carter walk away for nothing. At the very least, the decision sent a message to Jason Kidd and the team's fans that they still want to win.

• They added Jamaal Magloire

Figuring one can never have too many big men, the Nets signed this 6-11 former All-Star center to a one-year, $4 million free agent deal. New Jersey hopes that Magloire, who was stuck in a rebuilding situation last year in Portland, just needs a change of scenery. If he can regain anywhere close to his old form, he could be a bargain pickup.

• Nenad Krstic continued his recovery

The 6-11 center, who averaged 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds last season before it was cut short by a torn left ACL last December, appears healthy and ready to go. The Nets need him to come back strong since the rest of the frontcourt appears thin.

What went wrong:

• They didn't land Garnett or O'Neal

The Nets tried hard to swing a deal with the T'wolves for Garnett or the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal, but they didn't have the right pieces. Then they watched the rival Celtics land Garnett, leaving them with blue-collar Jason Collins once more at the starting power forward spot.

• They lost Mikki Moore and Eddie House

Thorn wanted to re-sign both of these free agents, but Moore signed with the Kings while House took a deal with the Celtics. While Magloire might pick-up some of the slack for Moore, the Nets could really miss House's scoring punch off the bench.

GRADE: B-

By re-signing Carter and adding Magloire, they showed they want to win now. But would they have been better off breaking up the Big Three and bringing in some new blood?

New York Knicks

What went right:

• They added Zach Randolph
In a bold gamble, president/coach Isiah Thomas swung a deal with the Blazers for power forward Zach Randolph. The 6-11 lefty is a legit 20-point, 10-rebound guy and one of the best low post players in the game. If he can find a way to play alongside Eddy Curry -- and stay out of trouble in New York -- Randolph could be a beast in the East.

• They subtracted Steve Francis
As part of the Randolph trade, the Knicks also got rid of Francis and the remaining $30 million on his contract (Portland then waived Francis, clearing the way for him to sign with Houston). Francis was never a good fit in New York. His departure should clear the way for Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson and Mardy Collins to play bigger roles.

What went wrong:

• They lost Channing Frye

In order to get Randolph (and shed Francis' contract), the Knicks had to give up something. The loss of Frye, who showed signs of being a pretty good player during his two seasons in Gotham, could come back to haunt them someday down the road --- especially if the Randolph move backfires.

• They failed to clear more bodies

Even with Francis' departure, the Knicks are still overloaded with perimeter players and centers. Thomas needed to trade somebody among the group of Jerome James, Malik Rose, Fred Jones, Dan Dickau and Richardson if for no other reason than to clear space for his younger guys.

GRADE: B

Despite no cap room and a huge payroll, Isiah managed to land an All-Star caliber player (Randolph) without giving up too much. But if the chemistry isn't right, it could backfire.

Philadelphia 76ers

What went right:

• They added more prospects

First-round draft picks Thaddeus Young (No. 12) and Jason Smith (No. 20) give them two more decent prospects as they go about rebuilding after the end of the Allen Iverson Era. Young, a 6-8 forward from Georgia Tech, is an athletic slasher. Smith, a 7-footer from Colorado State, gives them another much-needed big man.

• Louis Williams lit up the summer league

The 6-2 combo guard was one of the big stars in the Las Vegas Summer League. The third-year pro averaged 25.2 points while getting into the paint at will, and was named to the all-tourney team. The Sixers need him to step up this season as a reliable backup to Andre Miller.

What went wrong:

• No shakeup on draft night

With three first-round picks, GM Billy King was said to be hoping to make a trade before the draft for a veteran presence who could help the team right away. He wasn't able to swing a deal, meaning the Sixers only got younger and Philly fans will have to remain patient.

• Joe Smith bolted for Chicago

King was hoping to re-sign the veteran power forward, who played well for Philly after arriving in a midseason trade. Unfortunately for the Sixers, Smith opted instead to sign a free agent deal with the Bulls. The young Philly squad might miss his leadership and experience.

GRADE: D

With no salary-cap room and few tradable assets, King didn't have many options. Still, they made no real improvement while the Celtics and Knicks passed them.

Toronto Raptors

What went right:

• They re-signed Sam Mitchell

Despite overtures from several other NBA teams, the reigning Coach of the Year chose to stay in Toronto and sign a new four-year, $16 million deal. After last season's stunning turnaround, which saw the Raptors improve from 27 to 47 wins and claim their first-ever Atlantic title, Toronto could not afford to start over with a new coaching staff.

• They shored up the perimeter

GM Bryan Colangelo signed Heat forward Jason Kapono to a four-year, $24 million free-agent deal, and got Carlos Delfino in a trade with the Pistons for the bargain basement price of two future second-round picks (2009, '11). Kapono led the NBA in 3-point shooting (.514) last year, while Delfino is an intriguing talent who could benefit from a change of scenery after being stuck behind Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups in Detroit.

• Jorge Garbajosa stayed on schedule

The 6-foot-9 forward, a key component in Toronto's turnaround a year ago, is said to be near fully-recovered from the leg and ankle injuries that derailed his season last March. He did not play for his native Spain in the recent FIBA tournament, but sources say it was more for precautionary reasons. He is expected to be ready for training camp.

What went wrong:

•They lost Mo Pete

Unwilling to grant him a long-term deal, the Raptors let veteran Morris Peterson bolt via free agency to the Hornets. The 6-7 small forward might not have fit in the Raptors' long-range plans, but he was a stable presence in the locker room and a fan favorite who had spent his entire career in Toronto.

• They couldn't add a draft pick

After landing the No. 1 overall pick in '06 (Andrea Bargnani), Toronto didn't have a single pick in last June's draft. Colangelo said he tried hard to trade into the first round for a shot at Italian sharpshooter Marco Belinelli (who went to the Warriors) but couldn't get the right deal.

• Minor injuries cropped up

While not a major concern, Chris Bosh (foot) and Delfino (knee) both had to withdraw from this summer's FIBA Americas Tourney with ailments. Both are expected to be fine by training camp, but Bosh's injury in particular bears watching.

GRADE: A-

The defending Atlantic champs didn't need to make major changes. Just keeping the core together, while adding Kapono and Delfino, looks pretty good.

the Knicks are still overloaded with perimeter players and centers

Posted by eViL:

• They couldn't add a draft pick

After landing the No. 1 overall pick in '06 (Andrea Bargnani), Toronto didn't have a single pick in last June's draft. Colangelo said he tried hard to trade into the first round for a shot at Italian sharpshooter Marco Belinelli (who went to the Warriors) but couldn't get the right deal.

I don't get it. So are draft picks easy to get or hard to get? Sometimes it looks like you can buy a first rounder easy, but then info like this seems to indicate the contrary.