Capsule previews of the NBA's Atlantic Division

Staff reports Modified: October 28, 2013 at 3:42 pm •  Published: October 28, 2013

A look at the Atlantic Division teams as they head into the 2013-14 season, in predicted order of finish:




STARTING FIVE: G Deron Williams (18.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.7 apg), G Joe Johnson (16.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg), F Paul Pierce (18.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg), F Kevin Garnett (14.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.3 apg), C Brook Lopez (19.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg).

KEY ADDITIONS: F Pierce (trade, Celtics), F Garnett (trade, Celtics), G Jason Terry (trade, Celtics), F Andrei Kirilenko (free agent, Timberwolves), G/F Alan Anderson (free agent, Raptors), G Shaun Livingston (free agent, Cavaliers).


COACH: Jason Kidd, first season.

EYES ON: Kidd. Won an NBA title and a pair of Olympic gold medals during a decorated 19-year playing career but has no experience as a coach, going from the court right to the bench shortly after retiring last spring. How well he handles the transition is the biggest question facing a team that has All-Stars at every position.

OUTLOOK: A massive summer spending spree, with an $80 million luxury tax bill to follow, has the Nets well stocked for a run at a title. It probably has to come this year thanks to the ages of Pierce and Garnett.




STARTING FIVE: G Raymond Felton (13.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.5 apg), G Iman Shumpert (6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Carmelo Anthony (28.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.6 apg), F Andrea Bargnani (12.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.1 apg), C Tyson Chandler (10.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.4 bpg).



COACH: Mike Woodson, third season with Knicks, eighth season overall; 278-320.

EYES ON: Bargnani. If the Knicks get the player who averaged 21.4 points just three seasons ago, he'll be a major boost to their offense. But the former No. 1 overall pick scored just 12.7 per game during an injury-shortened, dismal 2012-13 season in Toronto, and the Knicks will need more than that.





STARTING FIVE: G Avery Bradley (9.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.1 apg), G Jordan Crawford (9.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.5 apg), C Jared Sullinger (6.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.8 apg), F Jeff Green (12.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.6 apg), F Brandon Bass (8.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg).



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