Atlantic preview: Celtics possibly more dangerous than '08 version

The chasm between the Celtics and everybody else in the Atlantic Division has narrowed just a little bit since last we saw the 2008 world champions falling short against the Orlando Magic in the conference semifinals a few months ago. How little? Very little, and not enough to knock Boston off its place atop the division.

With the return of Kevin Garnett from a knee injury that kept him out for the entire postseason and the addition of Rasheed Wallace, the Celtics are not only the class of the Atlantic -- which, let's face it, isn't a particularly lofty perch. They're quite possibly even more formidable than they were two years ago when they beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

K.G. moved gingerly through much of the preseason, testing the explosiveness in his surgically repaired right knee in a way that didn't reveal whether he's all the way back. Wallace's outsized ego and potentially hilarious interactions with replacement referees notwithstanding, 'Sheed brings championship experience, length, 3-point shooting and post defense -- all of which Boston was sorely lacking during its abbreviated playoff run last spring.

Is this the year age catches up with the Celtics? The Cavaliers and Magic will have infinitely more to say about that than anyone in the Atlantic, a division that has been more adrift than any other in recent years. Excluding the two teams in the New York metropolitan area, both of which are preparing for the free-agent summer of 2010, there are a few signs of life worth noting.

The Raptors did the most in an attempt to close the gap with the Celtics, swiping free agent Hedo Turkoglu from Portland, drafting DeMar DeRozan and adding depth with Antoine Wright, Jarrett Jack, Marco Belinelli and Reggie Evans (who will be sidetracked early by a mid-foot sprain). The Sixers have pinned their hopes on a healthy Elton Brand, young point guard Lou Williams and Eddie Jordan's Princeton offense. The Knicks and Nets are counting the days until their respective team officials are racing up LeBron James' driveway at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2010.

Predicted order of finish (2008-09 records)
1. Boston Celtics (62-20)
2. Toronto Raptors (33-49)
3. Philadelphia 76ers (41-41)
4. New York Knicks (32-50)
5. New Jersey Nets (34-48)

Boston Celtics

If all goes according to plan: The Celtics are playing the Lakers in the Finals in an anticipated rematch of their '08 clash. Garnett's knee holds up, along with his imposing defensive presence. Wallace checks his combustible past at the door, embraces a reserve role and gives Doc Rivers a formidable threat on both ends of the floor. Rajon Rondo responds to offseason criticism and continues to be the engine that propels the aging Big Three. Paul Pierce, who says he's as light as he has been since his best statistical season in 2005-06, continues to take over at the end of games, while Ray Allen, 34, refuses to act his age.

What could go wrong: Concerns about Garnett's knee prove to be well-founded, and he's in and out of the lineup. Wallace, a starter for nearly his entire career, chafes at the notion of coming off the bench. The Big Three looks more like the Three Retirees.

X-Factor: Marquis Daniels is an upgrade over Stephon Marbury as Rondo's backup, meaning Rivers no longer has to suppress the urge to vomit for the 10-12 minutes a game when his starting PG needs a breather.

Toronto Raptors

If all goes according to plan: Turkoglu gives coach Jay Triano a legitimate pest when it comes to attacking the defense and taking the pressure off Chris Bosh to create the bulk of the offensive opportunities. Jose Calderon is healthy enough to play 75-plus games, and Triano has multiple options at shooting guard: Wright (defense), Jack (scoring), Belinelli (long-range shooting), and DeRozan (youth, athleticism, upside). Andrea Bargnani rewards GM Bryan Colangelo and plays up to his five-year, $50 million extension.

Hedo Turkoglu gives the Raptors another weapon to combat Paul Pierce and the Celtics. (Getty Images)

What could go wrong: Turkoglu's flaws are exposed on a team that lacks a dominant center and multiple 3-point shooters, and he can't shake the fatigue he showed early in camp after playing deep into June and then in EuroBasket. Bosh surveys the landscape and decides that he would have a better chance to win a title elsewhere.

X-Factor: DeRozan is a future star, and with plenty of depth at shooting guard, he won't be required to play major minutes early. But he's so athletic and smooth that Triano may be compelled to hand him the keys. That's a lot to ask of a rookie who physically will need time to bulk up, but DeRozan's upside is too impressive to ignore.

Philadelphia 76ers

If all goes according to plan: Brand regains his pre-injury, 20-point, 10-rebound form and justifies team president Ed Stefanski's decision to give him a five-year, $80 million contract two summers ago. Jordan is able to hide Williams' lack of pure point-guard instincts and his frailty on defense, accounting for the loss of Andre Miller to Portland. Sam Dalembert is able to stop griping about playing time long enough to rebound and defend the basket with some semblance of consistency. Andre Iguodala tunes out his many doubters and benefits from the ample opportunities Jordan's Princeton offense should afford him. Thaddeus Young and Marreese Speights continue to emerge as athletic front-line terrors.

What could go wrong: Brand is done in by injuries once again -- Achilles, shoulder or something new -- and becomes not only a free-agent bust but an untradeable albatross for Stefanski. Williams proves too inexperienced and frail to hold up at point guard, and Miller's ball-moving savvy is sorely missed because rookie Jrue Holliday isn't ready to step in.

X-Factor: Jason Kapono, acquired from Toronto in the Evans deal, could force his way into the rotation because Jordan will need a consistent deep threat to keep the double teams off Brand.

New York Knicks

If all goes according to plan: Wait ... there's a plan? Yes, yes, for the first time in a decade, the Knicks actually are pursuing a sensible path to respectability. It will continue to be a long and painful one, but someone had to put an end to the senseless spending, the empty egomania and the tabloid-feeding soap opera. The underlying plan is all about 2010, but if all goes well in the meantime, the Knicks get a breakout year from Wilson Chandler, a contract year from Al Harrington, more of the same grit and winning attitude from David Lee and the emergence of a Garden favorite in Danilo Gallinari. If Mike D'Antoni can get Eddy Curry on the court in a productive enough role to allow Donnie Walsh to dump his contract at the trade deadline, both men would warrant a parade through the Canyon of Heroes. That's how far the expectations have fallen.

What could go wrong: Curry continues on his mission to become the next Michael Sweetney and Jared Jeffries can't shake the skittish, confidence-lacking habits that have marked the unraveling of a player who used to be a valuable defensive stopper. This would mean Walsh is unable to move either one of them, which would seriously hamper his efforts to clear enough cap space to lure two max free agents in 2010. Translation: Bye-bye, 'Bron.

Poll Who will win the Atlantic Division? 76% Celtics   7% Knicks   2% Nets   6% Raptors   8% Sixers   Total Votes: 9597

X-Factor: The Knicks were 14-14 in games Gallo played before his rookie year was shut down for good due to a back injury. For this team, that constitutes a reason for optimism. Although by shooting 26 percent in the Knicks' first four preseason games, the Rooster failed to back up D'Antoni's crowing in camp that Gallinari was "the best shooter I've ever seen."

New Jersey Nets

If all goes according to plan: The Nets win the final legal challenge to their planned move to Brooklyn, while LeBron James decides he likes the idea of beating the Knicks more than playing for the Knicks. In a perfect world, LBJ also embraces the idea of playing for a Russian billionaire/playboy known for keeping an All-Star roster of lovely ladies on hand at all times. Hey, I don't make the plans, I just evaluate them.

What could go wrong: When I selected Courtney Lee in my Fantasy Draft at CBSSports.com, one of my competitors asked, "Who's going to do all the scoring in New Jersey this year, Ken?" Before I had a chance to answer, another rival posted, "Jay-Z." Hey, I don't make the jokes, I merely report them.

X-Factor: If Mikhail Prokhorov succeeds in his bid to buy a controlling interest in the Nets and their proposed Brooklyn arena, Mark Cuban instantly becomes the second-most feared owner in the NBA.