76ers Place in the Eastern Conference Pt. 1

Alright, I've been wanting to contribute to LibertyBallers for a long time now because frankly: I love basketball (the NBA most), I love the 76ers, and I really think Tanner, Mike, Derek, and Jordan do a bang up job day in and day out for all our enjoyment. But I didn't want to just put some random thoughts together and post something half-assed, I wanted to take my time and really get the job done for my first fanpost. So I decided today at work (July 29th) while sitting in my pubical, that I should do a write up of what this off-season REALLY meant to the 76ers in terms of competition in the upcoming years. Eastern Conference only because the East is where free agency and the draft (IMO) will effect the NBA the most over the next 5 years or so. Team by team, here are my personal evaluations of each franchise's immediate and not-so-distant future in no particular order.

I'm going to break this post into a few Installments, previewing the East division by division, then writing my thoughts about the 76ers last.

First, since I already started this before I wrote the last paragraph, I'll do the Atlantic Division. Phillies walkoff just happened WOOT!!

Boston Celtics:

I think they quietly had a productive off-season. They picked up Jermaine O'neal with a 2yr/12mil dollar contract, filling the void left by Kendrik Perkins until he can recover from his knee injury (that cost them the finals, they couldn't get ONE F***KING REBOUDN THE LAST GAME WTF).  They also resigned Nate Robinson for 2yr/8mil$. Both I think are solid contracts for the C's, and unless KG completely falls off the planet (a real possibility) they're going to be in the playoffs for the next 2 years with the potential to contend with the Miami Heat to go to the finals. Resigning Glen Davis next off-season is almost a must at this point. He seems to play his best on the big stage. After KG's, Ray Ray's, O'Neal's, and Nate Robinson's (to a lessor degree) contracts are up in two years, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe LUUUUUUUUke Harangody can light it up and become the next David Lee. It could happen. No doubt better than the 76ers right now, but that could change in as little as two years!


New Jersey Nets:

The worst team in the league last year, the Nets have no where to go but up with Mikhail Prokhorov and Avery Johnson now in charge. Best believe this team is going to be run like a Russian Gulag. They signed Jordan Farmar to a 3yr/12mil$ deal, Travis Outlaw to a 4yr/28mil$ deal, and Anthony Morrow to a 3yr/12mil$ contract in the off-season. All three deals are considerably good IMO (for this off-season), and could be valuable for a trade sooner than later. They also allowed NJ to keep considerable cap room for next off-season. Derrick Favors was the #3 pick in the draft, and has superstar potential. Maybe not winning that lottery could turn out to be a blessing? Look for Devin Harris to continue improving, and for a breakout season from my boy (I have an autograph rookie card of him) Terrence Williams. He's a freak athletically and can stroke the jay off the dribble. I think his ceiling could go has high as Tracy McGrady. With a Favors and Lopez front-court for the foreseeable future, look out for New Jersey in the 2012-13 season to really make some noise. In fact, I like them to make the playoffs this year.

New York Knicks:

No Lebron, no problem for the Knicks? They Signed Amare to a huge deal, and have the expiring contract (11.2mil) of Eddy Curry, who in the meantime can still ball. They signed Ronny Turiaf to a 2yr/8.36mil$ deal and inked Raymond Felton (contract info not shown??) in the off-season. Anthony Randolph's contract right now is a steal, and doesn't get out of hand in the future either. Gallinari and Toney Douglas are both showing promise. The Knicks have the potential to either deal for (CP3) or sign (Mello) another one or two superstars in the near future. The problem is there aren't that many to go around. Maybe a trade for a lessor player (Igoudala??) and some luck in the draft will make them a playoff team, but not a contender. My prediction is they land Mello in the off-season and the East becomes and absolutely powerhouse screwing the Sixers for years.

Toronto Raptors:

Maybe the worst team in the NBA right now, the Raptors are really in big trouble without Hedo Turkajew partying it up in the clubs like your boy Pacman Jones. It seriously is really hard to be positive about this team. I guess Bargnani will continue to improve and Jarrett Jack could possibly turn into a one-time All-Star in the NBA, but other than that and the two rookie bigs (upcoming) they really are hard pressed for talent. They drafted Ed Davis (who everyone was down on) and also got a steal in Solomon Alabi. I didn't see a whole lot of DeMar DeRozan last year, but it seems like they have accumulated some talent in the front court.  Overall, this team is going no where fast and may have the worst record in the NBA this year. I really don't see bright future in all honesty. Sorry Toronto, you don't give a crap about the NBA anyways.

Hope you enjoyed my first installment about the future of the Eastern Conference, all feedback is appreciated!!