Not Your Older Brother’s Titanic Division

So the Atlantic Division is getting to be a rough neighbourhood. The latest resident comes from the mean streets of L.A. Not the Hollywood Laker side of L.A but the rough side where Clipper fans live. Elton Brand is heading to the 76ers. Sam Dalembert just got a big helping hand in his front court. The Sixers shook up the front office last year and they had some positive results. This is a huge step in making sure they build on what they started. Brand is returning from major injury but seems to be healthy and well rested for this new challenge.

The Celtics not only broke a streak of not winning a title for their franchise but the Atlantic Division as well. The Nets, Knicks and Sixers all made the finals in that time but never won it. So is this a new start for a once proud division in sports? It sure seems that way.

No one hopes this is true more than fans of the New York Knicks. Mike D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh have been put in place to clean up after the Thomas years in New York. Knick fans have suffered for a long time now. Spike Lee has had little to smile about when it comes to his favourite sports team. Chris Duhon is the first part of the change in New York. They also drafted what they hope to be a future star from Italy. The nice thing about all of it. Is can they honestly do any worse from what Knick fans are use too?

While everyone else in the division seems to be taking a step forward the Nets seem to be taking a step back to move forward. Vince Carter looks to his left. No Jason Kidd he is gone. Looks to his right and No R.J is there. So Vince is right back where he started in Toronto prior to when he left. Many Raptor fans will say it serves Vince Carter right. But all that being said Devin Harris is a young and solid point guard. China’s Yi is a player that could become a very good to great player. But many feel that New Jersey is just killing time till they can move to Brooklyn and sign Lebron. Well it is a nice plan but what if it doesn’t work out? Least they will have some young talent that hopefully works out. Guys like Williams and Boone could be great role players on this team for years to come.

The Celtics are the defending NBA Champions and have brought back Celtic Pride. Even though they did not get Cory Maggette they will still be a top squad no matter the minor tweaks they may or may not make this off season. I think they have a window of about 2-4 years with the big 3 of Pierce, Garnett and Allen being able to be in the Title mix. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins have grown a lot from the experience of playing along side of them. Rondo is rapidly climbing the ranks of best point guards in the league. Some would say he already is pushing the top 10. I was never worried about Rajon Rondo heading into last season. He is very good and he proved it this past season and in the playoffs even more. Perkins has been a great surprise as well. Under the radar a bit you have guys like Powe and Davis. Glen “Not Big Baby Anymore” Davis was a second round pick and it has worked out well for the Celtics. He was more Shaq like in his days at LSU. But to his credit he has worked hard to get his weight down and has found a role on a championship team.

The Sixers said good bye to Billy King and have not looked back. King was let go as General Manager in the middle of last season and since that point the Sixers have taken off. Andre Iguodala has no love for the Raptors for passing him over. He has made it his mission to prove them wrong. He has benfited from the departure of Iverson as the new AI he has been key in the Sixers rise. Also Canada knows all about Sam Dalembert and he too has been having a great rise in his play based on in part to his work with team Canada in the summer of 07. He is back with Canada again and looking to grow his game some more. But the biggest news of the off-season thus far could be the signing of Elton Brand by the Sixers. Others will argue the point but no one will debate that the Sixers have just became a very big force in the East.

I hope by reading this blog you have a good idea of the Raptors and where they are at. By the way Nathan Jawai was signed today to a 2 year deal. Aussie Shaq is someone the Raptors really like and offering a guy drafted in the 2nd round a 2 year deal is not the norm for NBA Franchises. So if you had any doubt that the Raptors have belief in this guy that should tell you something. He could honestly be that 2nd round gem that the Raptors have been looking for. I can not recall a second round selection that has actually turned out well for the Raptors, going back all the way to year 1 and Jimmy King out of Michigan. He never worked out and he is not alone as P.J Tucker from Texas other then getting the cool nickname of “Baby Mule”.  If anyone can think of a good 2nd round pick Raps made add it to the comments. I wrote an article for T.O Sports on this same topic of the Atlantic Division which I am told will be published this weekend.  There is more on Raptors in that. But here I think folks have a good understanding on my views. I also thought we had not talked about rest of the league much so I wanted to focus on the other teams in the Division.

Dino Blogger Not Going On IR

A roster note for the Dino Nation Blog. The Dino Blogger is day to day with flu like stuff. But have no fear the Mail Bag will go as planned. I have gotten some questions and comments and am excited to re-launch the mail bag and give you a voice. I have had no suggestion on what to call it? I will come up with something but if you have an idea pass it along. Also there is always room for more questions and comments. As long as you get it to me prior to me writing it up. Likely Saturday morning the Midnight Friday deadline is a SOFT deadline. So send me your mail at dinonationblogger@hotmail.com

Hassan Adams was on Fan 590 today and so was Scoop Jackson of ESPN. Both were interesting interviews and check out Fan 590 website if you want to listen to those interviews. Also speaking of interviews if you are still someone that likes T.J Ford and are interested in what he has to say. He was on a local Indiana Radio Station and the interview is posted on his website which you can find in the Dino Blogger Favourites. I still like T.J and likely will keep the link to his site as part of mine.

Tags: Andre Iguodala, Atlantic Division, Celtics, Elton Brand, Fan 590, Glen Davis, Hassan Adams, Kendrick Perkins, Knicks, Nathan Jawai, Nets, Rajon Rondo, Raptors 2nd Round picks, Sam Dalembert, Scoop Jackson, Sixers, T.J Ford, T.O Sports, Vince Carter