When will the Atlantic Division become relevant again?

[godkingleonidas]

The Raptors are a shoe in to nab at worst the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. They are undefeated against the Atlantic Division thus far. With Brooklyn in hot pursuit last season, there was an urgency to win but, with no rivals in sight the Raptors could complacently coast for the remainder of the season. I'm not referring solely to the players. The front office has no incentives to transact personnel or dispense with the coaching staff. Moreover the coaching staff can beat off a dead horse to their hearts content. Seriously, NYK or BKN need to present the Raptors with a challenge. If not for their sake, then for ours.

[Fully]

Knicks could be "relevant" again next season, but they could also still be very bad. Boston/Philly are 2-3 years away barring a complete roster overhaul using some of the assets they've stockpiled in recent years. Brooklyn is bad and about to get worse.

[raptors999]

Knicks could be "relevant" again next season, but they could also still be very bad. Boston/Philly are 2-3 years away barring a complete roster overhaul using some of the assets they've stockpiled in recent years. Brooklyn is bad and about to get worse.

Knicks are furthest away and BKN is going to get worse. Boston and Philly are a couple trades away from at least .500

[thead]

Boston barring a trade bonanza looks to be two years away from 500 ball

New York can buy their way into relevancy next season

Brooklyn is fucked for a long while but still could retool and play close to 500 ball once some contracts get moved

Philly is about 3 years from relevancy

[planetmars]

There really aren't any relevant divisions in the East. The Central and Southeast divisions have two good teams and three bad teams. So to make the Atlantic relevant you just need another good team.

Boston and Philly are going to take some time. Brooklyn and NY have to shed salary but NY is one year ahead in the game and have Phil as opposed to Billy King. If NY gets a top tier free agent and a solid draft pick, they may be able to turn it around fairly quickly and play .600 ball by next season. If Toronto continues to shoot for 50 wins, I'd say the Atlantic is relevant once again.

[godkingleonidas]

Philadelphia could make a run @ Toronto next season. MCW & KJ can easily best Kyle & DeMar for years & years to come. #nojoke

[TdotRTZ]

Knicks could be "relevant" again next season, but they could also still be very bad.

Let's hope they're bad seeing as how we have their first round pick in 2016 from the Bargs trade. (Actually Denver has the right to switch 1sts with the Knicks from the Melo deal, and the Raps get the worst of DEN and NYK's 1sts in 2016)

[raptors999]

Let's hope they're bad seeing as how we have their first round pick in 2016 from the Bargs trade. (Actually Denver has the right to switch 1sts with the Knicks from the Melo deal, and the Raps get the worst of DEN and NYK's 1sts in 2016)

Denver has a bunch of firsts from Mosgov and youngster in Harris and Nurkic. They are going to go full rebuild. If the Knicks rebuild through Free agency they should hire Coangelo as a consultant and logjam every position with an overpay while sucking.

[iblastoff]

Philadelphia could make a run @ Toronto next season. MCW & KJ can easily best Kyle & DeMar for years & years to come. #nojoke

doubt it. carter williams won't even be on the sixers soon enough if they can get a sweet deal back for him. hes been on the trade block more than once already.

and noel is a C/PF. wtf does that have to do with kyle and demar duo?

[S.R.]

doubt it. carter williams won't even be on the sixers soon enough if they can get a sweet deal back for him. hes been on the trade block more than once already.

and noel is a C/PF. wtf does that have to do with kyle and demar duo?

Better question: why write about "MCW & KJ" then post an image of MCW and Nerlens Noel?

I think the key to the Raptors future will be Jonas Valanciunas.

[Bonus Jonas]

Better question: why write about "MCW & KJ" then post an image of MCW and Nerlens Noel?

I think the key to the Raptors future will be Jonas Valanciunas.

LOL well done

[Superjudge]

Why does the division even remotely matter?

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Why does the division even remotely matter?

I can't speak to the intentions of the OP but, from my perspective, the strength/weakness of a division (especially when as horrendous as this season's Atlantic) can influence the real/perceived quality of a particular team, to the point of altering its strategic direction.

This year's Atlantic is so bad, that the Raptors could probably start Bruno and Fields on the wing and still win the division. Not only does it prop the Raptors up to appear far better than they actually are, but it influences their short-term decision making, which impacts their long-term performance. For example, if the division was much tougher, putting the Raptors in a multi-team dogfight just to make the playoffs, would they prioritize winning over individual player development as much as they are? Or would they prioritize the development of DD, JV, Ross, Bruno and Bebe, and let this year's chips fall where they may? (this issue is for all teams, not just the Raptors)

I'm just happy that MU has come out and said that despite the weak state of the EC, he's not going to make decisions at the trade deadline that mortgage this team's future. He acknowledged that the conference is there for the taking, but knows that the franchise will ultimately be better served by not going all-in this season.

[Cody73]

Boston could be good next year if they get there act together and Ainge stops trading away everything. Otherwise "KO" will be out next.