Atlantic
1. Philadelphia – Only one starter (Jrue Holiday) returns from 2011’s opener, and the health of newbie Andrew Bynum is a huge issue. But the minutes formerly allotted to veterans Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, and Elton Brand are now going to better fits in Doug Collins’ game plan: Evan Turner, Jason Richardson, and Thaddeus Young. They’ve added an additional two shooters in Nick Young and Dorell Wright. Promising young big men Lavoy Allen & Arnett Moultrie compliment veteran PF/C Spencer Hawes. Without Bynum, this team wins 45 games. If he plays 50 games, they win 55.
2. New York – I wasn’t a fan of the Knicks ditching Jeremy Lin in favor of Jason Kidd/Raymond Felton. You don’t let promising young PGs just walk out the door. Now you have a knucklehead starting backcourt of Felton & J.R. Smith; neither are efficient shooters and Felton has a lot to learn about