3) New Jersey Nets: You would think, logically, that a team anchored by Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson --- all of whom have received MVP whispers in past four years --- would walk away with this division, right? Not quite. The Nets are as deep as a piece of looseleaf paper, running former Hawks retread Jacque Vaughn behind Kidd, with luminaries such as Rodney Buford, Ron Mercer and Jabari Smith spelling at other positions. To add to litany of problems for Jer-Zee, their middle is softer than your average Krispy Kreme selection, currently “anchored” by rookie Nenad Krstic.

4) New York Knicks: It’s hard for me to admit how far Knicks have fallen, considering they were team of my boyhood. Ewing with those arms outstretched, imploring MSG to explode --- ah, fond memories. Now, Knicks have a variety of over-priced talent (Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston), some decent emerging talent (Mike Sweetney), and virtually no backups at PG and C slot. For past three years, Knicks have essentially run an offensive set of four guards and one power forward, which does very little outside of private high school basketball in southeast. For sheer talent alone, you have to like Knicks to not bring up rear in Atlantic, but then again, they do have Bruno Sundoy running paint

5) Toronto Raptors: One problem Raptors don’t have is paint, where superstar-in-waiting Chris Bosh plays alongside inferior Arizona product Loren Woods (we’ll bet you weren’t entirely sure he was in league). Unfortunately for north-of-the-border basketball fans, that’s only problem Raptors don’t have. Otherwise, rookie coach Sam Mitchell has lost control of team while feuding with former street-ball prodigy cum NBA point guard Rafer Alston, Jalen Rose wants out more than a man in Nine West, and fading stars such as Donyell Marshall and Lamond Murray are looking for some final paychecks here (with more tax, mind you). The Raptors are currently fourth in division, but don’t have chemistry or talent to finish anywhere except cellar.

Andre Iguodala, F, Sixers: Iggy has some hops, and with C-Webb in town now to show him ropes of being a NBA forward, he might develop ahead of game. He’s our choice for a breakout star from this class in his sophomore campaign --- it’s certainly a gamble, but Wade’s game this season (while always there) flourished because of dominance of those (i.e. Shaq) around him. If AI and C-Webb become a major 1-2 punch in generally punchless East, AI2 could be good for 18 points and 8 boards a night.

Josh Smith, F, Hawks: Smith’s sophomore ascent is questionable --- Hawks are horrific, and with few sure-fire prospects in 2005 Draft, he probably won’t be surrounded with much talent. If he becomes man in Hotlanta --- which seems likely --- he’ll eventually begin drawing double-teams, limiting his possibilities. However, as Smith matures, he could be charismatic presence needed to lift Atlanta back into Eastern Conference respectability. He needs to diversify his game beyond his show-stopping dunks, and improve his 15-footer over summer, but watch for this kid to break out a little bit more next year.

J.R. Smith, F, Hornets: Confused? Two Smiths, yet they’re not related. However, their situations are similar --- New Orleans is a floundering franchise, and J.R. has been getting some good minutes down there. With few veterans to learn from, Smith is going to have to grow up alongside some other projects such as Dan Dickau, David West, et al. If he can hit weights this summer and slice lane more, he could be one to watch --- not at caliber of any 2003 guys in their second year, but building towards a decent, mid-level career.

Al Jefferson, F, Celtics: The Celtics are using considerable youth in their run to Wacklantic Title. Al Jefferson, HS product from Mississippi, might be best of bunch. He’s big, pretty strong, and has plenty of room for improvement --- and a coach, in Doc Rivers, willing to give him that time. Jefferson, though, bears some resemblance to Jermaine O’Neal, and it took him about four seasons to rise up towards superstar level. Bet on Jefferson to break out big same time that Howard does, providing a potential new big man rivalry on Eastern seaboard.