The 2016-17 NBA season is right around the corner and while we already know a lot about what to expect around the association there are some intriguing questions that we will only have answered once the games are actually played. That is particularly true in the Atlantic where the Toronto Raptors will undoubtedly feel the pressure at the top as they look to successfully defend their Atlantic Division crown. Here is a look at the biggest burning question for each NBA Atlantic Division team.
Toronto Raptors – Will T-Ross Reach Potential This Season?
The Raptors did their best to keep their core intact when they signed DeMar DeRozan to a max contract but they lost Bismack Biyombo and Luis Scola and they didn’t have much wiggle room to add to their roster. Toronto managed to replace Scola with Jared Sullinger but they will be relying on players from within to step up in order to put them over the top this season. That means relying on the eighth-overall pick from the 2012 NBA Draft to take that next step and deliver on his immense potential. The Raptors need Ross to be a high-energy player that can consistently hit the three-ball and perform at a high level defensively in order to compliment their starting guard tandem and help put them over the top this season.
Boston Celtics – Who Steps Up Alongside Isaiah Thomas?
Boston has an All-Star point guard in Isaiah Thomas but the rest of their backcourt rotation is far from set and how that situation plays out could determine whether or not they challenge Toronto for top spot in the Atlantic. Avery Bradley is likely to get the first look in their starting lineup next to Thomas but after that things are wide open with Marcus Smart, Demetrius Jackson and Terry Rozier all in the mix. Brad Stevens has done an outstanding job maximizing the potential of the young talent at his disposal over the past couple of years and how he handles his guard rotation will play a major role in the Celtics’ potential for this season.
New York Knicks – What Is Their Potential Ceiling?
For better or worse, the Knicks appear to be one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA heading in to this season based on how hard it is to gauge their overall potential. The additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings and Courtney Lee all look really good on paper but there are question marks about whether this group will be able to stay healthy throughout the course of the season. Then there is the potential for Kristaps Porzingis to take another step forward in his second NBA season as one of the keys to this team’s success both now and moving forward. New York might not be a championship contender but is it a stretch to think this team could reach the postseason?
Brooklyn Nets – How Low Can They Go?
The Nets have started the process of attempting to rebuild without very much young talent or draft picks, so it’s safe to say things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. Brooklyn still has Brook Lopez but they don’t have much beyond his talent and their struggles without him have been very evident this preseason. The Nets own a minus-10.8 net rating without Lopez on the floor this season and considering he could be a midseason trade candidate there is a very good chance he won’t finish the season with this team. Brooklyn has the potential to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this season and it will be very interesting to see how low they can go in the Atlantic Division.
Philadelphia 76ers – What Is Joel Embiid’s Ceiling This Season?
It is no secret that the 76ers are absolutely thrilled about Embiid’s potential heading in to his first NBA season after the third-overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft spent the past two years rehabbing, getting in optimal shape and working on his overall game on the practice courts. There has been talk about Embiid being the best of the three young big men in Philadelphia’s rotation and that he could be a dark horse to win Rookie of the Year honors. Embiid has averaged 25.9 points, 15.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes so far this preseason and it will be very interesting to see what his ceiling is for his first NBA season after spending the past couple of years preparing for his pro debut. If he’s the real deal, this team might be able to ascend in the Atlantic Division a little bit.
