ATS Sports Blog

This is part 1 of a 6-part series delving into individual team needs as we near the 2009 NBA Draft, which takes place Thursday, June 25th at 7 P.M.

Each article in this 6-article series will focus on one specific division’s group of teams and what areas they need to address with their draft picks this year by looking at their team strengths and weaknesses.  We will also delve into possible free agent acquisitions and departures in determining where exactly a team needs the most help.

“Our pick” will take into account those attributes, as well as who we feel these teams should draft. This is not to be confused with our ATS NBA Mock Draft, which projects who each team will take based on information and workouts. “Our pick” is the player we feel fills a need for the team, assuming he is still available when that squad is read to draft.

What sets this preview apart from any other is that we analyze what each team’s potential draft strategy would mean to sports bettors everywhere preparing for the 2009-2010 NBA season. So, let’s get started with the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division. The number(s) in parentheses represent the picks that particular team will have in this year’s draft.

Follow the entire 6-part series here…2009 NBA Draft Preview.

Boston Celtics (#58 Overall)

- Team Strengths:

During the regular season, the Celtics were the best 3-point shooting team and the second best in total field goal percentage. Obviously with Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Paul Pierce on the roster, the Celtics are not going to look for much scoring during this offseason. The Big 3 provide so much quality talent and ability at 3 different positions that the Celtics have no choice but to succeed. I think that they are a better team defensively than they are given credit for, although I do think they could benefit from being a little more physical on the perimeter.

- Team Weaknesses:

While the Big 3 are the main strength of this Celtic team, they are also the team’s biggest weakness. All 3 individuals are aging, as Kevin Garnett showed leading up to and during the playoffs. Also, Eddie House and Glen Davis are probably going to be highly sought after in this free agent market due to their production during this past season. Davis will more than likely be offered a contract higher than the Celtics are willing to pay strictly based on his performance in this year’s playoffs. The Celtics also lack a great deal of length when Garnett and Rondo are not on the floor, which is why they need to address this interior defense as well as their overall team athleticism.

- Our pick:

Alade Aminu, PF – Georgia Tech. The reason for selecting Aminu is two-fold. Aminu is a big-bodied inside player who fills in some of the athletic void currently plaguing the Celtics bench. Also, Aminu has a great deal of potential moving forward, and he is very good at finishing around the basket. However, it is difficult to say whether Aminu will be available this late in the draft after several impressive workouts have endeared him to GMs and coaches who draft based largely on potential. If Aminu is not available, look for the Celtics to focus on backcourt help for Rondo. Jack McClinton of Miami (FL) and Greivis Vasquez of Maryland are two battle-tested ACC players who should be able to aptly handle the physical rigors of the NBA from the first day of training camp.

- Final Analysis:

NBA handicappers won’t have to do that much researching in order to figure out where the Celtics should stand in their power rankings. They are basically going to be the same team as they were this year, with all of the key elements staying in place. I do look for them to resign Leon Powe during free agency, but House and Davis are both up in the air right now. The offense will still run through the Big 3, injuries will continue to occur, and bettors will still have a difficult time figuring out how the Celtics will play on a nightly basis.

Philadelphia 76ers (#17 Overall)

- Team Strengths:

Andre Iguodala. Unfortunately for the Sixers, this is where a great majority of the discussion on this team’s strengths begins and ends. We weren’t able to see enough of Elton Brand during this past season to be able to quantify what he can offer this organization. Iguodala is finally beginning to recognize the tremendous amount of potential that made him such an attractive pick in the 2004 draft. The 76ers were the worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA this past season, but kudos to GM Ed Stefanski for quickly moving to improve this area of the team. Acquiring Jason Kapono will give this team a boost from behind the arc. Whether they start him at SF or bring him off the bench as the 6th man really does not matter at this point. Stefanski noticed a glaring weakness and identified it.

- Team Weaknesses:

The point guard position is still a little questionable as Andre Miller’s contract has run out. I do not expect the Sixers to resign Miller, as Louis Williams appears ready to run the point for Philly. I just think that Williams adds another level of athleticism that Miller cannot offer, and while Williams cannot match Miller’s shooting ability, he is skilled at creating off the dribble and finding open teammates. However, Philly could use a reputable backup to take on some of the minutes that Williams will not be able to fill. The Sixers also have to find a replacement for Willie Green. While I do appreciate Green’s ability to score the ball when called upon, he is out of place in this Sixers lineup (especially if they move Louis Williams into the starting rotation).

- Our pick:

Earl Clark – SF, Louisville. Some might argue that a point guard would be the more important position of need, but providing Iguodala with a fellow starter who is able to match Iguodala’s athleticism will help this team more in the long run. Clark is tall and lengthy and would create a great many matchup problems with other SFs in the league. Clark also would provide more defensive firepower for the Sixers, as he showed great strength and defensive fundamentals during his time at Louisville. Drafting Clark allows Eddie Jordan to put Iguodala back in his natural SG position where his ability to penetrate and score will be much better displayed.

- Final Analysis:

If Elton Brand is able to stay healthy and give Iguodala the one-two combination that he so desperately needs, the Sixers provide bettors with a great opportunity to look for point spreads that are high (in either direction) and pounce on linesmakers’ mistakes. Philadelphia should be more competitive game in and game out this season than they were last year. High point totals against average-level opponents also offer the seasoned handicapper with the chance to cash in on “unders” based on the fact that the Sixers will be better defensively with a healthy Brand in the lineup.

New Jersey Nets (#11 Overall)

- Team Strengths:

New Jersey has always had the luxury of having high-level point guards leading their teams. This past season was no different for the Nets as Devin Harris proved that he is a rising star that will soon be considered a perennial all-star for seasons to come. Harris’ ability to score the basketball from the PG position sets him apart from many of the other point guards that are found in the Eastern Conference. The Nets also enjoy a pretty solid group of reserves that give Lawrence Frank the opportunity to give Harris and Carter some much needed rest throughout the game.

- Team Weaknesses:

I’m even surprising myself a little bit by writing this, but the biggest problem for the Nets right now is that Vince Carter is still on their roster. I appreciate the fact that his 21 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds a night are very beneficial to the Nets, but Carter is getting older quickly. He no longer shares the same amount of athleticism as he once did during his days in Toronto. The Nets need to begin developing their next superstar “point forward” right now before it is too late. While the Nets continue to rebuild, they also need to address the fact that they aren’t overly physical in the frontcourt as well, but this should improve with as Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson continue to progress.

- Our Pick:

James Johnson – SF, Wake Forest. I do understand that Johnson has a little bit more girth on his person than you normally like to see from a 6’8” SF. But, Johnson also shows tremendous athleticism for a player of his size. The matchup problems that Johnson would create for opposing teams would be highly enticing to Lawrence Frank. I would say that the Nets might benefit a little bit more in the off-the-dribble, create-your-own-shot areas if a player like Demar DeRozan fell to them at #11. However, DeRozan won’t fall this far, and Johnson ‘s size and overall potential project better to the NBA than does DeRozan’s.

- Final Analysis:

What about the LeBron James factor? I did not forget about the possibility that LeBron James could very well become a Brooklyn Net during the 2010 offseason. There even appears to be a better chance of that happening now that it has become apparent that James just does not have the right pieces in Cleveland to win an NBA Championship. More than likely, James will be looking for his best opportunity to win himself a ring, and New Jersey (Brooklyn) will create an intriguing location for James to consider. The Nets must continue to retool this franchise as though LeBron will not be coming next offseason, though. They have accumulated a great pool of young, athletic, explosive players that should see better and better results with each passing season. It is important to remember, though, that young teams like the Nets are very difficult for cappers to analyze on a nightly basis.

Toronto Raptors (#9 Overall)

- Team Strengths:

The Toronto Raptors have some of the best (if not THE best) young talent in the entire league. Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, and Jose Calderon are all terrific examples of some great drafting done by the Raptors front office in the past few years. It is unfortunate, however, that the Raptors will probably not enjoy Bosh’s most productive years. For the time being, though, Toronto will continue to enjoy the phenomenal inside game that Bosh has developed while continuing to cultivate Bargnani and Calderon as the future of this franchise. Calderon has impressed many scouts with his high assist-to-turnover ratio and his deep understanding of the game. Bargnani has a face-up game that has improved each season that he has been in the league. Toronto did have a disappointing season, to say the least, but they have the weapons right now to at least compete for a spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

- Team Weaknesses:

It is almost a foregone conclusion that Chris Bosh will not be in a Raptors’ uniform after this season ends. In fact, there are many rumors swirling that Bosh will not even be around by midseason. Without Bosh, the Raptors’ inside game is below-average at best. They have no dominant inside physical presence whatsoever, and they continue to be passive in trying to find a big body who is at least passable both offensively and defensively. SG Anthony Parker is a free agent this offseason, which is not really that big of a loss, if the Raptors choose to not go after him. Toronto does need to find another shooter to match Bargnani’s overall skill set as well as Calderon’s ability to find the open man.

- Our Pick:

Demar DeRozan – SG, USC. James Harden and Tyreke Evans are both better pure SGs, but they will already be taken by the time the Raptors pick at #9. The Raptors probably need a big man more than they do a SG, but DeRozan has too much talent to pass up. This draft is extremely guard heavy at the top, which will make it difficult for the Raptors to warrant taking a PF or a C without trading down. The Raptors might actually be better off trading down from this pick simply because of the roster turnover that they will be experiencing over the next couple of offseasons. If they do decide to trade down, it most certainly will be to pick a physical inside presence like DeJuan Blair or Tyler Hansbrough.

- Final Analysis:

This season should provide bettors with an opportunity to capitalize on Vegas’ reluctance to believe that this team is very good. Last season, Vegas gave the Raptors too much credit, and this led to point spreads that were much too heavy on the Raptors side. Linesmakers do not like to make the same mistake twice, so look for some good value in the early part of the season, as the Raptors should prove that they are a competitive and skilled team ready to take the next step towards winning the Atlantic Division.

New York Knicks (#8 Overall)

- Team Strengths:

From 2006 until 2008, the Knicks biggest strength could be found in their ability to blame Isaiah Thomas for everything that went wrong with the organization. That is not an option for Donnie Walsh to exercise any more. Mike D’Antoni took over as the head coach of the Knicks last season and showed that his up-tempo style of offense can work with players that are athletic and have a great deal of energy. Chris Duhon showed that he has the ability to be a starting point guard in the NBA for some time into the future. He won’t take a team on his back and lead them to a title, but he has tremendous quickness and a very high basketball IQ. The other two strengths that the Knicks have, David Lee and Nate Robinson, are both restricted free agents this offseason. Lee will take a high offer from a club that is looking to increase its physicality and scoring from the interior. While he is undersized to play PF, Lee is quicker than most PFs in the league and is capable of being a 15-point, 10-rebound a night player. I get the feeling that Robinson wants a chance to be a starter, and he realizes that D’Antoni is enamored with how Chris Duhon runs the offense.

- Team Weaknesses:

This is a list that could run three or four pages, but the biggest weakness for the Knicks is the fact that Robinson and Lee are restricted free agents and neither is likely to return. Lee and Robinson are arguably the two most talented players on the entire roster and losing both of them will create a huge void in the lineup. Quentin Richardson has run his course in New York, but he will remain on the roster due to his hefty contract. Eddy Curry shares the same traits as Richardson, except Curry was hurt all of last year. Curry seems to lack any discernable desire to play the game of basketball anymore, and he handicaps Walsh’s ability to sign even mid-level talent due to his contract. Above all of these weaknesses, though, is the fact that the Knicks organization has nurtured a culture of losing for many seasons now, and it will take some outstanding front office work from Donnie Walsh to get the Knicks back to Eastern Conference prominence.

- Our Pick:

Stephen Curry – PG/SG – Davidson. The Knicks need a sexy pick, and Curry provides that high level of excitement to bring people into the Garden on a nightly basis to see the Knicks play. Curry is more of a 2-guard in that he needs a good deal of open looks to score a lot of points. But, his ability to catch fire and score from anywhere on the court have NBA general managers chomping at the bit to take Curry with their first-round picks. Curry also fits in well with the Knicks overall plan to make a big splash in next year’s free agent market. New York will have many high-priced contracts coming off the books between this offseason and next offseason, and they have not been shy in proclaiming their interest in acquiring LeBron James. Curry gives them an ample amount of talent at a reduced price to give Walsh wiggle room to sign a superstar like James or Dewayne Wade.

- Final Analysis:

The Knicks will again be bad this year. D’Antoni is starting to mix things up in New York, but having Eddy Curry, Richardson, and Larry Hughes still on the roster is holding back New York from taking the next step forward. There is some potential money to be made with the Knicks, though, as Vegas will most assuredly be heavily opinionated on D’Antoni’s ability to run the up-tempo offense in New York. Keep in mind that the average Knicks game this past season averaged 213 points per contest. As the players begin to develop a higher understanding of the system, that number should continue to increase.

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