NBA Power Rankings: Breaking down the divisions

May 29, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) react during the second half in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 11, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Atlantic Division

This was the worst division in basketball last season, so even though it was able to add young talent like Marcus Smart, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid while also keeping Carmelo Anthony and Kyle Lowry around, nothing’s going to change in 2014-15. With a combined win percentage of .422 last year, the Atlantic lost more games than any division in basketball. This season won’t be very different.

For starters, the Atlantic hosts the absolute worst team in the NBA in the Philadelphia 76ers, who are in Year One of Sam Hinkie’s 35-year rebuilding plan. Adding Noel and possibly Embiid to the lineup might make things a little more bearable for loyal Sixers fans, but this team lost their best player in Thaddeus Young and they’re undoubtedly trying to lose. The Boston Celtics have Smart and James Young to look forward to, but with Rajon Rondo seemingly bound for the trade block, this team is one deal away from shamelessly tanking as well.

In New York, both the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks should be expected to achieve the same level of mediocrity as last season. The Nets lost their head coach, Paul Pierce, Shaun Livingston and Andray Blatche over the summer and will be relying on Brook Lopez’s health and Deron Williams’ ankles/leadership, both of which are questionable at best. The Knicks kept their superstar Melo, but their second-best player is still J.R. Smith, a notorious head case who had a pretty bad season in 2013-14. Not exactly reassuring for either NY team that will be scrapping for one of the East’s final playoff spots.

The hope for this division lies with the Toronto Raptors, who surprised everyone last season by locking up the third seed in the East after a little addition by subtraction in the form of the Rudy Gay trade. The Raptors bring back a young and talented nucleus, but the only problem is the rest of the Eastern playoff teams got a little better. That No. 3 seed might be a bit beyond reach, even with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Jonas Valanciunas all looking at potential career years.

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