by Thomas Halzack, Bleacher Report, Special to FOXSports.com

Boston Celtics

I say the experience counts and the hunger is still there. After all, they have Kevin Garnett. But with no solid veterans among their offseason pick-ups, question marks abound.

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People saw what KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen did for their teammates' games over the course of last season. After a 67-win season, no one will question their age this year, will they?

James Posey absolutely played a special role on the championship squad and will be missed. But this team offered him a special situation with which to shine as well.

Mercurial yet expressionless — okay, "stoic" — Rajon Rondo took a big step forward. He must work on his jump shot and free throws.

Kendick Perkins' shoulder is still healing. Backup options for the Celtics at center are Patrick O'Bryant, Garnett and Leon Powe.

Who steps up this season? Tony Allen has the inside track to break out. Leon Powe and Glen Davis both should step forward. Rookies J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker have the P word emblazoned on their foreheads. It looks like Darius Miles will get his chance.

Remember ... the Celtics are holding three aces. These three stars bought their tickets on the Lega-C Train. They all changed their summer routines to rest and celebrate. I wouldn't make too much of it. They will be ready to go. Just don't expect 30-3 out of the gate.

Doc Rivers says he'll give Pierce and Ray Allen more rest this year. So watch for guys like Tony Allen, Giddens, Miles and Walker to get a chance to develop.

Prediction: 58-24

Philadelphia 76ers

This is a team that can't shoot straight. Last in the NBA from behind the arc a year ago and not that good even at midrange, they are the Philly Rim Rockers. Dunkmasters extraordinaire, they were second only to Denver.

Still, I underrated them last season — by a lot. I won't do that again.

All-around good guy Elton Brand looks like a good fit for this team. As a top offensive rebounder, he joins a top offensive rebounding team. Their starting five of Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Brand and Samuel Dalembert is solid.

Louis Williams, Reggie Evans, Donyell Marshall, Theo Ratliff and Marreese Speights off the bench are pretty good, too.

Will Donyell Marshall and Kareem Rush help Williams and Iguodala keep defenses honest? Yes, they will help a bit. Boston has some new competition in the East.

Prediction: 50-32

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors shoot lights out from the arc (second in three-point percentage), they pass well (fifth in assists) and they don't turn the ball over (second). That's a good foundation.

Still, they finished slowly after a strong start last season. Why? The post game and rebounding (21st in differential) needed help, which is the reason they dealt point guard T.J. Ford to the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal. If O'Neal stays healthy, he will help Chris Bosh quite a bit, though he must be convinced to play underneath to help this team the most.

There are more questions. Will Andrea Bargnani ever realize how tall he is and start to rebound and play closer to the hoop? Will Nathan Jawai help? Without Ford, the reins of the team have been handed to Jose Calderon, who recently played in the Euro tournament. Between the playoffs last season, the Olympics and now the Euros, will he get tired?

Will Sam Mitchell keep his promise to stop swearing this season? My guess is not with Bargnani around.

Prediction: 45-37

New York Knicks

Where do we start here? Let's see.

The new coach (Mike D'Antoni) doesn't expect his players to play defense. That has to help. The New Jersey Nets are worse. That helps, too.

2008-09 NBA previews

FOXSports.com analysis

• Charley Rosen division previews:
  East: Southeast | Atlantic | Central

West: Northwest | Pacific | Southwest

• Kahn: 10 storylines to follow
• Rosen: Who made the right moves?
• Kahn: Best and worst awards
• Galinsky: Preseason power rankings
• Kahn: My top 50 NBA players
• Hill: Disasters waiting to happen
• Rosen: Where each coach stands

Marques Johnson video previews

• East: | | Southeast
• West: | |

There is a new starting point guard (Chris Duhon), but little else has changed. They hope that Stephon Marbury looks good so they can unload him. Look for trades this season as D'Antoni and GM Donnie Walsh try to rebuild this poorly assembled team. It is more than a one-year project, lads and lassies.

Watching halfcourt players Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph run should be interesting.

Prediction: 29-53

New Jersey Nets

Vince Carter might sleepwalk through this rebuilding season, as the Nets await the big free agency summer two years from now.

Their bigs Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Josh Boone and Sean Williams have some promise but need teaching and game experience. Williams can be a defensive force. Boone showed improvement but can't hit a foul shot.

Newly-acquired Yi Jianlian is still in the "potential" category. Similiar to Andrea Bargnani, he must adjust to the NBA game and its physicality. Joining the crowd around the basket takes a certain mindset. A step forward would be in order as he will get to play in front of far more of his countrymen thanks to the New York City Asian population.

Eduardo Najera, Keyon Dooling and Trenton Hassell make up a core group of hustling defenders but can't all be on the floor at the same time, because none of them can shoot. Skill-wise, Devin Harris is who he is — a quick, up-tempo, slashing guard with an unremarkable outside shot.

Should be a long year of teaching for Lawrence Frank. Will he be a good teacher?

Prediction: 23-59

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