Welcome to this year's NBA FANtastic Previews. Your regular Triple Threat correspondent gearhead is here to preview the 2007-08 season. First up: The Atlantic Division.

Going into last season, the Atlantic Division was considered a joke. Nicknamed the Titantic, there was speculation that no team in the division would finish above .500. That talk ended late in the season with the Cinderella run of the Toronto Raptors. The Nets also made the playoffs, defeating Toronto in round one. The Sixers said goodbye to Allen Iverson, the Celtics tanked, and the Knicks remained a spectacle. Looking ahead, team-by-team...

Boston Celtics

So, I hear Boston made some moves in the offseason.

The Celtics have been anointed the new East "power" thanks to the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Their Big Three is very impressive, but they'll need to stay healthy, as there's not much there after that. Allen is the biggest health risk of the trio, as he has battled knee and ankle problems lately. After the Big Three, the C's will need one of there young guys to step up, particularly Kendrick Perkins or Rajon Rondo. Title contention looks to be at least a year premature, but things are much better than before and a division title looks like the worst that could happen.

My Prediction: 47-35, 3rd East (1st Atlantic)

New Jersey Nets

Like the Celtics, the Nets are a Big Three and little else backing them up. Last year, they went 41-41, but that was with a hobbled Jefferson and an injured Nenad Kristic. A healthy Jefferson and Kristic will help big time. New Jersey also has some young talent in the pipe in Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, and Sean Williams that should get more burn. Jason Kidd is now 34. If he can stay at his current level, the Nets should make the playoffs. Expected much more than that could be a reach though.

My Prediction: 42-40, 8th East (3rd Atlantic)

New York Knicks

Zach Randolph becomes the latest big addition in New York. He can score as well as any big man, but he might be the only person who can make Eddy Curry look good defensively. Not that Randolph and Curry could play together, since they're essentially the same player. Thus, David Lee will likely see reduced minutes. The Knicks are still a collection of talent that does not fit together. Luckily for Knicks fans, they have Isiah to fix it. Oh, wait.

My Prediction: 30-52, 12th East (4th Atlantic)

Philadelphia 76ers

Without Allen Iverson, the cupboard is almost bare in Philadelphia. Andre Miller is a solid point guard, but is wasted on a rebuilding team at this point in his career. The new AI, Andre Iguodala, is the focal point of the rebuilding effort, and with good reason, as he blossomed without Iverson. After that though is a bunch of kids and guys with obvious flaws. Kyle Korver can shoot, but nothing else. Sam Dalembert can block, but his offensive game is limited (but improving). Thaddeus Young and Rodney Carney better improve quickly, or the Sixers will challenge for worst record in the league.

My Prediction: 24-58, 15th East (5th Atlantic)

Toronto Raptors

Last year's Cinderella team will attempt to keep it going. Andrea Bargnani making more progress would help, as well as Jose Calderon and TJ Ford remaining a top 1-2 punch at the point. Chris Bosh, of course, should continue to be a stud. They've also added Jason Kapono to help with outside shooting. However, my gut says they'll be a slight downtick this year. Not a severe tick down, but just a little. The future is still very bright in Toronto.

My Prediction: 44-38, 6th East (2nd Atlantic)

Share your thoughts on the Atlantic Division in the comments.