At the Summit: The New York Knicks are at the top of the very best division in the NLL. After they won the division last year, they look primed to do it again having the best back court as well as the best center in the division. As if their starting lineup isn't good enough, they are bringing guys like Evan Turner and Paul Millsap off the bench.

Some may say that Shawn Marion is the weakest link of this team, but personally I think he is perfect fit for the Knicks. He is still a pretty good player that is a nice physical presence as well as an amazing leader. In almost any other division, this team would be a lock to win it, but that is not the case in the Atlantic. The division is just too strong to call this team a lock. The question is, can the Knicks keep up high quality play the whole season? If they do they will definitely get a top 4 seed and homecourt advantage in the first round.

A Close Second: This Philadelphia 76ers is a team that can easily compete for the division.  This Sixers squad is built very well. They have some older players and some great younger guys that will be ready to step in once the older players are done in Philadelphia. There is not much “brotherly love” for the other Atlantic Division teams here in Philly as @LScola4 tweeted:”Pumped for the season. This division will be a battle every single night.”

This team could have easily been projected 3rd or 4th in this preview if it was not for the emergence of Robin Lopez in the preseason. Lopez, who has had a disappointing NLL career so far looked very good in preseason, averaging 8 points and 8 boards in under 20 minutes of play. They made a good deal by swapping Ray Allen for Kevin Martin, Martin looks a bit more productive at this point in his career. After winning their first NLL title in 05/06, the Sixers are 0 and 3 in NLL finals since then, they are hoping to end that this year.

Up there too!: Personally I love this Toronto Raptors starting lineup. They have an amazing scorer in Kevin Durant, a great distributing point guard in Ty Lawson, 2 guys that can score the rock with Ray Allen and David West. If Taj Gibson can hold his own on defence against bigger NLL centers then this may be the best starting lineup in the Atlantic Division.

The Raptors made great additions in free agency signing both Nick Young and Eric Maynor to bolster their bench, as well as signing point guard prospect Gal Mekel. The team has a new look with “global ambassadors” rapper Drake and Mayor Rob Ford, and look to make a run at the Atlantic Division title.

Another Great Team: You know that this is a great division when a team with the lineup of Steve Nash, DWade, Gerald Green, Chris Bosh and Tyson Chandler is projected to finish fourth. The bench is a bit of a worry for this Brooklyn Nets squad but if the bench can produce, then this squad will go far.

The Nets do a great job of putting how deep this division is, in prospective. They were 7th seed in the East last year, but were tied for 6th. Of the 6 teams ahead of them, 3 were fellow Atlantic Division teams.

Still a Playoff Team?: Several months ago, new GM Jmac was taking a lot of heat for basically flipping Kobe for Nicolas Batum. 6 months later, Boston has a solid team as well as 2 first round picks in this upcoming draft. This team has great distributing point guards and shooters that can spread the floor.

One of the most daring moves in NLL history happened when the Celtics put up 99 GM Points on OJ Mayo. It worked and they got their guy. They surrounded OJ with a great class that included Marco Belinelli, Jose Calderon, Ramon Sessions, Jermaine O’Neal, Samuel Dalembert and Will Bynum, who was flipped for Joel Anthony.  The only question is if this newly formed squad can build chemistry and play together? If they can do that, they are definitely a playoff team.

Division MVP: In a star filled division with the likes of Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Bosh, there is one obvious pick… Kevin Durant. This guy is an amazing player with a knack for scoring. He might even be able to put up 30 points a game for his club.

Division ROY: There were only four rookies on opening day rosters in the Atlantic Division that were chosen in the draft. Only one of those four rookies were taken in the 1st round. That 1st round pick happened to be the 1st overall pick, Ben McLemore. He isn't playing a big role for this Sixers squad, but he will likely be the most be the most productive rookie in the division.

Projected finish:

1. New York Knicks 64-18

2. Philadelphia 76ers 61-21

3. Toronto Raptors 55-27

4. Brooklyn Nets 49-37

5. Boston Celtics 41-41