Sam Amico of FOXSportsOhio.com writes that a few underrated veteran pickups and smart draft picks may be all that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo need to be contenders once again in 2012/13. While Pierce just turned 35 and Kevin Garnett is a 36-year-old with extra mileage, it's hard to overlook their free agent pickups like Jason Terry and Courtney Lee. It also helps that the Celtics will have Jeff Green return from his heart issue and Avery Bradley back from shoulder problems. Here's more from the Atlantic Division..
- Knicks guard Steve Novak was sorry to see Jeremy Lin leave, but he is now comfortable with the point guards he has, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Even though he's happy playing with Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton, Novak did add that he wishes things worked out differently with Lin.
- After relying on Ryan Hollins and Greg Stiemsma for critical backup minutes at center in last year's playoffs, the Celtics have added some much needed size this summer, writes Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Many are hoping that Doc Rivers can be the coach to finally tap the potential of Darko Milicic, who figures to see serious minutes off the bench in support of Boston's bigs.
- This year's incarnation of the Sixers is a major step up from last season's, writes Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News. Andrew Bynum obviously represents the club's biggest improvement, but the club also gained quite a bit with their newfound flexibility.