New Jersey and Detroit are improved, but don't start printing playoff tickets. After all, Cleveland started 15-7 last season before finishing 30-52. The Pistons reached 4-1 by beating Memphis, New Jersey, Washington and Chicago. The Nets opened 5-1 by dispatching Indiana, Boston, Charlotte, Seattle and Cleveland. Not exactly extraordinary competition.

In New Jersey, Jason Kidd's defense and play-making have been terrific, Todd MacCulloch is a significant upgrade over new Mavs C Evan Eschmeyer, Keith Van Horn and Kenyon Martin rank among the top half of Eastern Conference forward tandems, and rookie Richard Jefferson is developing well off the bench.

But lack of depth tempers enthusiasm. And will this injury-riddled franchise make it through a full year without a starter missing time?

Detroit has more depth than New Jersey, but the roster is generally mediocre.

Boston's Joe Johnson, San Antonio's Tony Parker and Indiana's Jamal Tinsley look like real-deal rookies.

Via

General Basketball, New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks

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