The Atlantic Division of the NBA has been ridiculed, criticized and virtually ignored the entire season. While their win-loss records up to this point warrants this, the division will have a greater importance in the playoffs. 

The division houses the leading scorer in the NBA, Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers. He is complemented by rookie forward Andre Iguodala, who has demonstrated potential, although his shooting is subject. 

Another contributing factor on the team is Kyle Korver, who?s three-point prowess has added a much needed second scoring option to the team. 

While making the playoffs will prove difficult for the 76ers, if they slide into the last position anything can happen with a guy who drops 30 points a game.  If the above mentioned players heat up at the right time, David could slay the Giant (literally, AI versus Shaq). 

A more realistic possibility would involve the team from New Jersey. The New Jersey Nets have two perennial All-Stars, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. Although star forward Richard Jefferson is out for the regular season, the team has been rolling since the return of Kidd from injury and the acquisition of Carter from Toronto. Kidd makes people around him play better, while Carter played well enough without Kidd. 

In other words, an All-Star player is being made even better, which may or may not be enough to overcome the team?s horrendous beginning. If it is, a Kidd-Carter combination will not have the competition smiling. 

The last potential playoff team in the division is the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are presently at the head of the division, although many choose to ignore them as a potential threat. However, Paul Pierce has a history of playing big in big games.

Furthermore, while the surrounding players do not feature a current All-Star, Gary Payton and Raef Lafrentz are productive, proven supporting players. Complementing the group of veterans is young shooting guard Tony Allen, who has been a spark of youth while earning a spot in the starting lineup. Finally, with Ricky Davis coming off the bench, the team is full of potential. 

These various attributes have led to the team scoring over 100 points per game. If the team learns how to hold a lead in the fourth quarter, the Celtics could be dangerous.

The rest of the division is comprised of the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks. There is no reason to think either team has a chance of making the playoffs, or gaining any sort of respectability. Both teams are in disarray, with coaching problems, emotional instability, and an overall lack of desire to succeed. For more information on them, check back next season.

One of the three teams discussed will not even make the playoffs. However, two probably will. 

The critics have written off the Atlantic Division, but the teams in the conference should not. Beware, Eastern Conference, the tides of the Atlantic might be rising after all.