It's starting to look like the Knicks will win their first Atlantic Division title since 1993/94. Brooklyn's loss to the Jazz last night dropped the Nets four games back of New York, and five games back in the loss column. The Celtics are eight games back in the loss column. It remains to be seen whether the Knicks can duplicate another feat they pulled off in 1993/94 and make it to the NBA Finals, but while we wait for that playoff story to unfold, here's the latest buzz from the Atlantic:
- A source tells John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer that Andrew Bynum won't give the Sixers any special consideration in free agency this summer, but Mitchell believes the team's best option is to re-sign the oft-injured center and hope he can get healthy for at least a couple of seasons.
- Shavlik Randolph's play, particularly his efficient rebounding, is justifying the Celtics' decision to keep him around, observes Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe, who also points to the improved performance of offseason signee Jeff Green.
- J.R. Smith has a $2.933MM player option for 2013/14, but he should be able to command a much greater salary as a free agent if he turns it down. Newsday's Al Iannazzone looks at the career year Smith's enjoying this season with the Knicks.
- Doug Smith of the Toronto Star answers reader questions about the Raptors and other NBA issues in his mailbag column.