NBA Southeast Division Preview
Orlando Magic Look To Repeat As Division And Conference Champions
Oct 26, 2009
The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards will all do battle this year in what promises to be a very competitive division. Here is a preview:
Atlanta Hawks Season Preview
The Hawks are coming off a breakthrough year where they made it to the second round of the playoffs. That may be their ceiling, though. In the off-season they added veterans Joe Smith and Jason Collins to improve their front court depth but neither of those is an impact player at this stage of their careers. The addition of Jamal Crawford should give them some much needed scoring off the bench but the concern is that he has never played on a winning team in his career. Point guard Mike Bibby is getting old and is not the player he used to be. They do, though, have one of the best starting fives in the league in All-Star Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Marvin WIlliams, and Mike Bibby. They figure to be the #4 team in the East once again, but they are not ready to compete with the big three (Boston, Cleveland, Orlando).
Prediction: Second Place
Charlotte Bobcats Season Preview
The Bobcats made some strides last year and were in the playoff hunt late in the season. They have a budding star in Gerald Wallace. Raymond Felton is a solid point guard and having Boris Diaw and Raja Bell for a full season should give this team a boost. Swapping Emeka Okafor for Tyson Chandler was a little perplexing, especially for a team that has so much trouble scoring. Ultimately, they just don't have enough offense to be a playoff team.
Prediction: Fifth Place
Miami Heat Season Preview
The Heat have a bona-fide superstar in Dwyane Wade who is in the discussion with Kobe Bryant and Lebron James as far as the best players in the league. Youngsters Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley (if he is over his personal problems) figure to make some strides this year.Jermaine O'neal is anxious to prove he still has something left. Overall, Miami is not a very deep team and that could hurt them this year. Wade, though is one of the most clutch players in the league and his greatness will carry this team to enough victories to get into the playoffs.
Prediction: Third Place
Orlando Magic Season Preview
The Magic had a major breakthrough last year, going to the NBA FInals. However, they felt the need to shake up the team. They traded Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Toni Battie fto the Nets for VInce Carter and Ryan Anderson. They also failed to re-sign Hedo Turkoglu. Carter is a more consistent scorer than Turkoglu but not as good a ball handler or distributor. So, that responsibility will be even more on Jameer Nelson's shoulders. Ryan Anderson is a solid rebounder and can step out and shoot the three. Dwight Howard is the most dominant big man in the league but he must improve his free-throw shooting. His woes at the line changed the entire complexion of the Finals last year. Rashard Lewis is one of the most athletic power forwards in the league and a match-up nightmare. This team is loaded and figures to be a championship contender once again.
Prediction: First Place
Washington Wizards Season Preview
The Wizards are coming off a terribly disappointing season. The fact that Arenas missed just about all of the season was a big reason for that. Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler had their usual solid seasons but they didn't get enough from their role players. The additions of Mike Miller, Randy Foye and Fabricio Oberto should help this team's depth but if they are to have a good season their big three must stay healthy. Word is that Jamison will miss the first 3-5 weeks of the season so the injury bug is rearing its ugly head again. Another problem for this team is that they are not very good defensively and new head coach Flip Saunders is not a very good defensive coach. Can't trust this team to stay healthy or play defense which is why they will be out of the playoffs once again.
Prediction: Fourth Place
