This may be, hands down, the best Division in the NBA .
With four teams likely to make the Playoffs, the Southeast boasts the most-talked about team in the league’s off-season, Miami, and one of the most hyped up newcomers, John Wall. If all goes well in D.C., this Division could see all five teams playing in late April.
So let’s break it down from top to bottom.
1. Miami Heat
There’s been so much speculation in basketball circles about this team, it seems almost passe’ to suggest they are title contenders. But you know what? They are. If you consider what LeBron did with a solid cast around him in Cleveland, what should one expect with a cast of All-Star caliber teammates and role players who know their role in Miami?
Can you say Larry O’Brien Trophy?
The only thing this team has to be concerned with is making it through the regular season injury-free, creating good team chemistry and Coach Erik Spoelstra maintaining the focus of a team with the talent to win 70 games.
Prediction 68-14
2. Orlando Magic
This is a team that could find themselves playing in June if they get the production Dwight Howard can provide. They’re deep, they’re strong and they have an excellent coaching staff with Stan Van Gundy at the helm.
If Vince Carter can do what he’s done in the past and J.J. Reddick plays for his money, the Magic will remind fans why they were in the Finals only two years ago. No Matt Barnes any longer, but Quentin Richardson will make residents of Orlando forget that real quick.
Prediction 60-22
3. Atlanta Hawks
After signing Joe Johnson to the largest contract of the summer, the Hawks did a decent job of not getting any better. That’s as good as it gets for the fine folks of Atlanta: solid mediocrity. Look for Al Horford to establish himself as one of the best big men in the league, but that still doesn’t get them into the Conference Finals. The East got better while the Hawks stayed the same.
2010 Sixth Man of the year Jamal Crawford will return to provide spark off the bench and the Hawks will no doubt provide problems for other teams in the East, but when the Playoffs begin, don’t look for this team to make it past the second round.
Prediction 46-36
4. Charlotte Bobcats
This is a tricky one. Although they found themselves in the Playoffs last year, the Bobcats no longer have the services of Raymond Felton or Tyson Chandler. They have a solid defense and star performers in Stephen Jackson, Tyrus Thomas and Gerald Wallace.
If 70-year-old Coach Larry Brown can get production from unexpected players like Kwame Brown or Derrick Brown, and consistent play from D.J. Augustin, they’ll find themselves with an opportunity to at least lose in the first round of the playoffs.
That’s if they have the absolute best season they possibly can have. Best of luck.
Prediction 41-41
5. Washington Wizards
Another tricky one. The Wizards could easily flip flop positions with Charlotte, but unless John Wall is more prepared than even the best case scenario, the Wizards will rely too much on youth and most-likely finish below .500. Nice addition with Kirk Hinrich, which should help Wall learn the NBA ropes and find himself Rookie of the Year.
They will be an exciting team to watch as they round out a tough Southeast Division, but nevertheless be left alone at the bottom of the pack.
Prediction 38-44
Best of luck to anyone who underestimates any one of these teams.
It’s hard to imagine underestimating Miami, but in an odd way, the sights have been set so high, this team just may hit above that target and accomplish more together this season than any Miami team has before. We’ll see Pat Riley give Spoelstra an opportunity to go the distance unless something goes terribly wrong with this team.
Look for LeBron to do whatever it takes to be holding the Larry O’Brien in his hands come June. Some have speculated averaging a triple double for the season and that’s not out of reach, but that coveted trophy may be. (The East is tough this year and the Lakers most-likely await if they do get into the Finals.)
One last prediction?
All my predictions will come true.
contact chas@lowpostnews.com
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Atlanta is a stronger team than 46 wins. And with Mike Bibby running the show as he has throughout his career, watch for them to be gunning for a number 3 seed. And getting it.
Watch the Heat blow minds this year. 72 wins if everyone stays healthy and Championship rings all around. Mike Miller will get looks and make the most of them!
As much as it seems like the Heat got everything going for them, things could get extra interesting if they don’t dominate like they think they should. Or, don’t quite perform the a way everyone seems to be in a rush to say that they should, what with the King on board and a Boshman having cometh all the way down to South Beach.
And, as much as it would be way cool for the Hawks to make some important noise for a change – the kind that has legs in the post season and gives the folks back there something to cheer about while another wave of termites does a number on either the new deck or has a banquet with the so far partially completed addition to a house soon to go into foreclosure — I’m not holding my breath.
I mean, anymore than usual. Or, ever since the ship began sinking at this end.
I agree with John. I think it will be wild if the Heat doesn’t dominate, shit maybe they won’t even hit 60 wins. Other teams are gonna be gunnin’ for them, and it will be interesting to see how they respond.