2006 - 2007 NBA Preview: Southeast Division
Today, we take a look at the Southeast Division. This division has a little of everything, including the defending champions, the top up-and-coming team in the NBA, and a recent expansion team following a plan to competitiveness. There is a lot of talent in this division, and in a couple of years, may develop into the deepest division in the League.
Southeast Division:
1. Miami Heat (52-30)
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
“If it ain’t broke,” why change anything? Unless Dwyane Wade improves enough to counteract the continuing drop off in production from Shaquille O’Neal though, the Heat will begin to fall back towards the pack, while the other teams in the division keep improving. Miami should still win the division, barring injury to either Shaq or Wade. I know Pat Riley wants to win again, but he does need to think about the long term. Players such as Wayne Simien and Dorell Wright need to be integrated into the rotation. Not only will it prepare this team for upcoming seasons, it may very well help them in their title defense. Wright could develop into a solid running mate for Wade, while Simien can help take some of the rebounding load off of Shaq and Udonis Haslem.
Key Additions: DeShawn Stevenson (free agent)
Key Losses: Jared Jeffries (free agent)
Even though the Wizards were the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, I have a hunch they were still not pleased with their performance. To be considered legitimate contenders, you cannot be a .500 team, which is what this team was throughout the season. Gilbert Arenas is coming off his best season and will be playing this season with a chip on his shoulder (warranted or not). He and the other core players, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, now have a full season together, and should make up one of the more formidable trios in the NBA. The loss of Jeffries will is somewhat significant, but his loss will be mitigated by the addition of Stevenson and a healthy season from Jarvis Hayes. With Miami’s perch atop the division anything but solid, the Wizards will put themselves to be the team to supplant them. Unless a key injury hits the Heat, it will not be this season, but Miami will not win the division by ten games again.
Key Additions: J.J. Redick (draft)
Key Losses: DeShawn Stevenson (free agent)
The Wizards are going after the Heat, but they need to be looking over their shoulder at the Magic at the same time. Dwight Howard established himself as a premier rebounder while also approaching superstar status. He may very well reach it this year, with the help of Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic. Following the trade of Steve Francis to the Knicks, Nelson validated the reputation he earned at St. Joseph’s as a strong floor general by leading the young Orlando team on a great run to end the season. He is the real key to the improvement of this team. Milicic played well in limited minutes, showing the promise that made him the second overall pick in 2003, and is expected to play a much bigger role this season. They will give him every chance to succeed, and I think we will see him average 12-14 points, 8-10 rebounds, and two and a half blocks for the season. This team will make the playoffs.
Key Additions: Speedy Claxton (free agent), Lorenzen Wright (free agent), Shelden Williams (draft)
Key Losses: Al Harrington (trade)
Despite the turmoil in the front office, this is a team on the rise. The addition of Claxton finally gives them the point guard they have needed (and should have had in Chris Paul). When he returns from an injury, his job will be to get the ball to Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams. With a true point guard on the team, Johnson could see his numbers, already somewhat gaudy, rise a bit. Many people think Smith will become an All-Star this year, but I do not see that happening this season. If he can be consistent throughout the season and put up the kind of numbers he did in the last month of the season, he will get close. Marvin Williams had an up-and-down season, but he is still the most talented player on the team. He will see time at both forward spots, playing a role similar to the one Harrington filled last year, in an effort to get him minutes with Johnson and Smith. Shelden Williams struggled during the summer leagues, but if given the task of focusing on the boards, he will still make a contribution. While not ready for the big time, the Hawks will look at this season as a huge stepping-stone towards future success.
Key Additions: Adam Morrison (draft)
Key Losses: None
They have a plan, and it is a good one. Bernie Bickerstaff knows his team is not ready to contend yet, but he is laying the groundwork to make a playoff push in about two seasons (in my estimation). While I do not think Morrison was the right choice with the 3rd pick in the draft, I do think he is a good fit on the team and gives them a very good perimeter scoring threat. Emeka Okafor has trimmed down in an attempt to avoid another injury-plagued season, and should reach his rookie numbers again. Feeding Morrison and Okafor will be Raymond Felton. Charlotte reached a little in drafting him last year, but did so because he came from a winning college program. He proved worthy of his high draft slot with his post-All-Star Game numbers, and should break into the upper echelon of point guards in the Eastern Conference. If Sean May can handle the dirty work of covering opposing power forwards, this team will be competitive every night, even if it does not translate into more wins. The goal of the season is for this team to grow together.
Southeast Division:
1. Miami Heat (52-30)
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
“If it ain’t broke,” why change anything? Unless Dwyane Wade improves enough to counteract the continuing drop off in production from Shaquille O’Neal though, the Heat will begin to fall back towards the pack, while the other teams in the division keep improving. Miami should still win the division, barring injury to either Shaq or Wade. I know Pat Riley wants to win again, but he does need to think about the long term. Players such as Wayne Simien and Dorell Wright need to be integrated into the rotation. Not only will it prepare this team for upcoming seasons, it may very well help them in their title defense. Wright could develop into a solid running mate for Wade, while Simien can help take some of the rebounding load off of Shaq and Udonis Haslem.
Key Additions: DeShawn Stevenson (free agent)
Key Losses: Jared Jeffries (free agent)
Even though the Wizards were the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, I have a hunch they were still not pleased with their performance. To be considered legitimate contenders, you cannot be a .500 team, which is what this team was throughout the season. Gilbert Arenas is coming off his best season and will be playing this season with a chip on his shoulder (warranted or not). He and the other core players, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, now have a full season together, and should make up one of the more formidable trios in the NBA. The loss of Jeffries will is somewhat significant, but his loss will be mitigated by the addition of Stevenson and a healthy season from Jarvis Hayes. With Miami’s perch atop the division anything but solid, the Wizards will put themselves to be the team to supplant them. Unless a key injury hits the Heat, it will not be this season, but Miami will not win the division by ten games again.
Key Additions: J.J. Redick (draft)
Key Losses: DeShawn Stevenson (free agent)
The Wizards are going after the Heat, but they need to be looking over their shoulder at the Magic at the same time. Dwight Howard established himself as a premier rebounder while also approaching superstar status. He may very well reach it this year, with the help of Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic. Following the trade of Steve Francis to the Knicks, Nelson validated the reputation he earned at St. Joseph’s as a strong floor general by leading the young Orlando team on a great run to end the season. He is the real key to the improvement of this team. Milicic played well in limited minutes, showing the promise that made him the second overall pick in 2003, and is expected to play a much bigger role this season. They will give him every chance to succeed, and I think we will see him average 12-14 points, 8-10 rebounds, and two and a half blocks for the season. This team will make the playoffs.
Key Additions: Speedy Claxton (free agent), Lorenzen Wright (free agent), Shelden Williams (draft)
Key Losses: Al Harrington (trade)
Despite the turmoil in the front office, this is a team on the rise. The addition of Claxton finally gives them the point guard they have needed (and should have had in Chris Paul). When he returns from an injury, his job will be to get the ball to Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams. With a true point guard on the team, Johnson could see his numbers, already somewhat gaudy, rise a bit. Many people think Smith will become an All-Star this year, but I do not see that happening this season. If he can be consistent throughout the season and put up the kind of numbers he did in the last month of the season, he will get close. Marvin Williams had an up-and-down season, but he is still the most talented player on the team. He will see time at both forward spots, playing a role similar to the one Harrington filled last year, in an effort to get him minutes with Johnson and Smith. Shelden Williams struggled during the summer leagues, but if given the task of focusing on the boards, he will still make a contribution. While not ready for the big time, the Hawks will look at this season as a huge stepping-stone towards future success.
Key Additions: Adam Morrison (draft)
Key Losses: None
They have a plan, and it is a good one. Bernie Bickerstaff knows his team is not ready to contend yet, but he is laying the groundwork to make a playoff push in about two seasons (in my estimation). While I do not think Morrison was the right choice with the 3rd pick in the draft, I do think he is a good fit on the team and gives them a very good perimeter scoring threat. Emeka Okafor has trimmed down in an attempt to avoid another injury-plagued season, and should reach his rookie numbers again. Feeding Morrison and Okafor will be Raymond Felton. Charlotte reached a little in drafting him last year, but did so because he came from a winning college program. He proved worthy of his high draft slot with his post-All-Star Game numbers, and should break into the upper echelon of point guards in the Eastern Conference. If Sean May can handle the dirty work of covering opposing power forwards, this team will be competitive every night, even if it does not translate into more wins. The goal of the season is for this team to grow together.
posted by Josh at 8:49 AM
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