2009 NBA Preview: Southeast Division
By Jason McIntyre
Orlando Magic
Question marks: How much will they miss Hedo? How will the two new starters fit? Do they have enough firepower off the bench in the backcourt? JJ Redick, Anthony Johnson and White Chocolate do not inspire confidence.
Also worth worrying about: The burden of expectations.
Really, really like: Added toughness with Brandon Bass, retained toughness in Marcin Gortat.
Vince Carter: Has to be the new Michael Jordan of Turkey. Turns 33 in January. Seems to favor the jumper in his advanced age instead of jumping over people. Can he still be 4th quarter clutch? Hope so.
Music: Looking for a song that gets us pumped up … because we think the Magic are going to be damn exciting to watch this year.
Stab at the record: Think they can improve on last year’s 59 wins. We’ll go with an Eastern Conference-best 64.
Playoffs: 1st seed in the East. NBA Finals.
Atlanta Hawks
Question marks: How to divvy the shots between Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford, and a rookie we loved in college, Jeff Teague? Does Al Horford have a low-post game yet? Does Marvin Williams have a position yet?
Also worth worrying about: Contract year for Joe Johnson. If he leaves, might as well press the reset button.
Did you know: Jamal Crawford is – best we can tell – the longest tenured player in the NBA who hasn’t been to the playoffs. Bad timing? Bad luck? We like to watch him offensively, but he tends to be a chucker, and he abhors defense.
Like: Watching Josh Smith do anything. Somehow, he’d make shucking corn You Tube-worthy.
Music: We should. Really. Everyone else is (see below).
Stab at the record: Don’t see ATL matching last year’s 47 victories in the much-improved East. Thinking a 41-41 record. That’ll miss the playoffs in the much-improved East.
Playoffs: Nearly everyone at ESPN loves these guys. Why?
Miami Heat
Question marks: The mental state of Michael Beasley? What does Jermaine O’Neal have left in the tank? Is this D. Wade’s swan song in Miami? He seems to love the city, but the franchise is sputtering.
Also worth worrying about: The Magic and Hawks added talent. The Wizards got healthy. The Bobcats made a trade. Miami did nothing.
What’s to Like?: Watching this highlight over and over? Maybe Jermaine O’Neal morphs into the player he was five years ago, but we’ve been hearing that garbage for a couple years now. Fallen for it each time, too. No mas!
Music: We’ll miss you, D Wade.
Stab at the record: Don’t think they can get back to 43 wins. We’re envisioning a drop to 40-42.
Playoffs: Unfortunately, no.
Washington Wizards
Question marks: Gilbert’s health, Washington’s lack of size inside (again), how do they plan on rebounding all those missed three-pointers?
Also worth worrying about: They’ll want to go with Orlando’s successful 1-4 offense, but are there enough minutes for six very good players (Butler, Young, Arenas, Stevenson, Miller, Foye)?
Best case scenario: Gilbert explodes early and they trade him when his value’s high. Obviously it won’t happen because they sunk so much money into him and because he’s the face of the franchise. But we think the future could be Foye, Young and Butler at the 1-2-3, and if they’re able to get a PF/C for Arenas, maybe they’re in business. McGee and Blatche appear to be on their way to solid careers, but neither right now is ready to be an 18-10 guy.
Music: For the what might be the most trigger-happy team in the league.
Stab at the record: Can only improve on 19 wins. Somewhere between 30-45 is possible; we’ll guess 35-47.
Playoffs: It’s certainly possible, but we’ll predict no.