Pardon My Bias

LOS ANGELES, CA — It’s day 3 of our NBA Divisional Preview. Zayd and I look at the Southeast Division. Make sure you check out the all the other posts for Day 1: Atlantic Division and Day 2: Pacific Division

Josh Smith, photo courtesy of speculativesports.com

Team: Atlanta Hawks

2010/11 Record: 44-38 – 5th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: Atlanta was eliminated from the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Chicago Bulls in what seems to be the repetitive theme for this team regardless of the coach.  Easily one of the most athletic teams in the league but they lack a true inside presence and just can’t get anywhere in the playoffs.

AS: The Hawks had a surprisingly good run into the playoffs last year as they beat the Magic in the first round. This team has been in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference since 2007, but have failed to make any real noise in the playoffs. A lot of people forget in the whole hoopla of Lebron and Bosh coming to Miami, it was actually Joe Johnson who was the real winner of the summer. He took home the biggest contract with the least expectations.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The team made a really nice transition from Mike Bibby to Jeff Teague last year, and Teague was a stud in the playoffs. I am interested to see the development of Teague this year, and if this team can build on their second round showing from last year. Financially with the new CBA, this team may  regret giving Joe Johnson what they did. I think the Hawks are dedicated to the core groups of guys they have, but losing Jamal Crawford really hurts, he was a guy who could come off the bench and put in 15 per game and was an integral part to their offense the last two years.

ZS: They have some young talented players like Teague, Horford, Smith, and Johnson and will be a tough team night in night out as long as they show the effort but they lack a true inside presence that can solidify their defense.  Smith is a strong defender but he would be much more effective as a weak-side and come-from-behind shot blocker.

Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I think the Hawks could challenge the Magic and Pacers for the 4th seed in Eastern Conference, but I like both teams better and drawing the 6th spot could lead to a first round elimination. A lot of the Hawks fortunes lie on the shoulders of Jeff Teague.

ZS: I don’t see why anything will change for them since money will be tight for them after that contract Joe Johnson has.  I expect a 5th or 6th place finish and losing in the first round after 6 games.

MJ, photo courtesy of eurweb.com

Team: Charlotte Bobcats
2010/11 Record: 34-48 – 10th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS: The highlight for the Bobcats was that Michael Jordon became a partial owner of the team. Unfortunately, he became a cheap skate and traded away the best player on the team in Gerald Wallace. Jordan left this roster with nothing to build around.

ZS: This team had a future, then Wallace, Okafor and Felton were gone.  So was that future.  It just seemed like they restarted mid plan and are looking for a new path to go.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The Bobcats need a go-to scorer. Their roster has a bunch of guys that are role players like Tyrus Thomas, Joel Pryzbilla, Borris Diaw, and Corey Maggette.This team may very well need a new owner, because Jordon was at the front of complaining owners during thel ockout but refuses to put a competitive squad on the floor. Good luck making any money.

ZS: Exactly what Avi said.

Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: Unfortunately for the Bobcats, it seems like the main goal of management is to remain profitable rather than competitive. I don’t see the Bobcats making the playoffs this year again. Hitting .500 should be their goal, which may actuallly make the playoffs in the East.

ZS: A team really going nowhere in my opinion, and when a partial owner was responsible for the Kwame Brown debacle I don’t see a bright future ahead for them.  Bottom of the Eastern Conference again.

"The Big 3," photo courtesy of theurbandaily.com

Team: Miami Heat
2010/11 Record: 58-24 – 2nd in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Heat actually lived up to expectations and made it to the Finals. They got the bus rolling at the right time of the season, and handled the Celtics in the playoffs. Unfortunately a bunch of washed out guys who are just riding coattails for a ring as role players didn’t work.

ZS: Having LBJ and Wade on the same team never hurts.  They were solid defensively which really helped them and did not have as much drama as I expected.  They could have won the title but met the Mavs at the wrong time.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: They need some real role players. A bunch of them who did much of nothing (Bibby, Dampier, Juwan Howard, James Jones, and Magloire) are all unrestricted free agents. All I can say is I don’t understand why they signed Eddy Curry.

ZS: They need a center to let Bosh float around and a decent playbook capable point guard who can relieve Wade and LeBron from the ball handling and court control.  But adding Battier is really underrated.

Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: At this point with current rosters, as much as it hurts to say, the Heat will be back in the Finals.

ZS: There really is no team in the East (with their current rosters) that can take this team in a series.  They will probably win the East and make it to the Finals.

Dwight Howard, photo courtesy of forbes.com

Team: Orlando Magic
2010/11 Record: 52-30 – 4th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: Dwight Howard! That’s about all you can get excited about on this team.  They have overpaid so many players its sad.  They just clearly did not have enough to win last season.

AS: The only bright spot on this team is Superman in the middle. Aside from that, everything went wrong for the Magic. The trade for Gilbert Arenas was horrible. They let go of one overpaid washed out star, Vince Carter, and picked up another one in Arenas. I wonder if Arenas is still spending $2k a week to feed his pet sharks..

Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: Well its looking like Dwight is gone so make sure you either get quality young talent now or plenty of draft pick from lottery bound teams.  They should either make the moves to make Dwight happy or begin a rebuilding plan.

AS: Similar to the Hornets, the Magic need to get something in return for the inevitable trade of Dwight Howard. There is nothing Otis Smith can do to keep him in Orlando any longer.

Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: I think if there is one team they don’t want to send Dwight to its the Lakers and repeat the Shaq event.  But with Bynum as the likely trade piece from LA its looking like a viable destination.  Dwight is ahead of Bynum overall but Andrew is a better offensive player.  Thing is they have no one to surround either but luckily in the East they are a playoff team.

AS: The Magic were able to shed Arenas’s contract via amnesty. Now they just have to get rid of Turkoglu’s contract and get something in return and rebuild. Otis Smith has to be on the hot seat. Fans don’t worry though, they have the coolest arena in the leauge where you can easily be entertained for 3 hours without even watching a second of the game!

John Wall, photo courtesy of canishoopus.com

Team: Washington Wizards
2010/11 Record: 23-59 – 13th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: There is a lot of talent on this roster.  And they got rid of Gilbert Albatross Arenas.  Problem is they have Rashard Lewis’ contract using up over 50% of what they are paying.
AS: The Wizards have a very talented stud in John Wall, but the surrounding pieces were certainly lacking. Rashard Lewis, arguably the most overpaid player of the last decade, did the same thing he had been doing in Seattle and Orlando – nothing.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: Surround Wall with players who can make good cuts and open shots.  I like Wall and I think he is going to have a good career but he will need the players and pieces to make it work.  Wall can be a superstar but he is going to need support.  But this team is rebuilding quietly and intelligently.

AS: The team needed to amnesty Rashard Lewis and his $20+ million he is set to make this season, but they failed to do that. They have a good core with Wall and McGee, but they need to surround those guys with some more talented players. Nick Young could be 3 different players on any given night.

Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: Still do not see this team making the playoffs although they might rank higher than expect.  I would say 2 more years before this team can get into the playoffs.  But if they keep this up they could have a Thunder or Grizzlies-like uprising.

AS: I agree with Zayd that this team is still a few years away from making some real noise. Like I mentioned, they have a nice core with Wall and McGee, but Nick Young still has to prove he is a viable and consistent third option.