NBA Season Preview Panel: Southeast Division Preview
Welcome to the official HoopsHabit NBA season preview panel, where 32 of our writers got together to put their proverbial pens to paper, voting on the winners in each division, the conference winners, the NBA champs and each of the six major individual awards. We’ll be rolling out a new column each day throughout October to show the results of our voting and how we see the 2014-15 NBA season shaking out.
Today’s column focuses on the Southeast Division. With the loss of LeBron James, the Miami Heat are facing the real possibility of losing their grasp on the division. They’ve still got Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and a cast of experienced players to fend off the young, upstart teams in the division.
The hot pick for the division is the Washington Wizards, who boast one of the best backcourts in the league with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Their frontcourt of Nene and Marcin Gortat can stand up to anybody in the division. Just behind them lie the Charlotte Hornets, who brought in more energy in Lance Stephenson to go with Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson.
While I don’t feel they have the chance, the Atlanta Hawks could be the surprise of the division with a healthy Al Horford, Jeff Teague and Paul Millsap leading the way. Are they the best team in the division? No, but they could sneak into the playoffs. Rounding out the division are the Orlando Magic, who aren’t going to be in the discussion this year. They’ve got a lot of young talent, with Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon, but they’re years away from being relevant as a real contender.
Our official winner, based on 32 votes:
Also receiving votes: Miami Heat, 2 votes
Shane Young picked the Wizards and this is why:
"Continuity is a beautiful thing in the NBA. Re-signing Marcin Gortat solidified all the frontcourt consistency Washington needed, and losing Trevor Ariza was mitigated by bringing in a guy who wants to make one last run at a title in Paul Pierce. Although Charlotte poses a dangerous threat, the efficiency of Kemba Walker hasn’t shown improvement through three years. Beal is the most mature 21 year old in the league, and this backcourt is the second to only Golden State. Lock them in — Southeast champs."
Ben Woodward disagrees and has the Hornets taking the division:
"I have the Hornets winning the Southeast division due to the addition of Lance Stephenson, and LeBron James’ departure from the Miami Heat. Kemba Walker, Lance Stephenson and Al Jefferson now have the potential to be the best trio in the division. The Hornets have a well-rounded cast of role players on the bench, and a defense that allowed the fourth fewest points per game in the LEAGUE last year (97.1 points against). Combine all that with a rejuvenated fan base ready to create an electric atmosphere in the redesigned TWC arena, and I think you have a serious playoff contender ready to capture a divisional crown."
D’Joumbarey Moreau thinks the more experienced Heat are still going to stand atop the mountain:
"The Miami Heat franchise are an organization with a perfect blend of championship success, veteran tested leadership and an infusion of youth within the Southeastern division. Because of all of these components, their team will not miss a beat with the losses of Roger Mason, Greg Oden, LeBron James, Toney Douglas, James Jones and Rashard Lewis. In addition the Heat managed to retain Chris Bosh who still is in the prime of his career and will take a primary scoring role within their roster. Also, Dwyane Wade is set to have a big season being thrust back into a primary role within the offense as well."