BY PAUL JONES

sportsnet.ca

This division could rival its counterpart in the west. It will be very competitive with a possibility that the entire division could be part of the post-season.

Orlando is talking NBA title after a trip to the finals last season. Atlanta had a trip to the second round after defeating Miami, who went back to the playoffs after a dismal season in 2007-08. Washington has a new coach in Flip Saunders and they are healthier with Gilbert Arenas back in the line-up. Charlotte was right in the mix last year before missing a post-season berth thanks to a poor finish.

Orlando is the class of the division but after that, it is very close.

 WASHINGTON WIZARDS

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Every so often, a team has one of those seasons where nothing goes right, key players are injured and the downward spiral just continues to snowball out of control. It has happened to the Spurs, the Celtics, Miami a couple of seasons ago and last year it was Washington as the team finished with 19 wins.

Gilbert Arenas was hurt again and missed the majority of the season. In fact, over the past two seasons he has only played 15 games. The losing resulted in the Wizards looking for a change and Eddie Jordan was fired last season when the Washington front office thought the season may have been salvageable.

Flip Saunders brings his innovative style and solid credentials to D.C. and has already been preaching defence and championship.

Burning Questions:

Can the Wizards improve their defence?

There were plenty of bad numbers in Washington besides the 19 in the win column. Offensively, the Wizards finished 25th in scoring and 23rd in field goal percentage. A healthy Arenas and creative Saunders will take care of that issue but what about the other end of the floor. Washington was 24th in opponents scoring and next to the bottom (29th) in opponent’s field-goal percentage.

It seems like Saunders has been lauded for his offence and always had his team's defence questioned. If you look at his record though, and it may be a function of the talent, his teams have performed well defensively.

A healthy Brendan Haywood will be a welcomed addition to the line-up as he not only blocks shots but changes many attempts in the lane. Fabricio Oberto is not spectacular but steady while young JaVale McGee is long and athletic and will learn that if he wants to stay on the floor, he’ll have to play defense. Andray Blatche has rededicated himself and that can be seen with his new attitude and a change in his jersey number. Seven represents every day of the week he thinks about improving.

On the perimeter, DeShawn Stevenson is a capable defender and veteran Mike Miller, acquired in the off-season, should help the overall team chemistry.

Can Saunders get Arenas to fully assume a leadership role?

Saunders may have come along at just the right time for Arenas as the once media-friendly Arenas is now seemingly very serious about his game and helping his team win. He does not want to be called "Agent Zero" just Gilbert. There is no more blogging as he says he's more focused on basketball and not being an entertainer.

Word in Detroit was that Saunders had difficulty at times relating to the players. Believe what you want but if Flip can co-exist and connect with Arenas and get veteran leadership from him, it will go a long way to changing the fortunes in Washington. Circumstances might dictate that is exactly what might happen.

Will the Wizards have the proper attitude to change their fortunes this season?

The first thing Washington has to do is avoid the injury bug even though it has already bitten as Antawn Jamison will be shelved for 3-5 weeks with a shoulder injury. But expunging all the leftover attitude that goes with losing teams is another story. (Are you listening L.A. Clippers?)

Saunders started right from day one of training camp. As a coach who baffles his players with his ability to perform magic tricks, he hired a hypnotist to make his point. Players were hypnotized and while everyone had a laugh at the expense of some, the point was made about the power of the mind. Shirts and hats proclaiming "Our Time" were handed out, all in an effort to get the team to believe.

How will the Wizards do?

It will be a better season in D.C. Hey, how could it get any worse? Washington is a playoff team if everything falls into place. The acquisition of Randy Foye will add some depth to the backcourt to help Arenas. Whether they get out of the first round depends on what level of defence they decide to play. They could be second in the division but more likely third.

 MIAMI HEAT

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It was a return to the playoffs for the Heat last season as they rode the coat-tails of Dwyane Wade. The Heat improved thanks to Wade's attitude and presence in the line-up.

Miami had a successful season but now has to find a way to take the next step up the ladder. President Pat Riley is driven man and measures success by championships. It was just a few seasons ago at this time the franchise was hoisting its first NBA title banner. They have paid off the debt for that one and are now trying to get another.

Burning Questions:

Can Dwyane Wade carry this team again with another MVP-type campaign?

The city of Miami is located in Dade County Florida but some of the patrons of have been referring to it as "Wade" County, paying homage to the Heat’s superstar. He had averages of 30.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 7.5 assists in 2008-09 which landed him third in the MVP balloting. Wade played like a man with something to prove as there were whispers that he was on the downside of his young career having been injured and playing in only 51 games the previous season. He started his own "redeem" project at the Olympics in Beijing and carried it right though the NBA season.

But can he do it again? Not just have the same type of spectacular season, but carry his team since Miami did not really bolster the roster and is banking on internal improvement more than anything else this season? He will certainly be motivated as it is a contract year for him. Free agency in 2010 is drawing near and Miami wants to have flexibility and be a major player. Problem is, Wade is one of those big-time free agents other teams are eyeing.

Who provides help for Wade?

Wade will be the focus of all opposing defences' attention and if nobody steps forward to help him, the Heat are in serious trouble. Jermaine O'Neal has been trying for the better part of two seasons to recapture past ability and spent the summer working out with renowned Tim Grover in Chicago. He says he’s healthy and ready to go.

The bigger question marks are Miami’s younger players. Michael Beasley had a highly publicized summer and needed to spend time with John Lucas in rehab. Although he denied any form of substance abuse, we all know what Lucas rehab programs have as their focus. Mario Chalmers will also have to mature and be able to make plays to aid Wade. If not his recently signed back-up Carlos Arroyo will get his chance.

Udonis Haslem will provide rebounding and solid if unspectacular play and the likes of Chris Quinn, Quentin Richardson and James Jones returning, from an injury-plagued season, will have to have career outputs. Canadians Joel Anthony and Jamaal Magloire are role players and will have to be sharp when their numbers are called.

What shadow will Wade's impending free agency in 2010 cast on the franchise?

So how would you like to be a fan in Cleveland or Toronto knowing that your franchise player LeBron James or Chris Bosh does not have a contract for next year and could pick up and leave? Well that is what’s happening in Miami with Wade although it doesn’t seem to get near the publicity as the other two scenarios.

At present the Heat only have a reported $25 million committed to salaries next season so there is lots of room for Wade and another solid player. But where the dominoes fall and what the economy dictates next summer are another story. Pat Riley has been known to make bold moves in the past so what happens is anyone’s guess. Watch the Heat’s record close to the trade deadline for an indication of what might happen.

How will the Heat do?

There are some things that will be as constant as the warm weather on South Beach, and the play of a healthy Wade is one of them. But if there is no significant help or growth from young players, Miami is at best a lower-tier playoff team. They should finish in the third or fourth spot in the division. If it's fourth, they could be out of a playoff spot. It says here in spite of Wade's herculean efforts, the best the Heat will manage is a first-round appearance before bowing out.

 ORLANDO MAGIC

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It was a breakthrough season in the Magic kingdom in 2008-09 as Orlando conquered the east in impressive fashion. They knocked off, albeit an injured but still defending champion, Boston Celtic squad and then the MVP LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers before losing to the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

In the process, the Magic gained experienced but some of those pieces have been moved out and new ones put into place. Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Hedo Turkoglu are all gone and Rashard Lewis will be out of the line-up for 10 games serving a suspension to start the season. For a team that was close to the big prize, the changes amount to more than a little tweak. It begs the question, other than "the mouse" is there still magic in Orlando?

Burning Questions:

Can Vince Carter do what Hedo Turkoglu did last season?

It was a bold move by General manager Otis Smith to let Hedo Turkoglu walk away. There is no questioning Carter's ability. He can still score with anyone in the league and take over games making big shots at key times and at the end of games. Carter is a willing passer but can he be the same type of playmaker consistently that Turkoglu was for the Magic. Carter has to drive the ball to the hoop, which will open up scoring opportunities for himself and teammates. He can’t settle for jumper shots on a regular basis. This will be even more important when Dwight Howard is out of the game or the shot clock is winding down.

Although head coach Stan Van Gundy says that Vince will be our "go-to guy," Carter has always been comfortable outside of the spotlight. Too bad Raptor management didn’t learn that when he and Tracy McGrady were young stars in Toronto.

How will the team's chemistry develop with new players being added?

The acquisition of Carter brings into play questions about the chemistry of championship teams and how it travels from one season to the next. As one of the main decision makers, Carter will have to learn the idiosyncrasies of his teammates. Orlando supported Howard on the inside by bombing from behind the arc as the three-point shot was a huge part of its offensive arsenal.

There has been a tremendous amount of focus on the Carter transaction but Ryan Anderson was a player that Van Gundy coveted in the trade with New Jersey when Alston and Lee were shipped out. Anderson will help with the outside attack as he is a good perimeter shooter. Matt Barnes is another long athletic mobile player who understands spacing the floor and the importance of timely three-point shots as he played in Phoenix last season. Although far less publicized, those two players and how they fit into the line-up will have a big impact on Orlando’s fortunes.

How will the Magic do?

Orlando is the best group in the bunch and will finish with one of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference after winning this division. They took the tough route to the finals last year and it would be nice to have home court all the way through and possibly avoid one of the other beasts of the east in the semi-final. Van Gundy has his work cut out for him. It’s tough to get back to the finals in consecutive seasons let alone take the next step when you get back.

 ATLANTA HAWKS

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The Hawks took a very important step last season when they finished the season with 47 wins and secured home-court advantage. It demonstrated progress from the previous season where they finished with the eighth seed and took the eventual champion Celtics to seven games in the first round. Home court produced a first-round victory over Miami and according to head coach Mike Woodson, the next step is the Eastern Final. That would be a huge step because it would mean possibly taking down one of the big three in the second round.

Burning Questions:

Does the evolution of Josh Smith take another step? It has been a slow process but Josh Smith is improving year by year. He has become a shot-blocking force at the defensive end of the floor ranking amongst the league leaders. It is more than that though; it’s not just the shots he blocks but the shots he forces opponents to change or hurry because of his presence. But there is still improvement to be made on the defensive end so it’s not always the spectacular blocks that people notice. Playing hard on every possession without lapses would make him an all-star regardless of what happens on the offensive end, according to one NBA coach.

The offence is a separate issue. Smith loves to shoot jumpers and the occasional outside shot is fine if it is used to set up drives to the hoop. If he decided to play more on the inside with his athleticism, he could be very difficult to guard. He needs to keep improving, at both ends of the floor, to help his team.

Can the Hawks continue to mature collectively as a team?

This is a team in the true sense of the word. Joe Johnson is their main decision maker during critical offensive possessions but there are a number of people capable of making big shots. Mike Bibby, and key off-season acquisition Jamal Crawford, are veterans and can both make a play when needed.

Is it me or does it seem like veteran Joe Smith just keeps finding a new team every season? The reason is he’s a knowledgeable professional that even at an advanced age understands how to play and still has the skill level to be a factor. Smith will help the team mature as they try to get to the conference finals. The one thing that will help this team get better is its defence. The Hawks were good last year but they need to improve this year to take the next step.

Will Mike Woodson be rewarded for helping this team improve? Woodson has nothing on Rodney Dangerfield. The win totals have improved every year since he started in 2004-05. It started at 13, then up to 26, four more the next season took it to 30, and in 2007-08 the 37-45 the Hawks made it to the playoffs before losing to Boston. There was a 47-win season last year and a second-round loss to Cleveland but entering the last year of his contract, there was no extension this past off-season. True, the pressure is always on a coach but he has had them buy into his system and to have him coaching this year without a contract after what he has accomplished sends a bad message to him and the team.

How will the Hawks do?

Atlanta won a seven-game series for the first time since 1970 when they defeated Miami and want to continue to move forward. A solid inside presence is still needed to help undersized Al Horford. Jason Collins and Zaza Pachulia are good role players but lack consistency. It will be a steep learning curve for rookie Jeff Teague as he adjusts to life in the NBA and he may not be much help if he is not a quick study. Atlanta will finish second in the division and could once again have home court in the first round of the playoffs next spring.

 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

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Larry Brown's team could not survive a tough early schedule last season as the losses mounted too quickly. Charlotte was seven games below the .500 mark at the quarter pole and finished the season eight games under the Mendoza line. It’s what many expected as Brown’s teams usually start slowly until they understand what he wants before moving forward. It should be better this season as a chunk of the core players know what Brown expects. But that early-season test, it’s back again; just look at the schedule.

Burning Questions:

How will the Bobcats put points on the board?

Charlotte was the lowest-scoring team in the NBA last season, notching a paltry 93.6 points per game. One of the reasons they had trouble scoring was the fact that they turned the ball over far too much as they finished 27th overall in turnovers per game. Cutting down on the turnovers alone will give them more chances to score this season. Point guards D.J. Augustin and Raymond Felton must do their part and perimeter players Raja Bell and Boris Diaw in particular need to help looking after the ball.

The Bobcats need to find a way to score some easier baskets and that has to come from their defence which was good in halfcourt last season. Gerald Wallace will continue to be a good finisher on the break when Charlotte gets out in transition. Flip Murray is a tough player and a will add scoring off the bench as his offence will be a welcomed addition to the Bobcats attack.

Can Tyson Chandler learn to play offence?

The Bobcats made a huge trade in the off-season to acquire Tyson Chandler from New Orleans for Emeka Okafor. The offensively challenged Chandler will have to improve his scoring to help the team but before any scoring takes place, Chandler will have to stay off the training table. His durability comes into question following last season when he was only able to suit up for 45 contests.

Chandler’s defence and rebounding are things Larry Brown is looking forward to having regularly since that is how the youngster, and he is young still at 27 years of age, made his name in the league. Teaching him how to score so Brown can play his old-school style with an inside presence is another matter. Charlotte fans better hope it happens quickly.

How will the Bobcats do?

The franchise desperately needs a good season to bring people back to the arena but it looks like they are counting on many of the same faces, with the exception of Murray and Chandler, to help them get to the playoffs this season. The east has become a more competitive conference every year and it looks as if Charlotte will finish fifth in the division and miss the playoffs again this season.