Atlanta Hawks
New Faces: Tracy McGrady (Signed from Pistons), Vladimir Radmanovic (Signed from Warriors), Keith Benson (Draft), Jannero Pargo (Signed from Bulls
New Places: Jamal Crawford (Signed with Portland), Etan Thomas (UFA), Damien Wilkins (Signed with Pistons), Maurice Evans (UFA)
The Hawks have been a fixture in the playoffs since 2008 but the problem is, they have never advanced past the second round. It was the same story last season as they pulled a first round upset over the Orlando Magic but fell in the second round to the Chicago Bulls. It looks like more of the same this season as Atlanta brings back many of the pieces that helped them upset the Magic. They are a playoff team, but seemed destined to be stuck as a bridesmaid in the Eastern Conference.
Joe Johnson will once again handle the ball at key times as the team’s main playmaker and decision-maker. But keep a close eye on the emergence of Jeff Teague at the point guard spot. He may be starting to establish himself as another playmaking option as he pushes the ball in transition and can break down opponents with the dribble. The next step for Teague is to develop a consistent jump shot. With Kirk Hinrich injured, recently-signed Jannero Pargo will back up Teague. Marvin Williams, Al Horford and Josh Smith return up front but it’s the loss of former sixth man of the year, Jamal Crawford, that will hurt Atlanta’s offensive output this season. The addition of Tracy McGrady will give the Hawks more experience but it remains to be seen how much he can contribute on the floor.
Burning Question: What will the Hawks do to break through to reach the conference final? This season’s compacted schedule may be a help to them as the core has played together for a significant time in the same system. If they stay healthy and get a break, it might be their time. Or, do the Hawks look to the future and make a bold move on the trade front?
Prediction: Atlanta is a playoff team but needs some help to break through to the next level. 2nd or 3rd in the Southeast Division and 4th or 5th in the Eastern Conference)
Charlotte Bobcats
New Faces: Kemba Walker (Draft), Bismack Biyombo (Draft), Derrick Brown (Signed from Knicks), Reggie Williams (Signed from Warriors), Melvin Ely (Signed from Nuggets), Byron Mullens (Trade from Thunder), Corey Maggette (Trade from Bucks)
New Places: Kwame Brown (Signed with Warriors), Shaun Livingston (Traded to Bucks), Joel Przybilla (UFA), Stephen Jackson (Traded to Bucks)
The 2010-2011 season was a campaign filled with disappointment for the Bobcats. It seems like that’s the way it happens to a team after it has to sit at home following a taste of the postseason the previous spring. Charlotte ended up firing venerable Larry Brown and brought in Paul Silas who helped put them back in the playoff picture before finishing three games out of a playoff spot.
Silas will be back this year but gone is key veteran Stephen Jackson. Newcomer Corey Maggette will step in, and along with Boris Diaw, be one of the more experienced players in the line-up consistently. The focus moves to the development of the younger ‘Cats. First-round selections Bismack Biyombo as well as Kemba Walker, fresh off a national championship at the University of Connecticut will have to adjust quickly to the NBA game. D.J. Augustin returns at the point and will share the duties with Walker. Gerald Henderson will need to demonstrate growth. Everyone is still waiting, five years later, for Tyrus Thomas with all his potential to become a consistent NBA player.
There is a major hole in the Charlotte line-up as they are thin in the middle of their front line.
Burning Question: Where will Charlotte get veteran leadership for their young squad? Paul Silas was terrific leading the team when he took over but there needs to be leadership on the floor. Knowing that a good draft pick is coming in the near future, will the Bobcats move some of their young players to address the void?
Prediction: It’s back to the drawing board in Charlotte and hopefully for the franchise’s sake it’s a proper long-term rebuild rather than a short-term fix. 4th or 5th in Southeast Division and anywhere from 11th to 13th in the Eastern Conference)
Miami Heat
New Faces: Shane Battier (Signed from Grizzlies), Eddy Curry (Signed from Knicks), Norris Cole (Draft)
New Places: Mike Bibby (Signed with Knicks), Erick Dampier (UFA), Jamaal Magloire (Signed with Raptors), Jerry Stackhouse (Signed with Hawks)
The season didn’t end quite the way they wanted but in retrospect, it was a great year for the Heat. The team may have had a ‘championship or bust’ attitude, but realistically, it’s tough to win on the first try when stars come together. The Celtics in 2008 were more experienced in a number of key areas when they turned the trick. But this might be the year that Miami should think about getting fitted for rings in June. Bold statements regarding the number of potential titles only served to irk fans living outside of Miami and motivate opponents. But after an unsuccessful season, reflection is a good thing and look for the Heat to be a better team this year.
The Big 3 of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, (yes in that order), return hungry to prove detractors wrong and avenge last June’s loss in the finals. Look for better cohesiveness, chemistry and role definition this season and, in particular, improvements in the post-up game of James. But it’s all in the mental approach, particularly that of James, this season for the Heat. The addition of Shane Battier is a major step as it provides a blue-collar type player who is willing to do the things that were missing last season while possessing the ability to be a complimentary offensive player. Other than Battier, the supporting cast has many of the same pieces.
Burning Question: Can LeBron James show mental toughness and not disappear during important stretches of playoff games? James is capable of finishing as he showed in the run to the finals in series wins over Boston and Chicago. If Miami is to win a title, James can’t be a frontrunner and must be a viable option not leaving it all up to Wade.
Prediction: Miami will win the division easily and will be gunning for top spot in the east to avoid going through both Boston and Chicago the way they did last season. (1st in the Southeast Division and 1st or 2nd in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando Magic
New Faces: Glen Davis Trade from Celtics), Larry Hughes (Signed from Bobcats), DeAndre Liggins (Draft)
New Places: Gilbert Arenas (Amnestied), Glen Davis (Trade to Celtics), Von Wafer (Trade to Celtics)
Many teams are in the playoffs one season then miss it the next campaign and it’s been well documented how difficult it is to maintain success in the NBA. No team has demonstrated that dilemma more than the Orlando Magic. In 2009, they were NBA finalists, in 2010 they were defeated in the conference finals, while last season, they didn’t get past the first round. And with that, star big man Dwight Howard is looking at the diminishing returns and has said, “I’m out.” Howard’s trade demand, however hard and fast it may or may not be, will cast a shroud of instability over the franchise this season.
General manager Otis Smith has his hands full with the entire situation. But all he has to do is look at how other general managers have handled the same predicament and it is clear that he has to deal Howard sooner rather than later. The quality of the deal is the key, just ask New Orleans or Denver. Or check with Toronto or Cleveland to see how differently they would have handled their respective situations.
In the interim, the Magic will push forward. Glen (Big Baby) Davis has been added but many of the cast including Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Quentin Richardson, Jason Richardson and Ryan Anderson that couldn’t get it done last season in the playoffs is back.
Burning Question: Assuming Howard is still in Orlando, can the Magic make enough shots from the perimeter come playoff time? It’s a simple formula for success in Orlando. With Howard’s dominant inside presence at both ends of the floor, if a team that took and made more three-point shots than any other team is making shots, opponents had better beware. If not, give Howard his 40 points and opponents can take a “w”.
Prediction: It remains to be seen where Howard finishes the season. If he stays in the Magic Kingdom, Orlando always has the potential to make some noise in the playoffs. (2nd or 3rd in the Southeast Division and anywhere from 4th to 6th in the Eastern Conference)
Washington Wizards
New Faces: Ronny Turiaf (Trade from Knicks), Jan Vesely (Draft), Chris Singleton (Draft),
New Places: Josh Howard (Signed with Jazz)
Like many other teams around the east, and the NBA in general, the Wizards can be excused if they hang a sign outside the locker room that says “under construction”. The idea that Washington is a young, growing team was evident last season when they finished with a 23-59 record. The “Wiz” finished a game under .500 at home but won only three road games all season.
There are some young players Washington is hoping to use to build a solid foundation and they are both in key positions. Point guard John Wall can do things that you just can’t teach. His speed and quickness make him lethal in the open floor, but his decision-making needs to improve as he was one of the NBA leaders in turnovers per game. Wall also needs to develop a consistent jump shot or else he’ll be looking at defenders backing off, giving him room, and daring him to shoot jumpers. JaVale McGee is freakishly athletic for his size. He runs the floor well, can finish around the basket and block shots. So what seems to be missing? It’s the same trait that seems to be missing in many young players with limited experience, consistency. Andray Blatche is another player that is still young chronologically but with six years of NBA experience, Washington will be looking to him for some consistent play and emerging leadership.
Nick Young is back in the fold and along with Rashard Lewis and Jordan Crawford there will be no lack of scoring in Washington, especially when you factor in the fact that Flip Saunders is one of the most innovative offensive coaches in the NBA.
Burning Question: Yes Saunders is known for offence, but can he coax this team into playing hard consistently at the defensive end? There was only one team that had a poorer scoring differential than the Wizards last season as they demonstrated little interest in stopping opponents on a regular basis.
Prediction: It will be another year of learning in Washington and hopefully the young talent makes strides. (4th or 5th in the Southeast Division and 11th or 12th in the Eastern Conference)
