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NBA Analysis: East - Southeast Division

By JonathanRagus, Section NBA
Posted on Thu Nov 11 2004 at 10:56 AM EST
More on: (all tags)

     This is going to be the most exciting division in the East. With the Bobcats now in Charlotte, it should make for a pretty interesting and surprising Southeast. It's also going to be a very exciting time in Florida as the new look Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are going to be battling it out for "Champions of the Sunshine State".

Player to Watch: Forward's Antoine Walker and Al Harrington. There both going to start and star for a team that hasn't had a star player since Dikembe Mutombo was still in his prime. Guard Kenny Anderson also moved to Atlanta to store some veteran capabilities into this not so experienced roster.

Player not to Watch: Forward Chris Crawford. An MRI October 15th revealed a torn ligament in his right knee that killed his chances of playing this season. Crawford is a decent shooter and the Hawks also rely on him for late minute shooting off the bench.

Miami Heat
The Heat are looking more and more like a playoff contender again with the huge trade they pulled off this summer. They acquired Shaquille O'Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers for proven players in Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant. Shaq will own the east's paint as there is no center (except a tough Ben Wallace) that can push him around. Signing Michael Doleac as the back up center is a move I definitely like. Wesley Person for shooting and Christian Laettner for wasting space are signings that shouldn't have been made.

Player to Watch: Center Shaquille O'Neal. He's in a conference where the best center was a 6'9" Power Forward converted to the middle spot. A lot of points will be scored in Miami.

Player not to Watch: Forward Christian Laettner. One word for you, Waived.

Washington Wizards
If Eddie Jordan would've stayed assistant in New Jersey he definitely would have been there Head Coach. Instead he took the head coaching position with Washington last year because he was sick of riding behind the likes of Byron Scott. Jordan will be fired after the all star break. Though I do give credit to there GM for landing Antawn Jamison for an injury plagued Jerry Stackhouse. But with one star and a bunch of untalented players. They will be in last place by the end of the first week.

Player to Watch: Forward Antawn Jamison. Only because he is that talented and will carry Washington on his back.

Player not to Watch: Everyone except Antawn Jamison.

Charlotte Bobcats
For an expansion team I really like there roster. There giving shots to players like Gerald Wallace and it will pay off big at the end. Center Primoz Brezec will show everyone why they made a big mistake by not giving him minutes. All I have to say is good luck to Bernie Bickerstaff.

Player to watch: Center Primoz Brezec. Indiana didn't know who they had sitting on there bench in his warm-ups, and that was a Rik Smits clone. He plays decent defense, and decent offense. That makes for a good all around player. Also keep your eyes out on Forward Gerald Wallace. Wallace is a great player with a lot of intensity. He can play both ends of the floor with quick speed.

Player not to Watch: Guard Steve Smith. He's old and doesn't feel the flow of shooting in a fast offense anymore.

Orlando Magic
You cannot win with only one good player on your team (unless your name is Michael Jordan) and that's what Orlando proved the last 3-4 years. Trading there star Tracy McGrady for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato was a huge steal for this franchise. Free agent signing Hidayet Turkoglu will give them great shooting and defense off the bench along with a healthy forward core Pat Garrity and Grant Hill. Although last years trade of Gordan Giricek for Deshawn Stevenson and losing Drew Gooden to Cleveland still baffles me.

Player to Watch: Forward Dwight Howard. He will take Rookie of the Year and start all year long. He's athletic, knows how to shoot and defends like an eagle protecting its nest. Also keep your eye on rookie guard Jameer Nelson. He knows how to carry a ball and will dish out a lot of assists.

Player not to Watch: Center/Forward Tony Battie. He will be just as incompetent as he was with his last few teams.

2004-05 Southeast Standings
1st- Miami Heat
2nd- Orlando Magic
3rd- Atlanta Hawks
4th- Charlotte Bobcats
5th- Washington Wizards

Southeast Division MVP - Shaquille O'Neal

Southeast Division LVP - Steve Smith

Sixth Man Award - Pat Garrity (if he stays healthy)

Defensive Player of the Year - Hedo Turkoglu

Most Improved Player - Primoz Brezec