Ranking The Southeast Divison

Maher A — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:17:20 -0400

These are my predictions for the 2008-2009 NBA Season for the Southeast Division.

1. Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis managed to 50+ games last year and clinch the #1 spot in the Southeast division. I don't see how that will change in any way. Orlando will only get better. The addition of Mickael Pietrus was a great free agent pick up. He is a poor man's James Posey. He can play defense and hit open shots. Orlando will still be the best team in the Southeast division, and might even make a deep push far into the playoffs.

Projected Starting 5:

Jameer Nelson

Mickael Petruis

Hedo Turkoglu

Rashard Lewis

Dwight Howard

2. Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, and Shawn Marion are an excellent trio. They can play defense, score the ball at will, and win games. Miami lacks a proven point guard, but with Mario Chalmers, playing with a chip on his shoulder, he should have a very solid rookie season.

The major problem for Miami is that they lack a true center. Mark Blount, who shoots the ball very well for a big man, is not a center who can clog up the paint and play defense. This is Miami's major problem, but Miami has a very deep bench, and their projected sixth man is Udonis Haslem.

Everyone has forgotten about Wade and what he did in the 2006 Finals, but the way he has been playing in the Olympics, Dwyane looks like he's ready to lead a team again.

Projected Starting 5:

Mario Chalmers

Dwyane Wade

Shawn Marion

Michael Beasley

Mark Blount

3. Washington Wizards

Many of you may disagree of how I have the Wizards finishing #3 this year in the Southeast division. Well, yes, they have Gilbert Arenas, and, yes, they have Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamision but over the years with this core they have always had injuries and never had a great season. They have some great young players, and a solid bench.

If Washington's trio of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamision are all healthy all-season long, I see them fighting with Miami for the second seed in the division.

Projected Starting 5:

Gilbert Arenas

DeShawn Stevenson

Caron Butler

Antawn Jamision

Brendon Haywood

4. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks had a suprising playoff run against the Celtics but you have to remember, they made the playoffs despite winning ONLY 37 games. They haven't improved much this off-season. In fact, they lost a key player in Josh Childress, who went on to play EuroLeauge in Greece.

Atlanta might of made the playoffs last year, but 37 wins will not be a record that will get into the Eastern Conference playoffs. They may slip into the playoff picture if they have no injuries.

Projected Startng 5:

Mike Bibby

Joe Johnson

Josh Smith

Marvin Williams

Al Horford

5. Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats have great young players, and a well-rounded team, but they have no experience. They may not make the playoffs this year, but they will in years to come. Their young players that they've drafted have been injury prone, such as Sean May and Adam Morrison. If this team comes together, and have no injuries throughout the season, they may be a sleeper in the East.

Projected Starting 5:

Raymond Felton

Jason Richardson

Gerald Wallace

Emeka Okafor

Nazr Mohammad

(It may change, depending on injuries)

Ranking the NBA's Eastern Conference Contenders

Maher A — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:42:33 -0400

These are my predictions for the end-of-season standings in the Eastern Conference:

1. Boston Celtics

Finishing with the NBA's best record during the 2008 regular season, and following that up by capturing the NBA title, Boston is still the team to beat.

Despite losing James Posey—who played a key role in the 2008 Finals—Boston's "Big Three" should still get it done, and remain the best team in East. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins will be more effective this upcoming season.

2. Detroit Pistons

Joe Dumars promised a trade, but the only thing he got done was sign an unproven, former number-one draft pick. I still see them as the second seed in the East, because they have great veterans with lots of playoff experience. Kwame Brown should be very helpful this season, and I expect him to have a solid year.

3. Orlando Magic

With Dwight Howard—the NBA's top center—and a great pure shooter in Rashard Lewis, not to mention last season's Most Improved Player, Hedo Turkoglu, the Orlando Magic should be a very good team in the East. The signing of G/F Mickael Pietrus should give them a great boost off the bench.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

No one expected the Sixers to make the playoffs, and they definitely did not expect the Sixers to give the Pistons a problem in the first-round series. The team is now much better with the addition of All-Star F Elton Brand. I expect the Sixers to make a deep playoff run.

5. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors needed another proven veteran to help out Chris Bosh in the paint—and they got a former All-Star in Jermaine O'Neal. If O'Neal is healthy, they should be the best frontcourt duo in the East.

Jose Calderon is a very good point guard that can pass and shoot the ball. The Raptors also have a deep bench, and it may be enough to get them out of the first round of the playoffs.

6. Cleveland Cavailers

LeBron James is the only reason that this team makes the playoffs. You guys might think this is a little low for them, but I see them finishing sixth because the East is much better then it was last year, and the Cavailers are one of the only teams not to have improved in the offseason.

7. Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, and Shawn Marion are one of the best trios in the East. Dwyane Wade is 100 percent healthy, Beasley is NBA-ready and Shawn Marion is a proven All-Star. This core should be good enough to make it to the playoffs.

They lack a proven point guard and a defensive-minded center, though. Miami is young, but I still expect great things from them.

8. Washington Wizards

Agent Zero, Antawan Jamison, and Caron Butler is another talented trio in the East. The thing that scares me is that the Wizards did better without Gilbert in the lineup last season. But this team is a year older, and have not improved their bench at all. I see an early exit for this team if they make the playoffs.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Maher A

Ranking The Southeast Divison

Ranking the NBA's Eastern Conference Contenders