MIAMI HEAT
Reasons for Success:
When you add the like of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jamaal Magloire (okay, maybe not) you cannot help but be overly optimistic about this team's chances of winning a title. Dwyane Wade is still the leader of this team and oddsmakers have already put this team ahead of the two-time defending champs. In addition to the Big 3, they have surrounded them with some decent role players in Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Eddie House. They will sell out every arena they go to this season, play a high-octane brand of basketball and take a few shots at their critics along the way.
Causes for Concern:
ALOT OF HYPE! Some experts believe they can break the 72-win season of the '95 Bulls with LeBron averaging a triple-double along the way. It'll be interesting to see how the Big 3 play together. Three former alpha dogs are going to be sharing the spotlight and who exactly will be taking the last shot? The frontcourt of the Heat is a area of concern especially against teams such as the Lakers, Magic and Celtics. And of course, injuries. Bosh and Wade have had their history of injuries and one major injury can put this team into the middle of the pack as opposed to ahead of the pack in the East.
Prediction: 1st Division 1st Conference
ORLANDO MAGIC
Reasons for Success:
Dwight Howard is still the best centre in the league and is an absolute brute force in the middle. He is a matchup nightmare for most teams and will do everything he can to take this team back to the finals. There are a few players on the team who have something to prove. Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis are coming off sub-par seasons and will look to rebound and regain their allstar forms. If they do, watch out.
Causes for Concern:
If Dwight Howard stays status quo from last season, so will the Magic. He has been criticized for not taking over games when a superstar should and being passive rather than aggressive. The East has gotten a lot better over the summer and he will need to elevate his game to another level for this team to reach the Finals.
Prediction: 2nd Division 3rd Conference
ATLANTA HAWKS
Reasons for Success:
The nucleus was kept intact with a new coach behind the bench to help this team advance further in the playoffs. They have a young frontcourt of Josh Smith and Al Horford who will be the centerpieces of this team for years to come. Joe Johnson was resigned and will be looked upon to lead this team past the first round of the playoffs.
Causes for Concern:
Reigning 6th-man of the Year Jamal Crawford is already sulking about not getting a contract extension. Its probably because their leader, Joe Johnson, was resigned to massive 6 year $119million contract... yikes! Depth is also an issue for this team. Their bench is thin on all fronts and will need to be addressed at some point in the season to make a run in the playoffs. Look for Jeff Teague to supplant Mike Bibby for the starting PG at some point.
Prediction: 3rd Division 5th Conference
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Reasons for Success:
Like I always say, playing like crap for a whole 82 game season is okay if you take advantage of the draft. And the Wizards have done that by taking Allen Iverson 2.0 with the 1st overall pick in John Wall. He is the new face of the franchise, an absolute super athlete that will no doubt contend for the Rookie of the Year honors. Gilbert Arenas is back and his career can only go up after last season (unless he visited T.I for a firesale on AK47s). They have promising young talents in Andrays Blatche and JaVale McGee. They added great pieces in offseason in Kirk Hinrich and Yi Jianlian and rebound season from them along with Josh Howard and Al Thornton could bring this franchise back to being respectable.
Causes for Concern:
The player formerly known as Agent Zero has to repair his image, regain his allstar form and take a backseat to Wall. He will be the catalyst for success or failure for this team again and it waits to be seen if he makes it to the end of the season in Washington. The turnover on the team was significant as well so chemistry will be issue from the get-go. Bottom line, talents is there, it's a matter of managing them.
Prediction: 4th Division 9th Conference
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Reasons for Success:
They have excellent utility players in Stephen Jackson, Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw who give you a little bit of everything. Michael Jordan become the majority owner so having his name in the forefront will increase the credibility of the franchise.
Causes for Concern:
The offense will have to go through Jackson as he will have to play point-forward as their lack a true point guard. They let Raymond Felton walk out the door and replaced him with the doorknob known as DJ Augustin. The center position is porous at best as it is up for grabs between jobbers Nazr Mohammad, DeSagana Diop and Kwame Brown. As well, MJ himself has had a horrible track record as a decision-maker since his days in Washington. He obviosuly has something to prove... c'mon, why else would Kwame still have a job!
Prediction: 5th Division 10th Conference
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