Southeast Division

Atlantic Division
Central Divison


Don't see a whole lot of changes here this year. The competitions will be whether Orlando can pass Washington and who will win the battle of the losers.

1. Miami Heat
Last Year: Did all right
This Year: I don't think Miami deserved to win the championship last year and I think this is an unbiased opinion since I'm not really a Mavericks fan. In my opinion, the refs were told to call the playoffs as tight as the regular season, and then went one step further by calling touch hand-checking fouls. Come on, Wade went to the line more than anyone else in NBA history (many more times than Jordan ever did). He's good but... ANYWAY, I think the Heat will not have trouble in this divisions and might even return to the finals again, since there's no powerhouses in the East anymore. But it also wouldn't surprise me to see them struggle with the expected Shaq absences and an always possible Wade one.

2. Washington Wizards
Last Year: Hey, they're making the playoffs their regular hang out now. GO WIZARDS! And they even gave Lebron a run for his money...
This Year: They proved to be a saavy with money last year when they avoided overpaying Larry Hughes and did the same, on a lesser scale, with Jeffries this summer. In the end they are basically just your ordinary everyday non-defense-Gilbert-based b-ball team. Look for another low play-off seed.

3. Orlando Magic
Last Year: Came on strong last year after they dumped Francis and made a playoff run that finished 4 games shy of post-seasoness.
This Year: A lot of people are predicitng big things for them this year and they could be the young team that makes the big jump. Howard is a man-child, Jameer appears to be an able leader, and even Darko's starting to show promise. They still might be a little ways away though. Howard has no offensive skills other than put-backs, Hill remain hobbled, and I think JJ Redick is drunk right now. Should be an interesting team to watch though.

4. Charlotte Bobcats
Last Year: Considering they lost the reigning rookie of the year and one of their lottery picks, Charlotte didn't do all that bad for a second-year expansion team (Hey, at least they tied the Hawks!).
This Year: Felton ended the year strong and Morrison looks like he's going to put up some points. If Okafor can return to form and last the season, this could be a promising year. Promising in the way of, on the right-track promising, not actually good.

5. Atlanta Hawks
Last Year: Managed to make themselves even more of a laughing stock, by watching Boris Diaw blossom in Phoenix and Chris Paul (whom them passed in the draft even though he would have been a great fit) have a stellar rookie campaign.
This Year: There actually is some things to like about the Hawks for once. Joe Johnson played all-star-level basketball in the second half of the season and Marvin Williams dominated in summer league. But they also lost Harrington for nothing, picked oft-injured journey man Speedy Claxton to be their point guard (and he just got injured), and one year too late drafted for need and, judging by his summer league performance, picked a lottery dud with Shelden Williams. Watch Marvin Williams, but my feeling is he'll have a good stat year, but not really help his team until next year (like many do in their rookie year).