Southeast Division Standings 1/29/09
1. Orlando Magic 34-10
2. Atlanta Hawks 26-19
3. Miami Heat 25-19
4. Charlotte Bobcats 19-27
5. Washington Wizards 9-36
Orlando Magic
The Magic are one of the biggest surprises of the 2008-09 season so far. Orlando was expected to be a good team, but not a great team. Dwight Howard is the best rebounder in basketball and one of the best players overall. F Rashard Lewis is a star as well doing ! it all for Orlando on both sides of the ball. Hedo Turkoglu is still a great scorer and their clutchest shooter. Michael Pietrus was a great 6th man until his injury. The story for Orlando is Jameer Nelson. He was just an all-star and with good reason. The Magic are a championship contender because of Nelson's play. As long as he keeps it up, this team is golden. The minute Nelson falters however, this team returns to just a good team. Stan Van Gundy to me is the coach of the year to this point. Orlando is right their in the East with Boston and Cleveland. I fully expect Orlando to stay there as well. The key as I mentioned, is Jameer Nelson.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks jumped out to a great start this season and looked like this division's best team until they slid. They have never really recovered. Atlanta has been just plain ordinary since and is only 4-6 in their last 10. I love the Hawks' starting 5, but the bench is a bit suspect. Joe Johnson is a prolific scorer and is the leader of this team. He is an all-star deservedly so. Mike Bibby boosted this team last season when they acquired him via trade and he has been a solid scorer as well. Bibby is not the best defensive PG however. Josh Smith is one of the NBA's most exciting players and is slowly budding into his superstar potential. Big man Al Horford continues to develop, but he has had his ups and downs. Horford needs to be more consistent for this team. The biggest disappointment for this team has been Marvin Williams. He continues to get injured and when he does play! has been extremely inconsistent. Williams has all the potential in the world, but his development has been slow. If he gets hot, this team can go far. The Hawks still look like the 4 seed in the East.
Miami Heat
The Heat are only a half game behind Atlanta coming into the night. Miami is 7-3 in their last 10 and look like a solid playoff team. As of now they are on pace for a matchup with the Hawks in the first round. That would be an exciting series. Dwayne Wade remains the focal point ! for this team and when he's healthy they can beat anyone. But ! as alway s, his health could change in an instant. Michael Beasley the #2 overall pick has been solid averaging 13 points a game. Beasley is a big reason for the mass improvement of this team. Shawn Marion was added to the mix last year and has never really fit in. Marion is once again on the trade block. If he gets traded, it could really hurt this team's playoff chances and success. I do not expect them to deal Marion unless they get solid compensation. Udonis Haslem remains a solid player for this team and his role is very important for their success. Rookie PG Mario Chalmers has been a pleasant surprise for the Heat, but his inexperience could hurt them down the stretch. I still fully expect Miami to come away with the 5 or 6 seed.
Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte has not been great, but they are much improved under new head coach Larry Brown. The shocking trade of Jason Richardson to Phoenix has not killed this team as I expected. Gerald Wallace has become the leading scorer, but a recent injury after a dirty foul delivered by Andrew Bynum could cost him a ton of playing time. If Wallace it out, then the Bobcats will not win too many more games. Charlotte has been developing some good young players in D.J. Augustin and Jared Dudley. Adam Morrison has struggled, but with Wallace out his role should increase. The Bobcats have finally shown some signs of improvement and that is something to build on for next season.
Wash! ington Wizards
The one word answer for the Wizards 2008-09 campaign, disaster. Gilbert Arenas has been injured, but no one has played well in his absence. Antwan Jamison has been mediocre with his new contract. Caron Butler has been average at best. If the stars are not performing, then you cannot expect the role-players and backups to perform. Washington is one of the NBA's worst teams and a lottery pick is in their future. If they get a good player with that pick, then this team can compete next year if healthy.
