Post by Miege22 on Sept 1, 2014 20:18:25 GMT -5
1. Orlando Magic
Last year, I predicted the Magic to win the South after completing a very disappointing season the year prior. They proved me right thanks to serious jumps from Goran Dragic and Kyle Lowry, and some all-around solid performances. I see no reason for that to change. Dragic and Lowry will be just as good, as will Wes Matthews, Marcin Gortat, and David Lee. Alec Burks, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jared Sullinger will continue to improve, and there's a chance for TJ Warren to do some really good things in Phoenix now that Channing Frye is gone. The x-factors here are Harrison Barnes and Roy Hibbert. Barnes saw a decrease in playing time with the addition of Andre Iguodala, and I'm not sure that changes. On the flip side, the Pacers are likely to lean heavily on Hibbert now that Stephenson and George are gone. I'm not sure what that will do to his percentages, but his raw numbers should definitely improve. If the Magic can get even marginal improvements from their young guys, and Hibbert, this team might be able to get over the hump and make the finals.
2. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks
This division is remarkably close. Frankly, 1-5 could be completely different when it is all said and done. Hell, things could look completely different once free agency is over. I'm not necessarily convinced Tampa Bay, at this point in time, is the 2nd best team in the division, but they are certainly capable of getting there given what they have now, and how much money they have. Aldridge, Westbrook, and Lawson are all fantasy studs. Andrew Wiggins has all the potential in the world, and I really like Zach LaVine for reasons I can't really articulate. The Bull Sharks also have Omer Asik on a really cap friendly contract. With only 4 spots to fill, and $25 million to spend, I'm fairly confident Tampa Bay will make the right calls this free agency period.
3. Washington Wizards
The Wizards were right on the cusp of the playoffs last year. With a healthy Rajon Rondo, they likely would have snuck in. Alas, Rondo could not get healthy in time to make a significant enough impact. He's back now, though, and there is a lot to like here. It starts with the point guards. Rondo and Jeff Teague are legitimate fantasy starters, and Mo Williams provides a nice spark in the 6th man role. The center spot is also in good hands with Nikola Vucevic and Robin Lopez (JaVale McGee too, if he's healthy). Where the questions arise are the other three spots. Batum is proven, but Porter and James Young are not. Mike Scott is the only PF on the roster, so it is painfully obvious who the Wizards are going to target in free agency. With only 1 spot to fill, the Wizards should be able to get the power forward they want. It's just a matter of if it is enough to push them over the top.
4. Atlanta Hawks
For the second year in a row, I've got the Hawks in fourth. Last year, I was very, very wrong as Atlanta went 13-3 and made the playoffs. While I'm still convinced some of that had to do with Tampa playing for the future and Memphis throwing last season in the trash, the fact is Atlanta was much better than I projected them to be... and that was WITHOUT Kobe Bryant. Well, Kobe is back now, but I still don't know what to make of this team. I do think LeBron takes on more of a facilitator role now that he's back in Cleveland, which could be both good and bad. Wolters, Mack, Moultrie, Leuer, and Glen Rice Jr. are mediocre at best. DeAndre Jordan blossomed into a legit fantasy center, and the future appears bright for Dieng. But this team isn't deep like Orlando, nor do they have the top-heavy talent of Tampa Bay. If anything, they are on the same level as Washington. Good, but not quite good enough. I'm not saying they can't make the playoffs, but they will need to catch a few breaks.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Last, but certainly not least, are the Charlotte Hornets. It's been a long process for the Hornets after getting to the Eastern Conference Finals in the league's inaugural year, but this team is poised to do some damage. It all starts with Anthony Davis. Locked up for three more years on his rookie deal, Davis is already a fantasy superstar. He's a top-5 fantasy player, and possibly the most untradeable asset in the league. He teams up with Brook Lopez to form one of the best front lines in the league (if Lopez is healthy). The point guard spot is in good hands with Jrue Holiday and Jameer Nelson. Holiday was having another solid season before getting hurt last year, and Nelson is now in Dallas where Rick Carlisle manages to get the most out of everyone on his roster. If Kendall Marshall gets playing time in Milwaukee, this spot goes from good to great. Shooting guard is more of a question mark with Jeremy Lamb and Caldwell-Pope, but right behind them is Dante Exum, who I happen to really like. At small forward is the always solid Wilson Chandler and Giannis Antetekounmpo. Giannis showed flashes of being really good last year, but that was it. It's not guaranteed he puts it all together, but I'm always optimistic. If he and Exum pan out, they will form a really terrifying trio along with Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, it might not be enough right now given the strength of this division, and the Eastern Conference in general. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though, and it is very, very bright.
Last year, I predicted the Magic to win the South after completing a very disappointing season the year prior. They proved me right thanks to serious jumps from Goran Dragic and Kyle Lowry, and some all-around solid performances. I see no reason for that to change. Dragic and Lowry will be just as good, as will Wes Matthews, Marcin Gortat, and David Lee. Alec Burks, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jared Sullinger will continue to improve, and there's a chance for TJ Warren to do some really good things in Phoenix now that Channing Frye is gone. The x-factors here are Harrison Barnes and Roy Hibbert. Barnes saw a decrease in playing time with the addition of Andre Iguodala, and I'm not sure that changes. On the flip side, the Pacers are likely to lean heavily on Hibbert now that Stephenson and George are gone. I'm not sure what that will do to his percentages, but his raw numbers should definitely improve. If the Magic can get even marginal improvements from their young guys, and Hibbert, this team might be able to get over the hump and make the finals.
2. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks
This division is remarkably close. Frankly, 1-5 could be completely different when it is all said and done. Hell, things could look completely different once free agency is over. I'm not necessarily convinced Tampa Bay, at this point in time, is the 2nd best team in the division, but they are certainly capable of getting there given what they have now, and how much money they have. Aldridge, Westbrook, and Lawson are all fantasy studs. Andrew Wiggins has all the potential in the world, and I really like Zach LaVine for reasons I can't really articulate. The Bull Sharks also have Omer Asik on a really cap friendly contract. With only 4 spots to fill, and $25 million to spend, I'm fairly confident Tampa Bay will make the right calls this free agency period.
3. Washington Wizards
The Wizards were right on the cusp of the playoffs last year. With a healthy Rajon Rondo, they likely would have snuck in. Alas, Rondo could not get healthy in time to make a significant enough impact. He's back now, though, and there is a lot to like here. It starts with the point guards. Rondo and Jeff Teague are legitimate fantasy starters, and Mo Williams provides a nice spark in the 6th man role. The center spot is also in good hands with Nikola Vucevic and Robin Lopez (JaVale McGee too, if he's healthy). Where the questions arise are the other three spots. Batum is proven, but Porter and James Young are not. Mike Scott is the only PF on the roster, so it is painfully obvious who the Wizards are going to target in free agency. With only 1 spot to fill, the Wizards should be able to get the power forward they want. It's just a matter of if it is enough to push them over the top.
4. Atlanta Hawks
For the second year in a row, I've got the Hawks in fourth. Last year, I was very, very wrong as Atlanta went 13-3 and made the playoffs. While I'm still convinced some of that had to do with Tampa playing for the future and Memphis throwing last season in the trash, the fact is Atlanta was much better than I projected them to be... and that was WITHOUT Kobe Bryant. Well, Kobe is back now, but I still don't know what to make of this team. I do think LeBron takes on more of a facilitator role now that he's back in Cleveland, which could be both good and bad. Wolters, Mack, Moultrie, Leuer, and Glen Rice Jr. are mediocre at best. DeAndre Jordan blossomed into a legit fantasy center, and the future appears bright for Dieng. But this team isn't deep like Orlando, nor do they have the top-heavy talent of Tampa Bay. If anything, they are on the same level as Washington. Good, but not quite good enough. I'm not saying they can't make the playoffs, but they will need to catch a few breaks.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Last, but certainly not least, are the Charlotte Hornets. It's been a long process for the Hornets after getting to the Eastern Conference Finals in the league's inaugural year, but this team is poised to do some damage. It all starts with Anthony Davis. Locked up for three more years on his rookie deal, Davis is already a fantasy superstar. He's a top-5 fantasy player, and possibly the most untradeable asset in the league. He teams up with Brook Lopez to form one of the best front lines in the league (if Lopez is healthy). The point guard spot is in good hands with Jrue Holiday and Jameer Nelson. Holiday was having another solid season before getting hurt last year, and Nelson is now in Dallas where Rick Carlisle manages to get the most out of everyone on his roster. If Kendall Marshall gets playing time in Milwaukee, this spot goes from good to great. Shooting guard is more of a question mark with Jeremy Lamb and Caldwell-Pope, but right behind them is Dante Exum, who I happen to really like. At small forward is the always solid Wilson Chandler and Giannis Antetekounmpo. Giannis showed flashes of being really good last year, but that was it. It's not guaranteed he puts it all together, but I'm always optimistic. If he and Exum pan out, they will form a really terrifying trio along with Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, it might not be enough right now given the strength of this division, and the Eastern Conference in general. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though, and it is very, very bright.