2017-2018 Southeast Division Preview
Aug 4, 2017 17:35:32 GMT -5
Kots (Colorado GM) and fernans (MIAMI HEAT) like this
Post by Miege22 on Aug 4, 2017 17:35:32 GMT -5
This, to me, is the most perplexing division when it comes to predictions. Washington and Tampa Bay tied for first last year, but Tampa Bay has completely revamped their roster. Atlanta always seems to alternate making the playoffs and just missing. Orlando looks solid every year, but it's a toss-up if they put it together. And Charlotte is now in... Colorado.
1. Washington Wizards
The easiest prediction in this division. The Wizards put together a 14-2 season last year and an NBA Finals appearance, their first in franchise history. They'll look to repeat that feat, and go one step further, and they'll be bringing back pretty much the exact same crew from last season. They're led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, on a super team friendly deal for one last season, and he's surrounded by solid role players up and down the roster. The Wizards have a lot of cap space, open roster spots, and multiple picks in the 2018 draft, which means they will be a likely landing spot for any big names getting moved at the deadline. The Wizards will go into the season not only as the favorite to win the division, but as the favorite to get significantly better in-season.
2. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks
After Washington, I have no clue how the rest of the division will end up. I could see any of the four teams outside of Washington finishing in this spot, but we'll give Tampa Bay the nod. Wiggins and Russ will likely take slight steps backward in terms of production, but you would expect their efficiency should go up. Tobias Harris will likely see an increased role with Marcus Morris out of the picture. The rest of the roster is loaded with boom or bust role players. Derrick Rose, Timofey Mozgov, Lance Stephenson and Jonathan Simmons could all end up with huge roles, or glued to the bench. If it comes together, the Bull Sharks could challenge for a playoff spot. If not, they'll have a lot of pieces to sell off at the deadline.
3. Orlando Magic
Once again, anyone could go here, but I'll go with Orlando. The Magic had a really good free agency period, landing Dwight Howard, Darren Collison and Milos Teodosic. They've already got Barnes, Valanciunas, Dragic and Tim Hardaway holding down the fort, and some really interesting prospects in Cauley-Stein, Josh Jackson and Brandon Ingram. If it works out, the Magic could be really good for the next few years. The flip side is they're locked in if things don't go well.
4. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have a couple of young, potential cornerstones in Simmons and Lonzo Ball. They've surrounded them with some average, to really good veteran role players. Half of the banana boat crew is here, as Wade and Anthony are on the roster. I'm honestly not sure what to make of Atlanta. It makes sense to try and grab some win now players, since they don't have their pick this year. But they're probably not good enough to get to the playoffs, but they'll be good enough to make sure whoever gets their pick isn't in the top-5.
5. Colorado Swannies
This is a tough one, because I honestly think Colorado could be a lot better than this. The only issue is they are heavily reliant on their young guys coming through. Zubac, Hield, Stanley Johnson, Marquese Chriss and Frank Ntilikina are all high-ceiling prospects with question marks. If all of those guys come into their own this year, Colorado could contend for the playoffs after a seriously long drought. More likely though is giving all of those guys one more year, and then they'll challenge.
Discuss
1. Washington Wizards
The easiest prediction in this division. The Wizards put together a 14-2 season last year and an NBA Finals appearance, their first in franchise history. They'll look to repeat that feat, and go one step further, and they'll be bringing back pretty much the exact same crew from last season. They're led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, on a super team friendly deal for one last season, and he's surrounded by solid role players up and down the roster. The Wizards have a lot of cap space, open roster spots, and multiple picks in the 2018 draft, which means they will be a likely landing spot for any big names getting moved at the deadline. The Wizards will go into the season not only as the favorite to win the division, but as the favorite to get significantly better in-season.
2. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks
After Washington, I have no clue how the rest of the division will end up. I could see any of the four teams outside of Washington finishing in this spot, but we'll give Tampa Bay the nod. Wiggins and Russ will likely take slight steps backward in terms of production, but you would expect their efficiency should go up. Tobias Harris will likely see an increased role with Marcus Morris out of the picture. The rest of the roster is loaded with boom or bust role players. Derrick Rose, Timofey Mozgov, Lance Stephenson and Jonathan Simmons could all end up with huge roles, or glued to the bench. If it comes together, the Bull Sharks could challenge for a playoff spot. If not, they'll have a lot of pieces to sell off at the deadline.
3. Orlando Magic
Once again, anyone could go here, but I'll go with Orlando. The Magic had a really good free agency period, landing Dwight Howard, Darren Collison and Milos Teodosic. They've already got Barnes, Valanciunas, Dragic and Tim Hardaway holding down the fort, and some really interesting prospects in Cauley-Stein, Josh Jackson and Brandon Ingram. If it works out, the Magic could be really good for the next few years. The flip side is they're locked in if things don't go well.
4. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have a couple of young, potential cornerstones in Simmons and Lonzo Ball. They've surrounded them with some average, to really good veteran role players. Half of the banana boat crew is here, as Wade and Anthony are on the roster. I'm honestly not sure what to make of Atlanta. It makes sense to try and grab some win now players, since they don't have their pick this year. But they're probably not good enough to get to the playoffs, but they'll be good enough to make sure whoever gets their pick isn't in the top-5.
5. Colorado Swannies
This is a tough one, because I honestly think Colorado could be a lot better than this. The only issue is they are heavily reliant on their young guys coming through. Zubac, Hield, Stanley Johnson, Marquese Chriss and Frank Ntilikina are all high-ceiling prospects with question marks. If all of those guys come into their own this year, Colorado could contend for the playoffs after a seriously long drought. More likely though is giving all of those guys one more year, and then they'll challenge.
Discuss