At the beginning of a season, expectations are always positive, although sometimes reality takes over time to prove whether they were real or exaggerated. Therefore, and in view of the imminent start of the 2020-21 season, we set ourselves the task of analyzing each division and establishing a ranking from 1 to 5 with the teams that make them up.
The Southeast Division finds a team like the Hawks that bet everything on free agency and did well, while two others, Hornets and Wizards, shook their foundations by making changes to acquire figures. Who will do better? In Charlotte with Gordon Hayward or Washington with Russell Westbrook?
What seems certain is that for the raffle over who is the candidate to win the division, the Miami Heat has bought all the numbers.
This is a brief review of the franchises that make up the Southeast Division.
More: Dallas Mavericks, the big favorite in the Southwest Division
The glory that Michael Jordan knew how to reach as a player, seems to be elusive the team owner version of His Majesty. The last time his team entered the postseason was in 2015-16 when he had a 48-34 mark. Since then he has always had a negative record combined for 134 wins against 177 defeats in 4 seasons.
It doesn’t look like this will be the year they come out poor, despite signing Gordon Hayward, a good player, but since that terrible injury in his Celtics debut four seasons ago, no it seems to be the same. The bet on Lamelo Ball in the draft also does not seem to be the most appropriate, as his most consistent players last season were DeVonte Graham ‘(18.2 points and 7.4 assists) and Terry Rozier (18.0 points and 40.7% in triples ) and play in their same position. Nor are Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, and PJ Washington a guarantee among their tall men. It can be a planting season and not trying to harvest fruit.
The following: Bismack Biyombo, Miles Bridges, Devonte ‘Graham, Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, Jalen McDaniels, Malik Monk, Terry Rozier, PJ Washington and Cody Zeller.
high: Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, Vernon Carey Jr. and Nick Richards.
low: Nicolas Batum, Joe Chealey and Willy Hernangomez.
Ranking: Tenth in Eastern Conference (23-42) during the 2019-2020 season.
projection: 25/28 triumphs.
Orlando Magic was one of those curious cases last postseason: it reached the playoffs despite having lost 33-40. He could do little in the playoffs as they were eighth to face the Milwaukee Bucks who eliminated them 4-1.
For 2020-21, the situation for the Magic does not look better, but practically the same as before. The strong bet is the development and growth of Markelle Fultz, recovering Jonathan Isaac from his serious injury and finding someone who can make up for the absence of DJ Augustin, who left for Milwaukee.
It will also be necessary to follow closely the adaptation of the beginner base Cole Anthony to see if next to Fultz they can form a good perimeter duo.
The following: Al-Farouq Aminu, Mohamed Bamba, Khen Birch, Michael Carter-Williams, Gary Clark, James Ennis III, Evan Fournier, Markelle Fultz, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic.
high: Cole Anthony, Dwayne Bacon, Jordan Bone, Karim Mane and Chuma Okeke.
low: DJ Augustin, Melvin Frazier, Wesley Iwundu, Amile Jefferson, BJ Johnson, Vic Law and Josh Magette.
Ranking: Eighth in Eastern Conference (33-40) during the 2019-2020 season. Eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
projection: 33/35 triumphs.
2:23
John Wall now joins the Houston Rockets team.
The reunion between Russell Westbrook and coach Scott Brooks, brings the hope that the good times they spent together in the Oklahoma City Thunder will be repeated in Washington. Although success seems to be tied to the chemistry they manage to develop Westbrook with Bradley Beal, who was the Wizards’ best player last season.
Obviously the potential of the team will be in the intensity and the game from the perimeter, although it also has tall men who can help like David Bertans and Rui Hachimura. In addition, the trio made up of newcomer Robin Lopez, Moritz Wagner and Thomas Bryant can give quality minutes in the center position in what would be a three-headed monster.
It is not yet known what their roof will be, the Wizards will improve, and much, compared to last season.
The following: Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans, Thomas Bryant, Ish Smith, Isaac Bonga, Troy Brown, Garrison Mathews, Moritz Wagner and Anzejs Pasecniks.
high: Russell Westbrook, Deni Avdija, Jerome Robinson, Robin López and Raúl Net.
low: Chris Chiozza, Jerian Grant, Ian Mahinmi, Jordan McRae, Isaiah Thomas, Gary Payton, Shabazz Napier, CJ Miles and Admiral Schofield.
Ranking: Ninth in the Eastern Conference (25-47) during the 2019-2020 season.
projection: 39-42 triumphs.
No doubt the Hawks will make a big leap in quality this season. His young talents like Porta Young, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, John Collins and Kevin Huerter will have one more year behind them and that will help.
But without a doubt, it is what they achieved in free agency that will make them better. With the hiring of veterans like Rajon Rondo, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Kris Dunn joining Clint Capela, Atlanta can not only form a good starting lineup, but also a deep bench. It will be a very entertaining team to watch. The postseason is within reach if they propose.
The following: Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela, Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish.
high: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rajon Rondo, Danilo Gallinari, Onyeka Okungwu, Kris Dunn and Tony Snell.
low: Alex Len, Jeff Teague, Jabari Parker, Dewayne Dedmon, Allen Crabbe, Chandler Parsons, Vince Carter and Evan Turner.
Ranking: Fourteenth in the Eastern Conference (611) during the 2019-2020 season.
projection: 44/47 triumphs.
1. Miami Heat
Led by an incredible Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat became an unexpected finalist, eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, to end up succumbing to Lakers LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The bet of the franchise led by Pat Riley was very clear: there is no need to fix what is not broken, although you can try to improve it. The base formed by Butler, Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson Andre Iguodala, Kelly Olynyk, Kendrick Nunn and Meyers Leonard returned intact.
And on the departure of Jae Crowder he covered it with the hiring of Avery Bradley, Maurice Harkless and the addition, via draft, of the promising Precious Achiuwa. The Heat is not only the best this division, but perhaps, of the entire Eastern Conference.
The following: Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro Andre Iguodala, Kelly Olynyk, Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Chris Silva and Meyers Leonard.
high: Maurice Harkless, Avery Bradley and Precious Achiuwa.
low: Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill.
Ranking: He was third in the Eastern Conference (44-29) during the 2019-2020 season. NBA finalist.
projection: 52/54 triumphs.