The SLAM NBA Preview: Southeast Division
SLAM’s official predictions for the 2006-07 NBA season…
A few years ago, I came up with the idea of running individual NBA team previews on The Links, and having each team’s preview written by a fan of that team. Nowadays, all the fans have their own blogs, and every NBA site (including ours, thank you) has been having fans/bloggers review their team’s chances for the upcoming year.
So in order to flip the script a little, I’m going to do quick NBA previews for each division. I wrote a gargantuan NBA preview in SLAM 103 (on newstands now!), and I’m using the illustrations from that issue here (drawn by the terrific Mike T).
If you want to read my full predictions and thoughts you’ve gotta go buy the magazine. But here’s how I ranked them and why.
Today, the Southeast Division…
How I picked it in the magazine:
1) Miami Heat
2) Washington Wizards
3) Orlando Magic
4) Atlanta Hawks
5) Charlotte BETcats
Why I picked them that way:
To begin with, I picked the Heat to not only win the division, but to make it all the way back to the Finals. They’re returning everyone, Pat Riley seems like he’s still having fun, and D-Wade has now assumed control of the Heat (as the drawing suggests).
I’ve always been an Eddie Jordan fan, but I can’t figure out why the Wizards never go out and make that one big move to put them over the top. Sure, Gilbert is great and Antawn Jamison is perennially underrated, but if they want to win a title, I don’t think it’s happening with Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood battling it out for the starting center spot.
Orlando’s an interesting team. Dwight Howard remains my main man, but he needs some help down in O-Town. They went on that insane tear at the end of last season — winning 12 or their last 15 — and they still finished with just 36 wins. Maybe Darko will turn it on, or maybe Carlos Arroyo will play he plays for Puerto Rico. But as they stand now, they’re still not quite ready to be big time players.
ATL, shawty! I made the Hawks one of our Wild Card Teams, meaning I have no idea what they’ll do. They could win 40 games, they could win 20 games, and I won’t be surprised either way. I do think they could end up ahead of the Magic, but I left them in fourth to be safe. Keep an eye on Marvin Williams, though.
Finally, the BETcats. Michael Jordan might be in charge now, but Bernie Bickerstaff is still the coach, and their most potent offensive player is a rookie with a bad mustache.
20 Responses to “The SLAM NBA Preview: Southeast Division”
Oct.25 at 6:38 pm
DD says:
Lang, I agree that the Wiz could use a better big man, but I’m not sure what you’d have them do/who they’d give up to make that “big move”—especially when their steady approach has paid off with the first back-to-back playoff appearances since George Bush number 1 was in DC…as VP. Quality big men don’t come cheap or often, and I’d rather GM Grunfeld first go after rotation guys like Songaila and Daniels (and steal DeShawn Stevenson) and gamble on a Party John Ramos then take an expensive risk like Dampier.
Oct.25 at 6:41 pm
wassup says:
i think this is just about perfect but i put charlotte up to 4 and bump atlanta back to the end of the line cuz i dont see much workin for them.shouldnt have drafted shelden williams i dont think
Oct.25 at 7:06 pm
WeS says:
Hate to say it but… you’re showing the Hawks too much love. They’ll finish last.
Oct.25 at 7:13 pm
albie1kenobi says:
yo Lang, i see that you have the Heat back to the Finals (which shouldn’t be a problem considering the east is well, the east), but not having them winning the title. my hunch says that you are thinking about Spurs winning it all this year. after reading the Links religiously for a while, i’d say that’s a safe bet.
Oct.25 at 7:35 pm
Rafael says:
Lang, I noticed you failed to mention Jameer Nelson in your remarks regarding the Orlando Magic. Thank you! It’s that kind of disrespect that motivates him to take his game to the next level!
Oct.25 at 8:46 pm
Creech says:
I have a lot of hope for Charlotte & the rookie with the ’stache. I felt they were a more consistent team last year than Atlanta, but were plagued by injuries. While their youth & inexperience will surely keep them from doing anything amazing, I predict they will do better than Atlanta. ATL is too erratic. I will say, though, that Atlanta is more talented.
Oct.26 at 3:28 am
Gilbert0 says:
charlotte will win more games than atlanta. atlanta have a ton of talent but the cats look like a better put together team. it wouldnt surprise me if they finished third, ahead of orlando. okafor and may on the boards, felton running the show, morrison dropping 20 a night, this team could surprise. btw, i am a wiz fan and yeah they need a big man, dont know how they will get one though. i know they aint getting past the second round.
Oct.26 at 6:35 am
Creech says:
I like Charlotte, but I have a hard time imagining they will win more games than Orlando.
Oct.26 at 8:49 am
Cheryl says:
Lang, anyway to get a print of that flash/shaq picture? I checked out MikeT’s website, but the “store” section’s not up and running. I’d love to have that framed for my library. Let a sistah know…
Oct.26 at 10:42 am
Orlando-fans-unite says:
well… i put too much faith in my team in the gulf… but someone has too. Everyone realises now that they are coming on, but no one wants to give them any credit yet, so I’ll do it:
1. miami heat (the obese one is still getting all the calls he shouldn’t, even tho he’s lost a step and last year vacationed through most of the season, but the ‘lil one that runs around like a chicken with it’s head cut off will lead them to the top of the division again)
2. orlando magic (dwight will dominate, darko for most improved award, touch’e Rafeal… jameer will be amazing…, and arroyo will b unstoppable, unfortunately jj and hill will both spend some quality time in thier civies, so there wont b much in the way of outside shooting)
3. washington wizards (gilbert is still great but the league is going to keep improving every year… I dont think they did)
4. charlotte bobcats (
5. atlanta hawks ( crap i gotta get too work no time to finish
Oct.26 at 11:35 am
Lang Whitaker says:
Cheryl, try emailing Mike. Best I can do, I’m afraid. And Rafael, I mentioned Jameer in the magazine. Just trying to keep things quick online.
Oct.26 at 11:37 am
PJ 5 says:
I’ll agree with your predictions but I do agree you are showing the HAWKS too much love. It’ one thing to be optimistic… but lang it’s not like you to go out on dead termite infested limb. LOL
Oct.26 at 1:59 pm
derreck says:
Lang,
Your played out….I looked forward to the old school previews and I am disapointed…
Oct.26 at 2:22 pm
Chris says:
I gotta say stop killin Lang here, he’s sayin 4th for the Hawks, and you know maybe they will evedn do better. They have good size, and athleticism on the wing, plus an actual star like joe johnson, which is something that orlando lacks aside from dwight howard. And charlotte doesnt even have that. The Hawks even have a point guard! i say they may show improvement yet, no matter what people think. (ps im a raptors fan and we’re gettin the 6th seed)
Oct.26 at 3:11 pm
Creech says:
This just in: Chad Ford agrees that Lang overvalues Atlanta. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-AtlantaPreview0607
Oct.26 at 3:36 pm
Gord says:
Chris I’m a huge Raps fan but we have no chance at the 6th seed…8th at best, but I’m assuming 9th…and with a real pg and more depth in terms of big men (though not much), I say Atlanta will place 4th this year
Oct.26 at 3:38 pm
Chris says:
I don’t know, I just think they have so much less holes than they had before. like raps fans are used to totally unskilled lumps, or black hole players. we have have at least 3 useless people on the team but not this year, call me crazy for 6th, but i been watchin all the preseason games and goin nuts. i just think some teams are gonna fall unexpectedly as well, more so then the raps rising
Oct.26 at 4:30 pm
Dmitri says:
Everyone else seems to be overlooking the Wizards(second here seems about right). Half their team was new last year and Butler was injured during their late season slide. ESPN’s ‘experts’ had a few informed opinions like: The combo of Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison probably doesn’t have enough juice to get them back to the playoffs. - Chad Ford. (Maybe the Wiz need a higher scoring trio…oh wait) The chemistry is lacking, as Antawn Jamison implied in hinting that Gilbert Arenas needs to become a little less selfish on offense - Chris Sheridan. (When was this? Two seasons ago? I’ve read just about every local article on them since Arenas got into town and don’t remember hearing this at all. Also ‘implied at hinting’? maybe that’s how i missed it.) and Gilbert Arenas believes Team USA booted him because he’s not a big enough star. Wrong. It’s because he’s proving to be the next AI, an incredibly gifted player who makes the game harder, not easier, for his less-talented teammates. - Ric Bucher(Makes the game harder? I know he shoots a lot but why is it, as Gil himself pointed out, that his teammates have career years playing alongside him? Why did Hughes make such a lethal combo with Arenas in Washinton but bombed playing alongside an unselfish playmaker like Lebron?)
Oct.27 at 9:11 am
Rafael says:
What a way to sell your publication Lang!! I guess I’m going to have to subscribe now. “Give that man a Raise!”
Jul.17 at 9:54 am
James says:
This post was from a while ago so i doubt itll get read, but hes called Flash after Flash Gordon, not The Flash. So you should sack that artist. Or just never hire them again. THANKS