At the beginning of a season, expectations are always positive, although sometimes reality takes care over time to show if they were real or exaggerated. Therefore, even before the imminent start of the 2020-21 season, we undertake 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 the free agency and did well, while two others, Hornets and Wizards, shook their bases by making changes to get numbers. Who will do better? Charlotte with Gordon Hayward or Washington with Russell Westbrook?
What seems certain is that for the raffle about who is the candidate to win the division, the Miami Heat bought all the numbers.
This is a short 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 get as a player seems to be evasive for His Majesty’s team owner’s version. The last time his team made the postseason was in 2015-16, when it went 48-34. Since then he has always had a negative record, combining 134 victories against 177 losses in 4 seasons.
This doesn’t look like the year they’ll come out of the poor, despite signing Gordon Hayward in the free agency, a good player, but who, from that terrible injury in his Celtics debut game four seasons ago, it doesn’t seem to be the same. LaMelo Ball’s draft bet doesn’t seem to be the best either, as last season’s most consistent players were DeVonte Graham ‘(18.2 points and 7.4 assists) and Terry Rozier (18.0 points and 40 points). , 7% in triples) and play in the same position. Nor are Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo and PJ Washington a guarantee among his tall men. It may be a planting season and not an attempt to harvest the 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 the Eastern Conference (23-42) in the 2019-2020 season.
projection: 25/28 victories.
The Orlando Magic was one of those curious cases from the last postseason: it reached the playoffs, despite a record of 33-40 losses. He could do little in the playoffs because when they finished in eighth place, they had to face the Milwaukee Bucks who eliminated them 4-1.
For 2020-21, the situation for Magic does not look better, but practically the same as the previous one. The strong bet is the development and growth of Markelle Fultz, recovering Jonathan Isaac from his serious injury and finding someone to make up for the absence of DJ Augustin, who left for Milwaukee.
Rookie point adaptation Cole Anthony will also need to be closely watched to see if he and Fultz 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 the Eastern Conference (33-40) in the 2019-2020 season. Eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
projection: 33/35 victories.
2:23
John Wall now goes to the Houston Rockets.
The meeting between Russell Westbrook and coach Scott Brooks brings the illusion that the good times they spent together in the Oklahoma City Thunder will be repeated in Washington. Although the success seems to be related to the chemistry that Westbrook manages to develop with Bradley Beal, who was the best player for the Wizards last season.
Obviously, the team’s potential will be in intensity and the game from the perimeter, although it also has tall men who can help, such as David Bertans and Rui Hachimura. In addition, the trio of newcomers Robin Lopez, Moritz Wagner and Thomas Bryant can offer quality minutes in the central position in what would be a three-headed monster.
Although it is not known what their ceiling will be, the wizards will improve a lot, from 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 Neto.
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) in the 2019-2020 season.
projection: 39-42 victories.
Undoubtedly, the Hawks will make a major leap in quality this season. His young talents like Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, John Collins and Kevin Huerter will have another year behind them and that will help.
But, without a doubt, this is what they have achieved in a 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 build a good starting line, but also a deep bench. It will be a very fun team to watch. The post-season is handy if they realize it.
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) in the 2019-2020 season.
projection: 44/47 victories.
1. Miami Heat
Led by an incredible Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat became an unexpected finalist, eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, only to give way to the Lakers from LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The bet of the franchise led by Pat Riley was very clear: you do not have to fix what is not broken, although you can try to improve it. Butler’s keeper, Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson Andre Iguodala, Kelly Olynyk, Kendrick Nunn and Meyers Leonard returned intact.
And when Jae Crowder left, he covered it with the signatures of Avery Bradley, Maurice Harkless and the addition, by draft, of the promising Precious Achiuwa. Heat are not only the best in this division, but maybe in 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) in the 2019-2020 season. NBA finalist.
projection: 52/54 victories.