Southeast Division 2014-2015 Predictions

Today is the last day I finish up with the last division in the Eastern Conference, which is the Southeast Division.  I am going to first give you my list of predictions, then I will explain in small to large detail about each team and why I put them at where I have them at.

1. Washington Wizards
2. Miami Heat
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Orlando Magic

1) Washington-  You have John Wall and Bradley Beal in the backcourt.  Wall and Beal are one of the best backcourts in the NBA today.  I love the pickup of veteran small forward Paul Pierce.  While he won't be a dominate scorer like he was in Boston,  he provides good veteran leadership to this young Wizards backcourt.  I love the return of Marcin Gortat, along with adding Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair to the frontcourt.   I just feel this year is the best season for the Wizards to win the Southeast Division.  

2) Miami -  I still think Miami will be a good team, just not like last year with Lebron James returning back to Cleveland.  They did add Luol Deng, Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts.  Deng while he is no Lebron, he is a good solid NBA player.  Deng plays good defense and I feel is a great addition to this Miami Heat squad.  Danny Granger while is injury prone, when healthy is a good solid NBA player.  He was great in Indiana before injuries.  Granger could be a stretch 4 for the Heat.  I can't say Miami will win the division because I don't know the health of Dwyane Wade and his knees.  If Wade can be healthy all year, then maybe the Heat could win the division. Chris Bosh will now become the man or at least 2nd option.  I do believe Miami will make the playoffs though.  Decent off-season after losing Lebron.

3) Charlotte-   Last year Charlotte signed Al Jefferson to a contract and got to the playoffs, this year they signed shooting guard Lance Stephenson in the off-season. Stephenson last year I felt was robbed and should have been an All-Star.  Charlotte could even finish 2nd or 1st possibly.  I can't wait to see how this team does.  Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are decent young pieces.  I think Charlotte Hornets fans will get to see another playoff year.

4) Atlanta-  I can't see Atlanta finishing top 3  in the Southeast.  I might be underrating them. Atlanta has just been so mediocre though.  I feel they had an okay off-season, it's not going to change their division because of how much the Wizards, and Bobcats improved.  Atlanta could possibly sneak into a 7 or 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.  The Hawks did add Thabo Selofosha who is a solid defender. Kent Bazemore was an okay pickup.  Atlanta just didn't make the greatest noise though in free agency to make me think that they are improving this team.

5) Orlando-  I really didn't want to put Orlando here because I now live here, but with this division it was tough.  Channing Frye was my favorite pickup during the off-season.  I love seeing a power forward who can shoot threes and will stretch opposing teams big men out to the three point line. While Frye is not in the same stratosphere as a Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, or Kevin Love, Frye to me is no scrub either.  Aaron Gordon was an interesting choice for the Magic with the 4th pick.  I can't wait to see Gordon's athleticism.  Elfrid Payton another drafted player, will hopefully get the start at point guard, and have Victor Oladipo (my favorite Magic player) play the shooting guard.  I do feel that this year the Magic won't be good because of the division they are in for starters, and I'm okay with the Magic getting one more top 5 draft pick.  I do feel though the Magic will be a rising NBA team again though in the next year or two.  

So those are my 2014-2015 Southeast Division Predictions. What do you agree with? What do you disagree with?  Send me your comments and thank you for reading Pro Basketball Hoops Land.