Miami Heat: What hasn’t already been said about this team? Miami ended up with all the spoils in one of the most intensely scrutinized off-seasons in sports history when they signed Lebron James and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade. Questions of whose team this is and who will take the last shot in close games are poor attempts to belittle this team’s obvious star power. The Heat’s role players aren’t of the Robert Horry-variety but they’re a lot better than most would expect given their top-heavy lineup. The Heat have three of the best players in the NBA and as good a shot as anyone to win the Eastern Conference and maybe even the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Orlando Magic: In Orlando, fans are gearing up for another run at the Eastern Conference crown. But their task just got harder with the meteoric rise of the team a few hundred miles down the highway. The Magic are led by the unmatched interior strength of Dwight Howard, something the Heat lack. As always, Orlando will get great shooting from outside and will score a ton of points. Don’t be surprised if the Magic put away the hyped Heat and win their fourth straight divisional title but only if V.C. can finally deliver when it matters the most.
Atlanta Hawks: A great season for a perennially mediocre franchise came apart in the second round, as the Magic swept them in four embarrassing games. Atlanta didn’t do a whole lot to improve in the off-season, standing pat by signing star shooting guard Joe Johnson to a $124 million deal. Mike Bibby’s starting role at point guard will be a question mark for the Hawks, as he is getting older and slowing down. Still, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Al Horford keep improving and should keep the Hawks competitive with the East’s big guns. Ultimately, the Hawks will be good but not great in an improving Eastern Conference.
Charlotte Bobcats: The Bobcats will be looking to improve on their 44-38 record in 2010, fresh off their first-ever franchise playoff berth and with new owner Michael Jordan. Charlotte’s decision not to re-sign point guard Raymond Felton leaves a hole, and the combination of D.J. Augustin and Shaun Livingston won’t fill his shoes. Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace are great pieces, but the Bobcats just don’t have enough star power or offence to make it back to the post-season.
Washington Wizards: One year removed from the Gilbert Arenas-Javaris Crittenton gun saga, the Wizards are looking for a fresh start. The team is actively trying to move Arenas and there is good reason to believe that he will be gone by April. Washington is John Wall’s town now, and if the athletic former Kentucky star adjusts quickly to the NBA, he will be an instant star. Wall may already be the fastest player down the court with a ball and could approach LeBron’s level of dynamism in the open court. Wall’s weak supporting cast, however, will earn him another high-pick teammate next season.
