2010-11 Season: 23-59, 5th in Division
In: F Jan Vesely, F Chris Singleton, G Shelvin Mack, F Larry Owens, C Ronny Turiaf
Out: G-F Josh Howard
Coach: Flip Saunders
Starting Five: McGee-Blatche-Lewis-Young-Wall
The 2010-11 season was an absolute disaster for the Washington franchise... they didn't even sniff the playoffs, the play was lackluster, and the defense was nothing short of catastrophic. While you couldn't really expect much from this young Wizards squad to begin with, they still managed to fall short of even those low expectations...
Now the Wizards are entering a new era with an even younger roster and some fresh jerseys. This new chapter isn't going to go anywhere if they don't fix their defensive schemes immediately, considering they were ranked as the 24th worst defense in the league last year. They have the coaching staff to address it, but with such a green roster, there is a massive amount of work ahead of them...
There is also the nagging uncertainty regarding where this team’s ceiling actually lies and what kind of windfall awaits them in the upcoming draft. To be honest, there is absolutely nothing left of those powerhouse Wizards teams we saw a few years back—those guys with Haywood, Jamison, Butler, Stevenson, and Arenas. That group boasted three genuine stars, yet Jamison, Butler, and Arenas never quite reached the summit... Unfortunately, while nobody expects the Wizards to contend for a high playoff seed right now, securing a top pick in an exceptionally talented draft wouldn't be the worst outcome for them. Furthermore, Washington has to figure out what to do about Rashard Lewis, who clearly has no interest in being just a veteran presence in the locker room...
The Wizards possess legitimate talent in players like Wall, Blatche, Crawford, and McGee, but it will likely take a season or two of grinding before they can actually cause any real trouble in the East...
Prediction: 4th in Division, no playoff berth
2010-11 Season: 34-48, 4th in Division
In: G Kemba Walker, F Bismack Biyombo, F Derrick Brown, G Reggie Williams, F Corey Maggette, F-C Melvin Ely, C Byron Mullens
Out: C Kwame Brown, G Stephen Jackson, G Shaun Livingston
Coach: Paul Silas
Starting Five: Thomas-Diaw-Maggette-Henderson-D.J. Augustin
Unlike Washington, which seems to be building its entire identity around John Wall, the Charlotte franchise is essentially run by its owner, Michael Jordan, and frankly, that is a recipe for trouble...
The reason the Bobcats haven't produced a single All-Star is quite simple: this organization lacks both luck and foresight when it comes to hitting on draft picks. We saw it with Adam Morrison, Sean May, Emeka Okafor... and the list goes on. Now they’ve landed Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, and all they can do is pray these two become the cornerstones of the franchise. They'll get their shot...
Under former coach Paul Silas, this team established a decent defensive identity, but the offense was abysmal, ranking as the second worst in the league last year. Back then, they at least had Wallace and Jackson to work with. I don't even want to imagine what the offensive production will look like now that the heavy lifting falls on Maggette, a guy who’s already been in the league for 12 seasons. There are high hopes for Tyus Thomas as well...
The Bobcats might also face a serious struggle with ticket sales. They don't have an All-Star, they don't have statistical leaders, and they certainly don't have a player people actually pay to see. It is a well-known fact in the NBA that you won't get far if your roster doesn't include anyone with millions of followers on Twitter. Sadly, at the Bobcats, that distinction belongs solely to the owner...
Prediction: 5th in Division, no playoff berth
2010-11 Season: 58-24, 1st in Division
2011 Playoffs: Defeated Philadelphia 4-1 in the first round, beat Boston 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, took down Chicago 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and lost the NBA Finals to Dallas 4-2
Added: F Shane Battier, G Norris Cole, C Eddy Curry
Departed: C Jamaal Magloire, G Mike Bibby
Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Starting five: Anthony-Bosh-James-Wade-Chalmers
The 2010-11 season was one where absolutely nobody wanted to root for the Miami Heat... James faltered during the NBA Finals, and the squad simply had no answer for the sheer dominance of Dirk Nowitzki.
Miami’s Big Three are heading into year two with perhaps a slightly more mature outlook, though they still carry that heavy target on their backs as the perennial favorites.
Shane Battier will provide a massive defensive boost, which should hopefully alleviate some of the pressure on both Wade and James... As for Eddy Curry, he could be a genuine wildcard if he can prove he’s still capable of dropping 10 to 15 points a night.
A critical priority for Coach Spoelstra will be managing the schedule to ensure Wade gets enough rest heading into the playoffs, given that he hasn't exactly been able to finish a full season without hitting the injury list before.
If a few small pieces fall into place for Miami, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for anyone to stop them from reaching another NBA Final... New York and Chicago will certainly be chasing their tails, and a potential showdown against one of them in the Conference Semifinals might just exhaust them enough to clear the path for Miami.
Prediction: 1st in division, Finals matchup against Oklahoma City
2010-11 Season: 44-38, 3rd in division
2011 Playoffs: Won first round against Orlando 4-2, lost Conference Semifinals to Chicago 4-2
Added: G-F Tracy McGrady, F Vladimir Radmanovic, C Keith Benson, F Magnum Rolle
Departed: F Damien Wilkins, G Jamal Crawford
Coach: Larry Drew
Starting five: Horford-Smith-Williams-Johnson-Teague
Ever since this franchise relocated from St. Louis, they haven't managed to move past the Eastern Conference Semifinals... Looking at the landscape, with Miami, New York, and Chicago in the mix, it doesn't look like they'll break out of the top four this year either. Because of that, plenty of "experts" claim the team is missing that one big trade necessary to actually compete for the East crown.
Personally, I think this roster looks solid enough for such an undertaking... Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, and Al Horford are four versatile players who can slide across multiple positions. After struggling with point guard depth for so long, the Hawks have finally found a solution in Jeff Teague, who was absolutely captivating during his series against the Bulls last season. Bringing in Hinrich, Pachulia, and Radmanovic provides some excellent depth off the bench. Then there is the X-factor, the very player who made James Smith50 start following the NBA back in 1999—Tracy McGrady. T-Mac is 32 now, claiming he's healthy and ready to go. His exact role in Atlanta remains to be seen; if his health holds, he could slot in as a starter at either SF or PG, but if those knees act up again, expect him to come off the bench. My only hope is that the injuries stay away long enough for him to show everyone he's still got it...
In terms of pure team chemistry and cohesion, the Hawks are actually one of the most formidable squads in the league... If they can dodge the injury bug and play at a higher level than they did last year during the postseason, anything is possible.
Prediction: 2nd in division, Eastern Conference Semifinals
2010-11 Season: 52-30, 2nd in division
2011 Playoffs: Lost first round to Atlanta 4-2
Added: G DeAndre Liggins, F-C Justin Harper, G Larry Hughes, G Gabe Pruitt, F/C Glen Davis, G Von Wafer
Departed: F Brandon Bass, G Gilbert Arenas
Coach: Stan Van Gundy
Starting five: Howard-Davis-Turkoglu-Richardson-Nelson
The Orlando Magic has been my NBA obsession since day one... From the arrival of Tracy McGrady, through watching Shaq highlights on YouTube, all the way to the Dwight Howard era. Along with Orlando, I’ve only ever dreamed of rooting for two other teams: Houston during the Ming-McGrady years, and Washington during the Arenas-Butler-Jamison era.
I am writing this because I honestly cannot believe how my favorite NBA team is falling apart yet again. It isn't just crumbling, though; it feels like this entire franchise is being run by ten people whose actual jobs have nothing to do with basketball, operating as if they were managing some completely different sport entirely...
A string of disastrous decisions—reminiscent of those Shaq-era blunders—has essentially tied one player's motivation to the entire franchise's survival. Dwight Howard will eventually walk out on this team, most likely as a free agent next year, yet management isn't lifting a finger to prevent it. In fact, it feels like they’re actively pushing him toward the exit... First, they traded away absolute cornerstones like Penny Hardaway and Charles Barkley—guys who gave everything for the Magic—along with Vince Carter, just to land that mediocre Turkish center who practically begged to come back here, only to be welcomed like a savior. Then there was the forced departure of Rashard Lewis just to bring in Monta Ellis, whom they proceeded to bury on the bench. Now, they’ve swapped Brandon Bass for Glen "Baby" Davis. Just another catastrophic move in my book.
Back in '95, Shaq carried Orlando all the way to the NBA Finals, even if they fell short of the ring. Looking at the wreckage now, losing that '09 championship series against the Lakers was likely the last gasp of hope for this era. All we can do now is wait for Howard to leave, an exodus that will undoubtedly leave a permanent, painful scar on this organization...
Prediction: 3rd in division, first-round playoff exit
