Well if Charlotte keeps Gerald Wallace, the bobcats worry me. Especially when their in the same division as us. Raymond Felton,Jason Richardson, Emeka Okafor,Gerald Wallace,Morrison doesnt sound liek a contender but could be a threat.
Boston and Atlanta have both improved quite a bit too. There's not many trios better than Pierce, Ray Allen, and Al Jefferson. Atlanta will have a pretty sick lineup if they run it with.... PG-Acie Law SG-Joe Johnson SF-Josh Smith PF-Marvin Williams C-Al Horford The positive is Shard becomes open with them grabbing Durant and Jeff Green.
<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Seattle will try to get Shard back since they lost Ray Allen.</div> Shard is a SF/PF and they just drafted 2 SF/PF's in the top 5. I can't see any of these 3 playing the SG position they are too big and not quick enough to guard the 2's. I think this is a positive for us trying to get Shard.
I feel like Boston has secured itself as a pre-season playoff contender (if everyone stays healthy) with the trade for Ray Allen. Paul Pierce has worked his ass off for years, never having that second guy to take pressure off him (closest thing was Walker). If Al Jefferson continues his steady improvement he will get Allen plenty of open shots during the course of the game. I still think the Celtics need to add a couple more big men to their front line, and get a better point guard. Right now they are looking good on paper though. I also like what the Hawks and Bobcats did. If the Bobcats resign Gerald Wallace, a lineup of Felton, Richardson, Wallace, Morrison, and Okafor will be tough to deal with. I think the Magic are somewhere around the 7 - 10th best team in the eastern conference right now. If they manage to make a big free agent acquisition like Billups, Shard, etc. Then they could easily be one of the top 5-6 teams on paper. (as you will notice when reading my post, there are plenty of if's)
Atlanta is pretty damn good right now. What ever happened to Shelden Williams?? Will they not play him anymore?? PG-Acie Law SG-JJ SF-Josh Smith PF-Marvin Williams C-Horford I don't really think Marvin Williams is that good to be starting. They should not give up on Sheldon. Also, Charlotte is crazy right now if they resign GForce. PG-Felton SG-JRich SF-Wallace PF-Hermann C-Okafor The Heat are really on a downhill and I don't see them doing anything next year in the playoffs. Washington is okay with their big 3 and all. If we could get Rashard Lewis, then we should also do solid and resign Darko. PG-Nelson SG-Redick SF-R.Lewis PF-Darko C-D.Howard
<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Atlanta is pretty damn good right now. What ever happened to Shelden Williams?? Will they not play him anymore?? PG-Acie Law SG-JJ SF-Josh Smith PF-Marvin Williams C-Horford I don't really think Marvin Williams is that good to be starting. They should not give up on Sheldon. Also, Charlotte is crazy right now if they resign GForce. PG-Felton SG-JRich SF-Wallace PF-Hermann C-Okafor The Heat are really on a downhill and I don't see them doing anything next year in the playoffs. Washington is okay with their big 3 and all. If we could get Rashard Lewis, then we should also do solid and resign Darko. PG-Nelson SG-Redick SF-R.Lewis PF-Darko C-D.Howard</div> I think Ariza would start because Nelson, JJ, and Shard don't play any defense what so ever. We need some kind of defense in our starting lineup. Zaza and Shelden are the backup bigs right now for Atlanta. Horford is a way better player than Shelden.
<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think Ariza would start because Nelson, JJ, and Shard don't play any defense what so ever. We need some kind of defense in our starting lineup. Zaza and Shelden are the backup bigs right now for Atlanta. Horford is a way better player than Shelden.</div> I agree with Ariza starting. I know Horford is better, but I think Shelden should start over Marvin. The guy has good defense and him and Horford down low is pretty nice to me.
I think we'll do well this year. Most teams improved through trades (Bobcats, Celtics) and the draft (Hawks) but we're going to be improving through free agency. We've been looking forward to this offseason since the Steve Francis trade. We're going to do something big and that may very well push us over the top. We'll be a legitimate contender in three or four years.
Honestly right now with the current rosters of the East teams, I'd have us out of the playoffs. That can all change with a successful free agency.
Let's get Francis back. lol Portland will buy him out. No seriously, if/when we get G.Wallace or Rashard, we should definitely improve as well.
btw, Clos, Marvin is a much better player than Shelden, not to mention he's younger already. Shelden/Zaza is a damn good duo off the bench. They might consider trading either of them for a more legit PG.
<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He's good and has potential. I just don't see Marvin playing 100% always.</div> The Hawks are a much better team with Marvin Williams at PF then Shelden Williams at PF. PG(not sold on Acie Law being the man at PG, since he doesn't distribute enough), Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Al Horford is a damn good lineup.
Yeah I know they need a better backup PG or starting one. T-Lue is just about as garbage as they come.
I'm just curious, how would you guys rank the teams in the Southeast division in order from best to last?
With the current rosters, I would probably put.... 1) Heat(assuming they have a healthy shaq) 2) Hawks 3) Wizards 4) Bobcats 5) Magic
