Southeast Division -- not too early to make predictions
by David A. Arnott on Jul 10, 2010 11:32 AM EDT
35 comments
It's way too early in the process to make a strong a judgment of the Southeast Division landscape, but here's where it looks like we stand today, in my wholly premature preview of the division.
1 -- The Orlando Magic are still the best team in the division. Say what you will about Dwight Howard's offense, it's still pretty good, and his defense is elite (just stop blocking shots into the seats, dude). If they let Matt Barnes go and try to replace him with J.J. Redick, I think they'll miss him, but not much. They should still very much want to move Vince Carter and, possibly, Marcin Gortat for power forward help, moving Rashard Lewis to more of a wing role. Carter will almost certainly be bought out after this season, so it's basically an expiring contract. Gortat, on the other hand, is good enough to start for a lot of teams, so the Magic would do well to convert him into someone who can upgrade their starting lineup.
2 -- The Miami Heat have a long way to go, but already they're making moves to get their starting lineup in order. Their top three is incredible, of course, but there's still the little problem of finding a complementary big for Chris Bosh and whether or not they're going to stick with Mario Chalmers at point guard. Udonis Haslem may return, but Bosh has made a big deal about not wanting to play "center" and LeBron James has seemed to resist playing power forward and guarding those big men. If they end up with Joel Anthony and Chalmers as the fourth and fifth starters, and a big man rotation of Bosh, Anthony, Haslem, and another body I can't see them favored over the Magic in a seven game series. Furthermore, there are several teams in the West that will give them hell because Bosh doesn't play defense.
3 -- The Atlanta Hawks were dark horse title contenders for much of last season, remember. They return their starters, plus Jamal Crawford, and will probably be in the same boat this year, stuck in the second tier. Unfortunately for them, Joe Johnson is probably really close to career decline, and it wouldn't be crazy to see it happen this season.
4 -- The Charlotte Bobcats could easily be ahead of the Hawks by the time the season starts, but right now, with the projected starters and bench players in place, they're not quite there. You know all the questions. Can D.J. Augustin hold down a starting point guard job? Can Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace stay healthy? Will Stephen Jackson continue to play nice with everyone? How much run will Gerald Henderson and Derrick Brown get?
Here's the big thing that didn't really sink in with me until this morning, though: the Miami Thrice combination has pushed two teams out of playoff contention, as of now. While the Bobcats were one of three teams vying for two playoff spots at the bottom of the conference last year, the preseason outlook is pretty clear. Cleveland will be awful. Toronto will probably be worse than last year. Miami was already a playoff team. So, in the Eastern Conference, Boston, Milwaukee, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami are in, and I figure the Bobcats are the next best team, which would give them the seven-seed, since they're closer to the Hawks and Bucks than they are to the rebuilt Knicks, healthy and maturing Nets, et cetera.
I'm calling it right now: the Bobcats are going to make the playoffs this year. So much would have to go badly for them not to make it.
5 -- The Washington Wizards are still a mess. Though I love Kirk Hinrich and believe Yi Jianlian can be productive, those guys are "just" starters who haven't been fully appreciated; they're hardly franchise-altering players. Unless John Wall is transcendent, they'll be gunning for the top draft pick again.
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and in case anyone forgot...
We’ve never finished in last place in our division. Bit of trivia there for ya.
by Roger, Roger on Jul 10, 2010 11:54 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Please God, not Gortat!
I saw enough of him in the playoffs to believe that he has a very overinflated opinion of himself and he’s being overrated by the rest of the league. Bluntly, I don’t think he’s half as good as his rep.
Your assessment is a valid snapshot of the team as it sits on Decision 2010 +2 days. But I don’t for one second believe the Bobcats are done evolving and there are several potential upsides coming into training camp that still could make this team and contribute off the bench. For one thing, Jawai will be there along with Ajinca who continues to build and work on his body. (If you’re reading this big guy, well done so far but work on those shoestring french fries you’re walking on dude!)
Diaw still has a big for sale sign on him and Chandler is being shopped to at least 4 different teams. Also, like Andrew, I don’t believe for a second that McGuire will be in a Bobcats uniform come September. He’s part of a bigger plot scheme that will likely unfold in a multi-player trade within a week or so.
I also don’t think Boston will be nearly as strong as many seem to anticipate. I saw their appearance in the Finals as the last gasp of a team badly in need of rebuilding and I predict their slide from the peak of the East will commence this season regardless of health and an injury or two could really screw them. I also think we can catch the Hawks. As you said, it’s a bit premature to make solid predictions right now. There are too many changes that could yet happen despite the pieces already in place. If the Thomas signing doesn’t have Diaw packing a suitcase this morning, the man is delusional. Between now and training camp the Bobcats WILL drop back under the luxury cap. Jordan isn’t going to pay the tax for a team that can’t at least contend for the Conference title.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 10, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions
I will revisit this when 'the trade' is pulled off.
I refuse to believe something big isn’t in the works due to too much suspiciousness when you read between the lines.
I’m one to rosterbate, but never get caught up in actual theories… that being said there is too much strangeness surrounding the $12.5 million first year in Tyrus Thomas’ contract to believe there isn’t something afoot. It would have made far more sense to backload his contract so the bulk of the money kicked in when Diaw and Diop were off the books.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at Real Bits of Panthers
by James The Aussie on Jul 10, 2010 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
If " the trade " goes down you’ve got my vote for GM of the Year. I think RoF would see alot more Traffic, No more cheep tickets on Ebay basketball would really be back in Charlotte
The Heat blog gets a lot more traffic these days
I used to visit Peninsula is Mightier during the season and the same 5 guys were commenting repeatedly on every post. I checked it out the other day and the number of commenters had gone up exponentially.
I would welcome new members to RoF…provided they aren’t idiots.
"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice
by Julius Coxswain on Jul 10, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
they have quite possibly the worst announcing crew
on FSN Miami… I actually signed into PiM just to ask them what they thought about the crew and they agreed. We are lucky with Steve and Dell and Steph.. Although I see Stephanie getting a bigger job soon, she isn’t half bad
GSO
+1
After listening to other crews around the league (The Bucks and Heat teams are the worst I’ve ever heard) I’ll never take our fine trio for granted again.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 10, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston's crew annoys me
but they arent necessarily “bad”. more like “arrogant”
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 10, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I would take exception to that as a former Celtics fan.
But I spent years in various parts of the Boston Garden and after countless experiences with other fans I can only say that Fonz has hit the proverbial nail square on the noggin.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 10, 2010 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea that's pretty much what I'm thinking too
One playoff ream improves while another playoff team drops to the bottom of the conference (and Toronto’s ship sinks even further).
It was easy to let that point “sink in” after Bobcats Planet wrote a whole piece on it!
Bobcats about to make an offer to Louis Scola
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/probasketballtalks-top-25-free-agents-tracker.php
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jul 10, 2010 7:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think this is old news.
Wednesday of last week there was a report that the Bobcats were going to offer a contract to either Scola or Thomas. They picked Thomas.
If it’s not old news then color me stumped… because Scola is going to command something in the $40 million range like TT
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at Real Bits of Panthers
by James The Aussie on Jul 10, 2010 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions
That article is from today
And right below it it mentions that Thomas signed with the Bobcats. But of course we know what hole it’s sister site ProFootballTalk speaks out of, so it’s probably nothing.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Could be true but it doesn't match what I heard.
It’s my understanding that the Cavs are working on an offer on Scola and/or Matt Barnes depending on what moves the Nets and Knicks may have left in their respective bags o’ tricks. Just as an FYI, the Cavs have also shown a bit of interest in Tayshaun Prince but thus far the Pistons are looking for position players and Cleveland has precious little it wants to part with beyond cash considerations and draft picks.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 10, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
The Nets are about to throw big money at Scola since they missed out on T-Time
Nets also signed a back-up Center Petro from Denver. Russian owner is ready to overspend his cap room on what’s left since the biggest names are gone.
by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jul 10, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe I'm just ignorant about this guy.
How much does this Russian know about NBA players and the college system? Is he planning to rely on his GM to advise him on where to spend his money? He’s said he plans to make the Nets a “world” team. Does anyone besides me think that means he plans to bring some people in from the Motherland or other Eastern European teams? Russia seems to be the one nation with players that could regularly bang around with the NBA elite.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 10, 2010 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Scola es un Latino de Argentina
Meaning, he’d fit the “world team” well. I know of a French Power Forward that would fit that mold too, if “this Russian” can find a trade partner with a solid PG.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jul 10, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
i heard
that Devin Harris is a solid PG
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 11, 2010 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, and I'm expecting the Nets to move on Scola as well.
I think the Cavs are watching to see what kind of money NJ throws in his direction before making a play themselves, but I could be wrong.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 10, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, for multi year deals at that.
He needs to be saving all this cap room. He can overpay for a decent player to get on a 1 year contract and have his team a little more competitive than last year, but giving these guys 2 and 3 year deals is the dumbest thing he can do at this point.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 11, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
What does Jordan have to do with James going to Miami?
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Sunday details of an alleged November meeting in Miami with James, Heat president Pat Riley, James and the-Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan.
Article: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/11/1725787/some-nba-owners-accuse-miami-heat.html
This could very well be nothing. But if true, would it mean that Jordan was lobbying for James to come to Charlotte? Or that he was helping a friend get him to Miami? Even at the risk of foul play, I almost hope it’s true. Because it means our owner is in position to pull strings unlike any other. And that should eventually fall our way.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Riley really put the plan into action last November. During a Cavs visit to Miami, Riley arranged a get together with Michael Jordan and James. Jordan, who was in town to do some Nike work with Wade, at the time did not own a majority of the Bobcats.
During the meeting, Riley talked to James about how more modern players should pay homage to Jordan. Riley always had led this effort, retiring Jordan’s No. 23 in the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena even though Jordan never played in Miami.
I suggest everyone read all of this article.
Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is,
I get more props and stunts than Bruce Willis
- Guru, of Gangstarr
by WhatAboutBob_cats on Jul 11, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Very, very curious timeline and some really, really fishy stuff if you start connecting the dots
- LeBron, Wade and Bosh make this plan in the summer of 2006
- Bobcats sign Anderson Varajeo to a 3 year, back loaded offer sheet… this forces Cleveland’s hand to match the deal. This also curiously would have tied up roughly $9 million for the 2010-11 season (Dec ‘07)
- The plan between three big three is continually forged during the Summer of 2007
- LeBron tells the front office he would like the team to sign Jamario Moon to an offer sheet, they do and the Heat do not match… clearing money from Miami’s books and put it on Cleveland’s (Jun 2009)
- The three meet with Riley and Jordan in Miami (Oct ‘09)
- LeBron James publically comments that MJ’s number should be retired across the league (Nov ‘09)
- LeBron is vocal that the Cavs need a scoring PF, Antawn Jamison is traded for adding another $15 million to Cleveland’s books.
All the above moves tied up Cleveland’s money to ensure they could not clear enough room to sign another max level free agent, thereby giving James the loophole that Cleveland couldn’t bring the players together if they tried.
- Both James and Michael Jordan had a hand in the major moves that killed Cleveland’s cap.
- Both James and Michael Jordan are long time associates of William Wesley
- LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are all represented by Nike, with Wade being a member of ‘Team Jordan’
- Chris Paul is very close friends with LeBron and is also a member of team Jordan.
Maybe this whole thing was a ‘you scratch my back’ scenario where if MJ helped the Heat, the Heat would help MJ. What do I mean by this?
It was known that the Nets were interested in Tyrus Thomas as a backup plan if they missed out of the major stars. LeBron’s camp conveniently leaked that his meeting went the ‘best’ with the Nets. This kept NJ on the hook, unwilling to make any signings until LeBron made his intentions known. This gave the Bobcats time to negotiate with Thomas.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at Real Bits of Panthers
by James The Aussie on Jul 11, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I love a good conspiricy theory and there is alot of truth that " the decision " has been in the making for a couple of years. But how do you tie Jordan in to this? Why would Jordan want to be a part of making the Heat into a Super Team? The Heat are in our division it just dosn’t make a whole lot of sense.
The rich get richer
What if this is all part of a greater plan to have the Southeast Conference dominate the NBA?
Think about it: There’s a free agent summit with all the top players. The big three go to Miami, Joe Johnson returns to Atlanta, Orlando are already strong, the Bobcats are a playoff team and the Wizards just got John Wall.
This is the perfect time (especially if the Bobcats land a primo FA) for the entire division to get a stranglehold on the national NBA landscape. More sell outs for all the teams, more nationally televised games, better sponsors etc.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at Real Bits of Panthers
by James The Aussie on Jul 11, 2010 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions
This is my first foray into ROF this evening.
I don’t know if someone is reporting this elsewhere on the site so I apologize for any redundancy.
The owners have a meeting scheduled all day tomorrow. Initially it was scheduled as a planning session about the CBA negotiations. (FWIW, it makes it highly unlikely that Jordan will be announcing “the trade” on Monday because he’s going to be rather busy.)
The agenda for the meeting has been changed because Cuban and at least 5 other owners intent to tender formal accusations of collusion and tampering against the Miami Heat. They will also be discussing similar accusations levied against the 3 players. (I don’t think I need repeat the names. If y’all don’t know ‘em by now you’ve likely been in a coma for a week.)
Stern has already publicly stated that he will pay little attention to any complaints directed at the players because it could hamper player fraternization and he will not restrict that activity. That means most of the action will involve finger-pointing at the Heat. Because Jordan was present at the meeting in question that involved Riley, he’s going to be a big part of the center ring of this particular circus. The Heat maintain that the sole purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to honor Jordan leage-wide and trades, signings, and free agency were never discussed. Personally I think Jordan was just a beard so Riley could cover the Heat’s ass. Nonetheless, Jordan and Riley go WAY back and Wade has pretty tight business dealings with Jordan. I highly doubt Jordan is going to gun either of them down and play snitch. Expect nothing to come of this meeting – especially since neither Cleveland nor Toronto is one of the teams crying foul and both teams benefited in their respective situations by receiving considerations (draft picks, cash etc.) from the Heat.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 11, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Great info Ourday... I hadn't seen any of that
Yeah, nothing will come of the accusations because ultimately James and Bosh were sign and trades.
It’s tough to levy a complaint out of one side of your mouth and accept a trade out of the other.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at Real Bits of Panthers
by James The Aussie on Jul 12, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
And I thought I was a conspiracy theorist
It’s still Miami’s show. If any of this is true, and Jordan doesn’t get a serious FA out of it then I say he got worked.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jul 11, 2010 11:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I should also point out one more thing.
The meeting in question that involved Jordan took place in November of 2009 – a solid 3 plus months before Jordan became majority owner of the Bobcats and he was in town already doing marketing work with Nike regarding the release of Wade’s shoe line. He didn’t fly in specifically for that meeting. I think Cuban and the others know this is an exercise in futility but they still feel they have to hold Miami’s toes to the fire a bit.
Also, if Stern DOES contemplate reprisals to the players his main weapon of punishment is to render the contracts null and void. While this might please the hell out of the Bulls and Knicks (two of the other clubs involved in the complaint) I deeply doubt there is a snowball’s chance in hell that Dan Gilbert is willing to have James tossed back to Cleveland, even if it’s only on paper. I think he’d rather slide naked down a bannister made of razor blades. As to Stern’s motivation to avoid chastizing the players in any way, he can say it’s a fraternization thing all he wants. The real reason is that anything that happens can and will be held against the league come CBA negotiation time.
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 12, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
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