By Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson
Atlanta Hawks:
Key Additions: None
Glad that they re-signed Josh Smith. He is a versatile guy that now has ‘the man status’ in the Atl. But he may think in the back of his mind that his former teammate Josh Childress may have gotten a sweeter deal by having his housing and all his taxes paid for by the team that he plays for everyday? Anyhow, the Hawks gave the Celtics a run for their money in the first round of the playoffs last year. Don’t you all remember the sleepless nights that the Celtics were having?
Moving on, the pairing of Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby is so appealing to me. It just seems so cool to start two great basketball minds together. My concern is coaching with this team though. Is Mike Woodson the coach that they need? This team has young athletic guys that like to run the floor. It will be interesting to see how Zaza Pachilia will play this year with all the things that are going on in his native country.
Charlotte Bobcats:
Key Additions: D.J. Augustin, Resigning Emeka Okafor, coach Larry Brown
This team is a good team, not just because they have Larry Brown as their coach. They are also a good team because they will be accountable to each other. Larry Brown’s new coaching style allows the team captains to be more vocal. Accountability and communication are important things amongst teammates. Look for Gerald Wallace to have a good season. He doesn’t necessarily have a certain position, but he plays hard and fills up a stat sheet every night. Raymond Felton will also have a good year especially because a fellow Tar Heel is his coach and will push him harder than the rest of his teammates. The Bobcats are a team that a lot of people may sleep on. Watch out Eastern Conference.
Miami Heat:
Key Additions: Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, Shaun Livingston
The Heat are filled with youthful talent and a veteran (well I guess you can call him that now) leader in Dwyane Wade. They will most assuredly win more games than they did last year. They drafted well by getting both Beasley and Chalmers. Beasley will be fine because of his self-confidence and his desire. Chalmers I foresee as more of a 2-guard than a point guard, contrary to popular opinion. Hopefully Shawn Marion will stay in Miami, there are rumors he will be traded before the deadline. If he is traded there will be a lot of suitors as he will come out having a tremendous year. By the way, don’t sleep on Dorrell Wright. He is maturing as a player. Overall, this team will be exciting to watch.
Orlando Magic:
Key Additions: Mickael Pietrus
This is still a young team. They are a dynamic young team, but still inexperienced. They upgraded tremendously by nabbing Mickael Pietrus from Golden State. The Magic were surely in need of a wing player, but they will miss Carlos Arroyo. Dwight Howard will have a great year, as he is realizing his potential. Great year ahead for Howard and a playoff visit is a lock in for them.
Washington Wizards:
Key Additions: Dee Brown, Juan Dixon
Injuries is what seems to hurt this team time after time. Arenas’ knee surgery hurts them. Look for Caron Butler to step up immensely in the absence of Arenas. The great core of Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and DeShawn Stevenson has played consistently together during long stretches of Arenas’ injuries. They need to come into the season swinging if they hope to get a higher seed in the conference and not have to play Cleveland AGAIN!
Well, there you have it: The Scoop on the NBA Eastern Conference. It will be an exciting season. Whatever you do, make sure you have a Slam Dunkin season and I will catch you on the rebound this time again next season for another preview!
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