A Look at the Southeast Division

By Chris Navalta

Last season, the Magic ran away with the Southeast Division title and picked up the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. There's no question a fast start will help if Orlando plans to clinch back-to-back 50-win seasons. But the Magic won't get any help from their division rivals.

Each team in the Southeast has its own agenda. Rich in talent and playoff experience, Orlando's foes don't plan to make the race for the division title easy.

In no particular order, here's a look at the (other) contenders coming from the Southeast:

Atlanta Hawks: Coming off a season that saw them take eventual champion Boston to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, the Hawks enter the season with plenty of confidence. They may have lost Josh Childress, who decided to take his game overseas, but Atlanta could benefit from a full season of Mike Bibby. The question is whether or not Bibby can return to the form that made him a superstar in Sacramento earlier this decade. Another question lies at center, where Al Horford (though talented with big upside) is more of a true power forward. Atlanta is considered a limited team until it can answer its questions at center and point guard.

Charlotte Bobcats: Though they have a Hall of Fame coach in Larry Brown, a high-flyer in Jason Richardson and a double-double post player in Emeka Okafor, the Bobcats are still considered by many an expansion team. In its defense, Charlotte was shorthanded last season (Sean May and Adam Morrison did not play last season due to injuries). May should improve the interior game while Morrison should add more scoring punch. But it will be tough for the Bobcats to contend for a playoff spots this season because teams such as Philadelphia and Miami are expected to improve. Raymond Felton has been a disappointment at point guard, which is why the Bobcats drafted D.J. Augustin. But no matter who's running the point, Charlotte will be back in the draft lottery unless either one can develop into at least a stable player.

Washington Wizards: Despite having players such as Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, the Wizards seem to be an 'interesting' team every year. They're good enough to clinch a respectable seed in the playoffs - but aren't good enough to go far. Ironically, Washington finished last season 43-39 - just four games above .500 and is the epitome of the average NBA team. And without any key acquisitions during the offseason, it doesn't look like this season will be any different.

Miami Heat: For anyone who had doubts about Dwyane Wade's health need look no further than his performance in the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Wade's gold medal campaign should give every fan reason to think he will return to his All-NBA form. A full season of Shawn Marion will also help and versatile rookie Michael Beasley should be the season's Rookie of the Year (or at least finish second). But with Shaquille O'Neal gone, there's no dominant presence in the middle. And without a stable point guard (Miami signed oft-injured Shaun Livingston this offseason), it's uncertain just how far the Heat can go. Then again, Miami won just 15 games last season. So the future can only be brighter.