NBA by division: Southeast
Stan Van Gundy has a problem — but it's one any coach would love to have. How do you keep so many All-Star players happy?
Van Gundy, who coached the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals a year ago, has one clear leader — Dwight Howard, who is simply the best center in the league. But he also has a wealth of other talented players, including newcomer Vince Carter, an eight-time All-Star.
Mix in point guard Jameer Nelson and forward Rashard Lewis and the Magic have four recent All-Stars on their starting lineup, all of whom are capable of scoring 20-plus points a night.
Carter, a Florida native, says he's happy to be home and is willing to take a supporting role for a winning team. He should be able to make a very good team even better. Orlando will easily dominate the Southeast Division and will challenge the Cavaliers and Celtics for the best record in the East.
Here is a team-by-team look at the Southeast Division in predicted order of finish:
ORLANDO MAGIC
Last season: 59-23, lost to the Lakers in NBA finals
Top player: C Dwight Howard (20.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 2.9 bpg)
Supporting cast: PG Jameer Nelson (16.7 ppg, 5.4 apg), G Vince Carter (20.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.7 apg), F Rashard Lewis (17.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), F Matt Barnes (10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.8 apg)
Bottom line: Hedo Turkoglu and Rafer Alston, key components during the Magic's magic playoff run, are gone. Still, Orlando shouldn't miss a beat. Alston was just a fill-in while Nelson recovered from injury and Carter and free agent-acquisition Barnes should more than make up for Turkoglu's scoring. Lewis will miss the first 10 games of the season due to league-imposed suspension (for testing positive for an elevated testosterone level), but Orlando has plenty of other bodies who can fill in until he comes back.Sixty or so wins and another long playoff run is likely.
ATLANTA HAWKS
Last season: 47-35, lost to Cleveland in the second round of the playoffs
Top player: G Joe Johnson (21.4 ppg, 5.8 apg)
Supporting cast: F Josh Smith (15.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 bpg), G Mike Bibby (14.9 ppg, 5.0 apg), F Marvin Williams (13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg), C Al Horford (11.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg)
Comments
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