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Shanghai Kid · 05-23-2004, 12:57 PM

Our division next year: Miami, Orlando, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta.

Miami is the favorite. But I don't think we're far behind them. With a top 5 pick, our talent is equal if not better than theirs. It all comes down to coaching and chemistry, and staying healthy.

Can we win the divison next year?

**MJG** · 05-23-2004, 02:27 PM

I posted something like this in the Miami forum, and I think it holds pretty true:

At this point in time it certainly looks like Miami is the strong favorite to win the division, but it's way too early to begin guessing something like that. We still have an entire offseason to go through, and even when that's done the actual NBA season is pretty darn unpredictable. For a perfect example, look directly at Miami themselves. Very few even considered them a potential playoff team this season, let alone a team that would nab home court and advance to the second round.

What if Orlando lands a ROY big man in the draft to play with McGrady, will Orlando jump up the standings? What if Atlanta puts their piles of cap room to good use and picks up a couple all-star players? What if Kwame makes the leap we're all hoping he does and the rest of the team stays injury-free and gels? What if Odom goes down and only plays 40 games for the Heat?

Obviously some of that is a bit of exaggeration, but the point is that worlds can happen to make the division title not quite as Miami favored as it appears right now. The Heat went way above and beyond expectations this season and could very well maintain that next year, but I certainly hope no one is giving them the division title this early.

bballer27 · 05-23-2004, 03:15 PM

THE WIZARDS HAVE A GOOD CHANCE.

pG_prIDe · 05-23-2004, 10:15 PM

Well one things for sure, this is probably the best division in which the Wizards can hope to compete in next year. So Im somewhat thankful for that. And yes, I agree with MJG, alot of the Wizards' progress as a team next year depends on their ofseason, and possibly the offseason of their competitors. Hopefully, we'll use our high draft choice (I think the worst we could get is 7th) on an instant impact player... most preferably a pass-first PG who could take some pressure off Arenas or a big man to compliment Brown and Haywood. In addition, I feel that many trade opportunities should be explored to better the team, with Kwame bein the only untouchable. An offseason like this should augment the strength of our team for next year.

twinz2gether · 05-24-2004, 03:28 PM

I think the heat have probably more talent then us right now, and they definetely play ahrder, i'd give them the division. this division is really filled with 3 up and coming teams, us, the heat, and i really think the hawks.

**afireinside** · 05-24-2004, 08:21 PM

we can win this devision in my opinion. as long as we keep Kwame and Arenas we can't go wrong this season. if they learn to gel together then those 2 could be like a Stockton-Malone duo. can't you hear it now?

"Arenas to Kwame!"

Hawks4ever · 05-25-2004, 08:51 AM

No, Miami is head and shoulders above everyone else. Washington does have good talent, but their coach is unproven and Arenas is still growing. Unless they draft a Okafor then I do not see any major changes. Orlando has the best player in the division, but I think even with Okafor they are behind Miami. They need more quality and quantity talent on their roster. And Atlanta is just 3 years away, the best thing for them to do is to develop a project who can be a superstar.

hobojoe · 05-25-2004, 09:09 AM

To be honest, I think any team other than the Bobcats, barring any stars being left unprotected, can win the division. Miami is obviously the favorites going in, but it's by no means a guaranteed thing. Odom is still very inconsistent, Wade is going to be great, Butler is a question mark coming off this season, Grant and Jones aren't getting any younger, and their contracts limit the chances of any big free agents coming to Miami. Rafer Alston is a free agent, and may not be back, which could be a bigger loss to the Heat than they expect. Miami are by no means a guarantee next year. Washington should be loaded and ready to go next year, with Arenas, Hughes, Stackhouse, Jarvis Hayes, Kwame and possibly a big man from the draft. If Washington can luck out and get Okafor, I don't see a reason as to why they can't win the division. If they can't get Okafor, and wind up with Howard, Biedrins, Andriuskevicius or someone like that, I'd say that they probably won't win the division this season, unless they make unexpected contributions right away. Orlando in all likelihood will have made a decision by the beginning of the season; either go all out, try to compete this season and keep T-Mac around, or trade McGrady away and rebuild. If they choose the first option, and draft Okafor, Gordon or someone that will help right away, and heavily pursue Mark Blount, or Brent Barry for the MLE, they could also win the division this season. Atlanta is a long shot, but with their cap room, their high pick and the momentum from how they finished off this season, they could be a real dark horse in the race. It should be an interesting season for this division, with Miami the heavy favorites coming in, but to answer the question; yes, Washington can win the division next season.

Shanghai Kid · 05-25-2004, 12:32 PM

Miami has the division on lock if they get a better bench. Right now both Washington and Orlando have a better bench and even more size.

jazzy1 · 05-25-2004, 06:34 PM

Miami you'd have to say is the favorite based on whats happened this season.

I think the Wizards have the chance to win this division but I don't like our coach. I just don't believe Eddie knows how to put a team together. He miss uses our size advantage almost every game. Some games we'll thrown Kwame the ball then suddenly he doesn't touch it again for a quarter and a half. Going inside is a commitment made by the coach. So unless EJ realizes thats the best manner for us to play we're gonna be inconsistent. We have too many shoot 1st guys which has made even the guys off the bench feel like gunning is the best option.

We won't play consistent enough going perimeter to beat teams because those same perimeter scorers are bad defenders so bad shots lead to fast breaks.

We need to trade 2 of our perimeter guys for a couple of role players who wanna play defense. I like our interior but the senseless gunning and to's won't win you anything in this league.

Having a distributor could change all of this seeming as Arenas doesn't feel like passing is the best option.

If Eddie Jordan changes his philosophy we could win this division if not another season of mumbling and grumbling marred by incoinsistency is ahead.

Miami has decided to play a certain style. That works for them .

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