NBA 2013-14 Season Preview – Southeast Division; LeBron James, Miami Heat Look Unrivaled In Third Title Bid

Three years ago, the Southeast Division was pretty stacked up with Dwight Howard still the king of Orlando, Joe Johnson balling in Atlanta, and the super friends of LeBon James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh rocking in South Beach. After a barrage of shocking trades and free agency signings, the Southeast turned into a kingdom ruled with an iron fist by the Miami Heat.

MIAMI HEAT

Last Season: 66-16, defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-3 in NBA Finals.

Projected Starting Five: point guard Mario Chalmers (8.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.5 apg), shooting guard Dwyane Wade (21.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.1 apg), small forward LeBron James (26.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 7.3 apg), power forward Shane Battier (6.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.0 apg), center Chris Bosh (16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 apg).

Key additions: center Greg Oden (free agent, Trail Blazers), small forward Michael Beasley (free agent, Suns), shooting guard Roger Mason Jr. (free agent, Pelicans).

Key loss: guard/forward Mike Miller (free agent, Grizzlies).

Head coach: Erik Spoelstra, sixth season with Heat and overall; 260-134.

Things To Watch For: Dwyane Wade averaged at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists last season an injury-marred year. The All-Star guard did struggle in the playoffs but still put out pretty solid stats to help the Heat win their second straight NBA Championship. The offseason surely benefited Wade in terms of recuperating from his injuries. With NBA contenders loading up for a brand new season, the Heat will definitely need a healthy and explosive Wade to build a new dynasty in the NBA.

Meanwhile, LeBron James will be putting up usual numbers, but he's bound to be more efficient on the shaded lane. The four-time MVP has been working on his low-post moves, giving him another way to score when defense is tightening down in the perimeter.

ATLANTA HAWKS

Last Season: 44-38, lost to Indiana Pacers 4-2 in first round.

Projected Starting Five: point guard Jeff Teague (14.6 ppg, 7.2 apg), shooting guard Kyle Korver (10.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.6 3-pointers per game), forward DeMarre Carroll (4.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg), power forward Paul Millsap (14.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.6 apg), center Al Horford (17.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.00 bpg).

Key Additions: Millsap (free agent, Jazz), Carroll (free agent, Jazz), forward Elton Brand (free agent, Mavericks), Forward-Center Gustavo Ayon (free agent, Bucks), Forward James Johnson (free agent, Kings), Center Pero Antic (free agent, Yugoslavia), Point Guard Jared Cunningham (trade, Mavericks), Guard Royal Ivey (free agent, 76ers).

Key Losses: Forward Josh Smith (free agent, Pistons), Guard Devin Harris (free agent, Mavericks), Center Zaza Pachulia (free agent, Bucks), Forward Ivan Johnson (free agent), Guard DeShawn Stevenson (free agent), Guard Anthony Morrow (free agent, Pelicans), Forward Anthony Tolliver (free agent, Bobcats), Center Johan Petro (free agent).

Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer, first season.

Things To Watch For: After almost gutting out their entire roster, the Hawks are still pretty much in playoff contention with All-Star center Al Horford assuming the role as the franchise player. The Hawks quickly recovered from Josh Smith's departure by acquiring Paul Millsap. Lou Williams, who spent most of the 2012-13 season on the sidelines due to a knee injury, is expected to return and produce quality minutes off the bench. Another player to watch out for the Hawks is Dennis Schroder, who could be a sleeper in the Rookie of the Year race.  

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Last Season: 29-53, missed playoffs.

Projected Starting Five: point guard John Wall (18.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 7.6 apg), shooting guard Bradley Beal (13.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), small forward Trevor Ariza (9.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg), power forward Nene (12.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.9 apg), center Emeka Okafor (9.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.2 apg).

Key Additions: forward Otto Porter (draft, Georgetown), forward Al Harrington (free agent, Magic), guard Eric Maynor (free agent, Trail Blazers), guard Glen Rice Jr. (draft, D-League).

Key Loss: G A.J. Price (free agent, Timberwolves).

Coach: Randy Wittman, third season with Wizards, eighth season overall; 147-291.

Things To Watch For: Fresh off signing a five-year, $80 million extension deal, John Wall is facing an enormous amount of pressure to perform up to expectations this season.  Wall has never been an All-Star and never made it past the regular season since he was drafted first overall in 2010. Nevertheless, he will have solid talents around him, starting with shooting guard Bradley Beal.  If things turned out pretty well, Wall and Bradley combination will be deadly this season. In short, the playoffs should be back in the Nations' capital.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Last Season: 21-61, missed playoffs.

Projected Starting Five: point guard Kemba Walker (17.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.7 apg), shooting guard Gerald Henderson (15.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.6 apg), small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.5 apg), forward Cody Zeller (rookie), center Al Jefferson (17.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg).

Key Additions: center Jefferson (free agent, Jazz), forward Anthony Tolliver (free agent, Hawks).

Key Losses: center Byron Mullens (free agent, Lakers), point guard Reggie Williams (free agent, Rockets) forward Tyrus Thomas (amnestied).

Coach: Steve Clifford, first season with Bobcats, first season as head coach in NBA.

Things To Watch : Al Jefferson will certainly help Michael Jordan's franchise to become relevant this season after years of futility. The arrival of Tolliver will also provide the Bobcats some scoring punch inside. The young core of Zeller, Bismack Biyombo, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Jeffrey Taylor will be exciting to watch, but this talent pool won't be enough to get them back in the playoffs.

ORLANDO MAGIC

Last Season: 20-62, missed playoffs.

Projected Starting Five: point guard Jameer Nelson (14.7 ppg, 7.4 apg, 3.7 rpg), shooting guard Arron Afflalo (16.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.2 apg), small forward Maurice Harkless (8.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.7 apg), power forward Tobias Harris (11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.3 apg), center Nikola Vucevic (13.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.0 bpg).

Key Additions: guard Victor Oladipo (draft, No. 2), Harris (trade, Bucks), F-C Jason Maxiell (free agent, Pistons).

Key Losses: Center Gustavo Ayon (trade, Bucks).

Coach: Jacque Vaughn, second season with Magic, second season overall; 20-62.

Things To Watch: Two years removed from the Dwight Howard saga and the city of Orlando is slowly seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Nikola Vucevic is emerging as a stud inside as he averaged a double-double last season. Vucevic is expected to provide the same numbers, while youngsters Harris and Harkless will have plenty of time to learn on the hardcourt. The Magic won't make the playoffs this season, but the presence of Victor Oladipo will make them a watchable young team next season.