The Boxscore Geeks 2018 NBA Preview: The Southeast

On the amazing Dunk Tales podcast, they discussed the divisions thanks to an excellent user comment. When they looked at the Southeast, something became apparent. This division is ... not good. We've reviewed some stacked divisions. Let's get to the disappointing cousin in the family.

Washington Wizards

Additions: Austin Rivers, Chasson Randle, Chris Chiozza, Dwight Howard, Jeff Green, Jordan McRae, Lavoy Allen, Thomas Bryant, Tiwian Kendley, Troy Brown

Subtractions: Carrick Felix, Chris McCullough, Ramon Sessions, Donald Sloan, Tim Frazier, Sheldon Mac, Mike Young, Mike Scott, Marcin Gortat

Vegas Over/Under: 44.5

My take:

This is rough. This team was a 43 win team last season, and they added the still productive Dwight Howard. That said, they also added Austin Rivers and Jeff Green. I think they get the over, especially with the advantage of being in a trash division. Of course, they already lost to the next team on the list, so, who knows?

Miami Heat

Additions: Briante Weber, Charles Cooke, Duncan Robinson, Jarnell Stokes, Malik Newman, Marcus Lee, Yante Maten

Subtractions: Tony Mitchell, A.J. Hammons, Jordan Mickey, Okaro White, Erik McCree, Derrick Walton Jr., Matt Williams Jr., Luke Babbitt

Vegas Over/Under: 41.5

My take:

I like the over, but health is the real issue with this team. Justise Winslow looked like a promising young talent. Hassan Whiteside, when healthy, is one of the top centers in the NBA. Can this team stay healthy and on the court? Again, I like the over and think they'll be a first-round playoff team.

Charlotte Hornets

Additions: Bismack Biyombo, Devonte' Graham, Isaiah Wilkins, Jaylen Barford, Joe Chealey, J.P. Macura, Miles Bridges, Tony Parker, Zach Smith

Subtractions: Michael Carter-Williams, Dwight Howard, Julyan Stone, Mangok Mathiang, Marcus Paige, Luke Petrasek, Terry Henderson, Isaiah Hicks, Johnny O'Bryant III, T.J. Williams, Treveon Graham

Vegas Over/Under: 35.5

My take:

I was more pessimistic on this team preseason. They lost Dwight Howard, and a bigger issue is that Frank Kaminsky kept getting big minutes, despite being terrible. However, Kaminsky has been a DNP-CD, and the Hornets do have some good players. I still have no idea where this team ends up as that mid 30s range is the perfect range where teams get worse post-All-Star break when playoff odds evaporate.

Orlando Magic

Additions: Amile Jefferson, B.J. Johnson, Braian Angola-Rodas, Devin Davis, Isaiah Briscoe, Jarell Martin, Jerian Grant, Melvin Frazier, Mohamed Bamba, Timofey Mozgov

Subtractions: Arron Afflalo, Bismack Biyombo, Elfrid Payton, Rashad Vaughn, Damjan Rudez, Kalin Lucas, Rodney Purvis, Mario Hezonja, Shelvin Mack, Adreian Payne, Jamel Artis, Marreese Speights

Vegas Over/Under: 31.0

My take:

I don't get when anyone would think this team has improved since last season. They're a lottery squad and don't expect much. It's easier to say that as I write this on a night where the Hornets blew them out by 32.

Atlanta Hawks

Additions: Alex Len, Alex Poythress, Daniel Hamilton, Isaac Humphries, Jaylen Adams, Jeremy Lin, Justin Anderson, Kevin Huerter, Omari Spellman, R.J. Hunter, Thomas Robinson, Trae Young, Vince Carter

Subtractions: Jaylen Morris, Quinn Cook, Jeremy Evans, Damion Lee, Mike Muscala, Dennis Schroder, Malcolm Delaney, Isaiah Taylor, Sheldon Mac, Okaro White, Tyler Cavanaugh, Josh Magette, Jordan Mathews, Andrew White III, Nicolas Brussino, Luke Babbitt, John Jenkins, Richard Jefferson, Antonius Cleveland, Marco Belinelli, Ersan Ilyasova

Vegas Over/Under: 23.5

My take:

We like Alex Len, but he's not enough to overcome a pretty mediocre squad. This team traded away the rights to Luka Doncic, and I suspect the rest of there season will be also as underwhelming. Expect them to be competing with Orlando for a lottery spot.

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