NBA Offseason Report Cards -- Southeast Division
By Josh Cohen
September 27, 2010
It was an extremely eventful and hectic summer around the NBA. Several superstars, including LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and Shaquille O’Neal, are all on new teams.
With training camp under way, let’s take a peek at what we can expect opening night in the NBA to look like around the league.
In this edition, we analyze the Southeast Division. Check out the expected lineups for opening night for each the Magic, Hawks, Bobcats, Heat and Wizards and then submit the grade you think each franchise deserves on their offseason Report Card using the following grading system:
A - Made the best possible moves they can make; are definitely improved from last season; have enough pieces to contend for the championship or at least make a deep playoff run
B - Had a purpose and followed through with it; made enough adjustments to not be considered a sinking ship; not a championship contender but should be good enough to compete for a playoff spot
C - Didn’t seem to have a plan or focus; made questionable transactions; not a team that is headed in the right direction
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 |  Jameer Nelson |  Vince Carter |  Dwight Howard |  Rashard Lewis |  Quentin Richardson |  J.J. Redick |  Mickael Pietrus |
Key Additions: Quentin Richardson, Chris Duhon, Daniel Orton, Stanley Robinson
Key Subtractions: Matt Barnes
Cohen’s Thoughts: Unlike the philosophy of some of the other elite teams in the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic believe chemistry and harmony are the main essential factors to team improvement and evolution.
While the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls upgraded through free agency, the Magic decided it was more appropriate to improve through familiarity. Instead of making drastic changes, Orlando, by and large, has the same nucleus of talent that it had a season ago.
Aside from Quentin Richardson replacing Matt Barnes, the Magic’s starting lineup remained intact. Orlando also added Chris Duhon to serve as the backup point guard.
Behind the core of Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter, the Magic are ambitious and motivated to make a serious run at the NBA championship.
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What grade do you give the Orlando Magic on the NBA Offseason Report Card?
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 |  Mike Bibby |  Joe Johnson |  Al Horford |  Josh Smith |  Marvin Williams |  Jamal Crawford |  Zaza Pachulia |
Key Additions: Jordan Crawford
Key Subtractions: None
Cohen's Thoughts: Similar to the Orlando Magic’s outlook, the Atlanta Hawks decided it was important to keep their nucleus together.
Somewhat surprising at the time of the pronouncement, especially after a disappointing finish in the playoffs, Atlanta opted to re-sign Joe Johnson to a maximum contract.
Although some NBA critics suggest the decision to retain Johnson could jeopardize the financial freedom of the franchise, it seemed necessary to keep their perennial All-Star.
While the Hawks’ starting lineup, comprised of Johnson, Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford, is very formidable, it’s the bench that remains a mystery.
Outside of Jamal Crawford, who reportedly wants out of Atlanta if the club does not offer him a big contract extension, the Hawks don’t possess a daunting set of reserves.
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What grade do you give the Atlanta Hawks on the NBA Offseason Report Card?
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 |  DJ Augustin |  Stephen Jackson |  Nazr Mohammad |  Boris Diaw |  Gerald Wallace |  Tyrus Thomas |  DeSagana Diop |
Key Additions: Kwame Brown
Key Subtractions: Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Theo Ratliff
Cohen’s Thoughts: They showed tremendous growth and progression last season when they advanced to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. But now, unlike any time before, there is some added pressure on the Charlotte Bobcats to proceed to the next level.
With Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace steering the ship, many expect the Bobcats to be a playoff team once again.
It won’t be easy, however.
Largely because the rest of the Eastern Conference has significantly improved, Charlotte will have to claw its way to the postseason.
It no longer has as much front court depth as it had last year when it presented Dwight Howard with a load of problems in the playoffs. The Bobcats dealt away Tyson Chandler to the Mavericks and lost veteran Theo Ratliff when he signed with the Lakers.
Charlotte also had to say goodbye to Raymond Felton, who joined the Knicks.
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What grade do you give the Charlotte Bobcats on the NBA Offseason Report Card?
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 |  Mario Chalmers |  Dwyane Wade |  Zydrunas Ilgauskas |  Chris Bosh |  LeBron James |  Mike Miller |  Udonis Haslem |
Key Additions: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mike Miller
Key Subtractions: Jermaine O'Neal, Michael Beasley, Quentin Richardson
Cohen’s Thoughts: It was one of the most spectacular, yet controversial, moments in sports history.
LeBron James, a celebrated icon throughout the world, opted to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami during an epic ESPN broadcast in early July.
Since that stunning announcement, many basketball spectators have already awarded the Heat the NBA championship.
But, without a vivacious interior presence to help prevent Orlando’s Dwight Howard and Boston’s collection of big men, it certainly won’t be as a trouble-free as some seem to believe.
Yes, the newly formed All-Star trio will be electrifying to watch, but as history has shown, NBA championships are generally won in the paint.
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What grade do you give the Miami Heat on the NBA Offseason Report Card?
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 |  John Wall |  Gilbert Arenas |  JaVale McGee |  Andray Blatche |  Josh Howard |  Kirk Hinrich |  Yi Jianlian |
Key Additions: John Wall, Yi Jianlian, Kirk Hinrich
Key Subtractions: Randy Foye, Mike Miller
Cohen’s Thoughts: It was easily one of the most peculiar years for a professional sports franchise in American history.
From a controversial incident involving the team’s most celebrated star to a pair of blockbuster midseason trades to a relieving blast of luck in the lottery, the Washington Wizards experienced an up-and-down 2009-10 season.
Now, however, with No. 1 draft pick John Wall, the return of Gilbert Arenas and the apparent emergence of Andray Blatche, the Wizards are very relevant again and should be vastly improved.
Although it will take time for Wall to adjust to the NBA, Washington will be a team to look out for in a couple of years. For now, though, it seems only logical to believe that the Wizards are still at a distance from envisioning a trip to the playoffs this season.
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What grade do you give the Washington Wizards on the NBA Offseason Report Card?
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