Win In 6 Podcast #14: Southeast Division Preview

It’s that time of week again (for the second time), as our team gets together to discuss the latest Milwaukee Bucks’ news and most important conversation points in our “Win In 6 Podcast”!

More from Bucks News

As the season moves closer, it only feels right to branch out and look further around at the teams the Bucks are going to have to square off against, and so from this week on that’s exactly what we’re going to be doing on the podcast.

On top of our regular podcast spot (posting on Tuesdays) where we dive deep into every piece of Bucks news or discussion, we’ll take a division by division trip around the NBA on Thursdays to get to know the opposition a little better.

Last week we started off in the Eastern Conference by looking at the Atlantic Division, and we’ll stay there this week to discuss the Southeast Division.

The Southeast division played host to two conference semi-finalists last season with the Washington Wizards joined by the East’s best regular season team the Atlanta Hawks, and behind that there was the Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic who should all be better this time around.

That makes the Southeast competitive at the very least, but more than that, with the talent involved it should be entertaining.

The Atlanta Hawks have retained the bulk of the team that won 60 games last year, with all four of their All-Stars returning. They did lose DeMarre Carroll, but they do have options to replace him. Who seems most likely to step up?

Also, did they pick up the most underrated player of all of the summer’s transactions by taking Tiago Splitter off the Spurs while sending virtually nothing back in return?

The Charlotte Hornets went in big for the first season following their return to their old name, after a return to the playoffs in their final year as the Bobcats, but it didn’t quite go to plan. Lance Stephenson didn’t work out, but their acquisition of Nicolas Batum may actually put them in a better position anyway.

With a roster that has a nice mix of youth and depth across the floor, along with a coach who was considered one of the best up an coming coaches in the league only a season ago, the Hornets could be prepared for a big turnaround.

The Miami Heat’s season didn’t go to plan last year with niggling injuries to Dwyane Wade, then compounded by a serious health condition sidelining Chris Bosh for the second half of the year.

Back healthy with some nice additions for depth in tow, the Heat will be good again but have they got enough left in the tank to make another meaningful run? Can Hassan Whiteside prove that last season wasn’t just a one hit wonder?

Orlando have one of the stranger rosters in the NBA. They have some exceptional young talent with the likes of Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and Mario Hezonja, but then they also have players like C.J. Watson, Channing Frye and Jason Smith capable of eating minutes that should be reserved for younger players’ development.

Add Scott Skiles into the mix as the new head coach, and it becomes very difficult to get a read on just what exactly the Magic are this year. Will they make a big jump, or will they remain in the NBA basement?

Last but not least, after an impressive season last year and a group made up of continually improving talent, are the Washington Wizards the East’s next real force?

The answer lies not on the shoulders of their young up-and-comers John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, but instead on the questions of whether they have sufficient depth, and if Randy Wittman is the right coach for this team.

To get to the bottom of all of these questions and more, joining me are staff writers Ti Windisch and Jordan Treske.

Make sure to follow us on SoundCloud, and subscribe on iTunes to never miss an episode of Win In 6 in the future.

Check out our podcast breakdown of the Bucks small forwards next Tuesday, as well as our preview of the Northwest Division coming Thursday.

As always, let us hear your thoughts and feedback.

Next: Win In 6 Podcast #12: Atlantic Division Preview

More from Behind the Buck Pass

Home/Bucks News