NOW that every team has played over 20 games we have officially moved past the quarter mark of the 2016-17 season. Some teams are living up to the hype and exceeding expectations, others not so much as they plummet towards the bottom of the lottery. Let’s quickly wrap the first portion of the season so far for the teams from the Southeast division.
Atlanta Hawks (12-12)
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IT seems early on as though losing Jeff Teague and Al Horford aren’t going to be major issues. Dwight Howard and Dennis Schroder have filled those two roles, with both performing at a consistent level.
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THEY do however struggle to put points on the board with regularity. Dwight is nice to catch alley-oops and Schroder is getting better and better, but outside of those two and All-Star Paul Milsap no one else on this roster has helped shoulder the offensive duties night in/night out.
Look Out For….
THEIR consistency. It is the biggest issue for the Hawk,s as they reeled off six consecutive wins at one point and almost straight after that dropped seven games in a row. Atlanta aren’t in a position of dominance yet, but if they can gel and find some consistency they can challenge for a top four seed in the East.
Charlotte Hornets (14-10)
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KEMBA Walker has established himself as yet another star guard in today’s NBA full of talented playmakers. He has consistently improved each year and is now hitting a deep shot, a pleasant sign for the Hornets.
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ALTHOUGH it all seems to be going swimmingly for Charlotte they still only sit four games over .500. And while they might be good enough to get it done in the East with regards to a playoff berth, they are still missing another superstar to pair with Kemba and make a real push. Steve Clifford has done a good job to develop this young group, but moving a few smaller pieces for a talented vet to compliment Walker is the next step.
Look Out For….
HOME court woes to continue. Largely due to their attacking style of play and their quick slashing guards/wings the Hornets are right near the top of the league for attempted free throws each game. Of their ten losses, six have come at home and while it’s important to win on the road (which they can do) they need to do a better job of protecting their home court.
Image from usatoday.com
Even though Dwight is back in his hometown of Atlanta he and the Hawks haven’t begun the season the way they, and many others expected them too. Can they get it together?
Miami Heat (7-17)
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WITH Miami seemingly in rebuild mode the young squad needed a player to step up as their go to guy, and that’s exactly what Hassan Whiteside has done. Many may not view him as a franchise player at the time, but his impact defensively on games is almost unrivalled throughout the league and I can only see the big man’s offensive game getting better. Even though he is 27 this is really only his 3rd full season in the NBA, so expect more out of him in the future.
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THIS was always going to be a testing period of time for the Heat after losing their greatest franchise player in Dwyane Wade last off-season. While they have a balanced group of scoring their group of wings just aren’t shooting the ball well at the moment. As they continue to juggle the starting line-up and work on their chemistry, hopefully players can get more comfortable and convert a higher percentage of buckets.
Look Out For….
THE development of the guards. The glut of backcourt players that Miami has isn’t exactly an issue, as it increases their likelihood of developing a future star. Players like Josh Richardson, Wayne Ellington, Dion Waiters, Justise Winslow and Tyler Johnson have all spent time on the wing as the post-Wade era begins, and the future could see one or more of them develop into a great player for the franchise.
Orlando Magic (10-15)
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ELFRID Payton and Evan Fornier have emerged as a serviceable couple starting in the backcourt for Orlando, with great bench help coming from D.J. Augustin and Jodie Meeks. I am still baffled by the fact that Hezonja is only getting 11 minutes a night, but that’s an argument for another day. With all the issues surrounding their frontcourt, their backcourt seems like it will provide thae stability necessary moving forwards.
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FOR whatever reason the Magic insist of turning Aaron Gordon into a 3 rather than let the talented forward play more minutes at the 4 position. Arguably the most talented player on their roster, he should be utilised more as a stretch 4 and go to work against some of the slower less athletic power forwards of the competition. Granted teams are going more away from designated ‘positions’ in today’s NBA, but Gordon is too talented to be wasted as an overrated spot up shooter.
Look Out For….
AN inevitable trade of Nikola Vucevic. He has the skillset and potential to be a real asset to a team and while Orlando may think they can work through the big man rotation of Ibaka, Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo it just won’t work. With Biyombo and Ibaka joining the team in the off-season they are the least likely to be moved, meaning Vucevic is the odd man out.
Image from pba-online.net
The Orlando Magic have benefitted from Serge Ibaka’s play despite their crowded front-court issues.
Washington Wizards (9-13)
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JOHN Wall is an absolute superstar. Much like Kemba Walker, Wall struggles to find exposure at a talented position, but there aren’t many players who are as gifted a playmaker as Wall. Even though his outside shot is somewhat questionable, his athletic prowess and ability to find his teammates in scoring positions make him a true franchise player.
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THIS bench group is absolutely abysmal, putting it nicely. Any team that is relying on a five man unit of Trey Burke, Marcus Thornton, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Nicholson and Jason Smith is in strife.
Look Out For….
CHEMISTRY issues between Wall and Beal. Washington are struggling to establish the direction the franchise is going to take going forward. Is the pairing of Brad Beal and John Wall doomed? Or can they pair up, stay healthy and produce some wins for the Wizards.
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