One of the biggest problems with the NBA Southeast Division is that four of the five teams have real playoff chances. Three of those teams have had some form of recent playoff success. None of those three teams are the Charlotte Hornets. They are the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and the Washington Wizards.
More from Charlotte Hornets
- Charlotte Hornets: Return would have provided valuable experience
- Charlotte Hornets: Regrading the 2010 NBA Draft
- Charlotte Hornets win what could be final game of the season
- Charlotte Hornets: Tank now or buzz towards the playoffs?
- Charlotte Hornets travel to face Pistons with focus on the future
The Wizards are the subject of today’s look at the division. The Wizards finished 46-36 last season and swept the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs. Then they took Atlanta to six games before falling short.
Entering the off season, the Wizards were one of only two teams in the division who attempted to maintain the status quo. They were only partially successful in this, asPaul Piercedeparted the team for the Los Angeles Clippers. The Wizards did make a deal forJared Dudleyto help fill that spot. They also drafted the shooterKelly Oubre.
Perhaps the Wizards were quiet this off season to prepare for the next off season. WhenLeBron Jamesreturned to Cleveland in the last off season, there were rumors as to what other players might be interested in coming to their homes to play their professional basketball. One of the players mentioned wasKevin Durant, who is from the DC suburbs. Neither Dudley nor Oubre could deny Durant a spot if they wanted to.
More fromOld North Banter
- Carolina Panthers: Secondary battles to watch in training camp 2020
- Carolina Panthers: 2020 training camp kicks off on Tuesday
- NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
- Court alleges Zion’s Stepfather received $400k
- UNC Football gets Commitment from Top Cornerback
However that is a concern for next year. This year the Wizards are still a team based on talented guardsJohn WallandBradley Beal. Down low is whereMarcin Gortatresides to add rebounding and additional scoring. That is where things get more interesting. Pierce was the fourth leading scorer on last year’s team and the owner of big time playoff shots. He is gone, and his departure means that Pierce believes that he has a better title shot in Los Angeles with the Clippers than with the Wizards.
Projected Starting Lineup:
PG John Wall
SG Bradley Beal
SFOtto Porter
PF Nene
C Marcin Gortat
Key Bench: F Jared Dudley, G Kelly Oubre, GRamon Sessions, F Dejuan Blair
The Wizards were 2-2 against the Hornets last year. Since the Hornets made significant changes while the Wizards did not change much, you would think this would be an opportunity to swing this series in the favor of the Hornets. The Wizards are the third biggest problem in the division after the Heat and the Hawks in some order.
Next: Future of the Charlotte Hornets
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations