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The Southeastern division has been one of the NBA’s most lopsided divisions in recent years, despite having several different winners. The division crown race is rarely tight come December and one team tends to dominate. This year however, things are looking a bit different as all five teams could compete for the divisional crown.

Ranking the teams from best to worst in the division, here is the first of six division rankings.

Orlando Magic.

The defending Eastern champions and division champions should easily repeat a top the Southeast. They have the best big man in the game in Dwight Howard and got better over the summer by adding Vince Carter. The loss of Hedo Turkoglu will hurt them, but they added enough smaller pieces to help with his absence.

Besides Carter, I think their most important addition is Ryan Anderson. He looked very good at times with the Nets and could be a solid sixth man for them. If the Magic really wanted to they could move Lewis to the three, Carter to the two and start Anderson at the four. The Magic were one of the most active teams in the off-season adding Carter, Anderson, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams and Morris Almond. These additions give the Magic depth that not a lot of teams have, and depth that will allow them to remain afloat while Rashard Lewis serves a 10 game suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy.

The one key to Orlando’s success will be Dwight Howard. He needs to remain one of the games premier defenders and still average around 20 points a game. This should not be any trouble for Howard as he’s lead the NBA in blocks the past season. If Howard can average 22 or more points a game, lead the NBA in blocks and rebounds, like he did last season, and Orlando has a top two record in the East than Howard could potentially be the leagues MVP.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks didn’t make many waves this off-season but they did get better. They got lucky in the draft and snagged Jeff Teague and added veteran big man Jason Collins. Most importantly they didn’t lose much in free agency, they were able to keep their top free agent Mike Bibby. The Hawks also were able to make a trade with the Warriors to acquire Jamal Crawford.

Though the Hawks do lack depth. Outside their starting five (Bibby, Johnson,, Smith, Horford, Puchilia) they do not have many top notched players. Their only real good sub last year was Marvin Williams. This year however they have added Crawford and Teague who should really bolster their depth. They still lack size overall though. Collin’s is their only seven footer and of their five guys over 6’10” one is more of a small forward(Smith), and one never plays(Randolph) .

The key to Atlanta’s success is going to be weather or not they can continue to improve. By this I mean each of the past few years their young core of players have gotten better as they matured from young college kids to NBA veterans. If this rate of improvement continues the Hawks will be just fine, if not they could have some problems.

Washington Wizards.

The Wizards had a terrible year last season due to injuries, now they are healthy are they should at least contend for a playoff spot. Other than a draft day trade the Wizards did very little. On Draft day they moved the #5 pick, which became Ricky Rubio, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Mike Miller and Randy Foye. This deal not only gave the Wizards some depth, but it helped them move a bad contract.

The other important addition Washington made was Fabrico Oberto. Oberto was waived by the Bucks after they acquired him from the Spurs, and the Wizards signed Oberto soon after. He will replace Ethan Thomas in their rotation and should be a solid sixth man for them.

The key for Washington is staying healthy. Gilbert Arenas missed all of last year and they need him if they are to compete. If Agent Zero can get back to his former self the Wizards could stand as a big obstacle for the Magic a top the division.

Miami Heat

Unlike their divisional rivals, who made headline moves, Miami’s big off-season acquisition this year; Quentin Richardson. Basically, Miami did nothing this off-season. Some of this may be due to their attempts to acquire Carlos Boozer from Utah.  

The lack of moves is going to hurt the Heat as last year they were out powered and out matched in most games. O’Neal is a year old and looks and plays a lot older than he actually is, and Michael Beasley has had off the court issues. The one good thing for Miami is Dwayne Wade.

I do not think Miami is done making deals, and I think ultimately they will work out a deal to get Carlos Boozer or another top level player. They want to show Wade they are serious about winning so he re-signs this summer.

The key for Miami is going to be Wade. They need to keep him happy and keep him health. If they fail to do either it could be a long season for the Miami Heat.

Charlotte Bobcats

Slowly but surely they keep getting better. They were almost 500 last year and will try to get their this season. The Bobcats acquire Tyson Chandler to try and become a more defensive minded team. Adding Chandler to a team with Wallace and Bell is a good move in that direction.

Raymond Felton remains a free agent for the Bobcats and they are going to need to re-sign him. He’s one of their better players and a solid play maker. Though, if they are unable to sign him than DJ Augustine will have to shelter the load. I think Felton fits this defensive mindedness that the Cats are going to better than Augustine but they will have to make due with whom ever they have.

The key for the Bobcats will be to win games they are suppose to win. Last year this was a problem for them, they’d let their guard down against the dogs of the NBA and this cost them a few games.

Record predictions.
Orlando        64-18
Atlanta        50-32
Washington     48-34
Miami          38-44
Charlotte      35-47