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2015-16 Southeast Division Preview

By Brett David Roberts

May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) react against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) react against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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John Wall, Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) and guard Bradley Beal (3) react against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

The Southeast division produced two playoff teams last year, and it will likely produce three this season unless the Orlando Magic make a quantum leap.

The Southeast Division has a lot of tough teams in it, but perhaps only the Atlanta Hawks are true contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Washington Wizards and Miami Heat are both tough teams, but do any of these teams in the Southeast have what it takes to knock off the Cleveland Cavaliers? Or the Chicago Bulls?

That is a far tougher thing to say.

The Hawks may have seemed like an unlikely club to win 60 games last year, but not everyone is confident the team can sustain that level of success.

The Wizards are getting better, but losing Paul Pierce is going to hurt more than just his simple production. The Heat are a club most consider to be among the better in the East, and even with Goran Dragic replacing LeBron James for its Big Three, the team may be better balanced now than ever before.

The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic are the bottom of the barrel in this division, and the Hornets season took a huge hit when Michael Kidd Gilchrist ended up with a torn labrum and dislocated shoulder requiring shoulder surgery. Orlando is an exciting team but has a long way to go before it can be considered much more than a threat to squeak into a No. 8 seed.

Next: ATL Hawks