Orlando Magic Daily
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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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Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots as Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots as Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon (3) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Atlanta Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 95-83. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks

Championship Odds: +5000
2015 Record: 60-22
Predicted W/L: 55-27

The Atlanta Hawks lost DeMarre Carroll in free agency but still return Paul Millsap (who flirted with Orlando on the first day of free agency), Al Horford and the high-octane floor general Jeff Teague.

The Hawks’ best feature may be their coach Mike Budenholzer, a Gregg Popovich disciple and master tactician. He absolutely maximized the Hawks roster last season and helped the team gel to become one of the league’s top teams.

The Hawks won 60 games but ultimately fizzled in the postseason as Carroll went down with an injury and the Hawks fell to the Cavaliers in a sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hawks had knocked off the Nets easily in the first round and handled business against a tough Wizards club, but James scored 30 or more in all but a laughable Game Four, as the Hawks defense which had not failed it all season, failed it.

Can Budenholzer fix that woe and take the next step? Is there any way for the Hawks to counter LeBron James?

Thabo Sefolosha represents its hope to do so. He comes back from injury (after his encounter with a far too overzealous and discriminatory New York City police officer) to likely picking right back up where Carroll left off.

The Hawks still have one of the all-time great shooters in Kyle Korver on the wing, and adding former San Antonio Spur Tiago Splitter will help, too. Something seems to indicate he may be capable of more than we have seen thus far and he should slide seamlessly into the Atlanta type play style given the similarities to that in San Antonio.

The Hawks really lack nothing that could be identified as a major flaw.

Journeyman Kent Bazemore and Mike Scott can lead a second unit charge and Dennis Schroder is on the rise as a good, young point.

The Hawks are a 50-win team especially in the East, but they also held their own with the Western Conference teams in the regular season last year. We will expect between what the talent dictates (50 wins) and last year’s slight over achievement of 60, and cut it right between.

Next: Has D.C. Hit the Wall?