Soaring Down South
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Southeast Division Forecast: How do the Hawks Stack Up?

By Collin Huguley

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer watches from the sideline during the second quarter as they take on the Boston Celtics in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer watches from the sideline during the second quarter as they take on the Boston Celtics in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) celebrates against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Miami Heat

2015-2016 Record: 48-34

Predicted 2016-2017 Record: 35-47

What a crazy off-season it was for the Miami Heat.

Dwyane Wade blew all of our minds when his frustrations with his salary boiled over, and he went home to Chicago. This must have been soul-crushing for Heat fans, but the show must go on.

On the bright side, young cornerstone Hassan Whiteside re-signed with the team on a 4-year max deal. This gives the team an ultra-skilled big man to build around in the middle and a young face to potentially attract talent in future free-agent classes.

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Along with Whiteside, the Heat took some short-term chances on other young talent. Dion Waiters and Derrick Williams are two young, talented players who never quite played up to their potential with previous teams. The team also re-upped with Tyler Johnson, a young play-maker at the shooting guard spot. To continue on with the youth movement, Luol Deng walked in free agency and created more minutes for Justise Winslow. And while it was sad to see Wade go, now Heat fans can see more minutes from the very promising, Josh Richardson, who was a pleasant surprise and another diamond-in-the-rough for Pat Riley.

The health of Chris Bosh is also a big question mark. It appears that the Heat are unwilling to risk letting him play, so who knows if he will see the court for them again? If he plays, then they will be in contention for the playoffs. But i have a feeling that he will not.

The Heat certainly have some very solid young talent, but it feels that they are not quite developed enough to contend. I will not underestimate Goran Dragic after what he did in Phoenix, but it feels like a long shot for him to be the guy to carry them to the postseason. This roster has a collection of talent that doesn’t feel like it fits together, therefore putting them in the lottery discussion for me.

Next: No. 4

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