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NBA Southeast Division Outlook: Which Team Is The Favorite In 2016-17?

By Austin Albertson

Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Hornets 87-76. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (right) celebrates with Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (left) after Winslow made a three point basket during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (right) celebrates with Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (left) after Winslow made a three point basket during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Heat

2015-16 Record: 48-34, 3rd Seed 

Miami featured a competitive veteran unit last season, and provided a real scare to the conference’s number two seed. But the team looked slow and blitzed against younger and faster teams like Charlotte and Toronto. They won’t have to worry about that much this season, with much of that veteran presence gone.

The obvious one missing being Dwyane Wade, but the Heat also lost Joe Johnson and Luol Deng, who were heroes in saving the Heat against Charlotte. Instead, they’ll turn to unproven players like Tyler Johnson and Justise Winslow, who show a lot of upside but will take some time to develop into quality NBA starters.

The team still has Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside, but is anyone confident in that duo’s ability to lead the roster? It was easy to defer last season, but going from quiet presences (and jokesters in Whiteside’s case) to the leaders of the locker room is quite the culture shock.

Throw in the uncertain future of Chris Bosh, and Miami seems to have taken a really big step back. And that’s not good in a division where the race is literally razor thin.

Next: Charlotte Hornets