2013-2014 NBA Preview: Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

2012-2013 Record: 44-38 (6th in East)

Key Additions: Paul Millsap, Elton Brand, Gustavo Ayon, Dennis Schroeder, DeMarre Carroll

Key Losses: Josh Smith, Devin Harris, Zaza Pachulia, DeShawn Stevenson, Ivan Johnson

Projected Starting Lineup: Jeff Teague, Lou Williams, Kyle Korver,                                                                           Paul Millsap, Al Horford

The problem with Al Horford over the last couple of years has been that Horford, a natural power forward, has been forced to play more down low as a center because of the lack of much rebounding on the Hawks. With the additions of Paul Millsap and Gustavo Ayon, Horford can take more of an active role outside the paint, showing off more of his midrange shot. Millsap and Ayon bring plenty of energy and rebounding ability to a team that lost big men Zaza Pachulia and Ivan Johnson this summer. A move for Horford

2011 NBA Trade Deadline

          The NBA trade deadline ended Thursday February 24 at 3:00 PM ET. It seemed like a lot of teams waited until then or pretty close to make trades and change up their roster before it was too late. The last few minutes were so busy that I had trouble taking notes in my classes, I was so focused on refreshing my page and waiting for breaking news as the countdown came to an end. This year more than ever, trades came down to the last minute and even after the deadline passed, news still trickled in regarding major transactions and power shifting moves. The NBA saw many of these power swings as players changed teams, not only among divisions but among conferences. Teams that were stranded in no-man’s-land suddenly become threats to make the finals while potential finals contenders slid down a few notches. Here are the major trades that took place at or around the deadline and analysis and grades of each one.

No Suspension for Kevin Garnett After a Cheap Shot

The Low Blow

In a game between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, Celtics’ forward Kevin Garnett got whistled for a foul and ejected from the game after hitting Suns’ forward Channing Frye in the groin on a 3-point attempt. Frye obviously took offense to this and got in Garnett’s face. The hit can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV-iGBfTkD0&feature=related. After watching the replay and considering Garnett’s reputation, it seemed like disciplinary actions would occur. However, instead of suspending Garnett for the cheap shot, the NBA decided to do nothing. Now one may question the decision for the league not to punish Garnett for an unnecessary shot to the man region, but once

2010 NBA Free Agency Recap

          July 1, 2010 will officially go down as the most anticlimactic day in sports history. I guess people thought that as soon as the clock struck 12:01 AM, all their questions would be answered. Star players would immediately announce the team they intend to sign with and therefore, we wouldn’t have the drama that we have had for the past week and a half. But instead, the public saw absolutely nothing happen. I’m not disappointed, because I didn’t expect anything, but with all this hype for the past few years over this 1 day, it seemed like Y2K all over again.

Knicks

          With the official signing of Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks have a low post presence that they have missed since the Patrick Ewing days. Both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, Amar’e should be able to stake his claim down low and not only increase points in the paint on offense, but