 Predicting the Southeast Next up in my quick preview series is the Southeast Division. Last year they sent three teams to the playoffs. I don't expect the same this season. My quick take after the jump.
1. Orlando (57-25) - The Magic are thin in the backcourt, thick up front. I'm not sure they can survive another injury to Jameer Nelson, luckily, the shoulder injury he suffered shouldn't turn into a chronic problem. On paper, Vince Carter for Hedo is an upgrade for them. In reality, I don't like it. They traded away a ton of depth to get VC, and I think it'll cost them a game or two. If they were smart, they'd go with a twin towers lineup for stretches this year: Howard, Gortat, Lewis, VC, Jameer. 2. Atlanta (43-39) - All the key players are back, Jamal Crawford steps into the Flip Murray role. Joe Smith adds a veteran presence up front. If they can get another solid season out of Mike Bibby they should be fine, probably stay about even and finish with the #5 seed in the East. 3. Miami (38-44) - I'm not sure Beasley is the answer at the three, and losing Jamario Moon will probably hurt more than you'd think. Wade is not to be trifled with, but a slow start could mean a mailed in second half by Wade. 4. Charlotte (38-44) - Okafor for Chandler, probably not a good trade, especially for an offensively challenged team. Felton is back, so there's a still a bit of a logjam at the point. Gerald Henderson isn't exactly what I'd call an exciting addition either. Larry Brown gets them close to the playoffs, but they just miss...again. 5. Washington (27-55) - All signs point to Gilbert being back (or at least all hype points to it), let's just say that I'm a bit skeptical. Even if Arenas is back at near 100%, I just don't think Washington is very good. They overachieved under Eddie Jordan, and I don't see Flip getting that kind of effort out of them this season. Mike Miller was a nice player in Memphis, a zero in Minnesota last year, and another injury risk added into the mix. Foye has been tragically unproductive his entire career. Thoughts and your predictions in the comments. 
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Interesting, but I just don`t think Washington is going to be that bad this year. Flip Saunders is a solid coach, and although it may take him more than a season to solidify this team to his liking, with Arenas and Haywood back I just don`t see them only winning 27 games. The southeast just might be the strongest division in the conference this year.
Whoever does Gilbert Arenas' publicity is an absolute genius. The guys has played 15 games combined over the past two seasons, he has chronic knee issues, yet everyone is taking for granted that he's going to be back, at 100%, for the full season. Whereas Elton Brand suffers two unrelated injuries, works his ass off to get back on the floor, yet now he's "injury prone" and probably won't be the player he once was.
I guess all you have to do is be loud and make an ass out of yourself for people to believe in you.
And Haywood is essentially Sam Dalembert with a hair better offense, much worse defense and rebounding. That's not exactly a potent combination.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no Wizards fan, but Haywood is more of a legit center than the backups they had in there last season. That automatically makes them a bit better than last year, at least at the center position. As for Arenas...let's say he has finally rehabbed his knee correctly and plays the full season - only 27 wins for this team?
I see this team getting 27 wins if his knee completely bums out and he is done for the season in the first 15 games. So at worst - 25-30 wins, at best, they make a low seed in the playoffs.
I don't necessarily disagree w/ you. I'm extremely doubtful that (a) Arenas will be the player he once was (b) He'll stay healthy and (c) that it even matters w/out Jordan's offensive system.