Heat will burn while other teams smolder

Just two years ago, the NBA's Southeast Division had four teams in the playoffs. Now, the Southeast is the home of the defending champ ... and maybe not much else.

While the Miami Heat got stronger, the two other Southeast teams that made the playoffs last season each lost a perennial All-Star. The Hawks aren't in nearly as bad a shape as the Orlando Magic, but their four-year run as a top-five team in the East may be over.

The Washington Wizards look ready to leap-frog the Magic and challenge for a playoff spot. The Charlotte Bobcats do not.