Ira Winderman

Atlanta Hawks
Last season: 47-35, 2nd in Southeast Division.
Coach: Mike Woodson (6th season)
Needs: Greater maturity from forward Josh Smith, who can be very good, but also very shaky.
Additions: Guard Jamal Crawford (trade from Warriors), center Jason Collins (free agent), forward Joe Smith (free agent), guard Jeff Teague (draft).
Subtractions: Guard Speedy Claxton (traded to Warriors), guard Acie Law (traded to Warriors), guard Thomas Gardner (signed with Grizzlies), forward Josh Childress (remaining in Greece), center Solomon Jones (signed with Pacers), guard Ronald Murray (signed with Bobcats).
Remaining from last season: Centers Al Horford, Randolph Morris, Zaza Pachulia; forwards Josh Smith, Marvin Williams; guards Mike Bibby, Mo Evans, Joe Johnson.
Outlook: With the exception of the acquisition of Jamal Crawford, this is basically the same roster that proved to be a middle-of-the-playoff-pack presence last season in the Eastern Conference. This time around, that may not be good enough, with Joe Johnson declaring he will enter the free-agent market next summer. Like the Heat, with its situation with Dwyane Wade, the Hawks have to show they can contend, or else they may have to get by in the future without their star guard. As far as immediate issues in play is getting a greater sense for how far Mike Woodson can take this team. At times, the tension has been palpable. The struggle against the Heat in last season's first round and then the demolition at the hands of the Cavaliers in the second hardly inspired confidence. The playoffs not only are a must, but so is a sign that the upswing is sustainable.

Boston Celtics
Last season: 62-20, 1st in Atlanta Division.
Coach: Doc Rivers (6th season)
Needs: Quality depth beyond Paul Pierce at small forward, as well as enduring health with an aging roster.
Additions: Swingman Marquis Daniels (free agent), forward Rasheed Wallace (free agent), forward Shelden Williams (free agent).
Subtractions: Guard Stephon Marbury (free agent), center Mikki Moore (signed with Warriors), forward Leon Powe (signed with Cavaliers), guard Gabe Pruitt (signed with Knicks).
Remaining from last season: Guards Ray Allen, Tony Allen, J.R. Giddens, Eddie House, Rajon Rondo; forwards Glen Davis, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Brian Scalabrine, Bill Walker; center Kendrick Perkins.
Outlook: Already health with this aging roster is an issue, with Kevin Garnett hardly moving at a full stride in the preseason after being sidelined by that balky knee at the end of last season. At full health, this is a legitimate title contender. But age is an undeniable issue with the likes of Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace. Then there is the issue at point guard, where the Celtics first were in love with Rajon Rondo, then seemingly tried to move him at last June's draft, and now again are supposedly infatuated with his possibilities. Against big centers, such as Dwight Howard and Shaquille O'Neal, there certainly will be questions, but Kendrick Perkins also tends to be underappreciated in that aspect. A bit more depth in the middle and at point guard certainly wouldn't hurt, but there is plenty in place to almost guarantee regular-season success. Figure on another shootout with Orlando and Cleveland for the top seeds in the East.

Charlotte Bobcats
Last season: 35-47, 4th in Southeast Division.
Coach: Larry Brown (2nd season)
Needs: A point guard who can earn the complete trust of Brown, if that even is possible.
Additions: Center Tyson Chandler (trade from Hornets), guard Ronald Murray (free agent), forward Gerald Henderson (draft), forward Stephen Graham (free agent).
Subtractions: Center Emeka Okafor (traded to Hornets), forward Juwan Howard (signed with Trail Blazers), guard Cartier Martin (signed to play in Italy), forward Sean May (signed with Kings), guard Sean Singletary (signed with 76ers).
Remaining from last season: Centers Alexis Ajinca, DeSagana Diop, Nazr Mohammed; guards D.J. Augustin, Raja Bell, Raymond Felton, Dontell Jefferson; forwards Boris Diaw, Vladimir Radmanovic, Gerald Wallace.
Outlook: The acquisition of Tyson Chandler gives the Bobcats a legitimate big man in the middle, as well as a shot-blocker to help clean up after Charlotte's undersized point guards. But without Emeka Okafor, there also is the issue of whether the Bobcats can create double-teams in the low post, with pivot scoring hardly one of Chandler's specialties. Then there are the issues in the backcourt, where Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin both are good enough to start. Smallish lineups are possible, but that likely would require some way to unload Raja Bell's contract. The forward line certainly is good, but not great. Gerald Wallace has appeared on the verge of emerging for years, but is he a player who enhances your postseason possibilities? As with all things Larry Brown and Michael Jordan, the question is how long each will stick around, whether they will see things through or leave the Bobcats to start over once again.

Chicago Bulls
Last season: 41-41, 2nd in Central Division.
Coach: Vinny Del Negro (2nd season)
Needs: Growth from within. This is a team that could have used a talent infusion.
Additions: Forwards Taj Gibson (draft) and James Johnson (draft), guard Janero Pargo (free agent).
Subtractions: Guard Ben Gordon (signed with Pistons), forward Linton Johnson (signed with Magic), forward Tim Thomas (signed with Mavericks).
Remaining from last season: Forwards Luol Deng, John Salmons, Tyrus Thomas; centers Aaron Gray, Jerome James, Brad Miller, Joakim Noah; guards Kirk Hinrich, Lindsey Hunter, Derrick Rose.
Outlook: About the only significant gain the Bulls made in the offseason was the return of forward Luol Deng from injury. Whether that is enough to offset the loss of Ben Gordon in free agency to the Pistons is another issue. As much as anything, the Bulls will rise or fall based on the play of Derrick Rose, who continues to have the look of a special player. John Salmons offered a huge boost to the rotation late last season, but that was when Deng was out. While most of the faces are familiar, the chemistry is still developing, with Kirk Hinrich seemingly back in the mix in a big way after getting squeezed out on several occasions last season. A key issue will be whether any post play can be generated, with Brad Miller known more for his shooting and passing, and Joakim Noah more a whirl of energy than any tangible low-block presence.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season: 66-16, 1st in Central Division.
Coach: Mike Brown (5th season)
Needs: A definitive read on whether there can be trust moving forward in Delonte West.
Additions: Center Shaquille O'Neal (trade from Suns), guard Anthony Parker (free agent), forward Jamario Moon (free agent), guard Danny Green (draft), forward Leon Powe (free agent).
Subtractions: Center Ben Wallace (traded to Suns), guard Sasha Pavlovic (traded to Suns), guard Tarence Kinsey (signed to play in Turkey), forward Joe Smith (signed with Hawks), forward Wally Szczerbiak (free agent), center Lorenzen Wright (free agent).
Remaining from last season: Guards Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Mo Williams; forwards LeBron James, J.J. Hickson, Darnell Jackson, Anderson Varejao; center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
Outlook: It has ended ugly with Shaquille O'Neal in each of his last three stops, what with the issues with Kobe in Los Angeles, the rapid descent from champion in Miami and the halting of the pace in Phoenix. But Shaq also has had a way of making things work at the start, considering the title run with Kobe and the championship with Wade. O'Neal won't be called on to do much other than be ready to provide the Cavaliers the power against quality big men that Zydrunas Ilgauskas lacked. In fact, the more significant offseason acquisitions for Cleveland might well prove to be Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker, who should provide the type of perimeter length that Cleveland lacked in last season's Eastern Conference finals against the Magic. LeBron will be better, and therefore so will the Cavaliers. A spot at the top of the East appears assured, and with LeBron poised for free agency, anything less than a competitive NBA Finals would be considered a major disappointment.

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