What is each division’s best-combined roster? Part 3–6:Southeast.
Usually, divisions clash for their division title and bragging rights in local areas. However, what if the best of the best from the five teams in each division combined to compete with the others (excluding players with no minutes this season). Here is my best 14 man roster from the Southeast division:
PG-Trae Young
Trae has become one of the best guards in the league and has shown his ability to lead a team in the playoffs, taking the Hawks to the Conference Finals. His confidence is unmatched by most young players in the league, as we saw in The Garden last year.
SG-Bradley Beal
Beal is one of the most prolific scorers in the league, however, he has been unlucky with the team around him. Even this season, with Kuzma, Harrell, Dinwiddie, and Pope all performing, they still struggle to consistently stay in a playoff spot. It will be interesting to see whether Beal leaves the Wizards as he has a player option next season.
SF-Jimmy Butler
Butler has risen to the top in a forward-heavy league. Butler is the strongest defensive small forward in the league right now and he has been responsible for the Heat’s return to towards the top of the East.
PF-John Collins
Collins is the most efficient scorer in the league that is not a center. His explosiveness along with his consistent shooting makes him one of the most versatile scorers in the league. Defensively, he is not the strongest but is a decent rim protector.
C-Bam Adebayo
A top 5 center in the league, Bam is one of the strongest defensive guards and rebounders. Adebayo averages a double-double (18.7ppg and 10rpg) and has had Finals experience. Adebayo also pulled off one of my favorite plays of all time with his game-winning block on Jayson Tatum, showing how clutch he is.
BENCH:
6-LaMelo Ball
LaMelo has been one of the league’s biggest prospects since his Chino Hills days. Now he arrived in the NBA, he has proved everyone right, averaging 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in his 1 and a half years. He even won Rookie of the Year after playing only 51 games last season.
7-Tyler Herro
Herro has started to prove all the haters wrong this season with arguably less pressure on him than ever before with the arrival of Kyle Lowry. We are seeing consistency from him similar to the bubble and he is the Heat’s top scorer behind Butler.
8-Miles Bridges
Bridges is continuously building a case for the Most Improved Player, he looks like a new player in all aspects of the game and is one of the main reasons that the Hornets have one of the best offenses in the league. Bridges compliments LaMelo well, combining to create one of the best young duos in the league.
9-Cole Anthony
Anthony has been the biggest surprise of the 2020 draft. He was picked at 15 but has the 3rd highest points per game average (behind Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball) and assists per game average (behind LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton).
10-Terry Rozier
Scary Terry has blossomed in Charlotte, jumping 11.4ppg, 0.7rpg, and 1.8apg. He is shooting better and has improved defensively. Last season was his ‘breakout’ season as he dropped a career-high 43 vs the Pelicans and he hasn't looked back since.
11-Kyle Kuzma
I was one of the very few Lakers fans who were disappointed when Kuzma was traded to the Wizards. Kuzma’s form this season should come as no surprise as we saw this at the Lakers before LeBron and AD arrived, kicking Kuza to the Bench. This is why I was disappointed because even though he had been lacking performances for 2 years, he had shown that he could perform at a high level as a number 1 option at his position.
12-Gordon Hayward
Hayward’s 17/18 season was cut short in the first game after he sustained a horror injury, breaking his foot. Not many fans assumed he would return to his form. However, it only took one season for him to show signs of his past success. Obviously, he hasn't been able to return to the All-Star game but he has become a solid 3rd option on the Hornets, averaging 18.3 points in his time in Charlotte.
13-Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre has bounced around the league recently but has never found a team to call home. However, his impact on the Hornets has been bigger than any other team he has been on, even though the stats might not show it. Charlotte are 7th in the East after floating around the bottom 3rd of the conference for 5 years.
14-Clint Capela
For a 6–10 center, Capela has become one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league whilst being able to score useful points. He is the classic center without the freakish height we see today.
