NBA Midseason Report: Southeast Division

1. Miami Heat 32-12

Good news: 

The Heat have the best player in the game in Lebron James.

Bad news:

Star Dwayne Wade has missed multiple games with a knee injury, and the 31-year old veteran out of Marquette doesn't seem to be getting better. Lebron James's Heat career-high 39 minutes per game is also a concern, as the team will need to keep its best player fresh for the playoffs. 

First Half Grade: A- 

2. Atlanta Hawks 23-21

Good news: 

Power Forward Paul Millsap has been a great offseason pickup by Atlanta, as he has played like he deserves every penny if the 4-year, 19-million dollar contract he signed recently. The Hawks are playoff bound in the weak Eastern Conference and have a surprisingly good backcourt duo in Jeff Teague-Kyle Korver. 

Bad news: 

Atlanta's best player, Center Al Horford, suffered a season-ending injury a few weeks ago and will miss the rest of the season. This all but ended the Hawks (unlikely) dream of winning the putrid East. 

First Half Grade: B-

3. Washington Wizards 21-22

Good news:

The Wizards have a top-five backcourt duo in John Wall and Bradley Beal, and Power Forward Marcin Gortat has been a key player since being traded from the Suns. 

Bad news: 

The team will make the playoffs but aren't legitimate championship-contenders. 

First Half Grade: B-

4. Charlotte Bobcats 19-27

Good news:

The Bobcats have climbed out of the NBA's cellar, and close to respectability, with a nice young nucleus of guards Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson, coupled with the post play of Josh McRoberts and "Big" Al Jefferson (who stands 7 feet tall,) that has brought the team not only playoff aspirations, but also one of the leagues best defenses. They could be legitimate title contenders in 3-5 years. 

Bad news: 

Prospect (and starting) Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has been suffering through a broken hand, and the team is one of the worst offensively in the league. Rookie Cody Zeller has been not surprisingly below-average. 

First Half Grade: C

5. Orlando Magic 12-33

Good news: 

Things have not gone their way, sure, but rookie Victor Oladipo has the looks of a potential top-10 player one day. They also have a nice young big man in Nikola Vucevic. I really believe that if they can win big in the draft just once, they'll be legitimate title contenders by 2016-17. 

Bad news:

The team is one of the worst in the NBA, but at least their future is bright, unlike some other struggling teams (Knicks, Nets, Lakers.)