Southeast Notes: Allen, Gordon, Oden, Heat

It doesn't sound like Ray Allen plans to walk away anytime soon after changes to his diet this offseason have him feeling revitalized, Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald writes.  The Heat guard says he's feeling great this offseason after switching to the protein-heavy Paleo diet and he's at his lowest weight since his days at UConn.  Here's today's look at the Southeast Division..

• Bobcats guard Ben Gordon should benefit greatly from the defensive attention new center Al Jefferson should attract in the low post, writes Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. “Not having to work so hard to create a shot, that’s going to really open my game up,” Gordon said. “I’m looking forward to being a recipient of the (defensive) attention Al receives. He’s a very willing passer.”
• Miami has relied on small-ball out of necessity in recent years but the addition of Greg Oden could signal a change, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel. "We now have that option," LeBron James said of going with a bulkier lineup. "To have two physical bigs that can rebound, can block shots, can finish at the rim, I think it's great for our team and I'm really excited about it."
• The Heat have been a man-to-man team for quite some time now, but a reader question prompted Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel to wonder if Miami might try out the zone a little more with Greg Oden in the mix. However, the Heat' have concerns about rebounding and stopping opposing 3-point shooters and zone defense would leave them vulnerable.

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