CELTICS- Look to build upon a good second half to last season, after Pitino was fired and O'Brien took over at head coach. Defense and rebounding are being emphasized this season, as those two areas were definitely lacking. With two dynamic offensive players in Pierce and Walker, offense isn't a problem. No major additions or subtractions to the roster. Out of their three first round picks, Joe Johnson should get the most minutes of the bench, with Forte and Brown seeing limited action. Depth isn't a strong suit, and their center by committee is still in effect with Battie, Potapenko, and Blount. Keys here are Anderson at the point..can he stay healthy and have a comeback season (doubtful)..and can Walker increase his shooting percentages and improve his decision making, as he can shoot his team right out of a game as quickly as he can shoot them in one. Should be in the hunt for one of the final playoff spots.
HEAT- The wild card of the division and the Eastern Conference. Biggest news is the recent addition of Rod Strickland. In the best case scenario, Riley has a lineup of Stickland, Eddie Jones, Mourning, Brian Grant, and Ellis/Gill. If each of these players stay healthy and play to their potential, this is a dangerous team. But, more than likely, that won't happen. Mourning's health over 82 is a huge question mark. Jones has a bum shoulder. Strick could be out of town in a week. Lost their two defensive stoppers in Marjerle and Bowen. Hardaway and his bum knees are gone. If Strick doesn't pan out, they are left with Anthony Carter (once he is back from an injury) or Eddie House at the point. Intriguing team that could go either way..regardless, if their main guys stay relatively healthy, will be a playoff team.
NETS- Lose the most talented individual point guard in the league in Marbury, and get the best team point guard to replace him with Kidd. Coach Scott wants to run the ball more this season and got the perfect guy to run the show. Marbury had internal problems with a few of his teammates, namely Van Horn, and that translated into problems on and off the court. Situation totally different with Kidd, as he brings leadership and a winning, team attitude. Martin was improving with each game and playing at a high level before injuring himself last season..all reports are he is 100% and should benefit greatly from having Kidd as a running mate. Same goes for Van Horn. Kittles is the X-factor..looking good in preseason thus far..if he stays healthy, this team can compete and might have the quickest 1,2,3 positions from baseline to baseline in the league. Lots of talk that MacCulloch was a mistake and didn't deserve the sort of contract he got. I disagree. In terms of offensive skills, he is a top 10 center, easily, in the league. Huge improvement over what they've had the past few years at center. One of the better signings in the offseason IMO. Depth is a problem..Kidd will play 40 mpg, but Dial is the backup..ugh..Williams is a solid frontcourt reserve, Harris solid backcourt, but other than that, the rooks (Jefferson, Armstrong, and Collins) are about all that's available. Might be one of the surprise teams in the East and grab a final playoff spot.
KNICKS- Lots of good players, but no size and no real superstars. Sprewell is unhappy after NY didn't sign any big free agents. Houston got a monster contract..but is a jump-shooter and nothing else, didn't deserve that type of money. Camby is their key to any type of success, but is already injured and might be lucky to play 40 games. Lots of guards..but there are only so many minutes to go around..Jackson, Houston, Ward, Eisley, Anderson..nice depth but besides Houston, all are role players. Thomas, Harrington, and Weatherspoon round-out the frontcourt and asking them to carry the load without Camby is too much to ask. Teams will hammer them on the boards this season. Knicks have enough solid players, good coaching, and experience to make the postseason, but another early exit is likely.
MAGIC- Along with Milwaukee and Toronto, one of the favorites in the conference. Minor setback with Miller going on IR to begin the season, but he should be back in a month. The combo of him, McGrady, and Hill will be extremely tough to match. Grant and Ewing were brought in for the playoffs, as neither should be a major contributor during the regular season, and I'm sure Rivers will limit their minutes. Hill has comeback nicely from his injury and looks like he is ready for a full season. But he will play second fiddle to McGrady, who is emerging as on the the premier players in the NBA. With the new zone defenses, etc., a lineup of Hill, Miller, McGrady, Garrity, and whoever at center gives them a super offensive lineup. Should take this division, hands down, and fight for the conference title.
SIXERS- Defending champs currently resemble a scene from an emergency room. Iverson, McKie, Snow, Lynch all on the mend. Starting five right now looks like Mutombo, Geiger, Harpring, Raja Bell, and Claxton. Yikes. Naturally, once all the regulars are back this will be a solid team, but I don't envision the same success they had last year. Claxton's return from injury will help..him and Iverson in the backcourt will cause major problems for teams defensively. Harpring was a solid pickup, but Philly still doesn't have the offensive punch to compete with the other improved teams in the East. And after losing Hill, having Geiger or Tractor Traylor at PF is a big question mark. If Iverson is healthy, still one of the better teams in the East, but a repeat is out of the question.
WIZARDS- Jordan back, but hard to see his presence alone carrying this team to the postseason. Frontcourt is a mess..Etan Thomas and White are battling it out at the center spot, and Laettner is not the same players as he was a few years ago. Behind them..Popeye Jones, top pick Brown, and Loy Vaught?...no thanks. Hamilton is a legit 20pt scorer and should flourish with teams concentrating on Jordan. Alexander is an explosive scorer off the bench, will be interesting to see how many minutes he gets...if Collins goes big and sits either Whitney or Lue. Besides MJ, Hamilton,and Alexander, extremely marginal talent. A 30 win season should be a reachable goal.
PROJECTED STANDINGS AND RECORD:
1. Orlando 54-28
2. Miami 46-36
3. Philadelphia 45-37
4. New York 42-40
5. New Jersey 38-44
6. Boston 37-45
7. Washington 27-55
[This message has been edited by Hoops (edited 10-25-2001).]
HEAT- The wild card of the division and the Eastern Conference. Biggest news is the recent addition of Rod Strickland. In the best case scenario, Riley has a lineup of Stickland, Eddie Jones, Mourning, Brian Grant, and Ellis/Gill. If each of these players stay healthy and play to their potential, this is a dangerous team. But, more than likely, that won't happen. Mourning's health over 82 is a huge question mark. Jones has a bum shoulder. Strick could be out of town in a week. Lost their two defensive stoppers in Marjerle and Bowen. Hardaway and his bum knees are gone. If Strick doesn't pan out, they are left with Anthony Carter (once he is back from an injury) or Eddie House at the point. Intriguing team that could go either way..regardless, if their main guys stay relatively healthy, will be a playoff team.
NETS- Lose the most talented individual point guard in the league in Marbury, and get the best team point guard to replace him with Kidd. Coach Scott wants to run the ball more this season and got the perfect guy to run the show. Marbury had internal problems with a few of his teammates, namely Van Horn, and that translated into problems on and off the court. Situation totally different with Kidd, as he brings leadership and a winning, team attitude. Martin was improving with each game and playing at a high level before injuring himself last season..all reports are he is 100% and should benefit greatly from having Kidd as a running mate. Same goes for Van Horn. Kittles is the X-factor..looking good in preseason thus far..if he stays healthy, this team can compete and might have the quickest 1,2,3 positions from baseline to baseline in the league. Lots of talk that MacCulloch was a mistake and didn't deserve the sort of contract he got. I disagree. In terms of offensive skills, he is a top 10 center, easily, in the league. Huge improvement over what they've had the past few years at center. One of the better signings in the offseason IMO. Depth is a problem..Kidd will play 40 mpg, but Dial is the backup..ugh..Williams is a solid frontcourt reserve, Harris solid backcourt, but other than that, the rooks (Jefferson, Armstrong, and Collins) are about all that's available. Might be one of the surprise teams in the East and grab a final playoff spot.
KNICKS- Lots of good players, but no size and no real superstars. Sprewell is unhappy after NY didn't sign any big free agents. Houston got a monster contract..but is a jump-shooter and nothing else, didn't deserve that type of money. Camby is their key to any type of success, but is already injured and might be lucky to play 40 games. Lots of guards..but there are only so many minutes to go around..Jackson, Houston, Ward, Eisley, Anderson..nice depth but besides Houston, all are role players. Thomas, Harrington, and Weatherspoon round-out the frontcourt and asking them to carry the load without Camby is too much to ask. Teams will hammer them on the boards this season. Knicks have enough solid players, good coaching, and experience to make the postseason, but another early exit is likely.
MAGIC- Along with Milwaukee and Toronto, one of the favorites in the conference. Minor setback with Miller going on IR to begin the season, but he should be back in a month. The combo of him, McGrady, and Hill will be extremely tough to match. Grant and Ewing were brought in for the playoffs, as neither should be a major contributor during the regular season, and I'm sure Rivers will limit their minutes. Hill has comeback nicely from his injury and looks like he is ready for a full season. But he will play second fiddle to McGrady, who is emerging as on the the premier players in the NBA. With the new zone defenses, etc., a lineup of Hill, Miller, McGrady, Garrity, and whoever at center gives them a super offensive lineup. Should take this division, hands down, and fight for the conference title.
SIXERS- Defending champs currently resemble a scene from an emergency room. Iverson, McKie, Snow, Lynch all on the mend. Starting five right now looks like Mutombo, Geiger, Harpring, Raja Bell, and Claxton. Yikes. Naturally, once all the regulars are back this will be a solid team, but I don't envision the same success they had last year. Claxton's return from injury will help..him and Iverson in the backcourt will cause major problems for teams defensively. Harpring was a solid pickup, but Philly still doesn't have the offensive punch to compete with the other improved teams in the East. And after losing Hill, having Geiger or Tractor Traylor at PF is a big question mark. If Iverson is healthy, still one of the better teams in the East, but a repeat is out of the question.
WIZARDS- Jordan back, but hard to see his presence alone carrying this team to the postseason. Frontcourt is a mess..Etan Thomas and White are battling it out at the center spot, and Laettner is not the same players as he was a few years ago. Behind them..Popeye Jones, top pick Brown, and Loy Vaught?...no thanks. Hamilton is a legit 20pt scorer and should flourish with teams concentrating on Jordan. Alexander is an explosive scorer off the bench, will be interesting to see how many minutes he gets...if Collins goes big and sits either Whitney or Lue. Besides MJ, Hamilton,and Alexander, extremely marginal talent. A 30 win season should be a reachable goal.
PROJECTED STANDINGS AND RECORD:
1. Orlando 54-28
2. Miami 46-36
3. Philadelphia 45-37
4. New York 42-40
5. New Jersey 38-44
6. Boston 37-45
7. Washington 27-55
[This message has been edited by Hoops (edited 10-25-2001).]