DYNASTY ON TRIAL: DALLAS MAVERICKS.

Byline: Ross Siler

Last season: 60-22 (2nd in Midwest, lost 4-2 to Spurs in West finals).

Coach: Don Nelson (1,096-828, 7th season).

Say goodbye: PG Nick Van Exel (Warriors); C Raef LaFrentz (Celtics); SF Adrian Griffin (Rockets); SG Raja Bell (Jazz); PF Popeye Jones (Warriors); C Evan Eschmeyer (Warriors); F Jiri Welsch (Celtics); F Chris Mills (Celtics); PG Avery Johnson (Warriors); G/F Antoine Rigaudeau (Warriors).

Say hello: PF Antoine Walker (Celtics); SF Antawn Jamison (Warriors); PG Tony Delk (Celtics); SG Josh Howard (Wake Forest); PF Danny Fortson (Warriors); PG Travis Best (Heat).

Say hey: After losing out on signing free agent C Alonzo Mourning to the Nets, the Mavericks pulled off the wildest trade of the offseason, bringing Jamison from Golden State as part of a nine-player deal. Jamison (22.2 ppg) had been the Warriors' leading scorer the past four seasons and joins a Mavericks team that already was the NBA's highest-scoring last year. Now Jamison will get the chance to run with Dallas' three returning All-Stars - PG Steve Nash, SG Michael Finley and PF Dirk Nowitzki. ``It's like a dream come true,'' said Jamison, 27, who is signed for the next five seasons. ``I'm still trying to slap myself and make sure this is really happening.'' Dallas also brought over Walker eight days before the season from Boston, adding to the Mavericks' fearsome lineup.

Say it ain't so: There's no telling what owner Mark Cuban will do if the Mavericks don't advance to the NBA Finals this season. There's also no telling what controversy he will generate. In August, Cuban said the Kobe Bryant case would be ``great for the NBA'' and was slammed by commissioner David Stern.

Say what: At age 25, Nowitzki (25.1 ppg) is one of the league's top 10 players and was the only 7-footer to lead his team in 3-point shooting last season. He had 41 double-doubles and is one of the best ballhandlers in the league for his size. The question is what Nowitzki will do next as the Mavericks try to keep up with the Spurs, Kings, Timberwolves and Lakers.

DENVER NUGGETS 

Last season: 17-65 (7th in Midwest).

Coach: Jeff Bzdelik (17-65, 2nd season).

Say goodbye: PF Juwan Howard (Magic); SF Donnell Harvey (Magic).

Say hello: SF Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse); PG Andre Miller (Clippers); PG Earl Boykins (Warriors); SG Voshon Lenard (Raptors); G Jon Barry (Pistons).

Say hey: By the time Syracuse cut down the nets in New Orleans last season, there were no doubts that Anthony was more than prepared to jump to the NBA as a freshman. He led the Orangemen to their first-ever national title and was drafted No. 3 overall by the Nuggets. Anthony is expected to start immediately, and many believe he will enjoy a better first season than No. 1 pick LeBron James. Anthony already has set goals of winning the Rookie of the Year award and averaging 20 ppg. He also will be counted on to resurrect the Nuggets franchise and be the team's first true star since Alex English. All at the age of 19.

Say it ain't so: The Nuggets set a dubious bit of history last year, averaging 84.2 ppg, the lowest figure ever for a team in an 82-game season. But Denver has set about trying to change that. Miller signed a six-year, $51-million contract to be the Nuggets' point guard of the future. Miller (13.6 ppg, 6.7 apg) also hopes to bounce back after struggling with the Clippers.

Say what: The second-year center's name is Nene - legally shortened from Nene Hilario. The coach, meanwhile, has not taken the same approach with Jeff Bzdelik and remains little-known even among NBA fans. However, the Nuggets will be one of the league's surprise teams this year. With a healthy PF Marcus Camby, plus Anthony and Miller, Denver should double its victory total of 17 from last season.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 

Last season:: 38-44 (6th in Pacific).

Coach: Eric Musselman (38-44, 2nd season).

Say goodbye: PG Gilbert Arenas (Wizards); SF Antawn Jamison (Mavericks); PG Earl Boykins (Nuggets); PF Danny Fortson (Mavericks); SF Chris Mills (Celtics); SG Jiri Welsch (Celtics); PG Bob Sura (Pistons).

Say hello: PG Nick Van Exel (Mavericks); PF Clifford Robinson (Pistons); SG Mickael Pietrus (France); PG Speedy Claxton (Spurs); PG Pepe Sanchez (Pistons); G/F Calbert Cheaney (Jazz); C Evan Eschmeyer (Mavericks); G Avery Johnson (Mavericks); PF Popeye Jones (Mavericks); SG Antoine Rigaudeau (Mavericks).

Say hey: The biggest victory in the Warriors' season might have come when Van Exel reported to training camp on time and without a disparaging word to say about his new team. Van Exel, 31, was part of the Warriors-Mavericks nine-player trade over the summer and now is on his third team in three seasons. ``Right now, I'm good with it,'' said Van Exel, who will start in the backcourt with SG Jason Richardson. ``I was more disappointed by the fact that I was closer to winning a championship in Dallas, not disappointed that I got sent here.'' Van Exel averaged 19.5 ppg last year in the playoffs for the Mavericks.

Say it ain't so: The Warriors, who finished just six games out of the eighth and final playoff spot a season ago, are a parade of new faces. Van Exel will replace Arenas at PG and Mike Dunleavy (5.7 ppg) will replace Jamison at SF. In addition, Claxton, who helped the Spurs to last year's championship, will take over as the backup PG for the departed Boykins.

Say what: Musselman will find the going tougher in his second season than his first. The Warriors will be hard-pressed to replace Jamison and Arenas' contributions and will battle the Clippers to stay out of last place in the Pacific.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Last season: 43-39 (5th in Midwest).

Coach: Jeff Van Gundy (248-172, 1st season).

Say goodbye: SG James Posey (Grizzlies); C Jason Collier (Timberwolves); F Glen Rice (Clippers); coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

Say hello: G/F Eric Piatkowski (Clippers); G/F Adrian Griffin (Mavericks); C John Amaechi (Jazz).

Say hey: The most significant move the Rockets made in the offseason actually was two-fold in how it played out. First, they hired Van Gundy, who led New York to the 1999 NBA Finals, to replace Tomjanovich. Then Van Gundy hired former Knicks star Patrick Ewing as an assistant coach to work with C Yao Ming. Yao averaged 13.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg during a rookie season spent in the spotlight. Now the Rockets want Yao to continue his development with Ewing. He averaged fewer than 10 shots per game, third on the team behind PG Steve Francis and SG Cuttino Mobley, a number that must increase. Yao also spent the summer playing for the Chinese national team in the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament.

Say it ain't so: SF Eddie Griffin, your plane will depart from Gate 76A. Eddie? Eddie? ... Anyone who's ever flown through Houston Intercontinental can tell you an indefinite suspension for one of your starters during training camp is not good.

Say what: Houston did not start the season on a promising note as starting PF Maurice Taylor dislocated his left shoulder during training camp. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 1999 - the days of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen - and will have a tough time doing so this year.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Last season: 27-55 (7th in Pacific).

Coach: Mike Dunleavy (398-390, 1st season).

Say goodbye: C Michael Olowokandi (Timberwolves); PG Andre Miller (Nuggets); SF Lamar Odom (Heat); G/F Eric Piatkowski (Rockets); F/C Sean Rooks (Hornets); coach Dennis Johnson.

Say hello: C Predrag Drobnjak (Sonics); C Chris Kaman (Central Michigan); SG Eddie House (Heat); F Glen Rice (Jazz).

Say hey: Only the Clippers could consider losing three starters to free-agent signings as an offseason of success. That's because the team countered the losses of Olowokandi, Odom and Miller by re-signing PF Elton Brand and SG Corey Maggette to a pair of contracts worth $124 million, an unprecedented sum in team history. Brand had his $82 million offer sheet from the Heat matched, as did Maggette with his $42 million offer from the Jazz. Owner Donald Sterling also hired Dunleavy with a four-year, $10-million offer, replacing Johnson, who himself had replaced the fired Alvin Gentry. The contracts were especially remarkable considering Sterling never before had offered a player more than $15 million in a deal. Now he has his two top scorers from last season locked up for at least another four years.

Say it ain't so: The crosstown Lakers then signed future Hall of Famers Gary Payton and Karl Malone, dulling much of the enthusiasm over the Clippers. In addition, the Clippers have substantial questions at point guard, where Marko Jaric will take over, and center, where Drobnjak, Kaman and second-year pro Chris Wilcox are expected to split time.

Say what: The Clippers have a murderous month of February to look forward to, playing only three out of 13 games at home, including a nine-game road trip. There will be plenty of meetings, as well, against the players who left. The Clippers play Miller and the Nuggets on Nov. 7 and Olowokandi and the Timberwolves on Nov. 22.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Last season: 28-54 (6th in Midwest).

Coach: Hubie Brown (369-456, 2nd season).

Say goodbye: PG Brevin Knight (Suns); F/C Robert Archibald (Suns); C Cezary Trybanski (Suns).

Say hello: SG James Posey (Rockets); C Jake Tsakalidis (Suns); PG Troy Bell (Boston College); G/F Dahntay Jones (Duke); F Bo Outlaw (Suns).

Say hey: Hard to believe that after starting 0-13 last season, the Grizzlies could be one of the deepest teams in the Western Conference this year. This also could be the season PF Pau Gasol takes the next step. Gasol averaged 19.0 ppg and 8.8 rpg and came back stronger after working with a personal trainer in the offseason. The 7-footer is in the final season of his three-year rookie contract and Memphis wants him to improve his defensive effort. Gasol also will be pushed for minutes by Stromile Swift, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2000 draft from Louisiana State.

Say it ain't so: The Grizzlies still are the team that went just 8-33 on the road. General manager Jerry West was unable to obtain a true star for his team, instead settling for hard-nosed defenders like Posey, Bell and Jones. Memphis also has major question marks in its lineup with C Lorenzen Wright and PG Jason Williams. And the Grizzlies have a coach who will turn 70 this season in Brown.

Say what: Memphis never has made the playoffs in franchise history and this season won't be the first. G/F Shane Battier could be a Sixth Man award candidate and the Grizzlies could break the team record for wins, set last year with 28. The Grizzlies will find out early how competitive they can be, playing San Antonio in the season's second game.

PHOENIX SUNS

Last season: 44-38 (4th in Pacific, lost to Spurs 4-2 in West first round).

Coach: Frank Johnson (55-58, 3rd season).

Say goodbye: F Bo Outlaw (Grizzlies); Jake Tsakalidis (Grizzlies).

Say hello: F/C Zarko Cabarkapa (Serbia); PG Leandro Barbosa (Brazil); G DerMarr Johnson (Hawks); PG Brevin Knight (Grizzlies); F/C Robert Archibald (Grizzlies); C Cezary Trybanski (Grizzlies).

Say hey: No high school player making the jump to the NBA ever enjoyed a rookie season like PF Amare Stoudemire. Pressed into action when Tom Gugliotta was lost to a foot injury, the 19-year-old never missed a step. Stoudemire averaged 13.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg and won Rookie of the Year honors over Yao Ming and Caron Butler. The starting job now is his alone and Stoudemire is the player around which the Suns are being built. He will look to avoid any kind of sophomore slump this season. He also wants to continue delivering highlight-reel dunks. ``This year, I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve,'' said Stoudemire, whose dunking has been compared to Darryl Dawkins.

Say it ain't so: The Suns locked up PG Stephon Marbury to a four-year extension worth at least $76 million before the season. Marbury blossomed last year in Phoenix, averaging 22.3 ppg and 8.3 apg, and was selected to the All-Star Game. But many will question whether Marbury, entering his eighth season, is worth the money. Or whether the Suns ever should have traded Jason Kidd for him.

Say what: Phoenix starts an interesting mix of players, ranging from veteran SG Penny Hardaway to Stoudemire. They also have a pair of international rookies who could make an impact in Barbosa and Cabarkapa. How Marbury performs, though, will determine whether the Suns make the playoffs.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 

Last season: 50-32 (3rd in Pacific, lost to Mavericks 4-3 in West first round).

Coach: Maurice Cheeks (99-65, 3rd season).

Say goodbye: SG Antonio Daniels (Sonics); SF Scottie Pippen (Bulls); C Arvydas Sabonis (retired).

Say hello: C Vladimir Stepania (Heat); SF Travis Outlaw (high school); SF Tracy Murray (Lakers).

Say hey: The Trail Blazers entered the offseason with a mandate from owner Paul Allen to reduce the league-record $109 million payroll and try to correct the character issues that have plagued the team for several years. Enter PG Damon Stoudamire, who had a packet of marijuana fall from his pant leg July 3 at the Tuscon, Ariz., airport. Stoudamire was arrested on drug-possession charges for the third time in 18 months. The Blazers tried to trade Stoudamire but couldn't. He then completed a rehabilitation program, donated $100,000 to charity and was reinstated for the season. Not a good beginning.

Say it ain't so: This is a Blazers team where SG Bonzi Wells and SF Rasheed Wallace racked up a combined 24 technical fouls last year. It also is a team in which PF Zach Randolph and reserve SF Ruben Patterson brawled in practice last season. And it is the same team in which backup SF Qyntel Woods offered police his rookie trading card as identification when he was stopped while driving without a license.

Say what: The Blazers likely will make the playoffs for the 22nd consecutive season, the longest streak in the NBA. The question is how many fans the players on this troubled team can alienate along the way.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Last season: 59-23 (1st in Pacific, lost to Mavericks 4-3 in West semifinals).

Coach: Rick Adelman (603-384, 6th season).

Say goodbye: C Scot Pollard (Pacers); G/F Hedo Turkoglu (Spurs); PF Keon Clark (Jazz); PG Damon Jones (Bucks); PG Mateen Cleaves (Celtics); SG Jim Jackson (Rockets).

Say hello: C Brad Miller (Pacers); F Mark Strickland (Mavericks); SG Anthony Peeler (Bucks); C Tony Massenburg (Jazz).

Say hey: The only thing Kings fans can do is speculate about how far their team could have gone last season had PF Chris Webber not torn the meniscus in his left knee in Game 2 of the conference semifinals. Webber was lost for the rest of the series, which the Mavericks eventually won in Game 7, and underwent arthroscopic surgery in June. Webber could be an MVP candidate this year if he can return and put up similar numbers (23.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg).

Say it ain't so: Sacramento has an interesting situation on its hands at center, where Vlade Divac and Miller will split time. Divac is 35 and entering his 15th season while Miller was acquired from Indiana to be the Kings' center of the future. Miller was selected to the All-Star team last season and averaged 13.1 ppg. Miller also will renew acquaintances with Shaquille O'Neal, with whom he famously brawled, when the Kings and Lakers meet Jan. 16.

Say what: The Kings have all the players necessary to win a championship, from Webber and Divac to All-Star SF Peja Stojakovic and Sixth Man of the Year Bobby Jackson. Even so, the Kings could finish as low as fifth behind the Spurs, Lakers, Mavericks and Timberwolves in the conference.

SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

Last season: 40-42 (5th in Pacific).

Coach: Nate McMillan (120-108, 4th season).

Say goodbye: PG Kevin Ollie (Cavaliers); C Elden Campbell (Pistons); C Predrag Drobnjak (Clippers); SG Joe Forte (waived).

Say hello: PF Nick Collison (Kansas); PG Luke Ridnour (Oregon); SG Antonio Daniels (Trail Blazers).

Say hey: Only one player on the team is older than 30 (PG Brent Barry), and only two have been with the Sonics for more than two seasons (Barry and SF Rashard Lewis). The team is rebuilding and the key to success in Seattle might be sweet-shooting PF Vladimir Radmanovic. The third-year pro from Serbia lost the starting job last season to undrafted rookie Reggie Evans but has vowed to win it back. Radmanovic (10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg) even skipped national-team duty this offseason to devote more time to training.

Say it ain't so: Bad news for the Sonics on each of their draft picks. Collison, the 12th overall pick from Kansas, will undergo surgery on both his shoulders and miss the season. Collison had impressed many veterans with his play at Olympic-qualifier training camp. Meanwhile, Ridnour had surgery in August to mend a strained abdominal muscle and has had his start to the season delayed.

Say what: The Sonics are hoping for as quick a turnaround as possible after enduring the franchise's first losing season in 16 years. There is some hope - after last year's trade for SG Ray Allen, for example, Seattle went 18-12 - but realistically the team would be happy with a fourth-place finish in the Pacific.

UTAH JAZZ

Last season: 47-35 (4th in Midwest, lost to Kings 4-1 in West first round).

Coach: Jerry Sloan (875-521, 15th season).

Say goodbye: PF Karl Malone (Lakers); PG John Stockton (retired); C Tony Massenburg (Kings); G/F Calbert Cheaney (Warriors); SF Scott Padgett (Blazers).

Say hello: F/C Keon Clark (Kings); G Raja Bell (Mavericks).

Say hey: Two things to remember in watching the Jazz this season: 1. The team never has been in the draft lottery before, thanks to 20 consecutive years of playoff appearances. 2. The team most certainly is the heavy favorite right now to win the No. 1 pick and draft Atlanta high school PF Dwight Howard or Connecticut PF Emeka Okafor. Utah is an unrecognizable team with the departures of Stockton and Malone. Third-year SF Andrei Kirilenko (12.0) is the best of an anonymous starting bunch that includes C Greg Ostertag and SG Matt Harpring.

Say it ain't so: The Jazz pursued several free agents in the offseason with no success. Elton Brand, Andre Miller and Gilbert Arenas all signed with other teams. And Corey Maggette and Jason Terry both had the offer sheets they signed with Utah matched by their own clubs. As a result, the Jazz will field a team this year with just a $29 million payroll - forcing officials to spend $3 million by the end of the season just to rise to the NBA mandated minimum.

Say what: Utah won't threaten the 1972-73 76ers' record for fewest victories in a season with nine. But the Jazz will be hard-pressed to finish 15-67. The question at the end of the year is whether free agents will want to relocate to Salt Lake City, even for all the money the team has to offer.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Last season:: 51-31 (3rd in Midwest, lost to Lakers 4-2 in West first round).

Coach: Flip Saunders (328-276, 9th season).

Say goodbye: C Rasho Nesterovic (Spurs); PF Marc Jackson (76ers); PF Joe Smith (Bucks); C Loren Woods (Heat); SG Kendall Gill (Bulls); PG Mike Wilks (Rockets).

Say hello: SG Latrell Sprewell (Knicks); PG Sam Cassell (Bucks); C Michael Olowokandi (Clippers); C Ervin Johnson (Bucks); PF Mark Madsen (Lakers); SF Ndudi Ebi (high school); SG Fred Hoiberg (Bulls).

Say hey: Satisfied with an offseason overhaul of the team, PF Kevin Garnett signed a five-year contract extension last month with the Timberwolves worth in excess of $100 million. The deal put Garnett in position to earn nearly a quarter of a billion dollars by his 33rd birthday. Now he just needs to lead Minnesota out of the first round of the playoffs. Only Garnett and SF Wally Szczerbiak return in the starting lineup from last year's team, with newly signed Olowokandi joining them up front. Garnett will make an NBA-high $28 million this season and is only the second player ever (Larry Bird being the first) to average 20 ppg, 10 rpg and 5 apg for four consecutive years.

Say it ain't so: Minnesota still is the same franchise with an NBA-record streak of seven consecutive exits in the first round of the playoffs. Between Sprewell, Cassell, Olowokandi and Szczerbiak, the Timberwolves could have one of the most combustible lineups in the league. Olowokandi never showed the potential that made the Clippers draft him No. 1 overall out of University of the Pacific.

Say what: The Timberwolves matched the Lakers, Mavericks and Spurs in adding players to their roster. It will be Saunders' challenge, though, to ensure the team has some semblance of chemistry. Sprewell and Cassell both are playoff-tested veterans. Look out: This could be Minnesota's year for the second round.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Last season:: 50-32 (2nd in Pacific, lost 4-2 to Spurs in West semifinals).

Coach: Phil Jackson (776-290, 5th season).

Say goodbye: PF Robert Horry (Spurs); PF Samaki Walker (Heat); PF Mark Madsen (Timberwolves); SF Tracy Murray (Trail Blazers); PG Brian Shaw (retired).

Say hello: PF Karl Malone (Jazz); PG Gary Payton (Bucks); PF Brian Cook (Illinois); SF Luke Walton (Arizona); PF Horace Grant (Magic); SG Bryon Russell (Wizards).

Say hey: This much is certain about the 2002-03 Lakers: They will be one of only five teams in the past 30 years to field a lineup featuring four future Hall of Famers. After that, everything could be chaos. SG Kobe Bryant is facing sexual-assault charges and the case could go to trial during the season. C Shaquille O'Neal spent the summer working with a personal trainer, then spent training camp complaining about the team's reluctance to offer a maximum contract extension. Meanwhile, Malone and Payton, both formerly hated by Lakers fans, took substantial pay cuts to join the team and win a championship. Somehow this year's Lakers are supposed to threaten the Bulls' all-time record of 72 victories and recapture the NBA title after losing last season to the Spurs. It won't be easy.

Say it ain't so: The biggest on-court question is how the Lakers will divide the ball among so many superstars. The triangle offense, after all, does not have four sides. Bryant, Malone, Payton and O'Neal combined to average 98.5 points per game and more than 76 shots per game last year with their respective teams. The only hole on the Lakers is at SF where Devean George will have to consistently knock down open jumpers while teams key on the Fab Four.

Say what: The first three days of Lakers training camp in Honolulu consisted of Bryant flying on his own in and out of Oahu, the team being trailed by 75 media members and Jackson taking his players to play paintball at an Air Force base to relieve stress. If the Lakers can win a championship, it would go down as one of the great stories in league history.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS 

Last season:: 60-22 (1st in Midwest, won NBA championship).

Coach: Gregg Popovich (339-185, 8th season).

Say goodbye: C David Robinson (retired); G/F Stephen Jackson (Hawks); PG Speedy Claxton (Warriors); C Mengke Bateer (Raptors); SF Danny Ferry (retired); SG Steve Kerr (retired).

Say hello: C Rasho Nesterovic (Timberwolves); G/F Hedo Turkoglu (Kings); PF Robert Horry (Lakers); SG Ron Mercer (Pacers); PG Anthony Carter (Heat).

Say hey: If PF Tim Duncan can win his third consecutive MVP award this season, he would join Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell as the only players ever to do so in their careers. Not bad company for the 27-year-old star to keep. Duncan (23.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg) signed a seven-year, $122-million extension that will keep him in San Antonio throughout the prime of his career. But Duncan will have to adjust to playing without Robinson, who retired after winning a second championship with the Spurs. The team signed Nesterovic from Minnesota to replace Robinson, but it remains to be seen whether he and Duncan will have the same type of chemistry.

Say it ain't so: The Spurs lost out on their bid to sign Nets PG Jason Kidd, the No. 1 free agent on their wish list. The decision to pursue Kidd angered third-year PG Tony Parker, who was San Antonio's second-leading scorer last year at 15.5 ppg and outplayed Kidd in the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, Popovich was so upset after reading Parker's comments, he called the guard personally in the Caribbean. It's a moot point now, but one that could be revisited should Parker struggle this season.

Say what: San Antonio will be the antithesis of the Lakers this season. With the Kobe Bryant saga and the additions of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, the Lakers will overshadow everything done by the defending NBA champions. But the Spurs will quietly go about their business, starting a lineup with four international players. In the end, the championship will be decided by one of the two completely opposite teams.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Gerald Wallace (3) will be counted upon by the Sacramento Kings, who will play most of the first month without Chris Webber.

Steve Yeater/Associated Press

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EXPERTS' consensus: BECK'S PICKS