EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW : ATLANTIC DIVISION.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of KNICKS LAST SEASON: 43-39, eliminated 4-1 by Indiana in second round of playoffs. COACH: Jeff Van Gundy Jeff Van Gundy (born January 19, 1962 in Hemet, California) is an American basketball head coach, most recently with the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets. Van Gundy attended Nazareth College (1985). , 4th season; 113-73. ADDED: G Latrell Sprewell Latrell Fontaine Sprewell (born September 8 1970 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former American professional basketball player who last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2004-05 NBA season. (trade with Golden State), F Marcus Camby Marcus D. Camby (born March 22, 1974 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays center for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. He won the 2006-07 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award[1] (trade with Toronto), F Kurt Thomas Kurt Thomas may refer to:
LOST: F Charles Oakley Charles Oakley (born December 18, 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a retired American professional basketball player who played power forward in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and Houston (traded to Raptors), G John Starks John Starks may refer to:
Christopher Lemonte Mills (born on January 25, 1970 in Los Angeles, California) is an American former professional basketball player. (traded to Warriors), F Terry Cummings Robert Terrell "Terry" Cummings (born March 15 1961 in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association for 18 seasons as a power forward and occasional center. (traded to Warriors), F Buck Williams
Charles Linwood Williams (born March 8 1960 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina), better known as "Buck (retired), G Anthony Bowie Anthony Lee Bowie (born November 9 1963 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American basketball player. He is a former NBA shooting guard, most renowned for his stint with the Orlando Magic. (free agent). STRENGTHS: In Sprewell, the Knicks have added one of the best shooting guards in the league. The returning core of Patrick Ewing Patrick Aloysius Ewing (born August 5, 1962) is a retired American professional basketball player. He played most of his career with the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic. , Allan Houston Allan Wade Houston (born April 20 1971, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.) is a retired American professional basketball shooting guard, formerly the NBA's Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. , Larry Johnson and Charlie Ward gives New York a strong starting five. If Camby, Scott and Thomas play well in bench roles, Knicks have better depth than last year. WEAKNESSES: The loss of Oakley took away a lot of the Knicks' toughness and grit while also creating a rebounding problem. Ewing is hampered by a surgically repaired wrist, Camby is an early favorite to land in Van Gundy's doghouse and the Knicks will take time to get used to one another. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Pound the ball inside a lot less; watch Sprewell carry them instead. MIAMI HEAT The Miami Heat (known as the HEAT [in all capital letters] on official team publications) are a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). LAST SEASON: 55-27, eliminated 3-2 by New York in first round of playoffs. COACH: Pat Riley For the American guitarist, see . Patrick James "Pat" Riley (born March 20, 1945) is an American National Basketball Association head coach and team president of the Miami Heat. , 4th season with Heat, 158-88; 16th season overall, 914-387. ADDED: F Clarence Weatherspoon Clarence Weatherspoon (born September 8 1970 in Crawford, Mississippi) is a professional basketball player in the NBA. After a college career at The University of Southern Mississippi, Weatherspoon was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the ninth pick in the 1992 NBA (free agent, Warriors), G Terry Porter Terry Porter (born April 8 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former professional basketball player and coach in the NBA. He played college ball at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and had a 17-year career in the NBA. (free agent, Timberwolves). LOST: G Brent Barry Brent Robert Barry (born December 31, 1971 in Hempstead, New York) is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. He is known by his nickname, "Bones", and stands 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m). (free agent, Bulls), G Eric Murdock Eric Lloyd Murdock (born June 14 1968 in Somerville, New Jersey, U.S.) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft. (free agent, Nets), F Antonio Lang Antonio Maurice Lang (born May 15, 1972) is an American professional basketball player. He is best remembered as a part of the Duke University men's basketball teams that won back-to-back NCAA championships in 1991 and 1992. (free agent, Cavaliers). STRENGTHS: Have been overachievers ever since Riley came to town and this year should be no different. Tim Hardaway Timothy Duane (Tim) Hardaway (born September 1 1966 in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American basketball point guard who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and who in his prime was one of the league's best at his position. Six feet (1. and Alonzo Mourning Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. (born February 8 1970, in Chesapeake, Virginia) is an American professional basketball player currently with the NBA's Miami Heat. He is also known simply as "Zo". Playing at center, he is tall, and weighs 261 lb (0 kg). showed at an exhibition game in Atlantic City Atlantic City, city (1990 pop. 37,986), Atlantic co., SE N.J., an Atlantic resort and convention center; settled c.1790, inc. 1854. Situated on Absecon Island, a barrier island 10 mi (16. in December that they're ready to go, and two weeks of Camp Riley should have them in better shape than most teams. WEAKNESSES: Lost Voshon Lenard Voshon Kelan Lenard (born May 14 1973 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player. He is currently a free agent. He is listed as 6' 4" and 215 lbs. College career Lenard played college basketball at the University of Minnesota, where he was a star. for two months because of a broken shin, further weakening the Heat's weakest link - shooting guard. The front line of Mourning, P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn Jamal Mashburn (born November 29, 1972 in New York City) is a retired American professional basketball player. A small forward, Mashburn was a prolific scorer in his 12 seasons in the league, with a career scoring average of 19.1 points per game. isn't big enough to compete with the Pacers' front line, and it doesn't look like Riley will take a chance on Dennis Rodman. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Try to overcome a recent history of postseason failures. NEW JERSEY NETS LAST SEASON: 43-39, eliminated 3-0 by Chicago in first round of playoffs. COACH: John Calipari, 3rd season, 69-95. ADDED: C Jim McIlvaine (trade with Seattle), G Eric Murdock (free agent, Heat). LOST: G Sherman Douglas (free agent), C Michael Cage (traded to Sonics), F Don MacLean (traded to Sonics). STRENGTHS: Showed last season that they are a team on the rise, led by the rebounding of Jayson Williams, the balanced scoring of Sam Cassell, Kerry Kittles, Kendall Gill and Keith Van Horn For the American football player, see . Keith Adam Van Horn (born October 23 1975, in Fullerton, California) is an American basketball player who last played for the Dallas Mavericks. Van Horn graduated from Diamond Bar High School and played for the University of Utah. and the contributions of a decent cast of bench players (Rony Seikaly, Chris Gatling, McIlvaine, Murdock, Lucious Harris, Brian Evans). McIlvaine fills a big need for a shot-blocker. WEAKNESSES: Already hit hard by injuries - Kittles is out for a month with torn knee cartilage and Seikaly's out indefinitely with a bum ankle. Although they made the playoffs last season, the Nets lost three straight games in the final week that would have earned them the seventh seed. Douglas, who filled in admirably for Cassell last season, might be missed. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Qualify for the postseason with a higher seed, then try again to win a few important games. BOSTON CELTICS LAST SEASON: 36-46, missed playoffs. COACH: Rick Pitino, 2nd year with Celtics, 36-46. 4th season overall, 126-120. ADDED: F Tony Battie (trade with Lakers), F Paul Pierce (draft, No. 10, Kansas), C Eric Riley (free agent, Mavericks). LOST: C Travis Knight (trade with Lakers), C Zan Tabak (free agent), G Tyus Edney (free agent). STRENGTHS: Will play Pitino's favored style of 48 minutes of run-and-gun and full-court pressure, which might be more effective this season against teams tired out from the jam-packed schedule. Antoine Walker is talking about winning the scoring title, Kenny Anderson will be around for a whole season and Ron Mercer has a chance to increase his scoring average from 15.3. WEAKNESSES: While the team possesses some of the best young talent in the league, it is extremely inexperienced. The trio of Walker, Mercer and rookie Paul Pierce - who will account for the bulk of the offense - have played a combined three years in the league. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Compete for final playoff spot. ORLANDO MAGIC LAST SEASON:41-41, missed playoffs. COACH: Chuck Daly, 2nd season with Magic, 41-41; 14th season overall, 605-420. ADDED: C Isaac Austin (free agent, Clippers), G Doug Overton (free agent, 76ers), C Michael Doleac (draft, No. 12, Utah), F Matt Harpring (draft, No. 15, Georgia Tech). LOST: F David Benoit (free agent), G Derek Harper (free agent, Lakers), G Mark Price (free agent), G Kevin Ollie (free agent, Sacramento), G Kevin Edwards (free agent). STRENGTHS: Austin is a great pickup for the Magic, who used Rony Seikaly and Danny Schayes at center last season. Penny Hardaway should be back at full strength for the first time since 1995-96, and the team should finish above .500 under the direction of Daly, who nearly led this banged-up club to the playoffs last season. WEAKNESSES: Hardaway has gone from being a superstar to a question mark, with no one sure if he has the desire to play as well as he did his first few seasons when the Magic were a rising power. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Have a low-post presence for the first time since Shaq. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS LAST SEASON: 31-51. COACH: Larry Brown, 2nd season with Sixers, 31-51; 16th season overall, 655-531. ADDED: F-C Matt Geiger (free agent, Hornets), G Larry Hughes (draft, No. 8, Saint Louis), F Harvey Grant (free agent, Wizards), F George Lynch (free agent, Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
LOST: F Derrick Coleman (free agent, Charlotte), F Joe Smith (free agent, Timberwolves), F Kebu Stewart (free agent, Hawks), G Doug Overton (free agent, Magic), F Mark Davis (free agent), G Brian Shaw (free agent). STRENGTHS: After making so many changes throughout last season and this offseason, the Sixers should finally be able to stick with a roster through the season. Allen Iverson and Brown will benefit from having worked together for a year and the presence of backup point guard Eric Snow will allow Iverson to move at times to shooting guard. WEAKNESSES: It's questionable whether Geiger is an improvement over Coleman, or whether Hughes will be able to play good enough defense to justify major minutes. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Watch Iverson run around like a blur. WASHINGTON WIZARDS LAST SEASON: 42-40, missed playoffs. COACH: Bernie Bickerstaff, 2nd full season, 64-53; 10th season overall, 325-329. ADDED: G Mitch Richmond, F Otis Thorpe (trade with Kings). LOST: F Chris Webber (traded to Kings), F Harvey Grant (free agent, 76ers). STRENGTHS: If Rod Strickland is eventually re-signed, Washington significantly strengthened its backcourt by trading for Richmond, a six-time All-Star who has played only four postseason games over the last six seasons. The departure of Webber should lead to more scoring opportunities for Juwan Howard, who averaged 18.5 points last season. WEAKNESSES: The unresolved Strickland situation has lingered on so long that the Wizards, if they eventually re-sign him, will be behind everyone else when it comes to being in sync by the start of the season. Losing Webber's 22 points a game is tough, and the Wizards don't have a decent center. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Take a step backward if they fail to sign Strickland. CENTRAL DIVISION INDIANA PACERS LAST SEASON: 58-24, eliminated 4-3 by Chicago in Eastern Conference finals. COACH: Larry Bird, 2nd season, 58-24. ADDED: C Sam Perkins, (free agent, Sonics), F Al Harrington (draft, No. 25, St. Patrick's H.S., N.J.). LOST: C Mark West (free agent, Hawks). STRENGTHS: Widely regarded as the team to beat in the East after coming within one game of making it to the NBA Finals last season. Most of the players practiced together for three months during the lockout lockout, intentional closing up of a company, factory, or shop by an employer to prevent employees from working during a strike or labor dispute. The term lockout , and continuity and depth are two of their greatest assets. Jalen Rose could be ready for a breakout season. WEAKNESSES: Despite a front line that includes Rik Smits, Antonio Davis and Dale Davis, the Pacers PACERS Program for the Academic and Cultural Enhancement of Rural Schools (Alabama small school cooperative) are a horrible rebounding team. They ranked 27th of 29 teams overall last season and were dead last in offensive rebounding - the stat that killed them in Game 7 against the Bulls. Also, Indiana traditionally gets off to slow starts. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Win 38-40 games, thereby securing home-court advantage in the playoffs. MILWAUKEE BUCKS LAST SEASON: 36-46, missed playoffs. COACH: George Karl, 1st season with Bucks; 12th season overall, 503-326. ADDED: G Dell Curry (free agent, Hornets), F Robert Traylor (draft, No. 6, Michigan), F Donald Royal (free agent, Hornets), G Vinny Del Negro Vincent "Vinny" Joseph Del Negro (born August 9 1966 in Springfield, Massachusetts) is a retired American basketball player who is now the assistant general manager of the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns. (free agent, Spurs). LOST: C Andrew Lang (traded to Bulls), G Litterial Green (free agent, Cavaliers), G Ricky Pierce (free agent), F Jamie Feick (free agent, Suns). STRENGTHS: Bucks get a new start under Karl, who took the Sonics to the playoffs every year he was there. The departure of old coach Chris Ford seems to have persuaded Terrell Brandon to consider staying in Milwaukee after his contract expires, and the addition of Curry gives the Bucks a much-needed 3-point threat off the bench. WEAKNESSES: This team has underachieved the past few seasons and Brandon's lengthy absence last season because of an ankle sprain ankle sprain Orthopedics A stretching of the ankle ligaments and/or muscles with swelling raised many eyebrows around the league. Karl will institute the same trapping defense he used in Seattle and the Bucks will often use a small lineup. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Perhaps show greatest improvement. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS LAST SEASON: 47-35, eliminated 3-1 by Indiana in the first round. COACH: Mike Fratello, fifth season with Cavs, 226-184; 14th season overall, 550-437. ADDED: F Johnny Newman (free agent, Nuggets Nuggets can refer to several branches of interest:
LOST: Scott Brooks (free agent, Clippers), F Henry James (free agent), F Carl Thomas (free agent), C Shawnelle Scott (free agent). STRENGTHS: One of the youngest teams in the league, with fresh legs that theoretically should be able to withstand the frenzied 50-game schedule. Newman should be a nice complement to Cedric Henderson, last year's starting small forward. Cavs have improved under Fratello, one of the game's great masterminds. WEAKNESSES: Shawn Kemp reported to camp grossly overweight, with some reports listing him as much as 45 pounds over his old playing weight of 256 from his days in Seattle. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Continue to play above .500, then try to make it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993. ATLANTA HAWKS LAST SEASON: 50-32, eliminated 3-1 by Charlotte in first round of the playoffs. COACH: Lenny Wilkens, 6th season with Hawks, 251-159; 26th season overall, 1,120-908. ADDED: F LaPhonso Ellis (free agent, Nuggets), G Anthony Johnson (free agent, Kings), F Kebu Stewart (free agent, 76ers), F Scot Pollard (trade with Pistons), F Roshown McLeod (draft, No. 20, Duke), C Mark West (free agent, Pacers). LOST: F Christian Laettner (traded to Pistons), G Eldridge Recasner (free agent, Hornets), F Anthony Miller (free agent, Rockets), F Chucky Brown (free agent, Hornets). STRENGTHS: Still have a formidable starting five of Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith, Tyrone Corbin or Ellis, Alan Henderson and Dikembe Mutombo. WEAKNESSES: As always, the bench is inadequate. That makes matters worse this year because bench players will be needed to get through the grind of the schedule - 50 games in 90 days. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Possibly drop nearer the .500 level after playing above that mark since Mutombo's arrival. DETROIT PISTONS LAST SEASON: 37-45, missed playoffs. COACH: Alvin Gentry, 1st full season with Pistons, 16-21; 3rd season overall, 31-42. ADDED: F Loy Vaught (free agent, Clippers), F Christian Laettner (trade with Hawks), G Jud Buechler (free agent, Bulls). LOST: F Grant Long (free agent), C Scot Pollard (traded to Hawks), F Malik Sealy (free agent, Timberwolves), C Rick Mahorn (free agent). STRENGTHS: Had a successful foray into the free-agent market, acquiring two of the best forwards available in Vaught and Laettner. WEAKNESSES: Still lack a low-post, shot-blocking defensive presence and will have Joe Dumars around for only one more year. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Not miss Doug Collins' screaming fits. CHARLOTTE HORNETS LAST SEASON: 51-31, eliminated 4-1 by Chicago in second round of playoffs. COACH: Dave Cowens, third season, 105-59. ADDED: F Derrick Coleman (free agent, 76ers), F Chucky Brown (free agent, Hawks), G Eldridge Recasner (free agent, Hawks), F Chuck Person (free agent, Spurs), G Ricky Davis (draft, No. 21, Iowa). LOST: C Vlade Divac (free agent, Kings), F-C Matt Geiger (free agent, 76ers), G Dell Curry (free agent, Bucks), G Vernon Maxwell (free agent, Kings), F Donald Royal (free agent, Bucks). STRENGTHS: Strong at power forward with Coleman and Anthony Mason both on the roster, but hard to find other positives. WEAKNESSES: After having two centers last year, now they have none. And they'll be without Glen Rice for the first half of the season because of elbow surgery. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Take a serious turn for the worse after two strong seasons. TORONTO RAPTORS LAST SEASON: 16-66, missed playoffs. COACH: Butch Carter, first full season with Raptors, 5-28. ADDED: C Kevin Willis (trade with Rockets), F Charles Oakley (trade with Knicks), G Vince Carter (draft, No. 5, North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. ), C Michael Stewart (free agent, Kings), G Micheal Williams (trade with Timberwolves). LOST: F Marcus Camby (traded to Knicks), F Gary Trent (free agent, Mavericks), C Sharone Wright (retired), G Chauncey Billups (traded to Nuggets), F Roy Rogers (traded to Rockets), C Oliver Miller (free agent). STRENGTHS: Have put together three decent big men in Willis, Oakley and Stewart, and Tracy McGrady could be ready for a breakout season. WEAKNESSES: A culture of failure is a hard thing to shake and the Raptors have been getting worse instead of better over the past year and a half. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Send Oakley elsewhere when the trading deadline arrives. CHICAGO BULLS LAST SEASON: 62-20, won championship 4-2 over Utah. COACH: Tim Floyd, 1st season. ADDED: G Brent Barry (free agent, Heat), F Mark Bryant (free agent, Suns), C Andrew Lang (trade with Bucks), G Corey Benjamin (draft, No. 28, Oregon State), C Priest Lauderdale (free agent, Nuggets), F Mario Bennett (free agent, Lakers). LOST: G Michael Jordan (retired), F Scottie Pippen (traded to Rockets), F Dennis Rodman (free agent), G Steve Kerr (traded to Spurs), C Luc Longley (traded to Suns), F Scott Burrell (free agent), G Jud Buechler (free agent, Pistons), C Joe Kleine (free agent, Suns). STRENGTHS: All tickets and skyboxes are sold out for the entire season. WEAKNESSES: See roster. WHAT THEY'LL DO: Win fewer than 10 games, then try to make big splash in free-agent market. |
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