WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW.Byline: - By Ross Siler DALLA MAVERICKS Coach: Avery Johnson For the fictional character in the Halo series, see . Avery Johnson (born March 25, 1965 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player and current head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. Starting five: PG Devin Harris Devin Lamar Harris (born February 27 1983, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks. Harris attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and gained national attention for his play at the collegiate level. , SG Jason Terry Jason Eugene Terry (born September 15 1977) is an American professional basketball player currently playing with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. He plays point guard, although he also can play shooting guard. His nickname, "JT", derives from his initials. , SF Josh Howard, PF Dirk Nowitzki Dirk Werner Nowitzki (IPA pronuncation: [no'vɪtski]) (born June 19, 1978 in Würzburg, Germany) is a German basketball player for the United States' National Basketball Association's (NBA) Dallas Mavericks. , C DeSagana Diop DeSagana N'gagne Diop (pronounced Suh-GAH-nah JOP) (IPA: [ʤɑρ]) (born January 30 1982 in Dakar) is a Senegalese professional basketball player currently playing for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. Off the bench: PG Anthony Johnson For other uses, see Anthony and Johnson. Anthony Johnson may refer to:
Most Underpaid: If not for the ankle and hamstring injuries that cost him 23 games, Josh Howard might have had an even more impressive season. Howard was the Mavericks' most undervalued Undervalued A stock or other security that is trading below its true value. Notes: The difficulty is knowing what the "true" value actually is. Analysts will usually recommend an undervalued stock with a strong buy rating. player, averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds, despite being on the court for only 48.6 percent of the team's minutes. When Howard scored 20 points or more, the Mavericks were 19-0 last season. Howard also can defend three positions and draws the opposing team's top player most nights. He was an $8.61 million player who made $900,000 and agreed to a $40 million extension this month. Most Overpaid o·ver·pay v. o·ver·paid , o·ver·pay·ing, o·ver·pays v.tr. 1. To pay (a party) too much. 2. To pay an amount in excess of (a sum due). v.intr. To pay too much. : The Mavericks gave up last season on finding the Erick Dampier who averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds with Golden State in 2003-04. Dampier lost his starting job to DeSagana Diop in January and came off the bench the rest of the season. At 6-foot-11, 265 pounds, Dampier can rebound and block shots but struggles to convert anything other than dunks and tip-ins. He was a $3.11 million player who made $8.6 million. Outlook: None of the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= heavyweights upgraded as much as the Mavericks, who added four quality bench players in Anthony Johnson, Austin Croshere Austin Nathan Croshere (born May 1 1975 in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. Education , Devean George Devean Jamar George (born August 29 1977 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He typically plays small forward but because of his athleticism and defensive activity, can defend many shooting guards as well. and Greg Buckner Gregory Derayle Buckner (born September 16, 1976 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky) is a professional basketball player in the NBA, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. to a 60-win team. If everything goes according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. plan, David Stern
Lawrence "Larry" Francis O'Brien, Jr. (July 7 1917 – September 28, 1990) was one of the United States Democratic Party's leading electoral strategists when, for more than two Trophy in June. DENVER NUGGETS Nuggets can refer to several branches of interest:
Coach: George Karl George Matthew Karl (born May 12, 1951 in Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) player and current head coach of the Denver Nuggets. Starting five: PG Andre Miller Andre Lloyd Miller (born March 19, 1976 in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. College career Miller played collegiately at the University of Utah for four years. , SG J.R. Smith, SF Carmelo Anthony Carmelo Kiyan Anthony (born May 29,1984) is an American professional basketball player at the small forward position for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association and the USA National Team. , PF Kenyon Martin Kenyon Lee Martin (born December 30, 1977 in Saginaw, Michigan), is an American professional basketball player. Nicknamed 'K-Mart', he currently plays at power forward for the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets. , C 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] Off the bench: PG Earl Boykins Earl Antoine Boykins (born June 2 1976 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. College career He played collegiately at Eastern Michigan University from 1995 to 1998. , PF Joe Smith, PF Nene Nene (nēn, nĕn) or Nen (nĕn), river, c.90 mi (140 km) long, rising in the Northampton Uplands, central England, and flowing NE past Northampton, Oundle, Peterborough, and Wisbech to the Wash. Most Underpaid: Which player in the NBA would you want to take the last shot with a game on the line? The numbers say Carmelo Anthony, who has gone 10 for 15 in his career on shots to win or tie in the last 10 seconds. Anthony made huge strides last season, averaging 26.5 points and shooting 48.1 percent, up from 43.1 percent the season before. He also gets to the foul line foul line n. 1. Baseball Either of two straight lines extending from the rear of home plate to the outer edge of the playing field and indicating the area in which a fair ball can be hit. 2. like few other players. It's hard to believe Anthony -- possibly USA Basketball's best player this summer -- has yet to be selected to an All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games . That could change this February. He was a $13.04 million player who made $3.7 million. Most Overpaid: Not only did Kenyon Martin miss 25 games last season due to injury, but the Nuggets went 19-6 without him. Then Martin was suspended in the playoffs after a halftime tirade with George Karl. If he wasn't owed another $70 million and his knee wasn't such a question mark, Martin would be playing for another team by now. Martin, who had only seven double-doubles last season, was a $3.84 million player who made $10.6 million. Outlook: Even though he missed all of last season after suffering a knee injury on opening night, Nene got a $60million extension from the Nuggets. The rest of the NBA will be watching to see if that was money well spent. As long as Denver can win the Northwest Division Two of North America's major professional sports leagues contain a Northwest Division.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. The team plays in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Franchise history Philadelphia Warriors Coach: Don Nelson Starting five: PG Baron Davis Baron Walter Louis Davis (born April 13 1979, in Los Angeles, California) is an American professional basketball player currently starting at point guard for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He began playing basketball at the age of five. , SG Jason Richardson
Jason Anthoney "J-Rich" Richardson (born January 20 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing shooting guard for the , SF Mickael Pietrus, PF Mike Dunleavy Mike Dunleavy is the name of two notable persons in basketball, father and son:
Off the bench: SG Monta Ellis Monta Ellis (born October 26, 1985 in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American professional basketball player, who plays the point guard and shooting guard positions. He is currently playing for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. , PF Ike Diogu Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, better known as Ike Diogu (born September 11, 1983 in Buffalo, New York), is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Indiana Pacers. , C Adonal Foyle Adonal David Foyle (born March 9, 1975 in Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) is a Vincentian-American National Basketball Association player. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 8th overall selection of the 1997 NBA Draft and played with the team during his Most Underpaid: The difference for the Warriors with Jason Richardson on the court versus off the court wasstriking. Golden State averaged 108.3 points per 100 possessions with Richardson playing and 98.7 points/ 100 possessions when he was not playing. Richardson has increased his scoring each of his five seasons in the league and set a franchise record by making 183 3-pointers last season. Richardson did miss nearly all of October recovering from knee surgery. He was a $13.9 million player who made $8.9 million. Most Overpaid: The Warriors won just 10 of 30 games after the All-Star break last season. The fact that Baron Davis sat out the final 19 of those with an ankle injury didn't help. If Davis is healthy, he is one of the most electrifying e·lec·tri·fy tr.v. e·lec·tri·fied, e·lec·tri·fy·ing, e·lec·tri·fies 1. To produce electric charge on or in (a conductor). 2. a. guards in the league. If Davis isn't healthy, he can drag down a team. At least Davis won't have to play for coach Mike Montgomery To see the defensive end on the Green Bay Packers see Michael Montgomery Mike Montgomery (born February 27 1947 in Long Beach, California, United States) is the former head coach of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. any more. He was a $6.11 million player who made $13.7 million. Outlook: The Montgomery era won't be remembered fondly. Don Nelson inherits a team with seemingly all the talent to make the playoffs and none of the will to do so. It has been 12 seasons since the Warriors last made the playoffs, with Nelson as coach. HOUSTON ROCKETS 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). Starting five: PG Rafer Alston, SG Tracy McGrady, SF Shane Battier, PF Juwan Howard, C Yao Ming Off the bench: SG Luther Head, SF Bonzi Wells, C Dikembe Mutombo Most Underpaid: Until he broke a bone in his foot in April, Yao Ming might have been the NBA's best center. He averaged 25.7 points and 11.6 rebounds after the All-Star break and regularly posted games of 30 points and 10rebounds. The only thing that sidetracked Yao were injuries. After missing only two games his first three seasons, Yao missed 25 last season, most as a result of toe surgery. It will be interesting to see how effective Yao will remain in a league that is increasingly following Phoenix's lead in playing small lineups and opening up the floor. He was a $13.61 million player who made $5.6 million. Most Overpaid: At one point last season, the Rockets were 0-13 in games that Tracy McGrady was unable to play. That set the tone for a season in which McGrady was available for only 47 games, battling a back injury throughout, and shot just 40.6 percent. The additions of Shane Battier and Bonzi Wells should ease his burden this season. McGrady was a $9.36 million player who made $15.7 million. Outlook: The Rockets were 21-10 with Yao and McGrady in the lineup last season. That would translate into a 55-27 record if both players could make it through healthy. CLIPPERS Coach: Mike Dunleavy Starting five: PG Sam Cassell, SG Cuttino Mobley, SF Corey Maggette, PF Elton Brand, C Chris Kaman Off the bench: PG Shaun Livingston, SG Quentin Ross, SF Tim Thomas Most Underpaid: What's amazing is that even after the Clippers' breakthrough last season, Elton Brand still has played for teams that have gone a combined 210-364 in his career. Brand might have been the NBA's best post player last season, when he averaged 24.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.54 blocks while shooting 52.7 percent. Brand added a jumper to his game in the summer that made his unstoppable at times. He was a $21.17 million player who made $13.1 million. Most Overpaid: Tim Thomas redeemed his entire season -- maybe even his entire career -- in the playoffs with the Suns. His shot in Game 6 saved Phoenix from being eliminated by the Lakers; Thomas went on to average 15.1points and connect on 44 percent of his 3-pointers. Now Thomas will play for the sixth team in his career with the Clippers, who signed him to a four-year, $24 million contract. The Clippers moved quickly to replace Vladimir Radmanovic but they did so with a player who has earned a reputation as an underachiever. Thomas was a $300,000 player who earned $14 million. Outlook: If they can win 50 games, the Clippers would break a franchise record set by the old Buffalo Braves. Keep an eye on the point guards, where Sam Cassell's age could catch up to him and Shaun Livingston would have to prove he can play. LAKERS Coach: Phil Jackson Starting five: PG Smush Parker, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Vladimir Radmanovic, PF Lamar Odom, C Kwame Brown Off the bench: PG Sasha Vujacic, SF Luke Walton, C Chris Mihm Most Underpaid: It will be interesting to see how Kobe Bryant's 2005-06 season is looked at 20 years from now. He scored a greater percentage of his team's points in a single season -- averaging 35.4 points per game -- than anybody except Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Bryant had a franchise-record 27 40-point games and carried the Lakers for entire months at a time. The hope now is that with 11players returning for their second season in the triangle offense, Bryant will not have to do the same. One concern is that Bryant underwent off-season knee surgery and missed all of the preseason. He was a $26.09 million player who made $15.9 million. Most Overpaid: Kwame Brown salvaged his first Lakers season with an 18-game stretch after Chris Mihm went down with a severe ankle sprain ankle sprain Orthopedics A stretching of the ankle ligaments and/or muscles with swelling . He also showed he was as likely to fumble a pass out of bounds as power home a dunk. The Lakers hope that Brown, who will start this season, will build his game around defense and rebounding and take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves on offense. He was a $1.85 million player who made $7.5 million. Outlook: The Lakers have to get off to a fast start with 15 of their first 20 games at home. They spent all of October getting healthy with eight injured players and Jackson out after having his hip replaced. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES Coach: Mike Fratello Starting five: PG Damon Stoudamire, SG Dahntay Jones, SF Rudy Gay, PF Lawrence Roberts, C Stromile Swift Off the bench: SG Eddie Jones, SF Mike Miller, PF Pau Gasol Most Underpaid: The Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
Most Overpaid: Eddie Jones is still capable of playing 30 minutes a game and being a double-figure scorer at age 35. What he is not is a $15-million-a-year player. The good news for Memphis Memphis, city, ancient Egypt Memphis (mĕm`fĭs), ancient city of Egypt, capital of the Old Kingdom (c.3100–c.2258 B.C.), at the apex of the Nile delta and 12 mi (18 km) from Cairo. is that Jones' monster contract is finished after this season. The Grizzlies could be $12 million under the salary cap this summer. Whether they spend that money is another story. Outlook: The only question is how far the Grizzlies will fall after winning 49 games last season. This is a team in transition with new ownership taking over, questions about Jerry West's future and a promising group of young players led by Gay. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES Coach: Dwane Casey Starting five: PG Mike James, SG Ricky Davis, SF Trenton Hassell, PF Kevin Garnett, C Mark Blount Off the bench: PG Marko Jaric, SG Randy Foye, PF Eddie Griffin Most Underpaid: It's all about the numbers with Mike James, starting with the 20.3 points he averaged in Toronto and the 44.2 percent he shot from 3-point range. Then consider that the Raptors finished 27-55 last season and James was playing for the sixth team in his career. James turned down offers from Dallas and Houston and opted to sign a four-year, $23 million deal with Minnesota. He could be the outside threat the Timberwolves need playing with Kevin Garnett as well as an emotional leader for the team. Or James could be a free-agent mistake the Wolves cannot afford. He was a $9.62 million player who made $3.4 million. Most Overpaid: It's hard to see how Troy Hudson fits in on a Wolves team even more overloaded with guards after the addition of James. Hudson played in only 36 games last season while battling ankle problems. Minnesota has to find minutes for Marko Jaric and Randy Foye, but the $24 million left on Hudson's contract makes him difficult to trade. He was a $1.68 million player who made $5.3 million. Outlook: The losing clearly has taken a toll on Garnett, who will turn 31 in May and is playing for a team that faces an uphill climb in the West. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS The New Orleans Hornets are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play in the Southwest Division of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Coach: Byron Scott Starting five: PG Chris Paul, SG Peja Stojakovic, SF Desmond Mason, PF David West C Tyson Chandler Off the bench: PG Bobby Jackson, SG Rasual Butler, C Cedric Simmons Most Underpaid: The challenge for Chris Paul after taking the NBA by storm as a rookie is to avoid a sophomore slump. After averaging 16.1 points and 7.8 assists last season, Paul set out in the summer to get stronger and work on his shot. Hornets coach Byron Scott said he could see the difference on the first day of camp. Paul is a dynamic player who can get from end to end as fast as anybody in the NBA. The only thing missing from his game is a reliable outside shot as he hit on 28 percent of 3-pointers. At 21, he already is the cornerstone of the Hornets' franchise. Paul was a $10.82 million player who made $3.1 million. Most Overpaid: Desmond Mason couldn't have had a worse season returning to Oklahoma. Traded by Milwaukee, Mason struggled with his shot and averaged just 10.8 points per game. The Hornets were a worse team with Mason on the court than off the bench, a problem for a starter who played 30 minutes a night. He was a $710,000 player who made $7.3 million. Outlook: The Hornets had better make the playoffs after adding Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler and Bobby Jackson at a cost of about $110 million. All three are quality pieces to put around Paul, especially Stojakovic, who will see if he can recapture the magic from three seasons ago in Sacramento. PHOENIX SUNS Coach: Mike D'Antoni Starting five: PG Steve Nash, SG Raja Bell, SF Shawn Marion, PF Boris Diaw, C Amare Stoudemire Off the bench: PG Marcus Banks, SG Leandro Barbosa, C Kurt Thomas Most Underpaid: Even the biggest NBA fans could be forgiven for knowing little about Boris Diaw when he was traded from Atlanta to Phoenix as part of the Joe Johnson deal. He went from a Hawks team that finished 13-69 to being the biggest surprise on a Suns team that reached the conference finals. Diaw moved from guard to center and became an impossible mismatch for opposing big men. Heaveraged 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists on 52.6 percent shooting, then increased his output to 18.7 points in the playoffs. The Suns were able to survive losing Amare Stoudemire because of Diaw, who had the best plus/minus of any Phoenix player including Steve Nash. He was an $11.78 million player who made $1.1 million. Most Overpaid: Before he was lost to a foot injury last season, Kurt Thomas' health rarely had been in question. He missed all of five games in four previous seasons with 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 but was limited to 53 games his first season in Phoenix. The Suns need Thomas to be an interior anchor if they are to win a championship. Thomas was a $3.31 million player making $6.1 million. Outlook: All eyes will be on Stoudemire to see how he returns from knee surgery after last season's aborted comeback. The Suns have the most dynamic lineup in the NBA without him and will be championship favorites if he is anything close to his former self. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS Coach: Nate McMillan Starting five: PG Jarrett Jack, SG Brandon Roy, SF Darius Miles, PF Zach Randolph, C Joel Przybilla Off the bench: SG Juan Dixon, SG Martell Webster, C LaMarcus Aldridge Most Underpaid: Joel Przybilla will find out this season just how much loyalty is rewarded. Przybilla turned down offers from Detroit and San Antonio and opted to re-sign with the Blazers, the franchise where he turned around his career two seasons ago. He got a five-year, $32 million deal, then watched as Portland traded for former All-Star center Jamaal Magloire. Przybilla is a strong rebounder and defender but Magloire is the better offensive player. Magloire also is heading into his free agent year. The Blazers also must develop center LaMarcus Aldridge, the No. 2 overall draft pick. All of which could lead to a minutes crunch at center for Przybilla. He was a $3.78 million player who made $1.6 million. Most Overpaid: Portland traded one absurd contract for another in acquiring Raef LaFrentz and Dan Dickau from Boston for Theo Ratliff and Sebastian Telfair. LaFrentz is little more than a 6-foot-11 3-point shooter who is owed $35 million over the next three years. He will play behind Zach Randolph and the Blazers will be pressed to get any value out of his deal. LaFrentz was a $2.51 million player who made $10.6 million. Outlook: The Blazers overhauled their team in the off-season yet the two problem children -- Randolph and Darius Miles -- remain on the roster. At least Portland can say they lead the Greg Oden sweepstakes before a game has been played. SACRAMENTO KINGS Coach: Eric Musselman Starting five: PG Mike Bibby, SG Kevin Martin, SF Ron Artest, PF Kenny Thomas, C Brad Miller Off the bench: SG Francisco Garcia, SG John Salmons, PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim Most Underpaid: Kevin Martin made the most of his opportunity to play last season with Bonzi Wells and Peja Stojakovic injured. Martin started 41 games, averaged 10.8points and 3.6 rebounds, and gave the Kings an impressive amount of production out of a late first-round pick. He faces competition for minutes this season from John Salmons. Without Wells and Stojakovic, the Kings lose about 31 points per game in career scoring. Martin will hope to pick up some of the slack. He was a $4.1 million player who made $900,000. Most Overpaid: Until the Kings figure out what to do with Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Corliss Williamson is going to be an afterthought. Williamson was out of former coach Rick Adelman's rotation, playing in only 37 games and averaging just 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds. The problem was Williamson had a contract in which he made more than the league average even though he played in 9 percent of his team's minutes. He was a $390,000 player who made $6 million. Outlook: If you take Sacramento's record (26-14) after acquiring Ron Artest and project it over a full season, the Kings should finish 53-29. They also should benefit from Musselman's hard-charging approach. When he coached Golden State, Musselman led the Warriors to a 17-win improvement his first season. SAN ANTONIO SPURS The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are the current NBA Champions after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals. Coach: Gregg Popovich Starting five: PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili, SF Bruce Bowen, PF Tim Duncan, C Fabricio Oberto Off the bench: SF Brent Barry SF Michael Finley, PF Matt Bonner Most Underpaid: How do you shoot 54.8 percent from the field as a point guard? All Tony Parker had to do was use his blazing speed to get to the basket. Parker was selected as an All-Star for the first time and averaged 18.9 points and shot a better percentage than anyone except for Shaquille O'Neal and Eddy Curry. Nearly 50 percent of all the shots Parker took were layups. The broken finger that kept Parker from playing in this summer's world championships also has healed. He was a $13.91 million player who made $8.4 million. Most Overpaid: The Spurs said goodbye to two underachieving centers in Rasho Nesterovic and Nazr Mohammed and signed two overachievers in Francisco Elson and Jackie Butler. About the only Spurs player still on the roster who didn't earn his paycheck last season was Fabricio Oberto, the starting center on Argentina's national team. Oberto played in 59 games as a 30-year-old rookie and averaged 8.3 minutes. He has a chance to start at center this season for the Spurs, who opted to make a relatively small investment in Elson and Butler. Oberto was a $160,000 player who made $2.3 million. Outlook: What better way to follow titles in 2003 and 2005 with another in 2007? Tim Duncan won't be bothered by the foot problems that plagued him last season. The NBA also has guaranteed that the San Antonio and Dallas won't be playing in the conference semifinals if they're the West's two best teams. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS Coach: Bob Hill Starting five: PG Earl Watson, SG Ray Allen, SF Rashard Lewis, PF Chris Wilcox, C Johan Petro Off the bench: PG Luke Ridnour, PF Nick Collison, C Mouhamed Sene. Most Underpaid: Even at 31, Ray Allen remains one of the most dangerous shooters in basketball. He broke Dennis Scott's NBA record for most 3-pointers in a single season with 269 and was the only bright spot for the Sonics in a 35-47 season. Seattle was the worst defensive team in the league, giving up 105.6 points per game, and missed Allen's scoring whenever he was on the bench. The question is whether Allen will want to stick with the Sonics if the team's new owners ultimately decide to move the franchise to Oklahoma City. He was a $17.61 million player who made $13.2 million. Most Overpaid: Just try to figure out what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. with Danny Fortson. He is the third-highest paid player on the Sonics after Allen and Rashard Lewis. He missed the final 46 games last season because of knee soreness but didn't undergo surgery this summer. He plays on a team trying to develop young centers Johan Petro, Robert Swift and Mouhamed Sene. But Fortson will be with Seattle this season unless the team can find a taker tak·er n. One that takes or takes up something, such as a wager or purchase: There were no takers on the bets. taker Noun for a player with a bad reputation and big contract. He was a $690,000 player making $6.2 million. Outlook: At least former owner Howard Schultz won't have to watch Lewis and Luke Ridnour leave after the season ... or regret signing Chris Wilcox ... or be in attendance at the draft lottery. UTAH Utah, state, United States Utah (y  `tä'), Rocky Mt. state of the W United States. JAZZ Coach: Jerry Sloan Starting five: PG Deron Williams, SG Gordan Giricek, SF Andre Kirilenko, PF Carlos Boozer, C Mehmet Okur Off the bench: PG Derek Fisher, SF Matt Harpring, PF Jarron Collins Most Underpaid: Forget the triple-double, the NBA has been introduced to the 5 by 5 thanks to Andrei Kirilenko. Only nine players in history have had a game in which they had more than five points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals. Kirilenko has had three in his career, one of which came against the Lakers last season. He is the most dynamic player on the Jazz roster, averaging 15.3 points and 3.19blocks last season. The Jazz might decide to use Kirilenko at shooting guard and play a lineup of four forwards with Matt Harpring. He was a $13.95 million player who made $11million last season. Most Overpaid: If Carlos Boozer can make it through the season healthy, the Jazz might be contenders in the Northwest Division. Boozer missed 49 games last season with a hamstring injury, though he averaged 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds after returning. Boozer played in only 26 percent of Utah's minutes last season, not what is expected out of a player with his contract. Jerry Sloan already has voiced concerns about Boozer's defense in the preseason. He was a $2.08 million player who made $11.6million. Outlook: The key to Utah's season will be the development of guard Deron Williams, the heir apparent heir apparent n. the person who is expected to receive a share of the estate of a family member if he/she lives longer, or is not specifically disinherited by will. (See: heir) to John Stockton in Salt Lake City. The Jazz are a playoff team if Williams improves and Boozer and Kirilenko stay healthy. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns might not only be looking at another Pacific Division title, but an NBA championship, too. Paul Connors/Associated Press Box: HOW THEY'LL FINISH |
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