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Mac
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Long read. Personally, I skipped to the short preview of NY. ALL MIXED UP
Player moves, realignment make NBA a bit puzzling
By CHARLES F. GARDNER
cgardner@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 21, 2004
Take a look at this possible lineup in the National Basketball Association this season:
Chucky Atkins and Kobe Bryant at guards; Caron Butler and Lamar Odom at forwards; Chris Mihm or Brian Grant at center; and Vlade Divac coming off the bench.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet your 2004-'05 Los Angeles Lakers . . . and be sure to buy a program.
With Shaquille O'Neal requesting - and receiving - a trade to the South Beach and the Miami Heat, there has been a seismic shift in the NBA power structure.
A busier-than-ever off-season has seen plenty of player movement and has led to a much altered landscape as teams prepare for the opening of training camps in just two short weeks.
"The teams in the Western Conference, they don't have to play the 'Big Fella' three or four times again," said Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry Harris, referring to O'Neal. "So I think a lot of them feel the conference championship can come from a lot of different areas.
"Not that L.A. now is bad - but not dealing with him, the immovable force, it's a big load off their minds, I can guarantee you that."
Shaq's presence in the East will create a new dynamic for the Bucks, defending league champion Detroit Pistons and other teams that now must deal with the powerful center on a regular basis.
O'Neal has a new sidekick is none other than former Marquette University star and U.S. Olympian Dwyane Wade, who will be entering his second year in the league as the Heat's point guard.
"If you look at the East, the two teams that finished 1-2 are still probably 1-2," Harris said of the Pistons and Indiana Pacers. "Miami finished fourth in the playoffs (losing to Indiana in the conference sembifinals), and now they've elevated themselves into the top three with Shaq.
"Those are the three premier teams in the Eastern Conference going into the season, on paper. Then I think after that, it's kind of wide open. New York has strengthened themselves with some changes, and Washington and Orlando have really improved."
The Bucks surprised many observers with a 41-41 record in their first season under coach Terry Porter, and only a late-season fade put any damper on the team's accomplishments. Milwaukee had several chances to clinch home-court advantage for the opening round of the playoffs but failed, and the Bucks went on to lose, 4-1, to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
"I think Terry will rally these guys from the way we finished the regular season last year," Harris said. "That's a motivating tool for him and the players, knowing how close we were to the fourth spot.
"We're anxious to get this thing started. There are some expectations for us internally and externally to have a good year. In keeping up with the Joneses, we've added depth at the point guard position (with Mike James and Maurice Williams). We've got a nice nucleus of players where we have a chance to win every night, if we compete and play hard."
The addition of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats for the 2004-'05 season bumps the league total of teams to 30 and this has led to a restructured divisional alignment.
This season, the New Orleans Hornets are moving to the Western Conference.
Each conference now contains three five-team divisions: the Central, Atlantic and Southeast in the Eastern Conference and the Pacific, Northwest and Southwest in the Western Conference.
Following is a team-by-team update, highlighting key changes made in the off-season.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Central Division
Chicago Bulls - General manager John Paxson was a busy man this summer, dealing point guard Jamal Crawford to New York and drafting Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Chris Duhon. The Bulls recently signed 6-7 swing man Andres Nocioni, who helped Argentina win the Olympic gold medal in Athens. "They have a talented group of young players," Harris said. "They're going to be hungry, they're athletic and quick."
Cleveland Cavaliers - The unexpected loss of power forward Carlos Boozer, who bolted for big money in Utah, has put a chill on the Cleveland summer. But the Cavaliers added point guard Eric Snow and forward Drew Gooden in trades, and they drafted Oregon's Luke Jackson with the 10th overall pick. Of course, they still have 2004 rookie of the year LeBron James and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. "It really goes on the health of Ilgauskas," Harris said. "If he plays like he did last year, they're a playoff team."
Detroit Pistons - The defending champs re-signed free agents Rasheed Wallace and Lindsey Hunter, and they acquired power forward Derrick Coleman in a trade with Philadelphia. It won't be easy to repeat.
Indiana Pacers - A key acquisition was Stephen Jackson, the former Spurs and Hawks player who could help the Pacers' perimeter game. Al Harrington went to Atlanta in the deal for Jackson.
Milwaukee Bucks - After failing in their bid to land restricted free agent center Etan Thomas from Washington, the Bucks turned their attention to point guard and signed free agents Mike James from Detroit and Maurice "Mo" Williams from Utah. They also added forward Zendon Hamilton in free agency and signed veteran Toni Kukoc to a one-year deal.
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics - Former Laker Gary Payton isn't too happy about being traded to Boston, so it remains to be seen whether he will have a positive influence on his new team. The Celtics may have helped themselves in the draft, getting 6-10 Mississippi prep star Al Jefferson, 6-4 Delonte West (St. Joseph's) and 6-4 Tony Allen (Oklahoma State) in the first round. "They're going to be able to score, they can get up and down the floor. They're athletic, and they're young," Harris said. "And they're going to play for Doc (new coach Doc Rivers). He will get a lot out of them."
New Jersey Nets - The dismantling of the Nets began with trades of Kenyon Martin to Denver and Kerry Kittles to the Los Angeles Clippers, while free agent Rodney Rogers signed with New Orleans. Could point guard Jason Kidd, not exactly giddy about all the changes, be next?
New York Knicks - Stephon Marbury and Tim Thomas will have the benefit of training camp and a full season with the Knicks, after arriving in midseason trades last year. Free agent Vin Baker was re-signed, and Crawford and Jerome Williams were acquired in a trade with the Bulls. "They've got to feel like they're making a run at it," Harris said. "Probably (Erick) Dampier (who was acquired by Dallas in a trade) would have put them over the top."
Philadelphia 76ers - Former Celtics coach Jim O'Brien will bring new direction, but will he get along with all-star Allen Iverson and former all-star Glenn Robinson? The Sixers lost Eric Snow but picked up Kedrick Brown and Kevin Ollie from Cleveland, and they obtained Corliss Williamson from the Pistons. Free agent Brian Skinner went back to Philly after spending one productive season with the Bucks.
Toronto Raptors - Vince Carter said it was "time for the truth." The Raptors all-star wants to be traded after enduring another losing season in Toronto, and he may get his wish. All the commotion leaves new coach and former Bucks assistant Sam Mitchell in an unenviable spot. Rafer Alston, signed as a free agent from Miami, will get a chance to play the point.
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks do not have the look of a contender after a busy off-season. Alan Henderson (Dallas), Jason Terry (Dallas) and Stephen Jackson (Indiana) were dealt during the summer. Atlanta did sign veteran free agents and former Georgia Tech stars Kenny Anderson and Jon Barry for the backcourt.
Charlotte Bobcats - The expansion Bobcats took Connecticut's Emeka Okafor with the second overall pick in the draft, and recent free-agent signings included veterans Steve Smith (New Orleans) and Brevin Knight (Milwaukee). Melvin Ely and Eddie House came in a trade with the Clippers.
Miami Heat - Shaq completely changes the outlook in Miami, giving the franchise a luster long missing, not to mention plenty of TV exposure. Veteran point guard Damon Jones signed as a free agent, after having his best NBA season with the Bucks last year.
Orlando Magic - In one of the biggest trades of the off-season, Tracy McGrady was sent to Houston in exchange for Steve Francis, Kelvin Cato and Cuttino Mobley. The Magic could have much improved chemistry with its new lineup, which also includes free agents Stacey Augmon (New Orleans) and Hedo Turkoglu (San Antonio) and first-round draft pick Jameer Nelson, acquired in a trade with Denver. "I think a lot of people are going to underestimate Orlando," Harris said. "They traded arguably one of the five best players in the league, but what they got back was an all-star. They've surrounded him with the draft and free agency."
Washington Wizards - General manager Ernie Grunfeld was busy this summer, trading for forward Antawn Jamison, signing free agent Anthony Peeler and holding onto Thomas when the Bucks made a serious financial play for him. "They've definitely helped themselves," Harris said.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors - Dale Davis will try to replace the rebounding prowess of Dampier, who was dealt to Dallas. Point guard Derek Fisher moves over from the Lakers, signed as a free agent. Eric Musselman is gone, replaced as coach by Mike Montgomery, who experienced plenty of collegiate success at Stanford.
Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers took a chance on Peoria, Ill., prep standout Shaun Livingston with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Is he ready for prime time? They didn't match Phoenix's offer to restricted free agent Quentin Richardson, but they obtained Kittles from the Nets.
Los Angeles Lakers - Wow! How will actor Jack Nicholson, in his usual courtside seat, know any of the players? Maybe Kobe can introduce the Hollywood star to all those new teammates. No Shaquille, no Rick Fox, no Payton, no Fisher. But Slava Medvedenko is back, and Vlade Divac has returned after a good run in Sacramento. Rudy Tomjanovich tries to make sense of the madness.
Phoenix Suns - Steve Nash signed to play point guard, an indication Phoenix was serious about making a playoff run. Then Richardson was added, giving more help to all-star forwards Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire.
Sacramento Kings - Peja Stojakovic said he wanted out. But he remains a key performer, along with Chris Webber and Mike Bibby. Greg Ostertag (Utah) was signed as a free agent, but the Kings lost Divac, Peeler, Rodney Buford (New Jersey) and Tony Massenburg (San Antonio) to free agency.
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets - Denver had money to play with and used it on Martin, who should provide a dynamic frontcourt partner for center Nene and small forward Carmelo Anthony. Andre Miller is an underrated point guard, and Voshon Lenard still can hit the long-range jumper.
Minnesota Timberwolves - The Timberwolves elected to stand pat, content with the nucleus that played so well last season and challenged the Lakers in the playoffs before falling. The trio of league MVP Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell is back, and Minnesota re-signed three of its own free agents: Fred Hoiberg, Trenton Hassell and Troy Hudson.
Portland Trail Blazers - The Blazers are said to be tiring of Zach Randolph's off-court act, but he is a powerful force on the court. Darius Miles was a pleasant surprise after arriving in a trade with Cleveland, and he recently re-signed with the team. Former Buck Joel Przybilla, who ended last season with Atlanta, signed as a free agent; and Kenosha native Nick Van Exel was acquired in a trade with Golden State.
Seattle SuperSonics - Power man Danny Fortson came over in a trade with Dallas, but otherwise the SuperSonics did little. Second-year guard Luke Ridnour may get more playing time with the loss of Brent Barry, who signed as a free agent with San Antonio. The SuperSonics still will rely heavily on scoring from former Bucks guard Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis.
Utah Jazz - This team made some big noise with the free-agent signing of Boozer, who had pledged to return to Cleveland but broke his word when the Jazz broke the bank (six-year offer, $68 million). The Jazz also signed Detroit free-agent center Mehmet Okur to a big-money deal and drafted University of Minnesota freshman Kris Humphries and Nevada's Kirk Snyder in the first round (Nos. 14 and 16). Point guard Carlos Arroyo, who starred for Puerto Rico in the Olympics, signed a long-term contract.
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks - Owner Mark Cuban revamped his roster, but will it help the Mavericks go deeper in the playoffs? Calvin Booth was acquired from Seattle - and Dampier from Golden State - to help the frontcourt and provide a more physical approach. Jerry Stackhouse and Terry were added to the backcourt. Former Wisconsin star Michael Finley has a Badger buddy in first-round pick Devin Harris, the No. 5 overall choice, who joined the team after a trade with Washington.
Houston Rockets - Yao Ming and McGrady get a chance to see whether two superstars can coexist or even thrive in the new-look Western Conference. Also arriving in the McGrady deal from Orlando were Reece Gaines, Juwan Howard and Tyronn Lue, and veteran center Dikembe Mutombo recently was picked up from Chicago.
Memphis Grizzlies - Memphis moves to the brand new FedEx Forum this season, just a step or two off the city's famous Beale St. The Grizzlies will try to step up with a solid nucleus including Pau Gasol and Shane Battier. They re-signed restricted free agent Stromile Swift and signed free agent Brian Cardinal (Golden State).
New Orleans Hornets - If it's not bad enough to move from the East to the West, the Hornets have issues with stars Jamal Mashburn and Baron Davis, and they lost three players to free agency. They did pick up free agents Chris Andersen (Denver) and Rogers (New Jersey).
San Antonio Spurs - San Antonio signed Brent Barry to help in the backcourt and re-signed free agents Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili and Robert Horry. With Tim Duncan and Tony Parker returning and Gregg Popovich running a disciplined ship, this team should be as tough as any in the West.
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