GS The Sait Lake Tribune/Deseret Mews, Sunday, October 28, 2001 produced by the Agency Contenders Continued from Page G-7 effective. Eric Snow is a winner at the point provided his dampercent every time he’s on the aged ankle has healed. floor. Shammond Williams Orlando Magic - The early backs The Glove’ up. Brent reports on Grant Hill’s ankle are Brian Grant, at power forward. Small forward Anthony Mason averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds last year, but his offcourt troubles may be reason for Barry and Desmond Mason split good, so that’s a big plus for this Miami to cast him aside. Whitney and Tyronn Lue won't embarrass the Wizards at point guard. Jahidi White gives up some inches but is a-battler at center. Off guard Courtney available due to injuries. Randy Brown and Milt Palacio back Anderson up. A rookie will probably start at shooting guard, either Joe Johnson from Arkan- Charlotte Hornets = Although the Hornets could still be headed for Louisville or another city, the product on the floor is headed im the right Alexander can score butneedsto sas or Joseph: Forte from North direction. The backcourt is time at shooting Calvin Booth joins Seattle from Dallas to be the starting center. He’snot much ofan offensive threat but can block shots. European standouts Pete Drobnjak and Ruben Wolkowyski play behind Booth. Lewis has come of age at small forward and should play well enough to keep first-round pick Vladimir Radmanovic on the bench. Golden State Warriors -— team. Now, Hill moves to point New YorkKnicks—Unableto guard and matching him with coax Chris Webber to come to 6-8 Mike Miller in the backcourt the Big Apple, Scott Layden forces matchup problems in a added former Jazzmen Shandon conference Anderson full of an 4d smaller Howard guards. Eisley, and Rivers can journeybring veteran man forpoint guard ward ClarDarrell Arm€ nc e strongoffthe Weathers- Only Chicago had a sorrier bench, so the improve his all-around game. Carolina: Hubert Davis is a true threepointthreat. How fast thisteam Central Division meshes could rest on the pro‘Milwaukee Bucks — George gression of rookie big men Karl may ifritate-a lot of NBA Kwame Brown and Brendan types, but ‘the man can win Haywood. games. Without. much inside New Jersey Nets—Nets man- presence, he guided the Bucks agement wentinto the lab this into‘ Game 7 of the Eastem offseason and changed team Finals. If they can get better chemistry by swapping Stephon production at center, they could. Marbury for Jason Kidd. Now, extend their season well into New Jersey has a point guard June. Milwaukee made hardly undersized with David Wesley and Baron Davis starting, but they cause as many problems as teams create for them. Elden Campbell's inconsistent games are fewer and farther between, and Jamaal Magliore can only get better as the backup center. Jamal Mashburn was rewarded for his 20-point-per-game season with a six-year extension. Hewill team in the front court with P.J. Brown. Paul Silas spoon. who'll actually think pass first. any offseason. moves, adding. managed to get something out of record than the Warriors last season, but the only additions to this roster are rookies Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy and Gilbert Arenas. Golden State was plagued by numerous injuries a year ago. Odds are they won’t be hit by as manythis time around. Small forward Antawn Jamison had a breakout yearin 2000-01 and much is expected of him again. Off-guard Larry Hughes made major progress before getting hurt. Dave Magic’s backcourt depth is impressive. T r ac y McGrady took advantage of Hill’s absence to be come Orlando’s featured player and should con- Don’t be expecting a victory parade d o w n Broadway anytime s 0 0 n. Latrel1 Sprewell remains a beacon of consistency, but Kidd will push the ball up the floor to feed Keith Van Hom, Kerry Kittles and Kenyon Martin. If the former Ute doesn’t have a big year, Byron Scott would be sorely disappointed. The Nets have given Todd MacCullough the center position after acquiring him from Philadelphia. Aaron Williams is an undersized but improving backup center who'll spell Martin at power forward too. New Jersey is also expecting plenty Derrick Coleman two seasons ago,but notlast year. Indiana Pacers - After reaching the NBA Finals the previous year, the Pacers exited the playoffs in one round last season. Isiah Thomas appears to have quality at four of five positions, but the Pacers desperately need a center. Jermaine O'Neal is better suited for power forward but may haveto play in the middle if Jeff Foster and Bruno Sundov don’t blossom. to we'll Mookie Blaylock still will get rience surmost ofthe point guard minutes. rounding jgad his upstart Sixers to the wpaFinals again this season? Erick Dampier has been bust at him. Patrick see inside from Stanford rookie games inthe Eastern Conference Jalen Rose is the best player on how wij allen Iverson be able to. reacts he Jason Collins. to receiving a seem to be more settled: Under ence could be a real benefit. valuable in the zone era. When center and, even if he’s healthy, EwingandHoraceGranthopeto fat $100 million contract. Glen could be beaten out by Adonal find the Fountain of Youth in Rice is gone,butthat’s addition Foyle. Florida. by subtraction. Since Miami Heat — Unlike most Johnson’s ailing back forced recent seasons, there ‘are no him to retire, Weatherspoon, Eastern Conference expectations that Pat Riley’s Kurt Thomas, and Othella Harteam will go to the Finals. In rington will have to get the job Atlantic Division Philadelphia 76ers — Some- fact, this team appears on a done at power forward, but slide. Alonzo Marcus Camby has developed how, Larry Brown’s team sur- downward vived injury after injury to reach Mourningis the focalpointifhis nicely into starting center. Washington Wizards — Now the NBA Finals and hand the kidney: disorder is, indeed, in Lakers their only postseason remission. He missed most of that the No. 23 jersey is out of setback. You win in the NBA last season.If he goes down,the mothballs, the Wizards figure to. with defense, and Dikembe* Heat are in trouble, because give opponents a challenging Mutombo provides that in the there’s no talent behind him. game every night and could middle. Mutombo allows the Eddie Jones experienced a battle for the playoffs. It’s to be Philly guards to gamble, which somewhat disappointing first seen if Richard Hamilton takes forces numerous tumovers. year in Miami but should on a complementary role to JorAllen Iverson broke through to become the Heat’s go-to guy. dan as Scottie Pippen did. This ear MVP honors last season. With the departure of Tim was an improved team even The fact Brown is trying to Hardaway, Anthony Carter is before Michael’s retum. Doug develop more offensive options the man at the point. He’s capa- Collins has had a good track should make Iverson more ble as is the Rasta Monster, record with youngplayers. Chris *& Sm. Wl oni OM gC 2 am thee emte) SB, EN : directsatellite lowe (ee shm S32 & BBAeren 2@e sd 1-888-595-5087 =m mt B® Purchase a DISH Network satellite TV system, valued at $199 or higher, and get a monthly $21.99 credit for 12 months applied to the current monthly price ($30.99/mo) of America’s Top 100 programming package. Basic Professional Installation is free. ss A B= Daw ‘< e 6 0 em os mo em S&S Jim O’Brien, they played .500 ball in the second half of last season. There’s just a lack of talent on this team that should keep Boston near the bottom of the division. Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker remain the team’s comerstones. Pierce has been awarded six-year contract extension, so he’ll be manning the small forward position for a while. Point guard is a question because you never know when Kenny Anderson will be Gi affect monthly price. ($21.99 credit continues for 12 full months). wn Pm a Antonio Davis rejected Orlando’s free agent overtures to stay inCanada.He’llretumtohisold power forward position when the Dream’s onthe court. Morris Peterson enjoyed a fine rookie season andshouldbe thestarting small forward. No matter what happens upfront, though, Toronto’s success relies on Vince Carter. He also could’ye gone elsewhere as a free agent, but agreed to seven more seasons with the Raptors. Rose doesn’t play the point, Travis Best does a nice job. Atlanta Hawks — This Hawks team is better than the one that finished 25-57 last year, and fans may actually have a reason to fill Phillips Arena’s seats. Acquiring Shareef AbdurRahim from the Grizzlies was a steal! After serving Vancouver well for five seasons, AbdurRahim offers the Hawks a See CONTENDERS, Page 6-9 888 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 PLEASE CLIP AND MAILWITH YOURGIFT TODAY SERRE EERE OES By Complete Thanksgiving Dinner- $1.57 GP We need your help to serve our annual Thanksgiving = dinnerand provide hot mealsand other essential service to hungry, homeless peoplein the Salt Lake City area Tuesday, November 20that the Delta Center and Thanksgiving Dayat the Salt Lake City Mission. Forjust $1.57 you can provide a meal andaccess to safe day and emergency shelter, clean clothes and spiritual help that can be thestart ofa new life. Please help us feed and care for the hungry, hurting -, and homeless by mailing your gift today. b [_] $15.70 helps 10 people [1] $31.40 cares for 20 people [$47.10 cares for 30 people ["] $62.80 helps 40 people [21's157.00 provides 100 meals or essential services (Other s Name, Apt.___ Address. City/State/Zi Costs are averageSoar and include the expense ofpreparing providing meals. OUR 8TH YEAR OF SERVICE TO SALT LAKE CITY SALT LAKE CITY MISSION PO.Box 142 Salt Lake City, Se Ge MR con coe * Price changes to America’s Top 100 programming package will Cio. Potentetre mene {2c ste as tasCutie ayapygreat. A DSS Nest pyaranyor secafalerade hetoecs te whch seule tpn tpt reacions apy nde 10 DSH Nets Rader eparmeg Resort eanec,Sootro ha,OS umeprinceDonen es semifinals. It’s strange to see this team, although 36-year-old Boston Celtics - Now that Hakeem Olajuwon in a Raptor Reggie Miller remains the 1 lan Rick Pitino is sipping Mint uniform. The way he played late showstopper. Miller’s ability to Houston Juleps in Louisville,the Celtics last season indicates his pres- hit the three makes him more 8888888 @ THis AD WASPAID FORBY STUDIOGRAPHICS BERBER ERE with BB SdiHdVvuD OIGNLS As YOs Givd SVM GV SIH. BB Hughes someatthe point to get thrive Richardson into’ the lineup. all the expe- GB Cowens would like to use tinue Greg Foster. and trading away Lindsay Hunter. Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson and Cassell all excelled a year ago, and their perimeter shooting will make foes think twice about switchingtoazone.Onthe other hand, center Ervin Johnson should take advantage of the new defensive rules, and he could havea bigyear. 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