OCR Text |
Show Biz _ The Salt Lake Tribune NBA NBA Musselman Undergoes Tests urdayfollowinga possible stroke. “Heis in stable condition and we're just waiting to see,” said Phyllis Riggs, a nursing supervisor at Legacy EmanuelHospital in Portland. Musselman, 59, collapsed after Thursdaynight’s exhibition game against Phoenix, Leonard Greene,a team spokesman,said. Musselman,whojoined the Blazers head coaching job for the game after Mike Dunleavy wasejected. Strickland Acquitted Nowthat Rod Stricklandis outof the courtroom,he can fo- Whowill face Larry Bird’s team in the NBA Finals? BY STEVE LUHM (RIBUNE Pacer Coach LarryBirdclaimsthis will be his final NBA season. If so, it should be one Bird can take home to FrenchLick,Ind., and savorfora long,long time. hoursbefore finding the NBA. standout innocentof a charge of driving underthe influence of alcohol. Q BoardGets Rules Update ‘The NBA Board of Governors got an update Friday on newrules designed to open up the game. NBAsenior vice presidentof basketball opera- tions Rod Thorn said thatso far in the preseason, with the new rules changesin place, there have been fewerfoul shots at- poised atop the West. But the Los AngelesLakers, Easternfinal. Butthe Bulls rallied to win Game 7 at the United Center, and the Pacers were once again relegated to the aeof gallant loser. Last season, samethin; Jordan retired, but the compacted 50-game season seemed to drain the veteran-dominated Pacers. Bythe time they reached the conference Indiana didn’t have anything left. New York The missed opportunity — another missed opportunity — continuesto gnaw atthe Pacers. “T don’t thinkit’s out of our system yet,”point guard Mark Jackson said. “We put a lot of time into winningthe whole thing, and wefell short of that. We thoughtwewere the best team, and we still feel that way. But the Knicks outplayed us and moved on. It’s frustrating, disappointing. Butlife goes on. cret about that,” Jackson said. “He was a class guy who brought it to the table every night. No question we'll miss him a lot. At the same time . [Bender] has an unbelievable talentlevel. He’s very special.” EASTERN CONFERENCE \Gantic Division Jim Mone/TheAssociated Press Minnesota Timberwolves’ Terrell Brandontries to get past Indiana Pacers guard Mark Jackson (13) during preseason action Wednesday. McKey andbig menDale Davis, Sam Perkins and Rick Smits. If the veterans stay healthy — andif youngsters like Bender, Austin Croshere and Al Harrington providedepth in the potentially thin frontcourt — the Pacers can thumbtheir noseat those who thought a major overhaul was in order after the playoff loss to the Knicks. “That's ridiculous to me,” Jackson said. Other than Bender, the Pacers enter the new Bird's rotation will include point guards Jackson and Travis Best, swing men Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Chris Mullin and Derek ady announcedhis retirement,ef- “It's been a great experiencefor me;it’s been a lot better and more fun than I thought it would be,” Bird said. “Ofcourse, I've had an older team. 3Indiana (33-17), Shouldbreeze in theEast JAZZ THIS WEEK WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division Biggest changes: Lost Mookie Blaylock. Steve Smith, Tyrone Corbin and Grant Long; added Isaiah Rider, slim Jackson Lorenzen Wrighi, Bimbo Coles and ‘rookies Jason Terry and Dion Glover. Excited about: A more wide-open offense and a much younger team. Cause concern:Rider could be a big headache, no ‘matter how talented he is. Biggest 5: Added Sean Rooks and rookie Leon Smith; lost Samaki Walker, AC. Green and Chis Excited about: Being able to re-sign Gary Trent and Cedric Ceballos and the development of Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Biggest changes: Added Mookie Blaylock, Tim Legler, ‘Mark Davis and Bill Curley, lost Bimbo Coles, Mugasy Bogues, Felton Spencer Excited about: The way Antawn Jamison finished last season so strongly Cause for concer: This was a horrible shooting team last season, ith worst in scoring (88.3), fourth worst in Shooting (41.5 percent) and last in tree-throw percentage (67.6 percent) MiamiHeat (33-17) Charlotte Hornets (26-24) Aowzo Mourning Cause for concern: |he new detensive rules may stifle can run and they have the them They stil need a proven third scorer to go wth horses inside, butym:s theTheyoutside shooting there? Mourving and Hardaway New Jersey Nets (16-34) Chicago Bulls (13-37) Biggest changes: Added Johnny Newman. Michael Biggest changes: Added Hersey Hawkins, BJ. Arm strong. Will Perdue Fred Hoiberg, Chris Anstey. dames Cottonand rookies Elton Brand and RonArtest lost Ron Harper. Bill Wennington. Mark Bryant, An drew Lang, Brent Barryand KeithBooth. Excited about: Al of the roomthey wil have under the salary cap next season Cause for concem: They simply don't have the talent Cage and rookie Evan Eschmeyer. lost Rony Seikaly, Eric Murdock and Doug Overton Excited about: Having two exciting young stars in et Van Horand Stephon Marbury to bud with and keepthe tans excited They both just signed long-term Cause for concern: There 1s a big hole in the middie especiatly with the injuries to Jayson Withams and Esctuneyer, That puts a lot onthe shoulders of Ghieo: ghe Muresan and Jamie Feick New York Knicks (27-23) Biggest changes: Aided John Wallace. Andrew Lang es rote Foar: Wes. top Vrs, nt about: way they finished last season and ch ol Atos Hoven, Lo Sprewell and Cause wilh the port nce ‘hey aren't completely satished guard situation Patnck Ewing (Achilles’ Orlando Magic (33-17) ‘Biggest changes: (Joc Rivers replaced Chuck Daly as ‘Coach, added Tang Abdul-Watad, Louis Bullock. Terry Davis. Pat Garnty, Chris Gathng, ArmenGillam. Lee Mayberry. Anthony Parker. Ben Wallace, Monty Wil laius and ‘ook Corey Maggette. lost Penny Hard: away. Nick Anderson. Ike Austin, Horace Grant and BJ, Armstiong Excited about: A new coach and a near-total revamp. ah. speed and quickness ing on a consistent basi Philadelphia 76ers (28-22) Biggest changes: Added Bruce Bowen Bily Owens ‘Loup Overton and rookies Todd MacCullough and Ju rine Jones cited about: Larry Hughes has muscled up and the fre rules not allowing grabbing and holding might Feet inAlen Iverson scoring at wi ‘conser: This ta very po0r shooting team nnd its defense can only carry i 60 tar WashingtonWizards (18-32) Cleveland Cavaliers (22-28) , rookie James Posey, lost Eric Williams, Eric Wash- ington and Danny Fortson, ‘about: Beefing up the offense with the addions of Mercer and McCloud and the return of center Raet LaFrentz, who was off 1 a great rookie season last yearuntil he went down wih a knee injury ater 12 Cause for concern: Issel is their fifth coach in four ‘seasons, That's got to keep the players confused. Los Angeles Clippers (9-41) Biggest changes: Moving to new arena (Staples Cen: Lamar Odomand Rico Hill lost Lamond Murray, Rodney Rogers, Lorenzen Wight, Pooh Richardson, farbury NA 49 378 222.104 213 50 415 230 1061 212 —_Fortson, Den. ‘about: The potentialof the young front line of salle a ee o ay Duncan, ee Darrick Martin and Stojko Vrankovic Maurice Taylor, Michael Olowokandi and Odomand telat a they geostat he season ed rr Cause for ‘Who is going to step up as the leader ofthis team? Taylor's desireto eave a Los Angeles Lakers (31-19) Houston Rockets (31-19) Biggest changes: Added Kelvin Cato, Walt Williams, Don Maclean, Tony Massenberg and Shandon rookie Steve Francis, last Scottie Pippen, Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Brent Price and Antoine Cart sbenoo 0t roma,od dog ‘and got rid of their biggest mistake by shipping Pippen aay Cause tor concern: That Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, both of whom wil turn 37 at misea anmientmoncngshpi Milwaukee Bucks (28-22) changes. Danny Manning. JR. Reid and Date Ellis: lost Michael Curry, Dell Curry, Armen Gita and Chris Gatling Exetied about: Having a heathy Sam Cassell to team with a more polished Ray Allen in the backcourt Camse for concern: |hey stil don't have a dormant bg man thenges: Added Antonio Davis, Del Curry, Muggy Bogues and rookie Alek Radojevic. lost Michael Wifiams and John Waltace Exsited about. Adding 4 three-point shooter like Curry The experience of Bogues and Daves might make therm 2 legitimate ptayot! Contender Conse tor concern: hey were one of the worst ‘shooting tears in the league last season (42.1 per Cent), Ave they going to be athe to meet the added pressure that comes with tagh expectations? ¢: Added Terry Porter, Samaki Walker, tae eee tal fooor nero lost Sean Eliott (ladney transplant) and Will Perdue Excited about: The second act of the Twin Towers show Cause for concern: There is a big hole at small forward without any of Elliot's potential replacements having ‘hes all-around shatts, Dickerson, Grant Long, SatPen Dennis Scott and ‘Antoine Cart lost Pete Chic tt abe sy ed fous orene That an unigned rookie (Steve Francis) could hold them hostage and force a trade 488 i ORE a7 a 15 13 JR. lengeemy Excited about: Playing ‘or a coachlike Jackson who ow all say they respect and wall listen to the ‘Cause for concern: If the Lakers can adapt to the trv angie offense and it Kobe Bryant and Shaquille 0 Neal Ets, Sea. Orckerson, Hou ‘Homaoek, Utah Robinson, Pho. McCloud, Phoe. “ ” u se CJ 27 14 a 190 166 4g 433 Az ANT Ae ‘Hawtrs, Sea. ‘Momacek, Utah ‘Mullin,tnd. Robinson, Mil Ele, SA 9 5 30, 40 103 Wwe 40 2 161 119 902 803 ‘B70 an 866 6 148 412 Phathowski, LAC 68102863 65 44451 oe Armatrong, Or Ren, Ma can play more together instead of just playing at the Buechier, Det Phoenix Suns (27-23) iiss shana Fuses Vestn Noten Rogers, Olver Miler and Cone Blount: 1st Danny he Webber, Sac. Tem Duncen-Devid Robinson twin towers do in tha ont cout Sol to Sours ureaSA Mouneg, Ma 0 199 412 S71 114 46 166 M1 SOT 110 Branden, Minn Jackson, Ind i cermer last season, $0 the Suns wil be pining eihout a tee contar a bl of fe tone ON@BL LAL Garett, Mine 49 167 398 525 107 47 166 323 489 104 Stockton, Utah Jotmson, S.A Conse for coocar: Luc Longley was a dsappoiniment and Detlet Schvergt, fostIsaiah Rider JumJackson Kelvin Cato, Wat Willams and Stacey Augm Excited about: Getting Pippen. Sith and Scivempt Jor so litle Mustrates once again that Bob Whitsitt is the best GM i the league Cawse for concern: Every coaches dreamand night50 Many Qood players at all positions that he fas to find enough minutes tohop everyone happy. = Sacramento Kings (27-23) 11178 OH 1761958 ——__$________ cee G OFF DEF TOT AVG 10 SA HG 1301084 Phe. me feeee aa Kemer De $0 210 371 S81 116 Payton Sea MeOvees. Den. Portiane Biggest changes:Trad Acted Blazers Scottie Pippen(S215) Steve Seth BLOCKS = Biggest Biggest changes: Added Othwlla Harrington, Michael 400 200 226 1s? Tang Abdul Watad. Vernon Maxwell and Oliver Miter Excited aes? A core inature, better shooting Jason Witkarme teamed with veteran Anderson i the back Vancouver Grizzlies (8-42) 310 FREE-THROW % Miller ind. Bitups, Den. Biggest changes: Added (iden Potyrice Pete Chwcutt and rookies Quincy Lewts, Scott Padgett and Andre: Kirilenko; lost Shandon Anderson, Todd Fuller and Exeited obeut: John Stockton and Jett Hornacek not retiring Cause for concern: Losing Anderson, perhaps their ‘best young player. will make them even more predict fable and really hurts their depth and ability to freelance ‘Stockton, Utah 476 MS Utah Jazz (37-13) Greg Foster estan 45 1s? Davis, Da. Wiles, Po Robangon, $A determined to prove that they can play together for concern Without Brson Dele who says he is ‘going to retire. there 15 a big hole in the middie. 186 1009 202 495, © ENaC? ask ‘concer: They stil don’ have any muscle Excited abost: The potential of young stars Jonathan ‘Bender and Al Harringion Cause for concern: Fik Smits’ sore feet are always a concern and they almost drove him to retirement after last season ‘50 389 495 191 Z ao 3 Farce ae ren ekete. asthe Indiana Pacers (33-17) pa AA hed te Ma ‘hey, 3-POINT % 204 ea agen sannge: ot vckis Waly Eira sd wae Nh lost Dennis Scott. Rane eee er end eee Michael Curry. lost Joe Dumarsto retirement. Excited about: Jerry Stackhouse and Grant Hill are ee Bos. falone, 1D. Curry, Mil Mullin, ind. ‘AC. Green, John Salley. Beno Benjamin and rookies Devan George and Men Lev: st Derek sper, Detroit Pistons (29-21) Biggest changes: Added Terry Mills Derek Harper and eOreet Den Biggest changes: Phil Jackson replaced Kurt Rambes as coach, moving to new arena (Staples Center), added Minnesota T-wolves (25-25) ‘Son, can Stay healthy for an 82-game season. 1998-99 STATISTICS FIELD-GOAL% SCORING ter); added Derek Anderson, Eric Murdock and rookies Biggest changes: New coach, Randy Wittman, added Lamond Murray, Matt Fish and Tony Smith and rook ies Andre Miller and Trajan Langdon: lost Cory Blount Derek Anderson and Johnny Newman Excited about: Opening up the offense for concern: Center 2ydrunas ligaushas is go {ng to have chronic foot problems Toronto Raptors (23-27) hams and rookies Richard Harriton and aron Prof Jot Otis Thorpe, Ben Wallace, Tim Legler Tety Davis, Jolt Minnis and Calbert Chaney Excited about: They finaly have 4 center ws Austin,» Cookie with superstar potential Harton and thew ttixes top players Rod Strickland ‘aad Juwan Howard af signed for at east vee more years Cause tor concern: With Howerd moving to sonal forward, who ts yoing to play power forwary’? Denver Nuggets (14-36) ‘coach, moving into new arena (Pepsi Center), added re problems dete & Miami (33-17) Havethey taken best hot? 9. Sacramento (27-23) Stylish Kings need substance 10. (Tie) Houston (31-19) Short season hurt; beware Minnesota (25-25) Big step forward last year reach the NBAFinals. Indianawill be waiting. Biggest changes: Added Danny Fortson, Eric Wiliams, Calbert Cheaney and Eric Yasin fost Bruce Bowen, Ron Mercer and Popeye Jo Ercie. aboot Arie Waker’. Sdermination to stow thal lastseason's off year was a fluke Cause for concern: The players have grown weary of ‘Hick Pitino’s ways, and they felt forced to trade Mercer ‘ogcause ofpotential problems in e-signing him, Ron Mercer, Popeye Jones and George McCloud and Finals seemlike long shot Aingecontinued: “Wehavehigh expectations. Golden St. Warriors (21-29) Biggest changes: Dan Issel replaced Mike O'Antoni as 5. LA. Lakers (31-19) | 6. Phil in (28-22) Once healthy, 76ers will win | 7. Phoenix (27-23) “the best we've had here since I’ve been the coach.” Dallas Mavericks (19-31) st changes: Lost Chuck Person and Charles Shackleford; added Todd Fuller and rookie pointguard Baron Davis Exelted about: Theyhave as much talent, depth and versatility as any team inthe NBA 4. azz (37-13) Have the look of contender “Theyhave the things we don’t, shot-blocking Atlanta Hawks (31-19) Airlines Arena), added Otis Thorpe and rookie Tim Ja lost Terry Porter and Terry Mills, Excited about: A healthy Tim Hardaway and a healthy eet ee | andan interior presence aroundthebasket,” he Boston Celtics (19-31) Biggest changes: Moving to new arena (American Haye lestned naw iain Coach Danny Aingelikes San Antonio and | Portland. | Westhave high expectations.” And only one will survive — only onewill Cause for concern: Shawn Bradley. 1. San Antonio (37-13) % kley and Dan Majerle made the Sunsa perennial But the Westis loaded. Eight or nineteamsin the Midwest Division fine year Top Teams | contender. player, three years was enoughtime.” ners oe USA Today closet but com coe oyVn feel hard to motivate them. I alwaysfelt that, as a By then, the Pacers might have changed his mindwith a long-awaited run to the NBAFinals. | prise, Phoenix seems readyfor its best run since | said. Atthe sametime, Aingesays the Suns, led bya sensational guard rotation that includes Jason Kidd, Penny Hardaway and Rex Chapman, are Check back in June. Gary Payton, Seattle 15-1 Heis older,better; Sonics are younger, worse GrantHill, Detroit 204 LikePayton, his chances hingeonteam’s performance Ray Allen, Milwaukee 25-1 If Bucks make a run at Indiana, he'll be the reason Chris Webber, Sacra. 25-1 Manyskeletonsin this Eachisa one-time All-Star. Wehavea lotof veterans here, guys who always give me everything they've got. As a coach, that's all you can ask.” So why quit? Bird isn’t specific except to say that “every coach I had, three years wasjust about the max. The playersgeta little stale after that, and it gets NBA PREVIEW Central Division The West“is top heavy,” Golden State Coach P.J. Carlesimosaid. “Of the top five teams in the league, most of them areouthere.” “Onpaper,” Seattle Coach Paul Westphalsaid, “the West is incredibly tough.” After burying the Knicks in the Finals, San Antoniois thelogical pick. But at minimalcost, Portland added Scottie Pippen, Steve Smith and Detlef Schrempf to its already-athletic roster. the mid-’90s, when Kevin Johnson, Charles Bar- ForBird,it could be the last dance. Tim Duncar Moateeee ee oar run in , Phila. a Will be the leading contender from the East Karl Malone, Utah He can't win a third MP award at age 36, can he? Jason Kidd, Phoenb of the game's brighteststars season. And now we'rebacktotry again.” fective at the endofhis third season. Handicapping the NBA's 1999-2000Most Valuable Player race: Kevin Garett, Minn. 10-1 Continues (o emerge as one hoenix, Sacramento, Houston and Minnesota “Twenty-some teams would havekilled to be in the position wewerein. Toall of a sudden want to clean house,that’s mind-boggling to me.. . . We had a very successful year. We wonour division, and we went to the Eastern Conferencefinals. MVP Race Anchors a rugged defense and plays hard every night | could emerge as contenders during the long “We feel pretty good about our team and our chancesof winning,” Coach Mike Dunleavysaid. “We haveas good a shot as anybody. pony: Though Sacramento and Minnesota are the popular choice as the Team MostLikely to Sur- He has Indiana made only one major change during the off-season. Management honored Antonio Davis’ requestfor a trade andsent him to Toronto. In return, Indiana got promising teen-ager Jonathan Bender, the No. 5 pick in thedraft. “We're going to miss Antonio, there’s no se- season with plentyoffamiliar faces. ing the game less physical. RayAllen. Whilethe Pacersareclear favorites in Eastern Conference, San Antonio, Portland and Utah are Luhm’s Outlook ... Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 6~ Depth-teficient Lakers will goas far as he cantake them ‘Alonzo Mourning, Miami 8-1 to the superb 1-2 punch of Glenn Robinson and In the West,it's a different story. Contenders are plentiful. tempted than inthe past two seasons. Mostofthe rule | Milwaukee could also make somenoise, thanks course, Indiana knows all about changeshave been putin place to decrease the amountof clutching and grabbing, mak- | Elsewhere, Miami will go as far as Alonzo Mourning and a smothering defensecan takeit. beconsidered a major disappointment. eliminated the battered Pacersin six games. “Weall know what happenedin the New York series,” Bird said. “We just didn’t get the job done.” womendeliberated forfive | Noneis expected back until December. disappointments. Two years ago, they outplayed Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in a riveting seven-game Fridayofall charges stemming fromanApril 24 traffic stop ina jury of seven menandfive gerous rival. But the 76ers will probably start slowly, thanks to preseason injuries to power- types Matt Geiger, Theo Ratliff and Tyrone Hill. | the conferencefinalsin the last seven years will finals against the white-hot NewYork Knicks, Washington neighborhood. A Improving Philadelphia, led by MVP candi- date Allen Iverson, could be Indiana’s most dan- Once again, the Pacers are talented, experienced and deep — clearly the class of the so-so East. Anything other than the Pacers’ fifth trip to cus on getting back on the basketball court. The Washington eee guard wasacquitted PRE VIEW PACERS | Expectations After Stroke Assistant coach Bill Musselmanofthe Portland Trail Blazers wasin serious condition Sat- 1999-2000 Great NBA NOTEBOOK Sunday, October31, 1999 Mourning, Ma 50168-36057 107 4 146 A 42 100 —= G BK AVG wg NY mH 6 0% 0 mM 7S 74 9 Van Exel, Den. STEALS ae ome 86 79 O77 0 8 o = sn AVG GaN. 15 2 MT *® “9 26 2K, Pron verson, Pha “ 0 Chiat, Tor. 1 22” 139273 0” "3 226 xs 100 26 ‘Hardaway, Ort » mt 22 x wm 4% 18-282 24% 110 243 $0 11520 0 Jones, Cha. 0 © Paytn, Sow Sow, Pi Bytck, At Mm mM 391 Ratt Pha Ovncan, SA Otajuwon, How febinson. $A ——seoyous. ow % © 2% 46ee87 Krag Cv 0 49158924 Ostertag, Uta = ast Ava $0108 “% Bradley, Oat Mesomto, At 6 0 26 22 0 1 218 Lo 8 26 10208 “ om 20 (D. Anmatrang, Ort Added Nick Anderson. Darrick Mar ti, Ty Corin. Tory Det and Ba Wenrangton. ont sg es ie Cause for concern: The deterse has holes. The Kings 278 Up more points than avy other team Last season And they were Ned for last staals Seattle SuperSonics (25-25) Biggest changes: Added lent Barry. Horace Grant Greg Foster, Chuck Merson and Ruben Patterson, tost Detet Sctvempt Avon Witham. Hersey Haws and ity Owes Exeited about: ‘hey were able to re-cagn Van aber dee (et a creative ofternave playeri Barry 10 tabe som of the pressure oft of Gary Payion Conse ter concern: (org poplar aad productive veteran Schwermot and Hawtin wl mabe getting back to the playots «ot harder BY THE NUMBERS 4 11 Houston Rocket's forward Charles Barkley says he plans to spend four hours a day playing golf after he retires at the endof this season Orlando Magic and former Utahcenter Michael Doleac scored in double figures in 11 of 50 games as a rookie last anon 13 ‘The New York Knicksplay 10 of their first 13 games and13 of their first 18 games onthe rand Knicks were 8-17 onthe roadInst year 73.5 « Over the past five — the ‘Utah Jaze the NBA |