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Show NBA OUTLOQ,K By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Team-by-team rundown for the 1995-96 NBA season in the Pacific Division in predicted order of finish, with significant additions and subtractions [rookies are listed with draft selection number): Phoenix SlllL'i Last season - 59-23, 1st; eliminated by Houston in second round. Coach - Paul Westphal (4th season with Suns; 177-69 career). Changes - Added F-C John "Hot Rod" Williams (trade), F-C Stefano Rusconi (Italy). Lost G Dan Majerle (trade), G Antonio Lang (trade), G Frank Johnson (retired), G Danny Ainge (retired), C Dan Schayes (free agent). Strengths - F Charles Barkley (23 ppg, 11.l rpg) eschewed retirement and came back healthy, rested and hungry to take one last shot at a title. Resting during the preseason and limiting regular-season minutes a good idea, since he broke down during playoffs .... Addition of 6-11 Williams (12.6 ppg, 6.9 rpgJ may finally have filled Suns' hole in the middle. His quickness and shot-blocking ability will mesh well with Suns' scheme. He, F A.C. Green and Barkley form a formidable front line .... Potent offense was second in the league in scoring (110.6 ppg). Weaknesses- Suns must stay healthier than last year, when G Kevin Johnson (15.5 ppg, 7.7 apg) was limited to careerlow 4 7 games and F Danny Manning (17.9 ppg, 55 percent shooting] blew out knee in February .... Phoenix not the same team without Manning, who's due back in January and has a new long-term contract.... Tapped to fill in for the popular Majerle, second-year G Wesley Person [10.4 ppg, 23 mpg, 44 percent 3point shooting) may not be able to handle the pressure . ... NBA's second-worst defensive team must improve on that end. Outlook - Suns have averaged 56 wins the last seven seasons and won two of the last tluee Pacific titles. Although Barkley wasn't crazy about Majerle-for-Williams deal, Phoenix can now compete with teams with top centers, even if Willia.ms isn't on their level. [trade), F Sherell Ford (No. 26), F Frank Brickowski (trade). Lost G Kendall Gill (trade), C Bill Cartwright (retired), G Sarunas Marciulionis (trade), F Byron Houston (trade). Strengths - F Shawn Kemp [18.7 ppg. 10.9 rpg) and G Gary Payton (W.6 ppg, 7.1 apg, 2.5 spg) are among NBA's best at their positions, keying Seattle's press-andrun game.... F Dede£ Scluempf shot 52 percent from field and 51 from 3-point range ...Hawkins gives Sons another perimeter threat .... Trade of disruptive Gill should ease problems. Weaknesses- Starting C Ervin Johnson is active but far from dominating . ... Kemp needs rebounding help. C Sam Perkins was last year's starter but grabbed just 4.9 boards a game. ... As good as Payton is, he's been outplayed in last two years' first-round playoff ousters. · Outlook - Karl says team chemistry always his team's biggest obstacle - is best it's ever been, indicating Seattle is in for another SO-win season. But it won't matter unless the Sonics find the formula to avoid another playoff failure. Los Angeles Lakers Last season - 48-34, .3rd; eliminated by Spurs in second round. Coach - Del Harris (2nd season with La.kers; 380-375 career). Changes -Added G Frankie King (No. 37), F Corie Blount (trade). Lost C Sam Bowie (retired), F Antonio Harvey (expansion draft). Strengths - G Nick Van Exel established himself as great clutch shooter in playoffs, and he and Eddie Jones form an exciting young backcourt. Jones will miss first few weeks while recovering from thumb injury.... F Cedric Ceballos [21.7 ppg, 8 rpg) came over from Phoenix and became an All-Star.... C Vlade Divac (16 ppg, 10.4 rpg) has developed into solid post player and a team leader. Weaknesses - Bowie's retirement hurts depth and defense, which wasn't strong to begin with (106.8 ppg by opponents) .... F Elden Campbell (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg), starting power forward, remains an enigma, disappearing in some games while dominating others .... Among the league's poorer teams at the line (73 percent). Outlook - Surprise team of 1994-95 will find everyone ready for it this year, but getting a glimpse of what's possible has made young Lakers even hungrier to go deeper into the playoffs. 9f.N ~;-. 0~ . 0 Seattle SuperSonics Last season - 57-25, 2nd; eliminated by Lakers in first round. Coach - George Karl (5th season with SuperSonics; 321-262). Changes - Added G Hersey Hawkins ~ .,~ tit C,J "'lfa\o~ Golden State Warriors Last season - 26-56, 6th. Coach- Rick Adelman (1st season with Warriors; 291-154 career). I Changes - Added F Joe Smith (No. 1), G B.J. Armstrong (trade), F Jerome Kersey !free agent). Lost C Victor Alexander (trade), F Carlos Rogers (trade), G Keith Jennings (expansion draft). Strengths - Most talented team to end up in the lottery in a long while . .. . G Latrell Sprewell (20.6 ppg) made the AllStar team but sulky attitude hurt bis stock. G Tim Hardaway 120.1 ppg, 9.3 apg), despite another injury-plagued season, is a strong floor leader and has capable backup in Armstrong . ... Smith will provide size and a much-needed defensive presence at power forward, and his work ethic should make up for inexperience .... F Chris Mullin shot 49 percent in his third straight injurywracked season (25 games), an indication he hasn't lost his touch. Weaknesses - Rift between Don Nelson and Chris Webber poisoned team chemistry and cost coach his job. Sprewell and Hardaway feuded openly. It's still a question whether the two can get along .... League's worst defensive team last season (111 .1 ppg by opponents) . ... Injuries and Golden State have been synonymous in past and always seem to be a factor. Outlook - With the top draft pick and a new front office regime, Warriors should be the NBA's most-improved team, going from 26 wins to playoffs. Portland Trail Blazers Last season - 44-38, 4th; lost to Suns in first round. Coach - P.J. Carlesimo (2nd season with Trail Blazers; 44-38 career). Changes - Added F Gary Trent INo. 11, trade), C Arvydas Sabonis (Spain), G Randolph Childress (No. 19, trade). Lost F Otis Thorpe [trade), G Terry Porter (released), G Steve Henson freleased), G James Edwards (released), F Jerome Kersey (expansion draft), Mark Bryant (free agent). Strengths - G Rod Strickland (18.9 ppg, 8.8 apg, 5 rpg) blossomed offensively and consistently hurts opponents with his penetration .... Despite his 30 years, 7-3 Sabonis could prove an excellent backup to C Chris Dudley fS.S ppg, 9.3 rpg), providing another offensive threat and a big body on defense .... Fs Clifford Robinson (21.3 ppg) and Buck Williams (9.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg) still reliable starters who will give the muscular Trent time to develop. Weaknesses -Three key contributors - Clyde Drexler, Jerome Kersey, Terry Porter - from powerhouse teams of past are gone, leaving a team looking for an identity . ... Carlesimo and Stricklahd feuded bitterly last season, and Strickland was mentioned in numerous trade rumors. ... Weak spot is shooting guard, where Harvey Grant (9.1 ppg) will start. Outlook - Blazers' rebuilding efforts didn't start in time to keep pace with the rest of the league. They'll likely be out of the playoffs for first time since '82. Sacramento Kings Last season - 39-43, 5th. Coach - Garry St. Jean (4th season with Kings; 92-154 career). Changes - Added F Corliss Williamson (No. 13), G Tyus Edney (No. 47), F Tyrone Corbin (trade), G Sarunas M.arciulionis (trade). Lost G Spud Webb (trade), G Randy Brown (free agent), F Frank Brickowski (trade). Strengths - G Mitch Richmond (22.8 ppg) started all 82 games and finally earned overdue recognition last year, grabbing MVP at All-Star Game .... Fs Walt Williams (16.4 ppg) and All-Rookie Brian Grant (13.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 51 percent shooting) ready to build on what they did last year. Williamson, like Grant, a banger down low, and secondyear pro Michael Smith make frontcourt even deeper. Weaknesses -Teeny backcourt. After trading 5-7 Spud Webb, Kings drafted 510 Edney, who's competing for starting job with 6-0 Bobby Hurley. Hurley needs to regain confidence along with the 10 pounds he put on .... C Olden Polynice (10.8 ppg, 9 rpg) not a defensive presence. Outlook - Must avoid long losing stretch that doomed them late last season. After missing playoffs by one game, this team is driven to get there for the first time since 1986 but could be squeezed out in loaded Western Conference. Los Angeles Clippers Last season - 17 -65, 7th. Coach - Bill Fitch (2nd season with Clippers; 862-942). Changes - Added F Rodney Rogers (trade), F Brian Williams (trade), G Brent Barry (No. 15 trade). Lost G Randy Woods (trade), C Elmore Spencer [trade), F Tony Massenburg !expansion draft). Strengths - Personnel changes can only improve NBA's worst team. Draft-day trade of No. 2 pick Antonio McDyess . brought Williams f?.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg), who will play center, and Rogers I12.2 ppg), who will join a rotation with F Loy Vaught (17.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and Lamond Murray (14.1 ppg) .... Clippers are hoping Barry develops enough to eventually start at shooting guard or point. Weaknesses- League's worst road team last year at 4-37 .... Second-worst team from the free throw line (71 percent) won't get any help from Rogers (65 percent) .... G Pooh Richardson I10.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg), who may miss the start of season because of a fractured left foot, not a solid scorer and terrible from foul line. Outlook - Although ridiculed for the McDyess trade, the Clippers added needed depth to a patchwork squad of CBA promotees. But long-suffering Fitch could very well lose his l ,OOOth career game this season. |