http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/47416.html
An early sketch of the East
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF7
1. MIAMI HEAT
2005-06: 52-30, won first NBA championship.
Coach: Pat Riley (1,151-589, .661), entering 23rd season.
Key additions: None.
Key losses: G Derek Anderson (waived).
Three keys:
• Riley is running the team from the start this time after replacing Stan Van Gundy following an 11-10 start a year ago.
• Six of Miami's top eight players are 30 or older, including Shaquille O'Neal (34) and key reserves Gary Payton (38) and Alonzo Mourning (36).
• Dwyane Wade might be facing the fatigue factor of going from an extended playoff run to the Team USA training camp and games in Asia, except that he's only 24.
2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
2005-06: 50-32, lost to Pistons in conference semifinals.
Coach: Mike Brown (50-32, .610), entering second season.
Key additions: G Shannon Brown (draft); C-F Scot Pollard (free agent, Pacers); G David Wesley (free agent, Rockets).
Key losses: G Ronald Murray (free agent, Pistons).
Three keys:
• Building around LeBron James, the Cavaliers have finally achieved roster stability. They spent the offseason without a major move for the first time since he arrived.
• With Eric Snow, 31, scheduled to start and Wesley, 35, and Damon Jones, 30, coming off the bench in key roles, the backcourt will be watched closely for signs of advancing age.
• Brown has a weighty role for an inexperienced coach.
3. NEW JERSEY NETS
2005-06: 49-33, lost to Heat in second round of playoffs.
Coach: Lawrence Frank (116-88, .569), entering fourth season.
Key additions: F-C Josh Boone (draft); G Eddie House (free agent, Suns); G Marcus Williams (draft).
Key losses: G Jacque Vaughn (free agent, Spurs).
Three keys:
• The bench remains suspect and must rely heavily on inexperienced Boone, Williams and Antoine Wright. Boone could be out until December with a shoulder injury.
• Vince Carter, with the option of becoming a free agent after the season, could be in a contract drive.
• It will be another difficult challenge under the boards if the leading rebounders again are the point guard (Jason Kidd) and the small forward (Richard Jefferson).
4. DETROIT PISTONS
2005-06: 64-18, lost to Heat in conference finals.
Coach: Flip Saunders (475-344, .580), entering 12th season.
Key additions: G Ronald Murray (free agent, Cavaliers); C Nazr Mohammed (free agent, Spurs).
Key losses: G Maurice Evans (trade, Lakers); C Ben Wallace (free agent, Bulls).
Three keys:
• Saunders will be under an immediate microscope after a disappointing first season in Detroit that included open frustration from players in the move away from the defensefirst approach.
• Mohammed and his career average of 5.7 rebounds get the losing battle of comparisons to Wallace's statistics. Antonio McDyess and Dale Davis get to help.
• The Pistons will have the extra motivation of being considered punctured by the Wallace departure and extinct in general about 21/2 years after winning the championship.
5. CHICAGO BULLS
2005-06: 41-41, lost to Heat in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Scott Skiles (223-202, .525), entering seventh season.
Key additions: F-C P.J. Brown (trade, Hornets); F-G Adrian Griffin (free agent, Mavericks); F Viktor Khryapa (trade, Trail Blazers); G Thabo Sefolosha (draft); F Tyrus Thomas (draft); C Ben Wallace (free agent, Pistons).
Key losses: F Othella Harrington (waived); F Darius Songaila (free agent, Wizards).
Three keys:
• The acquisition of Wallace as an inside presence elevated the Bulls from a very good defensive team to an even better one, but Chicago doesn't have big men who are considered serious scoring threats.
• The Bulls will be able to play fast, with a set of fleet wings and point guard Kirk Hinrich, and use another lineup to bang inside.
• With expectations high, Skiles' fever-pitch intensity risks pushing the pressure needle into the red.
6. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
2005-06: 42-40, lost to Cavaliers in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Eddie Jordan (145-198, .423), entering sixth season.
Key additions: F Darius Songaila (free agent, Bulls); G DeShawn Stevenson (free agent, Magic).
Key losses: F Jared Jeffries (free agent, Knicks).
Three keys:
• Management showed faith and patience in keeping together the core of a team that won three fewer games than in 2004-05 and was eliminated one round earlier in the playoffs.
• With Oleksiy Pecherov staying in Europe for at least one more season, the Wizards will not have a first-round pick on the roster for a third consecutive season.
• Gilbert Arenas might be playing with something to prove after being passed over by the national team, and the Wizards as a team might have something to prove after losing to Cleveland twice in overtime and once by a point in regulation in their opening-round elimination.
7. INDIANA PACERS
2005-06: 41-41, lost to Nets in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Rick Carlisle (246-164, .600), entering sixth season.
Key additions: F Al Harrington (trade, Hawks); G Darrell Armstrong (trade, Mavericks); G Marquis Daniels (trade, Mavericks); F Josh Powell (trade, Mavericks); F Shawne Williams (draft).
Key losses: F Austin Croshere (trade, Mavericks); Anthony Johnson (trade, Mavericks); G Fred Jones (free agent, Raptors); C-F Scot Pollard (free agent, Cavaliers); F Peja Stojakovic (trade, Hornets).
Three keys:
• Climbing back to contender status is tough enough when the defending champion (Miami) comes from your conference and a team poised for a big jump (Chicago) comes from your division. Doing it when training camp starts with the massive distraction of gunfire outside a strip club is next to impossible.
• Jermaine O'Neal hasn't played in more than 51 games since 2003-04, long enough for his stock to fall.
• Harrington, a former Pacers regular, has returned, but likely won't get the same number of shots as in Atlanta.
8. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
2005-06: 38-44.
Coach: Maurice Cheeks (200- 183, .522), entering sixth season.
Key additions: F Rodney Carney (draft).
Key losses: G-F John Salmons (free agent, Kings).
Three keys:
• The offseason call by president Billy King for a change in culture is a bad omen for Allen Iverson, who won't appreciate losing the wide berth he has enjoyed.
• With Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney on the wings and Iverson still able to race at age 31, the 76ers will be able to run with a lot of teams.
• Don't look now, but Chris Webber is showing durability. He played more minutes last season, while turning 33 not long after the All-Star break, than anytime as a pro. He posted 20.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, only slightly off his career averages.
9. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
2005-06: 40-42, lost to Pistons in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Terry Stotts (92-127, .420), entering fourth season.
Key additions: G Steve Blake (trade, Trail Blazers); F-C Brian Skinner (trade, Trail Blazers); F Charlie Villanueva (trade, Raptors); F Ruben Patterson (trade, Nuggets).
Key losses: G T.J. Ford (trade, Raptors); F Toni Kukoc (retirement); C Jamaal Magloire (trade, Trail Blazers); F Joe Smith (trade, Nuggets).
Three keys:
• Michael Redd, the focus of defenses as the only true offensive weapon, gets the additional burden of maintaining the role with his point guard, Ford, gone in a trade.
• One acquisition, Patterson, has a long history of troubles, and another, Villanueva, has questionable motivation but major offensive skills.
• Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick in 2005, needs to build on his decent rookie start of 9.4 points, seven rebounds and good passing skills.
10. ORLANDO MAGIC
2005-06: 36-46.
Coach: Brian Hill (258-273,• 486), entering ninth season.
Key additions: G Keith Bogans (free agent, Rockets); G J.J. Redick (draft).
Key losses: G DeShawn Stevenson (free agent, Wizards).
Three keys:
• Jameer Nelson gets an entire season as the starting point guard. The Magic averaged 92.8 points and shot 45.7 percent with Steve Francis in that spot and 98.5 points and 49.8 percent after Francis was dealt to New York on Feb. 22.
• The health of Grant Hill. Per usual.
• Dwight Howard has already established his very bright future. If former lottery washout Darko Milicic can capitalize on finally getting on the court after being relegated mostly to practice work in Detroit, the Magic will have a quality inside game well into the next decade.
11. BOSTON CELTICS
2005-06: 33-49.
Coach: Doc Rivers (249-254,• 495), entering eighth season.
Key additions: C-F Theo Ratliff (trade, Trail Blazers); Rajon Rondo (draft); Sebastian Telfair (trade, Trail Blazers).
Key losses: C Raef LaFrentz (trade, Trail Blazers).
Three keys:
• The Celtics hope Ratliff can regain his former standing as a defensive presence and help tutor the young big men, Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins.
• Telfair didn't shoot better than 40 percent in either season in Portland and didn't average more than four assists, but Boston gave up a lottery pick primarily to get him as the point guard of the future.
• Paul Pierce needs another superstar season to keep the Celtics close to respectability, all while another losing season looms with the potential of a frustrating youth movement.
12. NEW YORK KNICKS
2005-06: 23-59.
Coach: Isiah Thomas (131-115,• 533), entering fourth season.
Key additions: F Renaldo Balkman (draft); F Jared Jeffries (free agent, Wizards).
Key losses: F-C Maurice Taylor (free agent, Kings); F-G Qyntel Woods (free agent).
Three keys:
• The knowledge that it can't get worse than last season. (Can it?)
• Stephon Marbury loves the switch from Larry Brown to Thomas. Now, after a career-low 6.4 assists, he needs to play like it.
• Distractions are a normal part of Knicks life, but this season could be something closer to the ultimate. Thomas is under scrutiny from ownership and faces a sexual harassment lawsuit, and there's constant trade speculation in (long shot) hopes of breaking up a roster of high-priced, one-on-one players.
13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
2005-06: 26-56.
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff (382-468, .449), entering 15th season.
Key additions: F-C Othella Harrington (free agent, Bulls); F Adam Morrison (draft).
Key losses: F Jumaine Jones (free agent, Suns).
Three keys:
• Adam Morrison is a big name from the draft and a big need - the Bobcats finished last in the league in shooting last season.
• With incumbent starter Brevin Knight, Raymond Felton returns at point guard having outscored all rookies after Feb. 1, a very encouraging finish that pushed him to 13.8 points overall with 6.0 assists last season.
• Gerald Wallace led Charlotte in scoring, steals and blocks in 2005-06 and was arguably its best player during the exhibition season.
14. TORONTO RAPTORS
2005-06: 27-55.
Coach: Sam Mitchell (60-104,• 366), entering third season.
Key additions: F Andrea Bargnani (draft); G T.J. Ford (trade, Bucks); G Fred Jones (free agent, Pacers); C Rasho Nesterovic (trade, Spurs).
Key losses: C Rafael Araujo (trade, Jazz); F Matt Bonner (trade, Spurs); G Mike James (free agent, Timberwolves); Charlie Villanueva (trade, Bucks).
Three keys:
• With Ford and Jones now on board with rising star Chris Bosh, the Raptors will transition to playing with speed and athleticism.
• Only four players from last season's 27-win team were back for training camp as new general manager Bryan Colangelo works to heighten expectations for a franchise that has four consecutive sub-.500 finishes.
• Colangelo will need to build a new defense while he's at it. The Raptors finished last in opponents' shooting in 2005-06.
(cont)
An early sketch of the East
By Scott Howard-Cooper - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Story appeared in PROJECTS section, Page KINGS TIPOFF7
1. MIAMI HEAT
2005-06: 52-30, won first NBA championship.
Coach: Pat Riley (1,151-589, .661), entering 23rd season.
Key additions: None.
Key losses: G Derek Anderson (waived).
Three keys:
• Riley is running the team from the start this time after replacing Stan Van Gundy following an 11-10 start a year ago.
• Six of Miami's top eight players are 30 or older, including Shaquille O'Neal (34) and key reserves Gary Payton (38) and Alonzo Mourning (36).
• Dwyane Wade might be facing the fatigue factor of going from an extended playoff run to the Team USA training camp and games in Asia, except that he's only 24.
2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
2005-06: 50-32, lost to Pistons in conference semifinals.
Coach: Mike Brown (50-32, .610), entering second season.
Key additions: G Shannon Brown (draft); C-F Scot Pollard (free agent, Pacers); G David Wesley (free agent, Rockets).
Key losses: G Ronald Murray (free agent, Pistons).
Three keys:
• Building around LeBron James, the Cavaliers have finally achieved roster stability. They spent the offseason without a major move for the first time since he arrived.
• With Eric Snow, 31, scheduled to start and Wesley, 35, and Damon Jones, 30, coming off the bench in key roles, the backcourt will be watched closely for signs of advancing age.
• Brown has a weighty role for an inexperienced coach.
3. NEW JERSEY NETS
2005-06: 49-33, lost to Heat in second round of playoffs.
Coach: Lawrence Frank (116-88, .569), entering fourth season.
Key additions: F-C Josh Boone (draft); G Eddie House (free agent, Suns); G Marcus Williams (draft).
Key losses: G Jacque Vaughn (free agent, Spurs).
Three keys:
• The bench remains suspect and must rely heavily on inexperienced Boone, Williams and Antoine Wright. Boone could be out until December with a shoulder injury.
• Vince Carter, with the option of becoming a free agent after the season, could be in a contract drive.
• It will be another difficult challenge under the boards if the leading rebounders again are the point guard (Jason Kidd) and the small forward (Richard Jefferson).
4. DETROIT PISTONS
2005-06: 64-18, lost to Heat in conference finals.
Coach: Flip Saunders (475-344, .580), entering 12th season.
Key additions: G Ronald Murray (free agent, Cavaliers); C Nazr Mohammed (free agent, Spurs).
Key losses: G Maurice Evans (trade, Lakers); C Ben Wallace (free agent, Bulls).
Three keys:
• Saunders will be under an immediate microscope after a disappointing first season in Detroit that included open frustration from players in the move away from the defensefirst approach.
• Mohammed and his career average of 5.7 rebounds get the losing battle of comparisons to Wallace's statistics. Antonio McDyess and Dale Davis get to help.
• The Pistons will have the extra motivation of being considered punctured by the Wallace departure and extinct in general about 21/2 years after winning the championship.
5. CHICAGO BULLS
2005-06: 41-41, lost to Heat in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Scott Skiles (223-202, .525), entering seventh season.
Key additions: F-C P.J. Brown (trade, Hornets); F-G Adrian Griffin (free agent, Mavericks); F Viktor Khryapa (trade, Trail Blazers); G Thabo Sefolosha (draft); F Tyrus Thomas (draft); C Ben Wallace (free agent, Pistons).
Key losses: F Othella Harrington (waived); F Darius Songaila (free agent, Wizards).
Three keys:
• The acquisition of Wallace as an inside presence elevated the Bulls from a very good defensive team to an even better one, but Chicago doesn't have big men who are considered serious scoring threats.
• The Bulls will be able to play fast, with a set of fleet wings and point guard Kirk Hinrich, and use another lineup to bang inside.
• With expectations high, Skiles' fever-pitch intensity risks pushing the pressure needle into the red.
6. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
2005-06: 42-40, lost to Cavaliers in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Eddie Jordan (145-198, .423), entering sixth season.
Key additions: F Darius Songaila (free agent, Bulls); G DeShawn Stevenson (free agent, Magic).
Key losses: F Jared Jeffries (free agent, Knicks).
Three keys:
• Management showed faith and patience in keeping together the core of a team that won three fewer games than in 2004-05 and was eliminated one round earlier in the playoffs.
• With Oleksiy Pecherov staying in Europe for at least one more season, the Wizards will not have a first-round pick on the roster for a third consecutive season.
• Gilbert Arenas might be playing with something to prove after being passed over by the national team, and the Wizards as a team might have something to prove after losing to Cleveland twice in overtime and once by a point in regulation in their opening-round elimination.
7. INDIANA PACERS
2005-06: 41-41, lost to Nets in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Rick Carlisle (246-164, .600), entering sixth season.
Key additions: F Al Harrington (trade, Hawks); G Darrell Armstrong (trade, Mavericks); G Marquis Daniels (trade, Mavericks); F Josh Powell (trade, Mavericks); F Shawne Williams (draft).
Key losses: F Austin Croshere (trade, Mavericks); Anthony Johnson (trade, Mavericks); G Fred Jones (free agent, Raptors); C-F Scot Pollard (free agent, Cavaliers); F Peja Stojakovic (trade, Hornets).
Three keys:
• Climbing back to contender status is tough enough when the defending champion (Miami) comes from your conference and a team poised for a big jump (Chicago) comes from your division. Doing it when training camp starts with the massive distraction of gunfire outside a strip club is next to impossible.
• Jermaine O'Neal hasn't played in more than 51 games since 2003-04, long enough for his stock to fall.
• Harrington, a former Pacers regular, has returned, but likely won't get the same number of shots as in Atlanta.
8. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
2005-06: 38-44.
Coach: Maurice Cheeks (200- 183, .522), entering sixth season.
Key additions: F Rodney Carney (draft).
Key losses: G-F John Salmons (free agent, Kings).
Three keys:
• The offseason call by president Billy King for a change in culture is a bad omen for Allen Iverson, who won't appreciate losing the wide berth he has enjoyed.
• With Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney on the wings and Iverson still able to race at age 31, the 76ers will be able to run with a lot of teams.
• Don't look now, but Chris Webber is showing durability. He played more minutes last season, while turning 33 not long after the All-Star break, than anytime as a pro. He posted 20.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, only slightly off his career averages.
9. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
2005-06: 40-42, lost to Pistons in first round of playoffs.
Coach: Terry Stotts (92-127, .420), entering fourth season.
Key additions: G Steve Blake (trade, Trail Blazers); F-C Brian Skinner (trade, Trail Blazers); F Charlie Villanueva (trade, Raptors); F Ruben Patterson (trade, Nuggets).
Key losses: G T.J. Ford (trade, Raptors); F Toni Kukoc (retirement); C Jamaal Magloire (trade, Trail Blazers); F Joe Smith (trade, Nuggets).
Three keys:
• Michael Redd, the focus of defenses as the only true offensive weapon, gets the additional burden of maintaining the role with his point guard, Ford, gone in a trade.
• One acquisition, Patterson, has a long history of troubles, and another, Villanueva, has questionable motivation but major offensive skills.
• Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick in 2005, needs to build on his decent rookie start of 9.4 points, seven rebounds and good passing skills.
10. ORLANDO MAGIC
2005-06: 36-46.
Coach: Brian Hill (258-273,• 486), entering ninth season.
Key additions: G Keith Bogans (free agent, Rockets); G J.J. Redick (draft).
Key losses: G DeShawn Stevenson (free agent, Wizards).
Three keys:
• Jameer Nelson gets an entire season as the starting point guard. The Magic averaged 92.8 points and shot 45.7 percent with Steve Francis in that spot and 98.5 points and 49.8 percent after Francis was dealt to New York on Feb. 22.
• The health of Grant Hill. Per usual.
• Dwight Howard has already established his very bright future. If former lottery washout Darko Milicic can capitalize on finally getting on the court after being relegated mostly to practice work in Detroit, the Magic will have a quality inside game well into the next decade.
11. BOSTON CELTICS
2005-06: 33-49.
Coach: Doc Rivers (249-254,• 495), entering eighth season.
Key additions: C-F Theo Ratliff (trade, Trail Blazers); Rajon Rondo (draft); Sebastian Telfair (trade, Trail Blazers).
Key losses: C Raef LaFrentz (trade, Trail Blazers).
Three keys:
• The Celtics hope Ratliff can regain his former standing as a defensive presence and help tutor the young big men, Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins.
• Telfair didn't shoot better than 40 percent in either season in Portland and didn't average more than four assists, but Boston gave up a lottery pick primarily to get him as the point guard of the future.
• Paul Pierce needs another superstar season to keep the Celtics close to respectability, all while another losing season looms with the potential of a frustrating youth movement.
12. NEW YORK KNICKS
2005-06: 23-59.
Coach: Isiah Thomas (131-115,• 533), entering fourth season.
Key additions: F Renaldo Balkman (draft); F Jared Jeffries (free agent, Wizards).
Key losses: F-C Maurice Taylor (free agent, Kings); F-G Qyntel Woods (free agent).
Three keys:
• The knowledge that it can't get worse than last season. (Can it?)
• Stephon Marbury loves the switch from Larry Brown to Thomas. Now, after a career-low 6.4 assists, he needs to play like it.
• Distractions are a normal part of Knicks life, but this season could be something closer to the ultimate. Thomas is under scrutiny from ownership and faces a sexual harassment lawsuit, and there's constant trade speculation in (long shot) hopes of breaking up a roster of high-priced, one-on-one players.
13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
2005-06: 26-56.
Coach: Bernie Bickerstaff (382-468, .449), entering 15th season.
Key additions: F-C Othella Harrington (free agent, Bulls); F Adam Morrison (draft).
Key losses: F Jumaine Jones (free agent, Suns).
Three keys:
• Adam Morrison is a big name from the draft and a big need - the Bobcats finished last in the league in shooting last season.
• With incumbent starter Brevin Knight, Raymond Felton returns at point guard having outscored all rookies after Feb. 1, a very encouraging finish that pushed him to 13.8 points overall with 6.0 assists last season.
• Gerald Wallace led Charlotte in scoring, steals and blocks in 2005-06 and was arguably its best player during the exhibition season.
14. TORONTO RAPTORS
2005-06: 27-55.
Coach: Sam Mitchell (60-104,• 366), entering third season.
Key additions: F Andrea Bargnani (draft); G T.J. Ford (trade, Bucks); G Fred Jones (free agent, Pacers); C Rasho Nesterovic (trade, Spurs).
Key losses: C Rafael Araujo (trade, Jazz); F Matt Bonner (trade, Spurs); G Mike James (free agent, Timberwolves); Charlie Villanueva (trade, Bucks).
Three keys:
• With Ford and Jones now on board with rising star Chris Bosh, the Raptors will transition to playing with speed and athleticism.
• Only four players from last season's 27-win team were back for training camp as new general manager Bryan Colangelo works to heighten expectations for a franchise that has four consecutive sub-.500 finishes.
• Colangelo will need to build a new defense while he's at it. The Raptors finished last in opponents' shooting in 2005-06.
(cont)
