Bucks, Raptors to battle for Central title

Neck and Neck:

Basically it will be a two-team race in the Central Division. The Milwaukee Bucks won the division last year and advanced to the conference finals where the Philadelphia 76ers eliminated them in seven games. Last year, the Bucks featured a three-headed offensive monster in point guard Sam Cassell, shooting guard Ray Allen, and small forward Glenn Robinson, and the trio is back for an encore in 2001-2002. But the three-headed monster may have sprouted a fourth head when the Bucks picked up former All-Star Anthony Mason a week ago. Mason will provide the Bucks with a much needed post option. In addition, George Karl is one of the best coaches in the business and wherever he goes success is not far behind.

The Toronto Raptors could battle the Bucks, not only for the best record in the Central, but also for the top record in the conference. Any team featuring Vince Carter in the lineup will immediately become a force to be reckoned with. During the offseason it look as if All-Star center/power forward Antonio Davis would depart via free agency, but Davis re-upped with the Raptors and provides a presence in the paint. Point guard Alvin Williams began to shine last year following the trade of Mark Jackson to the New York Knicks at the trade deadline. Toronto made great strides last season, winning a postseason series for the first time in franchise history when they defeated the Knicks in Round One, coming a Vince Carter shot away from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals. With the acquisition of Hakeem Olajuwaon, the Raptors have a potentially dominating center for the first time in the team's five-year history.

Fantasy Stars:

In a discussion of the top players in the NBA, Vince Carter's name always comes up. Last year, Carter had the best season of his career - averaging 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per contest. Carter also showed that he was more than just a dunker, shooting 40.8 percent from downtown - a career high. If there is any flaw in Carter's game, it's defense, but in time that should come.

The most underrated player and perhaps the best pure shooting guard in the NBA also resides in the Central Division. Ray Allen continues to get better and his shooting percentage has improved drastically during his five-year career, from 43 percent in his rookie season to 48 percent last year, when he tied Glenn Robinson for the team lead in points per game (PPG). If he played in a bigger market he would be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe, Vince, T-Mac, and even Jordan - this guy is that good.

The Indiana Pacers' Reggie Miller, an NBA player since the 1987-1988 season, is the old reliable star in the Central Division. With the exception of his first two seasons, when he averaged 10.0 and 16.0 PPG, respectively, Miller has not averaged fewer than 18.1 in any season. Last year, Miller netted 18.9 and it's a safe bet to expect a similar performance this year.

Key Additions:

The two best teams in the division last year, the Bucks and the Raptors, incidentally made the two biggest offseason moves. The Bucks signed Anthony Mason to a four-year contract last week and finally have the post presence they lacked over the past few years. With Cassell, Allen, and Robinson also on the team, Mason may not average 16.1 points again but he will surely average a near double-double and give the Bucks a fourth option. If the temperamental Mason can stay out of legal trouble, his presence could bring about a trip to the NBA Finals for the Bucks.

Olajuwan decided to end his 17-year association with the Houston Rockets to sign with the Raptors. If he can remain healthy - a big if - the Raptors could be a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, for Toronto, Olajuwon has not played more than 58 games since the 1996-1997 season and there is nothing to make anyone confident that he can play a full season this year.

Key Loss:

The Chicago Bulls lost two huge things this offseason - Elton Brand and the distinction of being the only team Michael Jordan ever played for. Brand leaves a 20 point/ten rebound hole in the middle and Jordan playing for the Washington Wizards leaves a hole in the hearts of Chicagans.

5 lingering questions:

1.

Will Mason stay out of jail?

2. Will Olajuwan stay healthy?

3. Will Jerry Krause be run out of Chicago?

4. How will Chicagans react when Jordan returns to Chicago as a visitor on Jan. 19?

5. Can any other Central team challenge Milwaukee and Toronto?

And the Award Goes to:

MVP: Vince Carter

Coach of the Year: Isiah Thomas, Indiana.

Rookie of the Year: Eddy Curry - he's only 19 but he has a NBA body right now.