Neck and Neck:
If there's one thing for sure in the Atlantic, it's that the Orlando Magic have the best blend of proven all-around talent (Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady) and quality veterans (newly acquired Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant). Throw in the likes of gritty point guard Darrell Armstrong, sixth man Bo Outlaw, small forwards Mike Miller and Pat Garrity, banger Andew DeClerq, and head coach Doc Rivers, and you have the makings of an NBA title contender. But Hill and McGrady are both recovering from injuries and Miller is out for a month with a foot injury - all factors that could hinder this team's success. So assuming that they can stay healthy, the division crown is the Magic's to lose.
The Philadelphia 76ers marched all the way to the NBA Finals last year on the wings of six-foot, 165-lb. Allen Iverson. But he might not have to do all the scoring himself this year. Former number one draft pick and All-Star Derrick Coleman was added in the off-season to complement defensive master Dikembe Mutumbo in the post, and Aaron McKie, already the best sixth-man in the league, could step up his game even more. The volatile Coleman could spell disaster for coach Larry Brown, though. If things stay harmonious in Philly, and most likely they will with Brown at the helm, the Sixers are the Magic's best competition.
Questions Abound:
Will Alonzo Mourning return to his All-Star form? Both Tim Hardaway and Anthony Mason have jumped ship, placing more pressure than ever on 'Zo to produce and produce big. And this may be easier said than done, considering that coach Pat Riley's keystone is recovering from a kidney disease that kept him in street clothes for 69 games last year. During the playoffs, when his minutes went up to 30 per game, Mourning's production dropped to just a 11.7 points a night, and the Heat were embarrassed by Charlotte in three games. Mourning will have help from Eddie Jones and Brian Grant inside, but neither has the presence of Mason. But without a healthy 'Zo, the Heat are no better than a lottery team.Can Michael Jordan carry another franchise on his back? While Jordan has shown that he still has the ability to dominate anybody in the league, the rest of the Wizards (2-6) haven't shown much of anything during preseason play. And aside from his age (38), Jordan is not exactly at his physical peak either, as he already cracked two ribs in June to go along with his chronic back problems and tender knees. But then again, this is Michael we are talking about. So don't count the Wizards out as long as he is in the lineup.
Fantasy Stars:
Michael Jordan. Nothing more needs to be said other than the fact that he is the best player on the planet. Ever.Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker of the Celtics combined to average 48.7 points per game last year while leading the Celtics in their run at the final East playoff spot. Walker, often criticized for his selfish play, also dished out 5.5 assists per night and is finally showing that he's as good as everyone says he is. Pierce, on the other hand, should have been an All-Star last year and is one of the best young players in the league.
Allen "The Answer" Iverson, last season's MVP and scoring leader (31.1 ppg), should recover fully from off-season surgery and will be back to burning or leaping over anything that crosses his path. He is also a tenacious defender, averaging 2.5 steals per game.
Moving Around: Despite losing three starters in Hardaway, Mason, and Bruce Bowen, as well as veteran Dan Majerle, Miami has added Kendall Gill, LaPhonso Ellis, and Chris Gatling, a trio of veterans who know how to score...Tyrone Hill, a key ingredient in the Sixer's breakthrough season last year, has been traded back to Cleveland...The New York Knicks lost both Larry Johnson and Luc Longley to retirement, then traded away sharpshooter Glen Rice...The New Jersey Nets may have got the better of the deal when they swapped one point guard for another with the Suns: Stephon Marbury for Jason Kidd.
And the award goes to...
MVP: Tracy McGrady. Vince Carter's cousin finally came into his own last year when he nearly doubled his scoring average (15.4 to 26.8), and boosted his assist and rebound totals. This year, even with Hill in the same lineup, McGrady is still the go-to guy in Orlando. And if the Magic make a serious title run, he is the one who will lead them.
Coach of the Year: Larry Brown. Any guy who can handle Iverson without a psychology degree and then take on an even bigger challenge by adding Coleman to the mix deserves some kind of award. Oh yeah and his team is pretty good, too.
Rookie of the Year: Joe Johnson, Celtics. This Arkansas product can score, and he'll likely step right into the starting lineup. Boston should be the perfect fit for the 6'7" slasher, who will blossom under the tutelage of coach Jim O'Brien, Walker, and Pierce.
