After the Western Conference finals last year, it's clear the NBA is still alive and kicking. This year promises to be just as exciting and will prove to be a season to remember. The following is a team-by-team breakdown of each conference.
Eastern Conference - Contenders or Pretenders?
1) New Jersey Nets
The Nets made one of the smartest trades in the offseason in jettisoning the passive and worthless Keith Van Horn to the Sixers for Dikembe Mutombo. With Mutombo and the newly acquired Rodney Rogers, they now have the defense and size to actually compete in the finals, which is where they are headed.
2) Indiana PacersCoach Isiah Thomas better get this team playing well this season or his head will roll. They have way too much talent to finish around .500 again. Reggie and the Pacers almost took out the Nets in the first round last year. This time the kids, Jermaine O'Neal, Brad Miller, Ron Artest, and co. must carry the load.
Jerry Stackhouse, once referred to as "Baby Jordan," joins up with the returning Michael Jordan to form quite the dynamic duo. Although Jordan will come off the bench, he will still be a major factor at the end of games.
This team gets an asterisk because the season depends on one man's ankle. If Grant Hill returns with a fully healed ankle, there is no telling how good this team can be. But his ankle is a huge question mark.
With last year's Charlotte problem out of the way, Baron Davis and company can get down to business and continue to be NBA's most underrated team.
Vince Carter will menace all that say the Raptors were better off without him last year.
Management guaranteed playoff berth or they will refund all season ticketholders. Bold move, eh?
Took a big step back by trading away Kenny Anderson for tub of lard Vin Baker.
Iggy, Darius Miles and Dajuan Wagner look to be the upstart team of NBA.
No Mutombo equals long year for Coach Brown and waste of life Iverson.
12) Detroit Pistons
13) Chicago Bulls
14) Miami Heat
15) New York Knicks
Western Conference - Where the Real Teams Reside
1) Sacramento Kings - Let the Coronation Begin
So close last year they could taste it. This time Mike Bibby, Chris Webber and company win the NBA Championship.
The Mavericks can score from anywhere, at anytime, making them one of the most dangerous teams around. Owner Cuban didn't shake up the team in the offseason, which will help the gelling process.
Shaq and Kobe can't do it all by themselves again. Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, and Rick Fox are riding their coattails just like Pippen and Rodman rode Jordan's.
The biggest collection of egos in the NBA is back for another run. Arvydas Sabonis returns to man the center and should help to whip this team back in shape.
The puzzle is complete with point guard Andre Miller. Now it's playoff time.
Besides Duncan, Spurs simply don't have the tools to take out the top teams in the West.
The Garnett plan has failed, time to make a trade or it will be first round and out for the next ten years.
GM Jerry West makes all the right moves as Grizzlies make waves.
Gary Payton's M.O.? Me, myself and I.
Yao Ming, more like Yao gonna suck for the next three years.
12) Phoenix Suns
13) Denver Nuggets
14) Golden State Warriors
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
