Foulshots.com | 2000 NBA Preview
2000 NBA Preview
By Sean Goodrich
The NBA season is once again upon us and once again it looks like the Western Conference will dominate
the league. The talent disparity between the two conferences is obvious and the Lakers, Trailblazers,
Spurs, Jazz, and Suns are all better than the current best team in the East, Orlando (Miami would
be the best if Mourning were healthy). In fact I think we will see only one 50+ win team this year in the
East (Orlando again). Below are my predictions for the NBA Season:
Eastern Conference
1. Orlando Magic (54-28)
Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, Darrell Armstrong . . . need I say more. This is by far the most talented team
in the Eastern conference. The question is how will they PLAY as a team. Doc Rivers will get everybody
on the same page so I think they will do just fine and will win the Atlantic Division handily.
Gene: If Grant Hill doesn't fully recover, this team's weakness in the middle will get exposed. I
agree that this is the team to beat in the East.
2. Charlotte Hornets (49-33)
If this team can stay healthy, they can challenge Orlando in the Eastern Conference and win the
Central Division. PJ Brown is a great addition and Jamal Mashburn will get a chance to be the go-to guy
in Charlotte. However, if Derrick Coleman cannot accept his new role as 6th man, he could become a
cancer and destroy any chances this team has at going far in the playoffs.
Gene: Become a cancer? I think DC already is a cancer. I think this team lacks a money scorer, but
my man Baron Davis will emerge as a dominant point guard this season.
3. Miami Heat (47-35)
With Alonzo Mourning, this is the best team in the Eastern Conference and challenges for the NBA title.
However, without Mourning, this team does not have the toughness inside it needs to dominate. They
will still be very good as I think Pat Riley is the best motivator in the NBA and there is still
Tim Hardaway, Eddie Jones, Anthony Mason to deal with.
Gene: Even with Duane Causwell at center, this team will be the team to beat. Brian Grant will regain his
scoring touch this season.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (46-36)
Allen Iverson will make or break the 76ers this year. If he can become a little more unselfish
and get his teammates involved, they will be strong down the stretch and go deep into the playoffs
with a good bench and great coaching. However, if he alienates his teammates and coach,
Philadelphia will make a first round exit in the playoffs. Look for Toni Kukoc to win 6th man
of the year.
Gene: If Iverson continues to play as unselfishly as he has so far this season, the Sixers will push for the Eastern
Conference title. Sad as it may seem, shotblocker deluxe Theo Ratliff is the second best center in the East.
Plus, this is probably the only top Eastern Conference team from last season that actually did not regress this
past offseason.
5. New York Knicks (44-38)
This is a very unusual team. They have no true center and only one real shooting guard. However,
they have a glut of players that can play small forward. This is not a great situation to
have if you are Jeff Gundy. He was obviously not happy with the deal for Glen Rice since bringing
in a tall shooter with limited defensive abilities will do NOTHING except hurt this team. The Knicks will
probably make the playoffs only because they are in the Eastern Conference and play good defense.
However, this team could easily falter due to the clashing personalities of its players and
wind up with the reverse of the record above.
Gene: G.Rice's wife will probably hold a press conference this year to complain about the number of shot
opportunities he will receive as the number 3 option on the Knicks. How in the world can the
subtraction of Ewing and the addition of Lucky Luc Longley and a washed-up G.Rice be considered an upgrade?
This team will go as far as Spree and Houston take it.
6. Indiana Pacers (44-38)
The Indiana Pacers are a very hard team to judge this year. On the one hand, they lost
Rick Smits to retirement, Dale Davis in a trade with the Trailblazers, and Mark Jackson to the
Raptors, but on the other hand, they have a strong nucleus of young players such as Jalen Rose,
Austin Croshere, Jonathan Bender, and Jermaine O'Neal. The losses of Dale Davis and Mark Jackson
are a big blow as they were the heart and soul of the Pacers last year, but I think this young team
along with the clutch Reggie Miller will be competitive and make the playoffs.
Gene: Pacers GM Donnie Walsh has made some astute moves to make this team younger, but it won't help them
much this year. Still, there is enough talent for this team to make a run at the Heat, Magic and Sixers.
7. Toronto Raptors (42-40)
It is a shame that the Raptors couldn't hold on to Tracy McGrady because if they did, they could have
been a major factor in the Eastern Conference. As it is, they have the spectacular Vince Carter,
an aging group of veterans in Charles Oakley and Mark Jackson, and a great rookie in Morris Peterson.
This team will regress a little bit, but remain competitive due to the steadying
influence of new head coach Lenny Wilkins.
Gene: This team is in absolute shambles, but at least the litigious Butch Carter is gone. Morris Peterson
was the perhaps the steal of the draft.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (41-41)
The one thing we know about this team is that it can score. Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, and Sam Cassell
combined to score 61.6 points a game last year. Look for more of the same this year. The big
question about this team is its willingness to play defense. They need Ervin Johnson or rookie Joel Pryzbilla
to step up defensively in the middle. They also need big contributions from Tim Thomas and
Lindsey Hunter. Unfortunately, I think Same Cassell's contract squabbling (he is very upset that he
ONLY earns $3.5 million a year) and sometimes selfish play will be a season-long headache for
Coach Karl and cost this team 5 - 7 wins.
Gene: Even though a tandem of Ervin "The Real Magic Man" Johnson and Joel Pryzbilla sounds brutally ugly on
paper, it is probably one of the better center combinations in the East.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers (38-44)
The fate of this team rests on the feet of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. If he can stay healthy
(that is a HUGE if) and plays up to or better than his 1997-98 form, this team might be able to
challenge for the 8th playoff spot in the East. They have a young and tough point guard in
Andre Miller and a solid small forward in Lamond Murray. Unfortunately, I think Chris Mihm is
going to be a big draft bust, forever relegated to being a back-up power forward/center in the mold of
Adam Keefe.
Gene: Andre Miller will be a constant threat to "mess around get a triple-double" each time he steps
on the court. This team will will surprise if Ilgauskas stays in one piece or if Chris Mihm stops
playing with his hair long enough to play tough interior defense. Unforunately, the Cavs lack
a marquee scorer.
10. Boston Celtics (35-47)
This team is a mess . . . a complete mess. The Celtics do not have a center and have an awful situation at
point guard with Kenny "I will not pass" Anderson and Randy "Conehead" Brown. They also have a
selfish, poor shooting power forward in Antoine Walker. Luckily, they have a very big bright spot in
Paul Pierce, and in the dismal lower half of the Eastern Conference they will probably be able to
capture 35 wins.
Gene: Chris Herren is a cross between a young Scott Skiles and Jason Williams and could be a pleasant surprise if Pitino gives
him a chance. Unfortunately, he will not be enough to make a big difference.
11. Detroit Pistons (34-48)
Yet another team without a legitimate center. The Pistons also have deficiencies at point guard and small
forward. Jerry Stackhouse should have a monster year as the main offensive threat in the
Piston's attack and I like the hustle of Jerome Williams. However, this team has gone from a
playoff team to a rebuilding team and will struggle to 34 wins.
Gene: Stack is probably ecstatic about the opportunity to gun shamelessly for a bad team.
12. New Jersey Nets (32-50)
If Kerry Kittles didn't suffer a season-ending injury and if Keith Van Horn wasn't out for the first
month of the season, this team would take the 8th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But in the
real world, this is a team that has Jim McIlvaine starting at center (not sure this is better than
not having a true center) and a rookie, Kenyon Martin, starting at power forward. Stephon Marbury
will carry the load for this team and will be spectacular a lot of the time, but the Nets will end up
vying for that number 1 lottery pick once again.
Gene: Evan Eschmeyer has the toughness and ability to develop into a useful center, but Kenyon Martin will
need some time to round back into form after suffering that terrible leg injury in the C-USA tournament.
13. Washington Bullets (27-55)
There are not many teams more boring to watch than the Bullets. They lack depth at all positions and
4 of their starters would be role players or 6th men on most other teams. Rod Strickland is a
team cancer, Mitch Richmond is the over the hill, and Juwan Howard is probably the worst player
in the NBA in terms of production against salary. The Bullets are not going anywhere any time soon as they
are in salary cap hell due to the ridiculous free agent moves and trades in recent years by
GM Wes Unseld. Sorry Washington, but this team will be bad for a long time to come.
Gene: This is perhaps the least athletic team in the NBA. There is a reason the Wizards (or the Bullets as
Sean still refers to them) are considered the Clippers East.
14. Atlanta Hawks (23-59)
This is the one team more boring than the Bullets. It is partly the team, but mostly the fans or
the lack thereof. I watched a game last year and I could hear individual conversations going on in
the stands . . . and this was on a television broadcast! There is some hope though with Jason Terry and
DerMarr Johnson leading the youth movement along with the aging Dikembe Mutombo at center. This team
has a future, but they need to get out of Atlanta and start fresh somewhere else.
Gene: I can't blame the ATL fans for not wanting to go see the Hawks. The other night, they started a lineup of
Hanno Mottola, Roshown McLeod, Alan Henderson, Jason Terry and Jim Jackson. Ugly! Things remain ugly while Mutombo
is suffering from malaria.
15. Chicago Bulls (19-63)
The worst team in the NBA right now. If Jerry Krause is a genius, then most other NBA GM's are
Einsteins. Krause along with Owner Jerry Reinsdorf have ruined this team and its reputation among
NBA players is lower than dirt after their treatment of former Bulls superstar players. To give
this team any chance at being competitive in the future, Krause has to go. There is a nucleus here
with Elton Brand, Ron Artest, and Jamal Crawford, but they need an experienced go-to center or
shooting guard. Unfortunately, that means the Bulls need to sign a premier free agent and that
won't happen with the current management structure. Another very long season for Bulls fans.
Gene: Jamal Crawford wasn't a point guard in college and he won't be one this year. I don't see how tweener forward
Marcus Fizer fits in. Krause definitely didn't expect every top free agent to shun his team this past offseason.
Ha! The joke's on you fatboy.
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers (61-21)
This team has a ridiculous amount of talent, but also a ridiculous amount of ego. The Lakers have the
best player in the NBA in Shaquille O'Neal, and the best guard in the NBA in Kobe Bryant. Losing
Glen Rice isn't a big deal since they don't really need another offensive threat. Adding
Horace Grant will help this team on the boards and on defense. The Lakers will cruise to the best
record in the NBA.
Gene: A severe case of inflated head syndrome will infect Kobe Bryant and force him to jack 20-25 shots a game to the
detriment of ShaqFu. Don't expect his team to be hungry enough to repeat, despite their obvious talent level.
2. Utah Jazz (57-25)
This team epitomizes that very word . . . T-E-A-M. Jerry Sloan always has his guys running like a
well-oiled machine and this year will be no different. They lost Jeff Hornacek and Howard Eisley,
but picked up John Starks, Danny Manning, and Donyell Marshall. Danny Manning could be the difference
maker on this team if he can stay healthy. I look for them to improve upon last year's record and
perform much better in the playoffs.
Gene: The very un-jazzy Jazz have built up their bench for one last run. Can Stockton and Malone hold up
for one more year? Maybe, if Bryon Russell becomes a premier scorer.
3. Portland Trailblazers (56-26)
The deepest team in the league at every position except center, which is a crucial position in the
Western Conference. However, the Blazers have all-star caliber players at the forward and guard spots
and a very good coach in Mike Dunleavy. Acquiring Dale Davis was the key to this team making a run at
title. He is a fierce rebounder and defender with improving offensive abilities. They could
go very far or they could crumble in the playoffs, all depending on the willingness of players such
as Damon Stoudamire and Shawn Kemp to accept their more limited roles.
Gene: It brings tears to my eyes to see the once graceful Kemp lumber around the court like a beached
whale. This is the deepest team in the league, but will Rasheed Wallace become the money player necessary to
prevent collapses like the Game 7 loss to the Lakers? He'd better, because Scottie Pippen's best years
are way behind him.
4. San Antonio Spurs (54-28)
In Tim Duncan and David Robinson, the Spurs have the most devastating frontcourt in the league.
This team best matches up against the Lakers with their ability to throw either one of those two or
both at Shaquille O'Neal. Unfortunately, they don't have great shooters or a deep bench.
Derek Anderson is the new shooting guard and is an excellent 1-on-1 player, but an erratic shooter.
They need Sean Elliot to reclaim his game and touch to be able to challenge for the title this year.
Gene: This team is my personal favorite to win the NBA title. DA adds a slasher to team that was built around a
stationary attack. This is the only team equipped to match up with Shaquille O'Neal and it will be
deeper and stronger this season IF the Admiral can stay healthy.
5. Phoenix Suns (51-31)
This is a fun team to watch with Jason Kidd and company. Kidd is the league's best all around
point guard and his backcourt mate, Penny Hardaway, isn't too shabby either. They aren't strong
inside with Chris Dudley (ugh!) and Rodney Rogers, but the half court game isn't what they like to do.
They will run whenever possible and try to use their speed and quickness to put up points.
Getting Tom Gugliotta back in mid-December will also be a big boost to this team.
Gene: The Suns are still playing the same song. They can't match up in the paint with the elite teams, but
they can run and gun with the best of them.
6. Seattle Supersonics (48-34)
I think adding Patrick Ewing to this team was a mistake. He is clearly a shell of his former self
and cannot be a consistent offensive threat in the paint. However, re-signing Rashard Lewis was a
fantastic move as I think he is going to be a perennial all-star starting in the next year or two.
Gary Payton is the man on this team and he will have to perform at the same level he did last
year for this team to be a threat in the powerful Western Conference. Also, look for Vin Baker to
return to his pre-Seattle form and put up 20 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Gene: I agree that Rashard Lewis will break out this year and become an impact player. Vin Baker looked
pathetic during the Olympics and Ewing may still be prideful, but he can no longer run the floor.
7. Sacramento Kings (45-37)
I love to watch this team play basketball as they are the most exciting team in the league.
Jason Williams and Chris Webber are both flashy players with out of this world talent, but
Williams is still trying to learn how to best use his. Webber is the best all-around player in the NBA
not named Shaq. He has learned to get his teammates involved and provides leadership on the court.
Vlade Divac is a very good center and adding Doug Christie is a great move as he adds more
defensive and athletic ability than Nick Anderson, who will now come off the bench. The Kings do
need to get Chris Webber re-signed NOW, or everything that has been built here will fall apart.
Gene: This team gets the style points and sells the jerseys, but did not do enough during the offseason to
take it to the next level. Still, the addition of Doug Christie will allow them to relegate
Nick "the Brick" Anderson to the bench where he belongs. They will however, miss Scoreless Corliss Williamson's
muscle and toughness.
8. Dallas Mavericks (43-39)
Dallas finally has a winner and it is due to Don Nelson. No, I don't think Nelson is a genius, as he
dropped more than half his roster for three straight seasons prior to this one. However this year,
they kept a lot of their players and they have some good ones. Michael Finley is a very good shooting
guard and Dirk Nowitzki has only tapped his potential. I think Steve Nash will have a break out
season and will be able to score more than 15 ppg and dish out 9-10 apg. Howard Eisley was a great
addition to the bench. They unfortunately have very little inside game or interior defense so they
will not go deep into the playoffs.
Gene: Not only is Nellie not a genius, he is a total buffoon. Was it really necessary for SI to
put a picture of Mavs owner Mark Cuban wearing a tank top in last week's issue? I think not. Buying
expensive towels can only get you so far in the NBA, when you have a madman running your team. Poor Michael
Finley!
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40)
The tragic loss of Malik Sealy was part of an awful offseason and preseason for the Timberwolves.
The loss of Joe Smith and 5 straight first round draft picks absolutely destroys any chances this
organization had of building a winner. Any infusions of talent will have to come via free agency,
unless they trade one of their current stars (Kevin Garnett or Terrell Brandon). Any way you look
at it, this team got ripped by the NBA, which made an example of their blatant disregard of the
salary cap. They will be competitive this year because of the aforementioned Garnett and Brandon,
but this young team is already on the decline.
Gene: I think Southern Methodist University received less of a penalty during the 80's than that which
David Stern handed the T-Wolves. The loss of five 1st round picks is a stiff price to pay for reserve
power forward. However, the presence of Kevin "The Big Ticket" Garnett will probably be enough to
carry the Wolves into the playoffs.
10. Houston Rockets (39-43)
This young team is run and gun all the way with Steve Francis running the show. He is an
electrifying talent who can score from anywhere, but has to learn to get his teammates like
Cuttino Mobley and Shandon Anderson involved. Maurice Taylor should have a nice season if he can
develop a better attitude than that which he developed in Clipper hell. However, it may be time for
Hakeem Olajuwon to hang it up as he looks positively awful right now and provides very little
either offensively or defensively to this club. The Rockets are also responsible for the worst
deal of the year, the acquisition of Jason Collier for Joel Pryzbilla on draft day. What in the name of
Will Purdue were they thinking about at the time of that deal?
Gene: This is my sleeper team. Rudy T can get the most out of his players and he may just be good enough
to get Mo Taylor to start rebounding like 250 lb. power forward. If so, the young guard tandem of Francis and
Mobley will carry the Rockets into the playoffs.
11. Denver Nuggets (34-48)
The leader of this team is Nick Van Exel, but its best player is Antonio McDyess. He is a good
scorer and rebounder when he puts forth his best effort on the court. However, he tends to disappear at
times, which is why this team struggles. Raef LaFrentz is becoming a solid player and may need to
provide a lot of scoring this year for this team to be successful. They are not a bad team right now,
which is saying a lot for this beleaguered franchise.
Gene: There is a lot of good young finess talent, but not a lot of toughness on this roster. Keon Clark
is an extremely underrated young big man with major athleticism, but he is rail thin.
12. Vancouver Grizzlies (32-50)
This team is a lot closer to being a playoff team than most think. Shareef Abdur-Rahim is one of the
premier small forwards in the league and Mike Bibby is going to be a great point guard. They need
to get Bryant Reeves to perform at a consistent level and Michael Dickerson to continue his rapid
development at shooting guard to stay in games this year. Depending on the time it takes
Stromile Swift to mature, this team could be in the playoffs as early as 2002-2003.
Gene: This team has excellent young talent and will make the playoffs if Stromile Swift comes through.
Swift has the talent to become an athletic young big man in the mold of a Rasheed Wallace.
13. Golden St. Warriors (29-53)
The Warriors have two promising players in Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes who can provide some
excitement for this team. Unfortunately, Golden State has very little inside presence even if
Erick Dampier can start playing up to his potential. They need to get rid of Mookie Blaylock as
he only hurts this team and does not fit into the Warriors' future plans. Another long season for Warriors
fans if there are any left.
Gene: If Hughes stops pretending to be a 6-5 Iverson, he will become a great player. This team is scrappy, but
doesn't have the talent to contend.
14. Los Angeles Clippers (23-59)
What an awful franchise, actually the worst in all of sports in my opinion. They breed losing in their
players who eventually leave town running and leaping for joy. They have lots of young talent in
Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette, Michael Olowokandi, and Darius Miles, but this team will once again be
horrible as that is this team's perennial destiny. It disgusts me to even talk about this team.
Gene: There is a ton of athletic talent on this team, but not a whole lot of experience. Jeff McInnis is
not a reasonable solution at point guard and the Kandi Man is one of the worst top picks I've ever seen.
Odom, Maggette, Miles and Q.Richardson are all happy that they couldn't be forced to sign anything longer
than a three-year contract.
Eastern Conference Finals: Orlando over Miami
Gene: Philadelphia over Orlando
Western Conference Finals: Utah over Los Angeles (Surprised? The Lakers are 'fat cats' this year so now is the time for somebody to upset them)
Gene: San Antonio over Los Angeles
NBA Championship: Utah over Orlando (Malone and Stockton get their rings, and Stockton then retires)
Gene: San Antonio over Philadelphia
League MVP: Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings
Gene: Kevin Garnett
Rookie of the Year: Morris Peterson, Toronto Raptors
Gene: Kenyon Martin
6th Man of the Year: Toni Kukoc, Philadelphia 76ers
Gene: Toni Kukoc
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