League Update
1992-93 Season Preview
Eastern Conference
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Philadelphia 76ers
Last Year: 11-71, 14th in Eastern Conference
Starting 5*: C Manute Bol, PF Christian Laettner, SF James Worthy, SG Tony Smith, PG Hersey Hawkins
Key Bench Players: F Armen Gilliam, F Kenny Payne, C Jayson Williams, F Tom Tolbert, G Johnny Dawkins, C Andrew Lang, G Demetrius Calip,
G Jaren Jackson
Bottom Line: The Sixers were terrible with Barkley holding out last season. The additions of Worthy and Laettner makes them better and they might even have enough to sneak into the playoffs this season.
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Milwaukee Bucks
Last Year: 37-45, 10th in Eastern Conference
Starting 5*: C Michael Cage, PF Fred Roberts, SF Dale Ellis, SG Alvin Robertson, PG Jay Humphries
Key Bench Players: F Frank Brickowski, G Jeff Grayer, G Harold Miner, C Jeff Ruland, G Lester Conner, F Derek Strong, F Brad Lohaus, C Danny Schayes, F Anthony Avent
Bottom Line: Just out of the playoffs last year the Bucks are hoping the additions of Cage and Miner will be enough to get them in. It won't be.
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Washington Bullets
Last Year: 32-50, 12th in Eastern Conference
Starting 5*: C Pervis Ellison, PF Terry Mills, SF Lionel Simmons, SG Jim Jackson, PG LaBradford Smith
Key Bench Players: F Harvey Grant, F Larry Stewart, F Tom Hammonds, G A.J. English, C Greg Foster, G Doug Overton, G Craig Hodges
Bottom Line: Washington retooled with the additions of Simmons, Mills and draft pick Jim Jackson. They could be fighting for a playoff spot instead of trying to stay out of the basement.
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Chicago Bulls
Last Year: 55-27 3rd in Eastern Conference, NBA Champs
Starting 5*: C Will Perdue, PF Horace Grant, SF Scottie Pippen, SG Michael Jordan, PG B.J. Armstrong
Key Bench Players: G John Paxson, F Scott Williams, G Dennis Hopson, F Stacey King, F Tellis Frank, F Donald Royal, C Reggie Smith
Bottom Line: To be the best you have to beat the best. Indy, New York and Cleveland will be close but not close enough.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Year: 60-22, 1st in Eastern Conference, Lost to Bulls in ECF
Starting 5*: C Brad Daugherty, PF Larry Nance, SF Winston Bennett, SG Craig Ehlo, PG Mark Price
Key Bench Players: C Hot Rod Williams, G Terrell Brandon, F Danny Ferry, G Steve Kerr, F Chucky Brown
Bottom Line: Cleveland didn't make any significant roster changes, maybe they're just hoping Chicago got worse?
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Boston Celtics
Last Year: 39-43, 9th in Eastern Conference
Starting 5*: C Kevin McHale, PF Larry Bird, SF Reggie Lewis, SG Brian Shaw, PG Dee Brown
Key Bench Players: F Ed Pinckney, F Rick Fox, G John Bagley, F Kevin Gamble, F Joe Kleine, G Anthony Bowie, G Sherman Douglas, C P.J. Brown, C Matt Geiger
Bottom Line: Parrish retired and may thought Bird and McHale would too. The Cs added Bowie for some bench depth along with Douglas and rookie centers Brown and Geiger to take some minutes off Bird and McHale. The aging stars need help from the youth to get back in the playoffs.
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Atlanta Hawks
Last Year: 49-33, 4th in Eastern Conference, Lost to Nets in First Round
Starting 5*: C Blair Rasmussen, PF Kevin Willis, SF Tracy Murray, SG Michael Adams, PG Mookie Blaylock
Key Bench Players: G Stacey Augmon, F Antoine Carr, G Paul Graham, C Jon Koncak, F Duane Ferrell, G Jon Sundvold, F Byron Houston
Bottom Line: Wilkins is gone, one of the biggest losses for any team in the league. Blaylock missed most of the season last year and his return definitely improves the team from where they would be without him and Wilkins. Adams makes for a great back court mate and can run the point if Blaylock goes down again. The additions of Carr and rookie Murray give the team some depth. Still behind Chicago, New York, Cleveland and probably Indiana.
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Miami Heat
Last Year: 45-37, 6th in Eastern Conference, Lost to Bulls in First Round
Starting 5*: C Rony Seikaly, PF Grant Long, SF Glen Rice, SG Steve Smith, PG Bimbo Coles
Key Bench Players: G Kevin Edwards, F Willie Burton, C Sean Rooks, G Vincent Askew, C Mike Gminski, F Jeff Turner, F Billy Thompson
Bottom Line: Rookie C Rooks and former Warrior Askew are the only significant additions in Miami. They'll likely be fighting for a playoff spot this season.
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Charlotte Hornets
Last Year: 40-42, 8th in Eastern Conference, Lost to Cavaliers in First Round
Starting 5*: C Cliff Robinson, PF Larry Johnson, SF Johnny Newman, SG Kendall Gill, PG Muggsy Bogues
Key Bench Players: G Dell Curry, F Kenny Gattison, F J.R. Reid, G Avery Johnson, F Latrell Sprewell, G Hubert Davis, F Popeye Jones, C Oliver Miller
Bottom Line: The Hornets overachieved and snuck into the playoffs last season. They added Robinson and Johnson via free agency and rookies Sprewell, Davis, Jones and Miller. They lack a big presence in the middle and could struggle against the better centers in the East. Should improve from the 8th seed but not by much.
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New York Knicks
Last Year: 57-25, 2nd in Eastern Conference, Lost to Bulls in Second Round
Starting 5*: C Patrick Ewing, PF Charles Oakley, SF Xavier McDaniel, SG John Starks, PG Mark Jackson
Key Bench Players: F Anthony Mason, G Gerald Wilkins, G Greg Anthony, F Kiki Vandeweghe, G Mike Sanders, C Tim McCormick, F Patrick Eddie
Bottom Line: With Mason back in the mix the bench is much improved. Sanders helps with bench depth and the Knicks should be in the top three or four again.
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Orlando Magic
Last Year: 20-62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Starting 5*: C Brian Williams, PF Alaa Abdelnaby, SF Dennis Scott, SG Nick Anderson, PG Scott Skiles
Key Bench Players: F Bernard King, G Sam Vincent, F Tom Gugliotta, C Greg Dreiling, C Bill Cartwright, G Andy Toolson
Bottom Line: Key additions in Orlando are King, Abdelnaby and Gugliotta. Cartwright provides some leadership to a young team. Definitely improved but not enough to keep them from being a cellar dweller once more.
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New Jersey Nets
Last Year: 46-36, 5th in Eastern Conference, Lost to Cavaliers in Second Round
Starting 5*: C Sam Bowie, PF Derick Coleman, SF Chris Morris, SG Drazen Petrovic, PG Kenny Anderson
Key Bench Players: C Chris Dudley, F Rick Mahorn, G Tate George, C Greg Kite, F Rafael Addison, G Rumeal Robinson, F Roy Hinson, G Doug Lee
Bottom Line: Coleman, Anderson and Petrovic are a great trio. Add in a healthy Bowie and Nets could fight their way into the top four this season.
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Indiana Pacers
Last Year: 32-50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Starting 5*: C Alonzo Mourning, PF Detlef Schrempf, SF Chuck Person, SG Reggie Miller, PG Pooh Richardson
Key Bench Players: C Rik Smits, F Dale Davis, G George McCloud, G Vern Fleming, F LaSalle Thompson, G Randy Wittman, F Keith Askins, G Brent Price
Bottom Line: With Miller missing all of last season the Pacers were terrible, allowing them to draft Mourning. Now with Miller back and Mourning in the mix the Pacers should be a top four team in the East. Richardson gives them a PG who excels at distributing the ball and should be a better fit.
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Detroit Pistons
Last Year: 42-40, 7th in Eastern Conference, Lost to Knicks in First Round
Starting 5*: C Bill Lambier, PF Dennis Rodman, SF Orlando Woodridge, SG Joe Dumars, PG Isiah Thomas
Key Bench Players: F Mark Aguirre, G Doc Rivers, F Kevin Lynch, F Brad Sellers, G Lee Mayberry, C William Bedford
Bottom Line: Rivers gives the Pistons a big boost on the bench. Lynch is a nice piece as well. The main players are aging but they should be improved from last year. Not likely to crack the top four though.
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Conference Outlook:
The East still runs through Chicago and it will take a herculean effort to knock off Jordan and the Bulls in a seven game series. Indiana, New York and Cleveland are the only realistic challengers and they'll all fall short again as we expect the Bulls to represent the East in the finals for the third straight year.