35
34
New York Knicks
Head Coach:
Don Chaney
Internet Site:
http://www.nba.com/knicks/
2000-01 Record:
48-34 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)
Team Outlook:
In an Eastern Conference with no clear-cut favorite, the Knicks have to be considered one
of the top two or three favorites to play in the NBA Finals. Their front line of Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas
and Latrell Sprewell is as athletic a group as exists in the NBA today. Former Knick Mark Jackson returns
to run the show, sharp-shooter Allan Houston thrives in big-game situations, and the bench appears solid
with Shandon Anderson, Clarence Weatherspoon and a maturing Othella Harrington.
Key Performers:
#23 C Marcus Camby
Though considered under-sized for his position,
Camby uses his athleticism and leaping ability to
control the glass. He made the great “leap” forward
last season, improving his rebounding average by
nearly four per game. His mere presence in the
middle can affect the other team’s shot selection.
#20 SG Allan Houston
Houston is the very definition of a “solid player,"
and gets the job done night in and night out. He can
step out and beat you with a three, he can get by
you off the dribble, or he can drive and dish to the
open man. On top of that, he’s the consummate
team player, and is about as clutch as they come.
Orlando Magic
Head Coach:
Doc Rivers
Internet Site:
http://www.nba.com/magic/
2000-01 Record:
43-39 (4th place, Atlantic Division)
Team Outlook:
The Magic will certainly be a fun team to watch this season. Shooting guard Tracy McGrady
is coming into his own as one of the most exciting players in the league, and the return of All-Star Grant
Hill will add yet another weapon to the arsenal. Center Patrick Ewing may be at the end of his brilliant
career, but he should still be serviceable in the middle, and will add veteran knowledge and playoff experi-
ence to this young bunch. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this club go a long way in the playoffs.
Key Performers:
#1 SG Tracy McGrady
McGrady went berserk last season, increasing his
scoring average from 15.4 to 26.8 points per game
and becoming a starter in the All-Star Game. He has
the ability to drive past anyone in the league, and
can leap so far that you’d swear he must have a
cape on. You ready for the scary part? He’s just 22.
#33 SF Grant Hill
While with the Pistons, you could count on Hill to
average right around 20-21 points, 7-8 rebounds and
6-7 assists per night. While some people have the
ability to slash to the hole, with Hill, it’s almost more
like he glides to the basket. He and McGrady may
form a 1-2 punch second only to Kobe and Shaq.
Philadelphia 76ers
Head Coach:
Larry Brown
Internet Site:
http://www.nba.com/sixers/
2000-01 Record:
56-26 (1st place, Atlantic Division)
Team Outlook:
Last year’s 76ers club was almost a textbook example of how combining a couple of super-
stars with a roster full of gritty, hard-nosed role players can yield incredible results. Allen Iverson will again
be, hands down, the star of the show this time around, and Dikembe Mutombo is arguably the best defen-
sive enforcer in the game today, but to be successful the team will again need to count on the contribu-
tions of players such as Aaron McKie, Eric Snow, Raja Bell and the newly acquired Derrick Coleman.
Key Performers:
#3 SG Allen Iverson
Not only did Iverson lead his team to the East cham-
pionship last year, but he also led the league in scor-
ing, earned his first MVP award and added the MVP
trophy from the All-Star Game to boot! One of the
deadliest shooters and most ferocious competitors
in the game, Iverson can win games all by himself.
#55 C Dikembe Mutombo
Last year, Mutombo's tough defensive presence
meshed perfectly with Iverson’s scoring prowess.
Almost overnight, the Sixers morphed from a decent
team into a legitimate title contender. Amazing fact?
Mutombo has never averaged fewer than 11 boards
per game in his entire 10-year career.
Milwaukee Bucks
Head Coach:
George Karl
Internet Site:
http://www.nba.com/bucks/
2000-01 Record:
52-30 (1st place, Central Division)
Team Outlook:
Things are definitely looking up in Milwaukee. Finalists for the Eastern Conference crown a
season ago, the Bucks may in fact be the frontrunners this time around. The Central Division champs fea-
ture a trio of top scorers in Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen and Sam Cassell, and added power forward
Anthony Mason from the Miami Heat. With forward Tim Thomas coming off the bench, this team has few
weaknesses.
Key Performers:
#13 SF Glenn Robinson
Big things were expected of the “Big Dog” when
he was selected with the #1 overall pick in the
1994 NBA Draft, and Robinson has not disappoint-
ed. He’s averaged more than 20 ppg in six of his
first seven pro seasons, and his mid-range jumper
is smooth as silk.
#34 SG Ray Allen
Allen has elevated his game from that simply of a
long-range bomber into an all-around great player.
He’s as good a spot-up jump shooter as there is in
the game today, and has a knack for hitting the
clutch shot. Perhaps even more amazing is that
he’s yet to miss a game in his five-year career.
New Jersey Nets
Head Coach:
Byron Scott
Internet Site:
http://www.nba.com/nets/
2000-01 Record:
26-56 (6th place, Atlantic Division)
Team Outlook:
Along with the Clippers and Hawks, the Nets have to be considered one of the favorites to
see their win total increase the most from last season. The acquisition of Jason Kidd gives them a true
playmaker at the point, while many tabbed Richard Jefferson as the most athletic player in the draft. If they
can get full seasons out of Keith Van Horn and Kenyon Martin, look out. Their starting five matches up
favorably with anyone.
Key Performers:
#5 Jason Kidd
Kidd will be asked to be more of a distributor than
last year’s point man, Stephon Marbury. That’s just
what Kidd likes to do (in fact, he once dished out
25 assists in a single game). He’s a perennial mem-
ber of the NBA’s All-Defensive Team, and has some
of the quickest hands this side of Wyatt Earp.
#6 PF Kenyon Martin
Martin brings with him a room full of Player-of-
the-Year trophies from college. He finished his
rookie year with a modest 12-point scoring aver-
age and added a respectable 7.4 rebounds a night,
but he has the strength and power to improve both
of those numbers substantially this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Head Coach:
Flip Saunders
Internet Site:
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/
2000-01 Record:
47-35 (4th place, Midwest Division)
Team Outlook:
Clearly, this team is built around Kevin Garnett. For the past few years, NBA insiders have mar-
veled at his skills, but wondered whether he’d ever get the supporting cast to make a difference in the playoffs.
This would seem to be the year. Point guard Terrell Brandon still has plenty left in the tank, the signing of Joe
Smith adds bulk up front, and the bench is deep with solid veterans like Anthony Peeler and Gary Trent.
Key Performers:
#21 PF Kevin Garnett
The first high school player in decades to jump
from high school to the NBA, Garnett has devel-
oped into an absolute stud. He’s put up monster
numbers the past few seasons, averaging more
than 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per
game. He’s as complete a package as you can find
in the NBA.
#10 SF Wally Szczerbiak
In just his third season, “Wally World” is rounding
into a complete small forward. He’s always been a
good shooter and leader, but he’s developed into a
good rebounder as well - increasing his per game
average by almost two rebounds last year.
