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NBA BASKETBALL: PACIFIC DIVISION
NBA OFFSEASON ANALYSIS

By A.C. YOUNG                  Oct 2, 2001

Golden State
Possible Starting 5: Mookie Blaylock, Larry Hughes, Antawn Jamison, Danny Fortson, Erick Dampier

Offseason changes: There is lot of optimism about rookies Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy.  Second rounder Gilbert Arenas was also signed.  

Team Analysis
Offense- They have the players but only Jamison (24.9 ppg) was effective last year.  Larry Hughes, Richardson and Murphy, Bobby Sura and Chris Mills are other options.

Defense- They could be tough on occasions.  Blaylock and Hughes will get their steals.  Adonal Foyle is a good shotblocker while Dampier has a big body for the paint.

Rebounding- Danny Fortson only managed 6 games last year but averaged 16 rebounds per game.  Jamison (8.7 rpg) played a lot of power forward and also rebounded well.

Playmaking- The starter could be Blaylock but Hughes and Sura will get a chance too.

Franchise Question: Will Richardson and Murphy become starters this year?
There is plenty of competition at their positions but they will be given a chance.  If Richardson can hit his jumper then he will start.  Murphy’s shot is also his ticket to more minutes as he could be the perfect compliment to Jamison at the forward positions.   
 

Los Angeles Clippers
Possible Starting 5: Jeff McInnis, Eric Piatkowski, Lamar Odom, Elton Brand, Michael Olowokandi

Offseason changes: The Clippers used their draft pick, and reserve Brian Skinner, to acquire power forward Elton Brand.  The only other news was reserve center Parks going to San Antonio.

Team Analysis
Offense- The introduction of Brand will push Odom (17.2 ppg) more outside on offense.  This could reduce his effectiveness or Odom could benefit as he will be defended by smaller players now.  Eric Piatkowski (40% 3P%) is their main outside shooter.  Athletes Darius Miles, Corey Maggette and Quentin Richardson provide other options.

Defense- They will be able to block some shots with Miles, Brand, Odom and Olowokandi.  A quick and youthful team, the Clippers could press more this year.

Rebounding- Brand and Odom are quality performers on the glass but Olowokandi is only adequate.  Maggette and Miles can jump, and could be dangerous offensive boarders.   

Playmaking- Jeff McInnis (5.5 apg) was very good last year and rookie Keyon Dooling also showed some promise.  The ball is often in Odom’s hands, he is a good passer but needs to cut down on his turnovers.

Franchise Question: Will Olowokandi be enough to compete against the centers of the West ?
The Clippers showed a lot of confidence in Olowokandi on draft night.  In a draft with plenty of centers the Clippers passed on them all.  The new rules may take some pressure off him this year as his teammates will be able to help down low more.
 

Los Angeles Lakers
Possible Starting 5: Lindsay Hunter, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Samaki Walker, Shaquille O’Neal

Offseason changes: Samaki Walker has a big hole to fill at power forward with the departure of Horace Grant.  Mitch Richmond left Washington and will get minutes at both guard spots.  Lindsay Hunter has joined a team that is a perfect fit for his outside shooting.

Team Analysis
Offense- Shaquille (28.7 ppg) is sometimes unstoppable, and even improved his free throw shooting as the season progressed.  Kobe Bryant (28.5 ppg) is a good second option to have.  Any double teaming will leave Fox, Robert Horry, Richmond or Hunter open.

Defense- He may not be impressed on the offensive end with the new NBA rules but Shaquille O’Neal will benefit from the zone.  He won’t be taken too far from the paint now which could increase his block numbers.  Fox is underrated but the challenge will be for the Laker guards to defend better.

Rebounding- They are lucky they have O’Neal (12.7 rpg) because the options after him are few in number.  Samaki Walker (4 rpg with San Antonio) will need to work hard, Madsen can help but has injuries to overcome.

Playmaking- The Lakers’ style of play doesn’t require a great passing point.  Fisher will miss much of the season so the duties will fall to Hunter, Penberthy and Richmond.

Franchise Question: Are the Lakers stronger this year?
Isaiah Rider will be replaced by former all-star Mitch Richmond.  The Lakers win there but the loss of Horace Grant will be felt.
 

Phoenix
Possible Starting 5: Stephon Marbury, Anfernee Hardaway, Shawn Marion, Tom Gugliotta, Iakovos Tsakalidis

Offseason changes: In a huge trade the Suns said goodbye to Jason Kidd and handed the team over to Stephon Marbury.  They also gave away Cliff Robinson receiving reserves in return.  Dan Majerle has returned but is far away from the level he used to play at, there is little “Thunder” left.

Team Analysis
Offense- As it has always been in Phoenix, the offense will be very guard-oriented.  Marbury (23.9 ppg for New Jersey) and Anfernee Hardaway will lead the team in scoring.  Marion and Gugliotta will get some shots at forward but Marion may not be as good without Kidd.  Off the bench more shooters can take the floor.  Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers will make an impact.

Defense- There won’t be a lot of defense played in Phoenix.  Marion is athletic while Jake Tsakalidis is a big presence under the hoop.  

Rebounding- Marion (10.7 rpg) was amazing for Phoenix last year but he needs more help.  Gugliotta needs to return to his performance levels he achieved with Minnesota.  With many other areas, Phoenix will feel the loss of Kidd here too.

Playmaking- None of the Suns’ guards think pass first.  Marbury can pass and could form a versatile backcourt with Hardaway who can also handle the ball.

Franchise Question: Will Tsakalidis be the center the Suns need?
He won’t need to score a lot, and will rarely be passed the ball, but Tsakalidis has to be a presence inside for Phoenix to compete with the larger teams of the West.  In hindsight, the Suns should have tried harder to land Mutombo last year.
 

Portland
Possible Starting 5: Damon Stoudamire, Derek Anderson, Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace, Dale Davis

Offseason changes: Portland are always changing, but they never improve.  Rookie Zach Randolph may be good but he joins a team full of power forwards.  Steve Smith was part of the logjam at shooting guard but now Derek Anderson has replaced him there.  Greg Anthony was sent to Chicago which means minutes at the point for Steve Kerr or Erick Barkley behind Damon Stoudamire.

Team Analysis
Offense- They often have so many options they don’t know where to go.  Rasheed Wallace (19.2 ppg)is the star but Pippen, Stoudamire and Anderson will all want the ball.  Then there is Bonzi Wells (12.6 ppg, 53% FG%) off the bench too.

Defense- Derek Anderson will be an improvement over Steve Smith here.  Wallace can deny people inside and Pippen still has the ability to cover the passing lanes.

Rebounding- The Trailblazers have often been at the top of the league in rebounding.  Dale Davis and Wallace should lead the team this season.

Playmaking- It will be a more settled team with Stoudamire (5.7 apg) in charge and not distracted by Anthony and Rod Strickland.  Pippen and Anderson both can make a pass.  

Franchise Question: If Kemp plays at a better level could he be the difference?
It is unlikely but Shawn Kemp could make a difference.  Portland could go with a larger lineup using Wallace and Kemp at the forward spots.
 

Sacramento
Possible Starting 5: Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Predrag Stojakovic, Chris Webber, Vlade Divac

Offseason changes: Very few, and that's good.  Christie and Webber are back.  Jason Williams and Nick Anderson were traded for Mike Bibby and Brent Price.  The draft gave the Kings Gerald Wallace, a tremendous athlete who will contribute in later years.

Team Analysis
Offense- When every member of the lineup can shoot it is hard to stop.  Webber (27.1 ppg) is the star but Stojakovic (20.4 ppg, 40% 3P%) is the pure shooter.  Christie is good from long range and the free throw line and Vlade Divac, although sometimes lacking motivation, is a very skilled center with good range on his shot.  The bench provides more scoring with big expectations being put on Turkoglu.

Defense- They have improved recently but need to make further improvements.  Christie is always up the top in steals.  Off the bench Pollard will throw his body around.

Rebounding- Webber (11.1 rpg) and Divac (8.3 rpg) rebound well, even though neither enjoys doing it.  Stojakovic upped his stats in rebounds when he was playing power forward when Webber was out.  The Kings could use another player here, someone like Michael Smith.

Playmaking- Bibby (8.4 apg) had better statistics than Williams last year.  With so many options around him it could be expected that Bibby’s numbers would increase this year.  The backups are all shooter-types, Bobby Jackson, Jon Barry and Price.

Franchise Question: Are the Kings the NBA’s second best team ?
Sacramento have skills and depth at all positions.  Their top two, Webber and Stojakovic, aren’t as good as the Lakers two stars but as a team Sacramento are close to the Lakers and ahead of the Spurs. 
 

Seattle
Possible Starting 5: Gary Payton, Brent Barry, Rashard Lewis, Vin Baker, Calvin Booth

Offseason changes: Not a lot is going right for Seattle.  One bright spot could be the addition of Calvin Booth, but he will only help on the defensive end.  Patrick Ewing has gone, this provided space under the salary cap for Seattle. 

Team Analysis
Offense- At the three smaller spots the Sonics can compete with anyone in the league.  Payton (23.1 ppg) still puts up big numbers.  He is joined by Rashard Lewis (14.8 ppg, 43% 3P%), one of the big surprises last year, and Brent Barry (48% 3P%) who led the league in outside shooting.  But if Vin Baker can’t produce then Seattle will struggle again.

Defense- They might not be too bad.  Payton is “The Glove” and Booth can block shots.  Seattle need to add some strong players inside to compete in the tough Pacific.

Rebounding- Seattle are going to need to find some players to hit the glass.  This will be a great concern for coach Nate McMillan.

Playmaking- Not only is there Payton (8.1 apg) but Brent Barry has passing skills too.  

Franchise Question: Does Payton have to be traded ?
They won’t get anywhere with him this season so it is probably better for Seattle to plan for the future.  Lewis, Booth and Radmanovic need some help and a Payton trade could bring in some youthful prospects and draft picks.
 
 

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