NBA BASKETBALL |
Oct. 29, 2002 |
Mavericks, Spurs and Jazz previews
By Sam Amico / the Amico Report
The numbers next to each team are Sam Amico's predicted
finishes in the division. This is the Atlantic division. These are not the consensus
predictions of Inside Hoops. Our predictions come this week.
1. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Coach: Don Nelson, sixth year.
Last season: 57-25, lost to Sacramento in second round of playoffs.
Starters: C Raef LaFrentz, F Dirk Nowitzki, F Adrian Griffin, G Michael Finley,
G Steve Nash.
Key subs: G Nick Van Exel, C Shawn Bradley, F Popeye Jones, F Eduardo Najera,
C Evan Eschmeyer.
New faces: Jones.
Strengths: Outside shooting, ball movement, and athleticism. Not a bad place to
start, huh? You can throw in the fact that after half a season together, LaFrentz
and Van Exel are meshing well with the likes of Nowitzki, Finley and Nash. How
good is Nowitzki? Well, Larry Bird said in an ESPN.com chat that, "Nowitzki kind
of reminds me of me." Nash and Finley are the NBA's best starting backcourt, and
Van Exel makes it that much better. The Mavericks have more than talent -- they
have guys who want and know how to win. Nelson is the perfect coach for this bunch.
Weaknesses: Some folks have taken to saying that the Mavs are from Allas, because
there's no "D" on this team. Cute, and pretty close to being true. The addition
of Jones will help in that area, but everyone from Nash to Van Exel to Nowitzki
needs to learn the value of bending his knees and shuffling his feet.
Outlook: Offensively, few teams have more firepower -- and even less have a guy
like Nowitzki, a 7-footer who can dribble, drive, pass, and shoot from anywhere.
And he's only 24. The Mavericks are still growing as a unit, and should be even
better than last season. That may not show in their overall record (although they
could win 60), but their goal is to play better in the big games. A key will be
the improvement on defense that a number of players have said they're committed
to. If that's the case, then it wouldn't be impossible for the Mavs to sneak their
way through the playoffs while Sacramento and the Lakers are beating up on each
other out West.
Radio: ESPN 103.3-FM (KESS-1270 AM for Spanish broadcast).
2. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Coach: Gregg Popovich, seventh year.
Last season: 58-24, lost to Los Angeles Lakers in second round of playoffs.
Starters: C David Robinson, F Tim Duncan, F Bruce Bowen, G Steve Smith, G Tony
Parker.
Key subs: G Emanuel Ginobili (r), F Malik Rose, G Speedy Claxton, C Kevin Willis,
F Danny Ferry, G/F Stephen Jackson.
New faces: Ginobili, Claxton, Willis, G Steve Kerr, G Erick Barkley, C Mengke
Bateer.
Strengths: Jason Kidd fans complained loudly when Duncan was named league MVP
last season, but without Duncan, the Spurs don't win any games. With him, they
have to be considered contenders for the division and conference crowns. Also,
the additions of Ginobili and Claxton (and even Kerr) make the backcourt extremely
deep.
Weaknesses: Robinson is in his last season, and his performance has declined dramatically.
In other words, who's the second option on this team? Parker? And if so, is the
second-year point guard ready? The truth is, San Antonio still needs someone else
to take the burden off of Duncan.
Outlook: No doubt, the Spurs have the talent and chemistry to win the Midwest
again. And even if they don't, the worst they'll do is finish a game or two out
of first. The Spurs do all of the little things very well -- they make perimeter
shots, they defend, and they pass the ball to the open spot. Throw in the fact
that they have one of the NBA's top five players in Duncan, and there's no reason
to think they can't sneak into the Finals. A lot of it depends on the development
of Parker, and mostly, if Willis and Bateer can give Robinson enough relief in
the middle.
Radio: WOAI-1200 AM (KCOR-1350 AM for Spanish broadcast).
3. UTAH JAZZ
Coach: Jerry Sloan, 15th year.
Last season: 44-38, lost to Sacramento in first round of playoffs.
Starters: C Jarron Collins, F Karl Malone, F Andrei Kirilenko, G Matt Harpring,
G John Stockton.
Key subs: G Mark Jackson, G DeShawn Stevenson, G/F Calbert Cheaney, F Scott Padgett,
C Greg Ostertag.
New faces: Harpring, Jackson, Cheaney, C Curtis Borchardt (r), G Raul Lopez (r)
(out for season, knee).
Strengths: Gee, take a wild guess. That's right, Stockton and Malone are closer
to the Golden Years than they are to their primes, but they still form one big
reason for Jazz fans to have hope. In fact, it could be argued that Stockton has
been as good from ages 35-40 as he was during any other five-year span of his
career. Malone, meanwhile, is still Malone, meaning he'll play every possession
as if it's his last, and score 20 points and grab 8-12 rebounds along the way.
Sloan is one of the all-time most underrated coaches, period. The Jazz also picked
up veterans Jackson and Cheaney to help an already improving bench.
Weaknesses: Collins showed flashes of promise late last season, but Utah still
lacks a consistent center -- unless you count John Amaechi, who was consistently
disappointing. Stockton has lost at least one step on defense, and nobody else
on the team guards opponents with as much tenacity as he does.
Outlook: The front office did a nice job of improving the team by adding veterans
without dumping too many people. The loss of Donyell Marshall (signed with Chicago),
will hurt in the rebounding department, but Harpring is just as tough and a better
fit in Sloan's system. With Stockton and Malone on board, the Jazz will always
have a shot at going far. Just how far will depend on people like future star
Kirilenko and role players like Stevenson and Padgett.
Radio: KFNZ-1320 AM.
|