By Sam Amico / the Amico Report

3. TORONTO RAPTORS

Coach: Lenny Wilkens, third year.

Last season: 42-40, lost to Detroit in first round of playoffs.

Starters: C Eric Montross, F Antonio Davis, F Morris Peterson, G Vince Carter, G Alvin Williams.

Key subs: F Lamond Murray, G Lindsey Hunter, C Jelani McCoy, C Nate Huffman, F Michael Bradley.

New faces: Murray, Hunter, Huffman, F Chris Jeffries (r).

Strengths: Despite having a great showman in Carter, the Raptors proved they are a team in the truest sense, as they made a late-season run without their star. And the same group that practically willed its way to victories is back -- only this time, it will have a motivated Carter joining it. Wilkens is the NBA's all-time winningest coach, but still somehow underrated. Williams is the steady hand Toronto needs.

Weaknesses: The Hakeem Olajuwon experiment failed, and this team hasn't had a decent center since its inception. Things are no different this year, with Montross landing the job by default. Also, despite the addition of Hunter, the backcourt is extremely thin.

Outlook: The Raptors went from the league's most underachieving team to its most overachieving in one season. A big key will be finding a middle ground and playing consistently this year -- otherwise, Toronto could plummet in the standings. Carter is a modern-day Dominique Wilkins, and there's no shame in that. He just needs to stay healthy and make sure talents like Peterson and Murray are getting their fair share of shots. The Raptors moved the ball as well as any team when Carter was absent at the end of last season. As long as he adds to that chemistry -- and doesn't disrupt it -- the Raptors could go far.

Radio: The FAN-590 AM.

4. ATLANTA HAWKS

Coach: Lon Kruger, third year.

Last season: 33-49, did not make playoffs.

Starters: C Theo Ratliff, F Shareef Abdur-Rahim, F Glenn Robinson, G Ira Newble, G Jason Terry.

Key subs: C Nazr Mohammed, F Alan Henderson, G Emanual Davis, G Dion Glover, G/F DerMarr Johnson (out for season, neck).

New faces: Robinson, F Darvin Ham, G Dan Dickau (r).

Strengths: The frontcourt. Abdur-Rahim is one of the most consistent scorers in the league, and better yet, a positive influence in the locker room. Robinson is just a scorer, period, and he seems to cherish the idea of a fresh start after arriving from Milwaukee. He also probably won't mind that Ratliff appears to be healthy enough to make up for Robinson's defensive defencies. And let's not forget Terry, who can play either guard position very well.

Weaknesses: Newble isn't exactly what general managers have in mind when they search for a starting shooting guard, and Glover isn't much better. The Hawks will have plenty of scoring up front, but they still need to find someone who can make a three-pointer on a regular basis.

Outlook: The addition of Robinson and a healthy Ratliff should mean at least 10 more wins -- which will probably be enough to get the Hawks into the playoffs and keep management from having to pay a rebate promised to season-ticket holders. But Kruger will be relying heavily upon his starting five, because beyond Mohammed and Henderson, the bench doesn't have much to offer. Still, no matter what happens, this will be the best season for Atlanta since it won 50 games in 1998. It's a good year for the Hawks to host the All-Star Game.

Radio: WSB-750 AM.