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COPYRIGHT 2005 Sporting News Publishing Co.
POWER POLL RANKING
1 Miami HEAT
What happened: It doesn't get any bigger than the biggest trade in NBA history, the five-team. 13-player deal that delivered PF Antoine Walker, SF James Posey, PG Jason Williams and SG Andre Emmett to the Heat at the relatively low cost of Rasual Butler Eddie Jones. Qyntel Woods and two second-round picks. The goal. Heat president Pat Riley says. was to lessen the team's dependence on C Shaquille O'Neal and SG Dwyane Wade.
What's next: Despite all the Heat accomplished last season, it too often was unable to maneuver out of difficult situations. such as those costly final 2 minutes of the Eastern Conference finals. Riley believes Williams and Walker will provide the needed versatility when Wade runs out of theatrics and O'Neal is dragging. There also is hope Posey can deliver the perimeter defense Jones produced last season. Coach Stan Van Gundy hopes to help the team create additional transition opportunities, which will play to the strengths of Walker, Williams and Wade. Backup PG Gary Payton should be a defensive upgrade. Van Gundy scoffs at the notion of too much talent and not enough shots to go around: however, he recognizes the need to keep egos in check, especially with some career starters likely to be backups.--Ira Winaerman
LOCKER ROOM LOWDOWN: Dwyane Wade
Most talkative teammate: "Gary (Payton) doesn't do the weight thing. I was just throwing shots at Gary about not lifting weights, and he threw shots back at me about the male model thing, which shows that we can have fun and laugh together and that guys want things to work. We're not scared to say things. We are going to be together for six. seven or eight months. So we better get to know each other well."
PROJECTED LINEUP
PF Udonis Haslem Last season's success playing next to Shaq gives him the edge on Antoine Walker.
SF James Posey Defensive stopper who will add some offense.
C Shaquille O'Neal Hit the weights hard in the offseason, trying to get back to title form.
SG Dwyane Wade Has evolved from a draft-day afterthought to a star.
PG Jason Williams Provides sizzle, but will he fizzle in key moments?
FIRST OFF THE BENCH
PF Antoine Walker
PG Gary Payton
C Alonzo Mourning
SF Shandon Anderson
2 Detroit PISTONS
What happened: The key move was the coaching change. By replacing Larry Brown with Flip Saunders, the team hopes to amp up what had become a stale offense while maintaining its stingy defense, in Saunders' system, the Pistons will try to be more opportunistic, attacking off turnovers and looking for easy baskets. Critics say the Pistons should have found better shooters in the offseason. Their response was to implement a system that, in theory, will make better shooters out of the players they already have.
What's next: This team will cruise quietly under the radar while the sexy teams make all the noise. And when April arrives, the Pistons again will be in position to defend their conference title. Sound familiar?. The same starting unit that won the championship in 2004 and made it to Game 7 of the Finals last season still is in its prime, with C Ben Wallace and PF Rasheed Wallace, both 31, the elder statesmen. The bench, which was a problem at times last season, has been bolstered. The defense will continue to be the team's driving force, and Saunders will use a matchup zone as a changeup. On offense, the Pistons will run more and be far less predictable in halfcourt sets. Saunders will give more decision-making freedom to PG Chauncey Billups, who had a tight leash under Brown. Still, the Pistons won't be regarded as a great shooting team, and a serious injury to any of the starters or the top reserve, PF Antonio McDyess, could derail their season.--Chris McCosky
LOCKER ROOM LOWDOWN: Antonio McDyess
Most talkative teammate: "Rasheed (Wallace) has something new to climb on somebody about. He's always on me about Larry (Brown). He's always talking about how Larry's my pop. Like he says, 'Oh, you better go to New York with Larry.'"
PROJECTED LINEUP
PF Rasheed Wallace Will play the K.G. role in Flip Saunders' offense.
SF Tayshaun Prince Will play fewer minutes after wearing down in the playoffs last season.
C Ben Wallace Should flourish in Saunders' zone defense and faster-paced offense.
SG Richard Hamilton Will score more off curls than the dribble in the new motion offense.
PG Chauncey Billups His decision making will key the offense.
FIRST OFF THE BENCH
PF Antonio McDyess
SG Lindsey Hunter
PG Carlos Arroyo
G/F Maurice Evans
G/F Carlos Delfino
C Darko Milicic
3 Indiana PACERS
What happened: The Pacers added two rookies who could make an immediate impact, even on Indiana's deep, experienced roster. Rookie SF Danny Granger spent most of me summer rehabilitating a knee injury, but team officials are quietly enthusiastic about his complete game and maturity and have compared Granger to a young Scottie Pippen. Lithuanian PG Sarunas Jasikevicius, who signed as a free agent after playing pro ball in Europe for several years, will offer a go-to shooter in the mold of Reggie Miller.
What's next: It won't be difficult to replace Miller's 14.8 points per game. SG Stephen Jackson can improve on the 18.7 points per...
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