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COPYRIGHT 2005 Sporting News Publishing Co.
POWER POLL RANKING 1 San Antonio SPURS
What happened: The Spurs landed the biggest prize of the NBA's amnesty clause cuts, G/F Michael Finley. A 10-year veteran, Finley brings a career scoring average of 19.0 points and 56 games of playoff experience to the team's bench. The Spurs also added backup PG Nick Van Exel, whose resume is nearly as impressive--12 seasons, 15.1 ppg and 64 playoff games. The pair gives the Spurs the best bench in the league and offers two clutch-shooting options in end-of-game situations. F/C Fabricio Oberto, a 30-year-old rookie who has been a key role player on the Argentine national team, also will play a key reserve role. Oberto is a polished post scorer and rebounder.
What's next: The Spurs are coming off their second title in three years, and considering they lost no starters, anything less than another championship will be a huge disappointment. The team plays the league's most disciplined and consistent defense, and nearly every player in the rotation is well-schooled in running the system. That, plus an improved offense and a weakened Western Conference, will allow the Spurs to dominate the league. The team's new acquisitions will help, and PF Tim Duncan is, as always, a threat to win the MVP, but the player to watch will be SG Manu Ginobili, who flourished in last season's playoffs (20.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists) after a solid regular season (16.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists).--Sean Deveney
LOCKER ROOM LOWDOWN: Tony Parker
The devil? Parker and Manu Ginobili are good friends. But Parker may want to think twice before visiting Argentina with Ginobili. At a press conference in Ginobili's home country, a reporter asked Ginobili, "Why does Tony Parker not pass you the ball? To Argentina, he is the Antichrist."
PROJECTED LINEUP
PF Jim Duncan Didn't need any more help, but the team got him plenty in the offseason.
SF Bruce Bowen Will lose minutes to Michael Finley but still is the team's best defender.
C Nazr Mohammed Acquiring him in February was the key to last season's championship.
SG Manu Ginobili Can take over games when playing under control.
PG Tony Parker Might never be a front-line star, but he wins titles.
FIRST OFF THE BENCH
G/F Michael Finley
SG Brent Barry
F/C Robert Horry
PG Nick Van Exel
C Rasho Nesterovic
F/C Fabricio Oberto
2 Houston ROCKETS
What happened: The Rockets signed free-agent PF Sttomile Swift, which hopefully addresses the void they've had at the position since Charles Barkley retired. Swift's superior athleticism should help the Rockets play a more uptempo game, and he has sufficient size to spell C Yao Ming in the middle if the team decides to go small. Despite being in the league for five years, Swift still has a lot to learn--such as being more consistent and cutting down on his fouls. His developing a midrange jumper would help the team foster an effective high-low game.
What's next: The Rockets will have to avoid being what they were last season--spectacular one night, downright pedestrian the next. With Yao and SF Tracy McGrady, the Rockets have one of the NBA's best inside-outside duos, but Yao must learn to stay out of foul trouble and not disappear for stretches of games. Swift, SG Derek Anderson and PG Rafer Alston, the team's three key offseason acquisitions, make the Rockets a threat to run more, but will coach Jeff Van Gundy loosen the reins enough to let that happen? Alston will have to provide leadership while PG Bob Sura misses the first few weeks of the season recovering from knee surgery. No matter what happens on offense, Van Gundy will pin everything on defense, and Yao and backup C Dikembe Mutombo give the team lockdown interior "D" in the middle. They had better because SG Jon Barry (36), PG David Wesley (34), Sura (32), PG Moochie Norris (32) and Anderson (31) aren't exactly defensive stoppers anymore, if they ever were.--Michael Murphy
LOCKER ROOM LOWDOWN: Yao Ming
Lesson No. 1: Patrick Ewing was brought in to tutor Yao, but the team probably did not have a trip to a gentlemen's club in mind. No matter--when Ewing offered to show Yao some of Houston's best (lap) dance spots, Yao said, "First my mom will kill me. Then she'll kill you."
PROJECTED LINEUP
PF Stromile Swift Is the athletic defender and rebounder the team needs but must be consistent,
SF Tracy McGrady One of the premier do-it-all performers and most creative scorers in the NBA.
C Yao Ming On the verge of greatness, but does he want it enough?
SG Derek Anderson Has to knock down open shots, play defense and--for once--stay healthy.
PG Rafer Alston Has the skills to play the point, but needs to rein in his ego.
FIRST OFF THE BENCH
PF Juwan Howard
SG Jon Barry
PG David Wesley
C Dikembe Mutombo
3 Dallas MAVERICKS
What happened: Michael Finley long was a franchise cornerstone, but considering he's 32 and was too expensive for his production, the time was right for him to leave. His departure will allow youngsters SF Josh Howard and G/F Marquis Daniels to assert themselves. Both have the ability to carry out coach Avery Johnson's defense-first attitude. The addition of veteran SG Doug Christie should give Howard and Daniels a good defender to emulate.
What's next: Look for fewer names on the marquee and more knees on the hardwood. Two seasons ago, the Mavericks had five players who were--or would become--All-Stars. Now, they have a team concept built around a lot of hard workers who...
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