The Golden State Warriors have been a club that has had a lot of bad luck over the past few seasons. From Latrell Sprewell choking his coach to injuries to Antawn Jamison, this team has not been one of good fortune. However, they did make a good move when they traded to get Larry Hughes (15.0 ppg, 1.4 spg) from the Philadelphia 76ers. His presence makes them a better team, since he comes with a scorers mentality. Coupled with forward Antawn Jamison (18.6 ppg 8.3 rpg), this team could have a future to look forward to. Danny Fortson, acquired in the offseason, brings a tough mentality to the court and is a strong rebounder (6.4 rpg). Veteran Mookie Blaylock is a steady point guard and can lead this team. He is still a solid defender, evidenced by his 2 steals per game. The bench has seveal strong players, including Bobby Sura, Chris Mills, and Adonal Foyle. Chris Mullin, once a star for the Warriors in the early '90s and a Dream Team member in 1992, returns for one last run with the team.
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The Los Angeles Clippers are building a foundation for future success. After drafting Lamar Odom (16.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.2 apg) in the 1999 draft, the Clippers made some strong moves towards success in the future with their 2000 draft class. Enter Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, and Keyon Dooling, three of the top players in the draft class of 2000. These players will make the team more exciting to watch and may one day lead them on a playoff run. However, they all are lacking in experience, and this team lacks a leader. Clippers fans are hoping that Odom can supply that leadership, since he is both a star and a "veteran" among these players. Michael Olowokandi could evolve into a decent center, considering he has the physical tools to be a good player. Corey Maggette is also in a similar situation, blessed with talent but raw. Seveal role players are needed for this team to make a large improvement, and the Clippers are counting on Jeff McInnis, Brian Skinner, Derek Strong, and Tyrone Nesby to be those players in 2000-2001.
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The Los Angeles Lakers, defending NBA champions, come into this season with a team that could be better than their championship team. They have the most dominating player in basketball, center Shaquille O'Neal (29.7 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 3.03 bpg, 57.4 fg%). After an MVP season in 1999-2000, O'Neal can only become a better player. Coach Phil Jackson developed Shaq into a more complete player in his 1st year as Lakers coach, making Shaq a dangerous passer out of the post and triangle offense. Coupled with Kobe Bryant (22.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg), this is the best tandem in the league for years to come. In the offseason, the Lakers addressed their needs for a third scorer (enter Isaiah Rider- 19.3 ppg with the Atlanta Hawks) and a rebounder to compliment Shaq (Horace Grant - 7.8 rpg with the Seattle Sonics). Ron Harper returns for another run as Bryant's backcourt mate. Rick Fox, Brian Shaw, and Robert Horry are again the role players that Phil Jackson will call upon when needed down the stretch.
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The Phoenix Suns suffered from massive injuries last season, but still advanced to the Western Conference semifinals, where they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Suns could have won several of those games and did defeat the Lakers by a wide margin in game 4 in America West Arena. This team is loaded offensively. They are led by All Star pg Jason Kidd, one of the best in the game. Kidd (14.3 ppg, 10.1 apg, 7.2 rpg) is one of the top all around players in the league. Sharing the backcourt with Kidd is former All Star Anfernee Hardaway, who scored 16.0 points per game in his 1st season in Phoenix. Up front, the Suns come at you with both skill and size. Tom Gugliotta averaged 13.7 ppg last season before suffering a season ending injury. Cliff Robinson, who can get hot in stretches, scored 18.5 ppg and is highly underrated. At center, the Suns go with Chris Dudley, mainly for defensive purposes. Off the bench the Suns have Rodney Rogers (13.8 ppg), who won the 6th man award. Shawn Marion, who blossomed last year, is another young player in the league with a big upside. Mario Elie brings experience and veteran leadership to this team. Barring inuries, this could be a very strong playoff contender in the 2000-2001 season.
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The Portland Trailblazers are the deepest team in professional basketball. Their starting 5 of Damon Stoudamire, Steve Smith, Arvydas Sabonis, Rasheed Wallace, and Scottie Pippen is also best in the league. Pippen (12.5 ppg) and Wallace (16.4 ppg) are versatile players, while Sabonis (11.8 ppg) is one of the best passing centers who has ever lived. Steve Smith (14.9 ppg, 39.8 3Fg%) is one of the deadliest gunners in the league. Stoudamire (12.5 ppg, 5.2 apg) and Greg Anthony make up the best point guard tandem in the league. Off the bench, Portland has several players who have started for their entire careers. Shawn Kemp (17.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg) is a former All Star who is hungry for a title. Dale Davis, an All Star last season while with Indiana, averaged 10 points per game and also 9.9 rebounds per game. Bonzi Wells became a dangerous scorer in the playoffs last season. Will Perdue is another body to bang with Shaq in the playoffs.
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The Sacramento Kings are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA. However, their lack of defense has kept them out of the 2nd round of the playoffs for the last 2 seasons. They have one of the game's premier players in Chris Webber. Webber, in his 6th season out of Michigan, averaged 24.5 ppg to go along with 10.5 rpg. C Vlade Divac is another solid player. Divac scored 12.3 ppg last year. The Kings insert Pedrag Stojakovic into the small forward slot to replace Corliss Williamson. Stojakovic averaged nearly 12 points per game off the bench last season. In the backcourt, Jason Williams is a flashy but unsteady leader. Willaims (12.3 ppg, 7.3 apg) makes the flashy play but sometimes cannot complete the routine. Doug Christie, signed from Toronto, brings a ball hawking style to Sacramento. Off the bench, the Kings usually bring solid players. This season it is no different. Nick Anderson (10.8 ppg), Jon Barry (8 ppg), Scot Pollard (5.3 rpg), Bobby Jackson (5.1 ppg), and Lawrence Funderburke (6.4 ppg) give this team a deep roster.
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The Seattle Supersonics hope to be super again with the addition of Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing (15 ppg, 9.7 rpg). His presence gives the team a low post player for the 1st time in a long time and he commands the double team that few players get. The true star of this team is Gary Payton, who scored 24.2 points per game to go along with 8.9 assists and 1.87 steals. He is one of the best all around players in the league in recent years. Vin Baker, who was once an All Star, must return to that form for the team to succeed. Desmond Mason and Rashard Lewis, two young players, have been inserted into the starting lineup. Off the bench, the Sonics bring the high octane Ruben Patterson, Brent Barry, Jelani McCoy, Dickey Simpkins, and the streaky Shammond Williams.
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