Mosley's NBA Preview 1997-1998 | |||||||||||||||||
| The Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||
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The competetion is thick in the east. This year the Bulls will not have an easy time trying for their sixth title. In the Atlantic division The New York Knicks are saying now or never by sending Walter McCarty, John Wallace, and Dontae Jones packing in order to acquire verterans Chris Mills and Chris Dudley. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat have the right components to challange anybody. Teams such as New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington have young talent and hope to compete in the future. In the Central Division the Atlanta Hawks look very tough and could possibly take it all. The Bulls aren't the same but you can never sleep on that man they call Mike. The Clevland Cavaliers are better with the acqusition of Shawn Kemp and rookie Brevin Knight. Larry Bird has a team that could be dangerous around playoff time with all-stars Reggie Miller and Chris Mullen. | ||||||||||||||||
| The Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||
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In the west the best team in the conference and possibly the league is the Los Angeles Lakers. With Shaq in the middle and athletes like Eddie Jones and the exciting Kobe Bryant Showtime is back in L.A.. In Seattle the post-Kemp era will not cause the Sonics the miss a beat. Vin Baker will fill in nicely with Payton and the rest of the gang. Danny Ainge has the Suns moving in the right direction and the hopes that the team can make a run in the west. In the Midwest the Utah Jazz will try again in hopes to go all the way. The rookie Jacque Vaughn will have the opportunity to learn from Stockton and is a good addition of the bench. In Houston time is running out for the big three but if they can stay healthy they can hang with any team in the league. The San Antonio Spurs are the most improved team from a season ago. Tim Duncan and David Robinson are like twin towers and can do a lot of damage in the paint. | ||||||||||||||||
| The Rookie Class | |||||||||||||||||
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A lot of members of the 1997 rookie class will come in with opportunites to help their respective clubs. The number one draft pick Tim Duncan has the best shot to be rookie of the year. The Spurs will surely win a lot more games than they did last season and Duncan can compete on the pro level. His shotblocking, rebounding, and offensive numbers will be strong. In New Jersey the Nets hope that Keith Van Horne can bring it like he did at Utah. In Clevland Brevin Knight will bring his excellent defense and court pressence and his impact will be crucial coming in as a starter. Ron Mercer is going to the Celtics and will have the same coach he had last year at Kentucky. The Celtics hope that Mercer can help to turn the club around. | ||||||||||||||||
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