Re: Best Avoid the Nest - Charlotte Hornets NBA 1992
League Update
1992-93 Season Preview
Western Conference
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Los Angeles Clippers
Last Year: 41-41, 8th in Western Conference, Lost to Trail Blazers in first round
Starting 5*: C Olden Polynice, PF Danny Manning, SF Charles Smith, SG Doug Christie, PG Ron Harper
Key Bench Players: F Loy Vaught, F Ken Norman, F Ron Anderson, G Elliot Perry, F John Williams, C Stanley Roberts, C Elmore Spencer, G Bo Kimble, F Cliff Levingston
Bottom Line: The Clippers, who went .500 and snuck into the eighth seed, return mostly the same team. Rookies Christie and Spencer were solid picks. Anderson adds some depth on the wings. Expect about the same results this season.
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Utah Jazz
Last Year: 56-26, 2nd in Western Conference, Lost to Trail Blazers in WCF
Starting 5*: C Mark Eaton, PF Karl Malone, SF Blue Edwards, SG Jeff Malone, PG John Stockton
Key Bench Players: F Thurl Bailey, G Eric Murdoch, F Larry Krystkowiak, C Isaac Austin, F Clarence Weatherspoon, G Corey Crowder, F David Benoit
Bottom Line: Utah finished 2nd in the West last season and they largely kept things the same. Rookie Weatherspoon and former Spur Benoit add some depth. Utah should be in the mix at the top of the West.
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Sacramento Kings
Last Year: 35-47, 10th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Duane Causwell, PF Wayman Tisdale, SF Cedric Ceballos, SG Billy Owens, PG Spud Webb
Key Bench Players: G Doug West, C Don MacLean, F Anthony Bonner, G Randy Brown, F Ed Nealy, G Jim Les
Bottom Line: The Kings were on the outside looking in come playoff time last season. They grabbed West from Minnesota and Ceballos from Phoenix. Those additions might be enough for them to get into the 7th or 8th seed.
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Los Angeles Lakers
Last Year: 42-40, 7th in Western Conference, Lost to Jazz in first round
Starting 5*: C Vlade Divac, PF Charles Barkley, SF Magic Johnson, SG Byron Scott, PG Sedale Threatt
Key Bench Players: F Sam Perkins, A.C. Green, C Elden Campbell, G Terry Teagle, F Adam Keefe, G Darrell Walker
Bottom Line: A low playoff seed and a first round loss didn't sit well in LA so the made a big splash, swapping Worthy for Barkley and putting themselves in the mix for the top seed in the West. Draft pick Keefe should provide valuable minutes off the bench and Walker adds some depth at PG.
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Dallas Mavericks
Last Year: 24-58, 12th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Shaquille O'Neal, PF Terry Davis, SF Rodney McCray, SG Rolando Blackman, PG Derek Harper
Key Bench Players: G Fat Lever, F Doug Smith, C James Donaldson, F Randy White, F Kenny Battle, C Charles Jones, G Albert King
Bottom Line: Minnesota fans, players and the entire front office collectively went wild when they won the draft lottery, allowing them to pick LSU center Shaquille O'Neal. Sure to be a household name soon O'Neal immediately improves the Mavs. Battle is the only other addition so the Mavs are probably a few more pieces away from a deep playoff run.
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Denver Nuggets
Last Year: 30-52, 11th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Dikembe Mutombo, PF Greg Anderson, SF Reggie Williams, SG Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, PG Winston Garland
Key Bench Players: G Rex Chapman, G Todd Day, F Marcus Liberty, G Bryant Stith, C Joe Wolf, F Scott Hastings
Bottom Line: Denver drafted Day and Stith and signed Chapman to bolster their bench and depending on how those moves work out they could be slipping into the bottom of the playoffs or trying to stay out of the basement.
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Houston Rockets
Last Year: 37-45, 9th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Hakeem Olajuwon, PF Otis Thorpe, SF Walt Williams, SG Vernon Maxwell, PG Kenny Smith
Key Bench Players: G Sleepy Floyd, C Matt Bullard, F Buck Johnson, F Carl Herrera, F Bob Thornton, C Tree Rollins, G Tony Brown
Bottom Line: Houston struggled with injuries last season and missed the playoffs. On paper they're a strong team who should be in the middle of the playoff race. Rookie Williams adds some mid range and deep offense while Thornton helps in the middle.
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San Antonio Spurs
Last Year: 45-37, 6th in Western Conference, Lost to Suns in first round
Starting 5*: C David Robinson, PF Terry Cummings, SF Sean Elliott, SG Willie Anderson, PG Dana Barros
Key Bench Players: G Mario Elie, C Mike Brown, F John Salley, F Robert Horry, G Vinny Del Negro, G Tony Bennett
Bottom Line: The Spurs found themselves bounced out of the playoffs in the first round last season. They aggressively pursued Seattle's Barros to improve their offense in hopes of a deeper run. Elie, Brown and Salley strengthen the bench and rookie Horry is a solid addition as well. Del Negro, back from Italy, adds bench scoring. Expect San Antionio to finish in the top five or six.
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Phoenix Suns
Last Year: 52-30, 3rd in Western Conference, Lost to Jazz in second round
Starting 5*: C Mark West, PF Tom Chambers, SF Dan Majerle, SG Jeff Hornacek, PG Kevin Johnson
Key Bench Players: F Richard Dumas, C Tim Perry, G Greg Grant, G Frank Johnson, G Negele Knight, F Jerrod Mustaf, G Malik Sealy, G Bob Hansen
Bottom Line: Phoenix finished third in the West and took down the Lakers in the first round before running into Utah. After reportedly being close to a deal for Barkley and missing out the Suns return mostly the same squad. Additions Grant and rookie Sealy make them slightly better but it looks like they're still behind the Blazers, Jazz and now the Lakers.
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Seattle Super Sonics
Last Year: 52-30, 4th in Western Conference, Lost to Trail Blazers in second round
Starting 5*: C Shawn Kemp, PF Derrick McKey, SF Eddie Johnson, SG Ricky Pierce, PG Gary Payton
Key Bench Players: G Nate McMillan, F David Wingate, C Marty Conlon, C Benoit Benjamin, F Mark Alarie, F Sidney Green, G Jon Barry
Bottom Line: No big changes for the Sonics. Green was added for depth in the middle and rookie Barry adds outside scoring. Seattle looks to be a middle of the playoffs team once again.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Year: 19-63, 13th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Felton Spencer, PF LaPhonso Ellis, SF Tony Campbell, SG Tyrone Corbin, PG Gary Grant
Key Bench Players: F Sam Mitchell, C Randy Breuer, G Chris Corchiani, C Luc Longley, G Steve Bardo, F Jud Buechler, G Chris Smith
Bottom Line: Minnesota was bad last year so the changes were significant. Ellis, Grant, Corchiani Bardo and Buechler are all new additions. If Ellis develops into a solid #2 option the Timberwolves could see a pretty big improvement this season, however, they are still a low seed playoff team at best.
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Portland Trail Blazers
Last Year: 59-23, 1st in Western Conferemce, Lost to Bulls in NBA Finals
Starting 5*: C Kevin Duckworth, PF Buck Williams, SF Dominique Wilkins, SG Clyde Drexler, PG Terry Porter
Key Bench Players: F Jerome Kersey, G Danny Ainge, G Rod Strickland, G Robert Pack, C Mark Bryant, G Ennis Whatley, F Dave Johnson
Bottom Line: One of the biggest free agent moves this offseason was Wilkins to the Blazers. After taking MJ and the Bulls to seven games in the finals the team added the best free agent to an already strong team. Strickland was snagged to help with scoring off the bench. Expect Portland to be one of the best teams in the West. Fans are already dreaming of a Portland vs Chicago rematch in the finals.
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Golden State Warriors
Last Year: 50-32, 5th in Western Conference, Lost to SuperSonics in first round
Starting 5*: C Chris Gatling, PF Tyrone Hill, SF Chris Mullin, SG Mitch Richmond, PG Tim Hardaway
Key Bench Players: G Šarūnas Marčiulionis, F Victor Alexander, F Rod Higgins, G Scott Brooks, G Anthony Peeler, C Alton Lister, F Jim Petersen
Bottom Line: The Warriors are one of the more exciting teams in the league. After a 50 win season and a first round exit the Warriors brought in Brooks and drafted Peeler, bolstering their scoring ability even more. Expect another season around 50 wins and maybe a first round win if they get a favorable matchup.
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Conference Outlook:
The West adds two of the top players in the league in Barkley and Wilkins, making things a bit more interesting at the top. The Blazers remain the favorite but the Lakers, Jazz and Suns will do their best to take them down.
League Update
1992-93 Season Preview
Western Conference
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Los Angeles Clippers
Last Year: 41-41, 8th in Western Conference, Lost to Trail Blazers in first round
Starting 5*: C Olden Polynice, PF Danny Manning, SF Charles Smith, SG Doug Christie, PG Ron Harper
Key Bench Players: F Loy Vaught, F Ken Norman, F Ron Anderson, G Elliot Perry, F John Williams, C Stanley Roberts, C Elmore Spencer, G Bo Kimble, F Cliff Levingston
Bottom Line: The Clippers, who went .500 and snuck into the eighth seed, return mostly the same team. Rookies Christie and Spencer were solid picks. Anderson adds some depth on the wings. Expect about the same results this season.
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Utah Jazz
Last Year: 56-26, 2nd in Western Conference, Lost to Trail Blazers in WCF
Starting 5*: C Mark Eaton, PF Karl Malone, SF Blue Edwards, SG Jeff Malone, PG John Stockton
Key Bench Players: F Thurl Bailey, G Eric Murdoch, F Larry Krystkowiak, C Isaac Austin, F Clarence Weatherspoon, G Corey Crowder, F David Benoit
Bottom Line: Utah finished 2nd in the West last season and they largely kept things the same. Rookie Weatherspoon and former Spur Benoit add some depth. Utah should be in the mix at the top of the West.
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Sacramento Kings
Last Year: 35-47, 10th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Duane Causwell, PF Wayman Tisdale, SF Cedric Ceballos, SG Billy Owens, PG Spud Webb
Key Bench Players: G Doug West, C Don MacLean, F Anthony Bonner, G Randy Brown, F Ed Nealy, G Jim Les
Bottom Line: The Kings were on the outside looking in come playoff time last season. They grabbed West from Minnesota and Ceballos from Phoenix. Those additions might be enough for them to get into the 7th or 8th seed.
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Los Angeles Lakers
Last Year: 42-40, 7th in Western Conference, Lost to Jazz in first round
Starting 5*: C Vlade Divac, PF Charles Barkley, SF Magic Johnson, SG Byron Scott, PG Sedale Threatt
Key Bench Players: F Sam Perkins, A.C. Green, C Elden Campbell, G Terry Teagle, F Adam Keefe, G Darrell Walker
Bottom Line: A low playoff seed and a first round loss didn't sit well in LA so the made a big splash, swapping Worthy for Barkley and putting themselves in the mix for the top seed in the West. Draft pick Keefe should provide valuable minutes off the bench and Walker adds some depth at PG.
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Dallas Mavericks
Last Year: 24-58, 12th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Shaquille O'Neal, PF Terry Davis, SF Rodney McCray, SG Rolando Blackman, PG Derek Harper
Key Bench Players: G Fat Lever, F Doug Smith, C James Donaldson, F Randy White, F Kenny Battle, C Charles Jones, G Albert King
Bottom Line: Minnesota fans, players and the entire front office collectively went wild when they won the draft lottery, allowing them to pick LSU center Shaquille O'Neal. Sure to be a household name soon O'Neal immediately improves the Mavs. Battle is the only other addition so the Mavs are probably a few more pieces away from a deep playoff run.
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Denver Nuggets
Last Year: 30-52, 11th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Dikembe Mutombo, PF Greg Anderson, SF Reggie Williams, SG Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, PG Winston Garland
Key Bench Players: G Rex Chapman, G Todd Day, F Marcus Liberty, G Bryant Stith, C Joe Wolf, F Scott Hastings
Bottom Line: Denver drafted Day and Stith and signed Chapman to bolster their bench and depending on how those moves work out they could be slipping into the bottom of the playoffs or trying to stay out of the basement.
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Houston Rockets
Last Year: 37-45, 9th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Hakeem Olajuwon, PF Otis Thorpe, SF Walt Williams, SG Vernon Maxwell, PG Kenny Smith
Key Bench Players: G Sleepy Floyd, C Matt Bullard, F Buck Johnson, F Carl Herrera, F Bob Thornton, C Tree Rollins, G Tony Brown
Bottom Line: Houston struggled with injuries last season and missed the playoffs. On paper they're a strong team who should be in the middle of the playoff race. Rookie Williams adds some mid range and deep offense while Thornton helps in the middle.
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San Antonio Spurs
Last Year: 45-37, 6th in Western Conference, Lost to Suns in first round
Starting 5*: C David Robinson, PF Terry Cummings, SF Sean Elliott, SG Willie Anderson, PG Dana Barros
Key Bench Players: G Mario Elie, C Mike Brown, F John Salley, F Robert Horry, G Vinny Del Negro, G Tony Bennett
Bottom Line: The Spurs found themselves bounced out of the playoffs in the first round last season. They aggressively pursued Seattle's Barros to improve their offense in hopes of a deeper run. Elie, Brown and Salley strengthen the bench and rookie Horry is a solid addition as well. Del Negro, back from Italy, adds bench scoring. Expect San Antionio to finish in the top five or six.
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Phoenix Suns
Last Year: 52-30, 3rd in Western Conference, Lost to Jazz in second round
Starting 5*: C Mark West, PF Tom Chambers, SF Dan Majerle, SG Jeff Hornacek, PG Kevin Johnson
Key Bench Players: F Richard Dumas, C Tim Perry, G Greg Grant, G Frank Johnson, G Negele Knight, F Jerrod Mustaf, G Malik Sealy, G Bob Hansen
Bottom Line: Phoenix finished third in the West and took down the Lakers in the first round before running into Utah. After reportedly being close to a deal for Barkley and missing out the Suns return mostly the same squad. Additions Grant and rookie Sealy make them slightly better but it looks like they're still behind the Blazers, Jazz and now the Lakers.
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Seattle Super Sonics
Last Year: 52-30, 4th in Western Conference, Lost to Trail Blazers in second round
Starting 5*: C Shawn Kemp, PF Derrick McKey, SF Eddie Johnson, SG Ricky Pierce, PG Gary Payton
Key Bench Players: G Nate McMillan, F David Wingate, C Marty Conlon, C Benoit Benjamin, F Mark Alarie, F Sidney Green, G Jon Barry
Bottom Line: No big changes for the Sonics. Green was added for depth in the middle and rookie Barry adds outside scoring. Seattle looks to be a middle of the playoffs team once again.
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Minnesota Timberwolves
Last Year: 19-63, 13th in Western Conference
Starting 5*: C Felton Spencer, PF LaPhonso Ellis, SF Tony Campbell, SG Tyrone Corbin, PG Gary Grant
Key Bench Players: F Sam Mitchell, C Randy Breuer, G Chris Corchiani, C Luc Longley, G Steve Bardo, F Jud Buechler, G Chris Smith
Bottom Line: Minnesota was bad last year so the changes were significant. Ellis, Grant, Corchiani Bardo and Buechler are all new additions. If Ellis develops into a solid #2 option the Timberwolves could see a pretty big improvement this season, however, they are still a low seed playoff team at best.
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Portland Trail Blazers
Last Year: 59-23, 1st in Western Conferemce, Lost to Bulls in NBA Finals
Starting 5*: C Kevin Duckworth, PF Buck Williams, SF Dominique Wilkins, SG Clyde Drexler, PG Terry Porter
Key Bench Players: F Jerome Kersey, G Danny Ainge, G Rod Strickland, G Robert Pack, C Mark Bryant, G Ennis Whatley, F Dave Johnson
Bottom Line: One of the biggest free agent moves this offseason was Wilkins to the Blazers. After taking MJ and the Bulls to seven games in the finals the team added the best free agent to an already strong team. Strickland was snagged to help with scoring off the bench. Expect Portland to be one of the best teams in the West. Fans are already dreaming of a Portland vs Chicago rematch in the finals.
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Golden State Warriors
Last Year: 50-32, 5th in Western Conference, Lost to SuperSonics in first round
Starting 5*: C Chris Gatling, PF Tyrone Hill, SF Chris Mullin, SG Mitch Richmond, PG Tim Hardaway
Key Bench Players: G Šarūnas Marčiulionis, F Victor Alexander, F Rod Higgins, G Scott Brooks, G Anthony Peeler, C Alton Lister, F Jim Petersen
Bottom Line: The Warriors are one of the more exciting teams in the league. After a 50 win season and a first round exit the Warriors brought in Brooks and drafted Peeler, bolstering their scoring ability even more. Expect another season around 50 wins and maybe a first round win if they get a favorable matchup.
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Conference Outlook:
The West adds two of the top players in the league in Barkley and Wilkins, making things a bit more interesting at the top. The Blazers remain the favorite but the Lakers, Jazz and Suns will do their best to take them down.
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