– Last year: 57-25, 1st. Won third straight NBA title.
– Coach: Phil Jackson (5th year, 240-88).
– Probable starters: Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, Pete Myers, B.J. Armstrong.
– Added: G-F Toni Kukoc (Europe), C Corie Blount (25), Steve Kerr (free agent). Lost: G Michael Jordan (retired), G Trent Tucker (released), G Rodney McCray (released).
– Strengths: Without Jordan, the greatest strength this team can rely on is experience. When it comes down to playoff time, that could be the key. Pippen (18.6 ppg) remains one of the game’s best forwards, but defenses will be keying on him now. Grant (13.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg) also will be asked to score more.
– Weaknesses: How do you replace the greatest player in the world? How do you replace 32.6 points and the potential for 50? How do you replace a seven-time scoring champion?
– Outlook: Without Jordan, this team looks very ordinary. The key could be how quickly Kukoc adjusts to the NBA game.
