The two-month period following the All-Star Game is generally considered the stretch run in the NBA. Usually by this time, the playoff teams are set. But that’s not the case this year, especially in the West. A fight is shaping up among Phoenix, Seattle, Denver and Houston for the final playoff spot.
In the East, it appears the 76ers, Bucks, Knicks and Heat will fight it out for the top spot.
A look at the state of the NBA:
1. Trail Blazers: Depth has kept them together with Scottie Pippen out, but it still comes down to Rasheed Wallace being able to hit the big shot, assuming he hasn’t been thrown out of the game.
2. Spurs: Here they come. Derek Anderson is starting to fit in, Tim Duncan finally seems over knee surgery and Avery Johnson is due back soon. Still want to show they’re more than a 50-game champion.
3. 76ers: Only city calling for Snow. Eric that is. He should be back this week, along with Toni Kukoc and perhaps Matt Geiger to relieve the weary troops. Too bad Theo Ratliff now goes out.
4. Lakers: Easy to discount them with all the turmoil. But they survived the first half and if Shaquille O’Neal is healthy, they’ll be there in the end.
5. Kings: All the Chris Webber leaving talk has had an effect. A fade will give Webber an excuse to leave, and the team seems to sense that. Crucial period coming up.
6. Knicks: Still the city tough guys. Don’t seem to have enough inside talent and Glen Rice hasn’t fit. How about using him more? They will outwork most teams.
7. Jazz: Trying to write them off all season and they keep coming back. Karl Malone isn’t as consistent game to game anymore. But no team runs its system better.
8. Mavericks: They’re for real if Steve Nash can stay healthy. Coach Don Nelson comes back next week and with Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley can boast three of the best offensive weapons on one team.
9. Bucks: A few too many jump shots, but when they’re hitting they’re hard to beat and fun to watch. If they can continue with George Karl’s disguised zones, they could be trouble.
10. Timberwolves: Great story in refusing to allow tragedy and misfortune to ground them. Terrell Brandon is playing like his All-Star form of five years ago and Wally Szczerbiak is a solid third option.
11. Heat: No business being here without Alonzo Mourning, but they are. Playing slow and aggressive and seemingly destined for another playoff meeting with the Knicks.
12. Suns: Give them that final Western playoff spot. Tom Gugliotta seems to be recovering some, but they’re teetering on the edge with a season full of controversies and distractions.
13. Nuggets: Just a horrible road team. If they can overcome that, they get the final playoff spot.
14. SuperSonics: Hard to imagine Patrick Ewing making much impact anymore. They are at a crossroads. If they fail to make the playoffs, they’ll have to consider blowing it up and trading Gary Payton while he still has value.
15. Rockets: Lots of isolation with quick guards. But they can make it work, and with Hakeem Olajuwon drinking from the fountain of youth lately, who knows.
16. Hornets: If only Derrick Coleman gets injured, they could win their division. Once 20-9, they have a chance to sort things out if Elden Campbell also wakes up more often.
17. Raptors: Who knows with Vince Carter. Great talent, but unpredictable and questionable how far he can carry a team.
18. Pacers: Rough rookie year for Isiah Thomas. The lineup keeps changing and Jalen Rose hasn’t become the leader they’d hoped he would be.
19. Magic: If only Tracy McGrady and Carter had stayed together. McGrady is wonderful, but he doesn’t have much help and that only takes a team so far. Ask Vince.
20. Celtics: On the road for the next two weeks, which could ruin the beautiful 10-5 run they’ve gone on since Rick Pitino quit.
21. Clippers: If they’re past that wall everyone talks about for young players, they could prove troublesome. They have confidence and talent, so if they try to do more than dunk it could be interesting.
22. Nets: With Keith Van Horn eventually rounding into shape, they at least have another option, if not a team. Also, watch for Kenyon Martin to make a late rookie-of-the-year run.
23. Pistons: Jerry Stackhouse is wearing down, but remains a unique weapon. Jerome Williams coming back adds some toughness, but they’re likely to deal with Williams and Joe Smith free agents.
24. Cavaliers: With Zydrunas Ilgauskas they had the pieces to make the playoffs. Without him, they are in pieces. And this being his fifth foot operation, who knows if he’ll ever return.
25. Wizards: Mitch Richmond will give them at least another weapon on certain nights and they’ll probably wave goodbye to Rod Strickland to ease the tension. Juwan Howard is quietly having a solid season.
26. Grizzlies: Maybe they’ll start to show off for their new city. Seems likely now they’ll relocate.
27. Warriors: Nice addition in rookie Marc Jackson and Antawn Jamison has become a big-time scorer. But the losing mentality remains.
28. Hawks: Still an odd mix of talent with the uncertainly surrounding Dikembe Mutombo. Hawks believe they can get more in a postseason sign and trade, though Mutombo’s value may not be as high as they believe.
29. Bulls: The goal now is get to 10 wins and forget about the 76ers’ all-time worst 9-73 season. Hard to imagine any real deals on the horizon with the uncertain talent and record.
