The season
NBA CHAMPION
Los Angeles Lakers
That’s the easy pick. The hard one is picking who’s going to give them a fight. After Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant stated their lifetime mutual hatred for one another last season amid injuries and attempts to revive Ron Harper, the Lakers finished with the best playoff run ever, 15-1. Nothing short of Shaq making everyone listen to his rap songs can distract this team now.
EASTERN CONFERENCE VICTIM
Milwaukee Bucks
Sam Cassell is mad about his contract even though the Bucks offered him the maximum extension. Glenn Robinson has been babying an injured ankle, and Ray Allen has been accused by his coach of loafing. The coach, George Karl, persuaded management to sign Anthony Mason so he can have someone to fight to motivate the others. The Bucks are finally a real NBA team and ready for the Finals unless Mason sabotages them as he has most of his teams.
The awards
MILLS LANE AWARD
Philadelphia 76ers
For trying to get between Larry Brown and Allen Iverson with referee Pat Croce gone to climb Mt. Fuji in sandals, which he considers easier that getting between Brown and Iverson. Undercard features Iverson and Derrick “Whoop de damn do” Coleman.
TIM FLOYD AWARD
for what have I gotten myself into?
Maurice Cheeks, Portland Trail Blazers
Rookie coach Cheeks never had to talk much before as the consummate professional, and he may not be able to with this team that includes an accused sex offender, Ruben Patterson, a player out of drug rehab, Shawn Kemp, the record-holder in technical fouls and bizarre court behavior, Rasheed Wallace, one of the greats in demanding contract renegotiation, Dale Davis, and the player Michigan State coach Tom Izzo most wanted gone, Zach Randolph. Steve Kerr and Will Perdue are around to remind them that this is not how you win championships.
LONG-BURNING FUSE AWARD
Latrell Sprewell, New York Knicks
He may finally blow after a few years of calm and quiet when he sees the way this Knicks team is going nowhere. He’s not being very happy about it.
DR. SCHOLLS AWARD
Cleveland Cavaliers
For drafting a center with foot problems, DeSagana Diop, after Zyndrunas Ilgauskas, who was injured about 10 minutes after signing a $70 million contract, underwent his fifth major foot operation. He’ll open the season on the injured list.
LOCKOUT REPRISED AWARD
Marcus Camby, New York Knicks
It was generally believed Penny Hardaway could retire the award for the annual 50-game season. But he has a competitor in Camby, who declared on the first day of training camp he intended to be hurt much of this season but might actually play through some of it.
BEST . . .
SHOOTER
Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
Shot 48 percent last season, third best among guards, despite attempting more than twice as many three-pointers as everyone who shot better.
REBOUNDER
Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Weighs maybe 225, but led the league in total rebounds last season. With all the wild shots Jerry Stackhouse and Cliff Robinson are likely to take, he could average more than 15 rebounds per game.
Worst . . .
OWNER
Michael Heisley, Memphis Grizzlies
Noses out Charlotte’s George Shinn, who hasn’t moved his team yet. It took Heisley one year to move his and he has already become an embarrassment in Memphis, where he is gouging on courtside seats, charging more than the Bulls do. Some Canadians he hired to come to Memphis were stranded at the border without team help. He has been asking low-level employees to pay league fines and is enemy No. 1 at league offices (over Dallas’ Mark Cuban) for his rages against commissioner David Stern and league operations.
MISTER CLUTCH
Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers (right)
There may be better shooters, and there are bigger scorers, guys who are quicker and more clever. But if you need one shot to win the game, go with Hollywood. Sorry, Mike. You’ve got to show you can still do it.
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Steve Francis, Houston Rockets (left)
Ready to break through as the league’s best point guard. Rockets have injuries and no significant frontcourt game, so the load will fall to Stevie Franchise, who could average 25 per game.
HASN’T MY CONTRACT EXPIRED YET?
Scottie Pippen, Portland Trail Blazers
He stopped playing two years ago, but they keep scheduling games and waking him up to attend. Pippen cannot understand why they just can’t send his checks to his boat.
TRAVELING MEDICINE SHOW
John Lucas, Cleveland Cavaliers
First-year coach Lucas is expected to sell bottles of elixir out of a covered wagon at halftime to help people get over the pain of watching his team. Lucas also will dabble in faith healing and yell, “There goes Faith Hill!” a lot to distract customers from the antics of his team.
Season firsts
FIRST COACH TO BE FIRED
Sidney Lowe, Memphis Grizzlies
This was all set up a few years ago by Dick “I’m lying if my lips are moving” Versace. Versace was supposed to coach when Michael Heisley bought the Grizzlies. But as he was styling his hair, it dawned on Versace that the team was lousy and the first coach would be fired soon and he could take over and thus extend his run. Now they’re not sure they want Versace as coach, or Lowe for that matter, if they start badly and cannot sell tickets.
FIRST MELTDOWN
Denver Nuggets
With Antonio McDyess out for at least half the season, they’re pairing Nick Van Exel and Isaiah Rider in the backcourt. Who’s idea was that? Certainly not Dan Issel’s–he’s racing Sidney Lowe to the unemployment line.
Most . . .
MOST IMPROVED
Baron Davis, Charlotte Hornets
Had a good year last season after playing little as a rookie. He can make a move with the team and is capable of getting his average to 20 per game with his athletic ability. Watch out also for Sacramento’s Hidayet Turkoglu, who had a nose job and is looking less aquiline.
MOST UNDERRATED
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Hasn’t made an All-Star team despite a career scoring average of more than 21 per game. Has surpassed Antoine Walker as the team’s best player and is the player other GM’s most often try to steal in trade. It won’t happen.
MOST OVERRATED
Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics
Once one of the league’s elite, he was still first team all-defense last season, but on reputation. Don’t coaches watch the games? He’s much slower and probably shouldn’t be an All-Star anymore. He’s selfish with the ball and hasn’t been able to get his team into the playoffs in two of the last three years.
MOST COSTLY ASSAULT
Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
The one against his wife last season resulted in his trade to the Nets. Wait until he sees January in the Meadowlands.
PREDICTING THE BIG STARS OF 2002
MICHAEL JORDAN
2002 MVP
The Wizards should have won more than 19 last season, but few will remember that. In a media vote, the man most popular with the media will be the choice for drastically improving the Wizards. Runner-up? The league’s best player, Shaq.
KOBE BRYANT
2002 SCORING CHAMPION
The ability to double-team away from the ball under the new all-defense rules will probably hurt Allen Iverson more than anyone else–the 76ers having no other real scoring option. And Jerry Stackhouse is being challenged to pass. Vince Carter could win, but look for Bryant, especially with Shaq insisting he’ll be passing more.
TRACY MCGRADY
2002 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
You’ve got to give him something. Kobe Bryant’s rival as the best all-around player in the NBA. Didn’t feel much like defending last season, but he can. He’s long and quick and was among league leaders in steals and blocks. If Theo Ratliff stays healthy, which he rarely does, he will probably win the award.
TONY DELK
2002 SIXTH MAN
“Tony Buckets” hit for 50 last season and should get plenty of time and opportunity as the Suns go to a three-guard rotation that includes Penny Hardaway, no longer a 40-minute (or 40-game) player.
JERRY SLOAN
2002 COACH OF THE YEAR
Sort of a lifetime achievement award. He’s the last guy to call attention to himself, but Sloan’s teams are always prepared, hard-working and efficient–remarkable over such a long period. Sloan has been overlooked long enough.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Shane Battier, Memphis Grizzlies
Anyone who has seen picks one, two and four, the high-schoolers, knows they won’t win the award. Battier can’t get himself a shot, but with the new zone-defense rules and less isolation, he can find a spot and shoot. Good numbers on a bad team still wins most years.
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Pete Babcock, Atlanta Hawks
Cleverly used existing players and a couple of poor seasons to get back into contention. Big if is health of the frequently injured Ratliff. If he stays healthy, Hawks may be most improved.
— Chicago Tribune/Chris Courtney.
