| 2004 NBA PREVIEWby Leigh Douglas | | | | 4BullsSlowly getting better, very slowly (and really did |
| If there was one single theme to this off-season for | | | | they have anywhere else to go |
| the NBA it was 'change' not only was there quite a | | | | 5BucksWill be tough to follow up on last years |
| bit of significant player movement, but the league | | | | success |
| itself underwent a makeover of sorts, finally | | | | Southeast Division |
| expanding to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six | | | | 1HeatShaq alone makes them contenders - look for |
| divisions of five teams each. | | | | Eddie Jones to re-emerge as all star |
| Of course the biggest headlines this off-season | | | | 2MagicFrancis looks to return to Stevie Franchise |
| surrounded the ongoing saga that has become the | | | | days |
| Los Angeles Lakers. Basically the Lakers surrendered | | | | 3HawksHave some potential young talent, Harrington |
| to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for - namely | | | | one of favorites for most improved |
| the exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson. | | | | 4WizardsThey are just treading water, and should be |
| Shadowed by the Shaq move to Miami was what | | | | very afraid of Bobcats passing them quickly |
| could end up being an even bigger deal with Tracy | | | | 5BobcatsThey have to start somewhere, couldn't |
| Mcgrady going from Orlando to Houston for Steve | | | | have asked for a better division |
| Francis and Cuttino Mobley. Many speculate that the | | | | Southwest Division |
| tandem of Mcgrady and Yao Ming will be the new | | | | 1SpursAdding Barry for depth gives them just |
| Shaq-Kobe, but what is being overlooked is the | | | | another weapon |
| potential for Steve Francis to re-establish himself as | | | | 2RocketsWill be interesting to watch how it unfolds |
| "the franchise". Other moves of note this off-season, | | | | 3MavericksNew look Mav's probably not any better, |
| was Phoenix getting a whole new back court of | | | | still won't stop anyone defensively |
| Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having | | | | 4GrizzliesHave made great strides, but will be harder |
| wholesale changes after losing out on Nash in the | | | | to take next step |
| open market, they proceeded to unload Antawn | | | | 5HornetsBiggest victims of the realignment |
| Jamison and Antione Walker, and replaced Nash with | | | | Northwest Division |
| Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and replaced | | | | 1T-wolvesThis could be their year (may have to be) |
| 6th man Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. One very | | | | 2NuggetsQuietly have put together one of best |
| interesting move that went relatively unheralded was | | | | starting 5 in league |
| the trade of Al Harrington from Indiana to Atlanta for | | | | 3TrailblazersHow long before they shake up the |
| Stephen Jackson. Both players and teams should | | | | roster even more? |
| benefit greatly from this trade, especially Indiana, as | | | | 4SonicsHave to decide what kind of team they want |
| it now allows Reggie Miller to come of the bench. | | | | to be, and then commit to it |
| Then of course there are the defending world | | | | 5JazzKirilenko is easily the most unheralded player in |
| champion Detroit Pistons who by all indications should | | | | the league |
| be even stronger this year, having Rasheed Wallace | | | | Pacific Division |
| for a whole season, as well as adding Antonio | | | | 1KingsStill have one run left in them |
| McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their bench (both | | | | 2SunsAre well on their way to being 'the next team' |
| of whom would probably start for some teams) plus | | | | 3LakersNew look Lakers are in for some surprises |
| if they get anything at all out of last years lottery | | | | 4ClippersClippers will battle Warriors and Wizards to |
| pick Darko Milicic it would be a bonus. | | | | stay ahead of Bobcats |
| When all is said and done this season all of the | | | | 5WarriorsSee Clippers |
| shuffling will have gotten a lot of teams closer, and it | | | | Eastern Conference Finals: |
| might have closed some gaps, but come next | | | | Pacers over Pistons |
| summer the final four should be very similar to what | | | | Western Conference Finals: |
| it has been recently, Detroit is still the team to beat | | | | Timberwolves over Spurs |
| in the East, and Indiana is the only team with a | | | | Finals: |
| chance to do so. In the West San Antonio will once | | | | Pacers over Timberwolves |
| again be a force, and Minnesota should continue its | | | | MVP: |
| recent success behind perennial MVP candidate Kevin | | | | Favorite:Kevin Garnett, Twolves |
| Garnett. | | | | Sleeper: Stephon Marbury, Knicks |
| 2004 Forecast: | | | | Defensive Player of the Year: |
| Atlantic Division | | | | Favorite:Ben Wallace, Pistons |
| 1KnicksMarbury is a sleeper for MVP, will not miss | | | | Sleeper:Andrei Kirilinko, Jazz |
| Allan Houston at all | | | | Most Improved Player: |
| 2CelticsPayton will be on a mission to regain some | | | | Favorite:Al Harrington, Hawks |
| status, Pierce another MVP candidate | | | | Sleeper:Drew Gooden, Cavaliers |
| 3NetsLosses of Martin & Kittles too big to overcome | | | | Sixth Man: |
| 4RaptorsHow high a ceiling can Bosh have on such a | | | | Favorite:Bobby Jackson, Kings |
| small frame? | | | | Sleeper:Joe Johnson, Suns |
| 576ersIverson will be demanding a trade by January | | | | Scoring Champion: |
| Central Division | | | | Favorite:Kobe Bryant, Lakers |
| 1PistonsBiggest question is if they can sustain the | | | | Sleeper:Shaquille O'Neal, Heat |
| 'drive to win' | | | | Rookie of the Year: |
| 2PacersShould be even closer this year | | | | Favorite:Dwight Howard, Magic |
| 3CavaliersIn either other eastern division would | | | | Sleeper: J.R. |
| contend for 1st | | | | |