2004-05 NBA Season Preview

2004 NBA PREVIEWby Leigh Douglas4BullsSlowly getting better, very slowly (and really did
If there was one single theme to this off-season forthey have anywhere else to go
the NBA it was 'change' not only was there quite a5BucksWill be tough to follow up on last years
bit of significant player movement, but the leaguesuccess
itself underwent a makeover of sorts, finallySoutheast Division
expanding to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six1HeatShaq 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-season2MagicFrancis looks to return to Stevie Franchise
surrounded the ongoing saga that has become thedays
Los Angeles Lakers. Basically the Lakers surrendered3HawksHave some potential young talent, Harrington
to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for - namelyone 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 whatvery afraid of Bobcats passing them quickly
could end up being an even bigger deal with Tracy5BobcatsThey have to start somewhere, couldn't
Mcgrady going from Orlando to Houston for Stevehave asked for a better division
Francis and Cuttino Mobley. Many speculate that theSouthwest Division
tandem of Mcgrady and Yao Ming will be the new1SpursAdding Barry for depth gives them just
Shaq-Kobe, but what is being overlooked is theanother weapon
potential for Steve Francis to re-establish himself as2RocketsWill 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 ofstill won't stop anyone defensively
Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having4GrizzliesHave made great strides, but will be harder
wholesale changes after losing out on Nash in theto take next step
open market, they proceeded to unload Antawn5HornetsBiggest victims of the realignment
Jamison and Antione Walker, and replaced Nash withNorthwest Division
Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and replaced1T-wolvesThis could be their year (may have to be)
6th man Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. One very2NuggetsQuietly have put together one of best
interesting move that went relatively unheralded wasstarting 5 in league
the trade of Al Harrington from Indiana to Atlanta for3TrailblazersHow long before they shake up the
Stephen Jackson. Both players and teams shouldroster even more?
benefit greatly from this trade, especially Indiana, as4SonicsHave 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 world5JazzKirilenko is easily the most unheralded player in
champion Detroit Pistons who by all indications shouldthe league
be even stronger this year, having Rasheed WallacePacific Division
for a whole season, as well as adding Antonio1KingsStill have one run left in them
McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their bench (both2SunsAre well on their way to being 'the next team'
of whom would probably start for some teams) plus3LakersNew look Lakers are in for some surprises
if they get anything at all out of last years lottery4ClippersClippers 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 the5WarriorsSee Clippers
shuffling will have gotten a lot of teams closer, and itEastern Conference Finals:
might have closed some gaps, but come nextPacers over Pistons
summer the final four should be very similar to whatWestern Conference Finals:
it has been recently, Detroit is still the team to beatTimberwolves over Spurs
in the East, and Indiana is the only team with aFinals:
chance to do so. In the West San Antonio will oncePacers over Timberwolves
again be a force, and Minnesota should continue itsMVP:
recent success behind perennial MVP candidate KevinFavorite:Kevin Garnett, Twolves
Garnett.Sleeper: Stephon Marbury, Knicks
2004 Forecast:Defensive Player of the Year:
Atlantic DivisionFavorite:Ben Wallace, Pistons
1KnicksMarbury is a sleeper for MVP, will not missSleeper:Andrei Kirilinko, Jazz
Allan Houston at allMost Improved Player:
2CelticsPayton will be on a mission to regain someFavorite:Al Harrington, Hawks
status, Pierce another MVP candidateSleeper:Drew Gooden, Cavaliers
3NetsLosses of Martin & Kittles too big to overcomeSixth Man:
4RaptorsHow high a ceiling can Bosh have on such aFavorite:Bobby Jackson, Kings
small frame?Sleeper:Joe Johnson, Suns
576ersIverson will be demanding a trade by JanuaryScoring Champion:
Central DivisionFavorite:Kobe Bryant, Lakers
1PistonsBiggest question is if they can sustain theSleeper:Shaquille O'Neal, Heat
'drive to win'Rookie of the Year:
2PacersShould be even closer this yearFavorite:Dwight Howard, Magic
3CavaliersIn either other eastern division wouldSleeper: J.R.
contend for 1st