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by: Leigh Douglas If there was one single theme to this off-season for the NBA it was change not only was there quite a bit of significant player movement, but the league itself underwent a makeover of sorts, finally expanding to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six divisions of five teams each. Of course the biggest headlines this off-season surrounded the ongoing saga that has become the Los Angeles Lakers. Basically the Lakers surrendered to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for namely the exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson. Shadowed by the Shaq move to Miami was what could end up being an even bigger deal with Tracy Mcgrady going from Orlando to Houston for Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley. Many speculate that the tandem of Mcgrady and Yao Ming will be the new Shaq-Kobe, but what is being overlooked is the potential for Steve Francis to re-establish himself as the franchise. Other moves of note this off-season, was Phoenix getting a whole new back court of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having wholesale changes after losing out on Nash in the open market, they proceeded to unload Antawn Jamison and Antione Walker, and replaced Nash with Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and replaced 6th man Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. One very interesting move that went relatively unheralded was the trade of Al Harrington from Indiana to Atlanta for Stephen Jackson. Both players and teams should benefit greatly from this trade, especially Indiana, as it now allows Reggie Miller to come of the bench. Then of course there are the defending world champion Detroit Pistons who by all indications should be even stronger this year, having Rasheed Wallace for a whole season, as well as adding Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their bench (both of whom would probably start for some teams) plus if they get anything at all out of last years lottery pick Darko Milicic it would be a bonus. When all is said and done this season all of the shuffling will have gotten a lot of teams closer, and it might have closed some gaps, but come next summer the final four should be very similar to what it has been recently, Detroit is still the team to beat in the East, and Indiana is the only team with a chance to do so. In the West San Antonio will once again be a force, and Minnesota should continue its recent success behind perennial MVP candidate Kevin Garnett. 2004 Forecast: Atlantic Division
Pacific Division
Eastern Conference Finals: Pacers over Pistons Western Conference Finals: Timberwolves over Spurs Finals: Pacers over Timberwolves MVP: Favorite: Kevin Garnett, Twolves Sleeper: Stephon Marbury, Knicks Defensive Player of the Year: Favorite: Ben Wallace, Pistons Sleeper: Andrei Kirilinko, Jazz Most Improved Player: Favorite: Al Harrington, Hawks Sleeper: Drew Gooden, Cavaliers Sixth Man: Favorite: Bobby Jackson, Kings Sleeper: Joe Johnson, Suns Scoring Champion: Favorite: Kobe Bryant, Lakers Sleeper: Shaquille ONeal, Heat Rookie of the Year: Favorite: Dwight Howard, Magic Sleeper: J.R. Smith, Hornets Coach of the Year: Favorite: Stan Van Gundy, Heat Sleeper: Lenny Wilkens, Knicks
Article Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.net Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/sports.php/6533 LD
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