NBA 1999 PREVIEW (PART 3)
by Gerry Wang

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******************** EASTERN CONFERENCE ********************

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Atlantic Division
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1.) NEW YORK KNICKS- They have a whole new look now. They are now younger, faster, and slashier. Allen Houston is a budding superstar, and Latrell Sprewell is already an All-Star caliber scorer. With the addition of Marcus Camby, the Knicks have a another shot-blocking threat, along with the grizzled veteran Patrick "Monkey Man" Ewing. Look for NY to compete for the title.

--> Player to watch: Latrell Sprewell- still one of my favorite players. I can prove it. I have 17 of his rookie cards. Sprewell scored 27 points in his debut. And he ain't even at maximum capacity yet. Watch out, NBA.

2.) MIAMI HEAT- Another title contender, now that MJ's gone. They have a solid core of veterans in Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, and Jamal Mashburn, along with the muscle-headed PJ Brown, who may or may not remain in Miami. But the Heat's bench is weak. It's headed by Thunder Dan Majerle for crying out loud! This will kill them in the playoffs. --> Player to watch: Terry Mills- didn't play much last year due to injuries, but he's the purest 3 pt. shooting big man I've seen in a long time.

3.) NEW JERSEY NETS- The epitome of the team with tremendous talent but no chemistry. Look at the Nets, they got all-world players in Jayson Williams and Keith Van Horn, then they got awesome slashing penetrators in Kendall Gill and Kerry Kittles. To top it off, Rony Seikaly and Jim Mcllvaine platoon the center spot. Sam Cassell is one of the most underrated PG in the league. How could the Nets lose?? Because they're selfish and their coach is a tyrant.

--> Player to watch: Earl Boykins- this brotha's 5'5"! Let's hope he makes the team, for all those short dwarves and elfins out there.

4.) BOSTON CELTICS- This is a young up and coming team that is only starting the jell now. The Kentucky connection they have on this team is already shining on the court in the form of Antoine Walker, Ron Mercer, Walter McCarty, and Coach Rick Pitino. With the drafting of rookie Paul Pierce, we should see plenty of Boston dunking highlights on Sportscenter. --> Player to watch: Ron Mercer- ready to step in and be the heir to Scottie Pippen. We know he can jump, but now all he needs to do is mature and develop an outside touch.

5.) ORLANDO MAGIC- Gonna be significantly better than they were last year when Penny Hardaway was out forever. This year, he's back w/ something to prove to his doubters, and the Magic has added Ike Austin, who should be a solid contributor. Horace Grant and Bo Outlaw give Orlando muscle up front, but in the end, the team has no depth. Their bench has nobody at all.

--> Player to watch: Nick Anderson- finally over his 4 missed last second free throws in the Finals a couple years ago against the Rockets. They woulda won the title if he made em, that moron. Plus Shaq woulda stayed and wouldn't be plaguing the Lakers now.

6.) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS- A very very young team of 2nd years and rookies, the 76ers will need time to improve. They already have Allen Iverson locked down in a long term contract, so they have a franchise player to build around. Goddamn I love his crossover. The Sixers also have versatility at the F position, with Theo Ratliff, Tim Thomas, and rookie Larry Hughes. These guys do it all.

--> Player to watch: Allen Iverson- watch him lure people to sleep as he yoyos the ball, then bam he's in one direction, bam he's in another, and your ankles are shattered. When he learns to distribute the ball and think pass first, he should lead the league in assists.

7.) WASHINGTON WIZARDS- They shouldn't be called the Wizards. They have no B-ball smarts at all. Well, I guess they can call themselves the Wizards because it'll take some sorcery to even get to a .500 record. With the future of PG Rod Strickland still in doubt, all the Wizards can depend on is Mitch Richmond and Juwan Howard. I kept insisting Chris Webber was a good fit in Washington, but now that I look at their roster, this will become a dumping ground for washed up players, and it was good for Webber to get the hell out.

--> Player to watch: Randell Jackson- he was an unknown at Florida State last year, but now he'll be a standout amongst the rookie class. He had a good exhibition season, and now it will all depend on the playing time he gets from coach Bernie Bickerstaff.

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RECAP
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1.) NY Knicks
2.) Miami Heat
3.) NJ Nets
4.) Boston Celtics
5.) Orlando Magic
6.) Philadelphia 76ers
7.) Washington Wizards

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