The 1997-98 NBA Preview

THIS WILL BE THE YEAR the upstarts grow up. The unfulfilled promise of players like Glenn Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, and Chris Webber should begin to be forgotten. The young players who have been waiting for Jordan and Co. to falter will have their chance this season. The old guys who have also been waiting for Jordan and Co. to go away will probably see the young guys climb up their backs.

This is the season that teams should present Michael Jordan with rocking chairs and golf clubs, hoping that he takes them and leaves the game forever. This will be another season of frustration for Patrick Ewing. This will be another regular season not taken seriously by Charles Barkley, followed by playoffs that will seriously disappoint him. This season will see veteran teams unable to put away young teams.

Reggie Miller and Chris Mullin will make another push for the playoffs, hoping that the presence of new coach Larry Bird will somehow take them through the playoffs. John Stockton and Karl Malone will have played games without the other, but they will be together for another strong run in the Western Conference playoffs. Tim Duncan and David Robinson will team up as a formidable interior defensive unit, but they will need offensive help to win a title.

People will ridicule the Phoenix Suns' small lineup, but the Suns will win if Kevin Johnson stays healthy. People will wonder why Minnesota doesn't live up to expectations, forgetting that ex-T'wolve Dean Garrett had an outstanding season for them in '97. The Denver Nuggets will do better than the doomsayers suggest because the major contributions of ex-Nugget Antonio McDyess were mostly negative. Milwaukee will be a pleasant surprise because ex-Cavs Terrell Brandon and Tyrone Hill fit better into the lineup than ex-Bucks Vin Baker and Sherman Douglas did. Cleveland will struggle to find a new style now that last year's starting lineup has left town.

Grant Hill will continue to grow and take his Pistons team to a few major regular season wins. Allen Iverson will live up to his Rookie of the Year Award and possibly get the Sixers into the playoffs. Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway will lead their teams to modest success and wonder what could have been. Tim Hardaway will grit his teeth while waiting for Alonzo Mourning to return from injury. Michael Jordan will score 33 ppg while waiting for Scottie Pippen to return from injury.

But, although the upstarts will make inroads, the title will still be in control of the Bulls, the Heat, or, as an outside shot, the Knicks, Rockets, Jazz, or Lakers.

The Preview

I have set up this preview to serve a combination of purposes.

First of all, I try to present links to good resources for each of the teams. I can create a lot of content, but much of it is based upon the links in the pages. The NBA.com link is especially good for team news, basic info on personnel, and schedule. The ESPNet link is good for a quick summary of recent events as well as good preseason statistics and schedule. The CNN/SI link provides good statistical information, coming from STATS, Inc.

Second, I give you easy access to some of the statistics I use for evaluating players and teams. At each team page, I present individual offensive and defensive performance stats for players from last year and the new additions to the team. This includes offensive ratings, defensive ratings, and the help screens to help interpret the numbers

Finally, I preview and predict the upcoming season. Sometimes this means studying

how players mature in youthful Portland

or

or

reviewing the effect of the three point line in Atlanta.

evaluate whether Antonio McDyess is any good.

question the value of Kevin Garnett

Twice.

In Milwaukee,

the chemistry is better.
Will the chemistry be gone in Utah with Stockton out?

Rick Pitino brings his system back to the NBA.

Pat Riley has to make his work without Zo.

Dave Cowens faces the curse of being called a good coach.

Mike Fratello must prove he can coach a whole new team.

Phoenix teaches us that fantasy leagues simulate reality.

Dennis Rodman's reality actually makes sense.

It's not as much fun in Seattle with the Reign gone.

Fundamentally sound Fred Hoiberg should prove more successful than many "athletes".

Houston had no fun on back-to-back games, but who does?

Shaq is avoiding them,

C-Web is avoiding them,
and

The Nets have revamped what was the worst frontcourt in history.

The Magic don't need a frontcourt with Penny Hardaway.

Tim Duncan makes any frontcourt imposing.

...And, darn it, I just couldn't go any longer without mentioning Michael Jordan.