Indiana Pacers (44-38 SU, 39-39-4 ATS)
Goodbye Reggie Miller, welcome back Ron Artest. Hello nurse.
Injuries are threatening to plague the Pacers at the commencement of the regular season, most notably at center.
Number one center Jeff Foster is out with an Achilles heel injury while his backups, David Harrison (torn abdominal muscle) and Scot Pollard (calf) are also frequenting the trainer`s room.
"There`s a lot of concern for the guys that are injured," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We`re really in the same situation that we were in last year in terms of being depleted."
It?s no post-brawl-depleted but a slow start isn?t what the Pacers need after last season.
Cleveland Cavaliers (42-40 SU, 40-41-1 ATS)
Three straight late season collapses and you can bet someone?s head will roll in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers set out this off-season to prevent that for happening by singing Damon Jones, Donyell Marshall and most importantly, Larry Hughes.
Last season?s steals leader, Hughes is a huge addition for a team built around the young LeBron James, who still isn?t allowed to buy a beer for the man brought in to relieve some offensive pressure. The 27-year-old Hughes averaged a career-high 22.0 points per game with the Wizards last season.
?LeBron won`t have to carry this team because they have more players," Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said. ?This guy can play at both ends. Larry and the other additions are going to make them good."
Detroit Pistons (54-28 SU, 40-41-1 ATS)
The post-Larry Brown era in the Motor City begins, along with the questions.
Will Brown?s departure hurt? Can the Pistons compete in the East?
You?re likely to get a variety of answers, with some arguing the departure of Brown may actually help the Pistons. Questions constantly surrounded Brown?s health and tenure in the Pistons organization near season?s end, which can ultimately have a direct affect on players.
That?s open to debate but Detroit seems more determined than ever to return to the NBA finals for a third straight time.
Power forward Rasheed Wallace lost 20 pounds over the offseason, while the other Wallace, Big Ben, has declined most media interviews, saying he wants to focus on preparing for the season.
Chicago Bulls (47-35 SU, 48-32-2 ATS)
Tyson Chandler had better start eating. Lots.
At 7-foot-1, 235-pounds, Chandler isn?t exactly the model NBA center. But he doesn?t have a choice as the departure of Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis has left Chicago slimmer than Ben Gordon?s chances of riding the pine this season.
Chandler, who moves over from power forward, has the height but doesn?t figure to match up against many of the NBA?s other big men, even in the East.
?Tyson has height, but not width,? Chicago head coach Scott Skilles said. ?We`re hoping to make up for it in other areas. The main thing for us is we all have to get on the same page first to have any chance of being able to make up for it in other areas."
Milwaukee Bucks (30-52 SU, 37-42-3 ATS)
Don?t expect Andrew Bogut to start for the Bucks. He doesn`t.
?Like I said, I am going to come in off the bench as a backup,? this year?s first overall pick said. ?It`s not going to be like it was at Utah. I just want to be the best rebounder and take care of what I can control."
Bogut was taking care of business in the preseason. He started Milwaukee?s first five exhibition games, averaging 7.3 points and six rebounds and figures to be eased into the starting lineup later on in the season.
By then, Bogut`s NBA feet should be wet, making him a nice a nice compliment to Michael Redd, Desmond Mason, Bobby Simmons and the rest of the up-and-coming Bucks.
Goodbye Reggie Miller, welcome back Ron Artest. Hello nurse.
Injuries are threatening to plague the Pacers at the commencement of the regular season, most notably at center.
Number one center Jeff Foster is out with an Achilles heel injury while his backups, David Harrison (torn abdominal muscle) and Scot Pollard (calf) are also frequenting the trainer`s room.
"There`s a lot of concern for the guys that are injured," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We`re really in the same situation that we were in last year in terms of being depleted."
It?s no post-brawl-depleted but a slow start isn?t what the Pacers need after last season.
Cleveland Cavaliers (42-40 SU, 40-41-1 ATS)
Three straight late season collapses and you can bet someone?s head will roll in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers set out this off-season to prevent that for happening by singing Damon Jones, Donyell Marshall and most importantly, Larry Hughes.
Last season?s steals leader, Hughes is a huge addition for a team built around the young LeBron James, who still isn?t allowed to buy a beer for the man brought in to relieve some offensive pressure. The 27-year-old Hughes averaged a career-high 22.0 points per game with the Wizards last season.
?LeBron won`t have to carry this team because they have more players," Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said. ?This guy can play at both ends. Larry and the other additions are going to make them good."
Detroit Pistons (54-28 SU, 40-41-1 ATS)
The post-Larry Brown era in the Motor City begins, along with the questions.
Will Brown?s departure hurt? Can the Pistons compete in the East?
You?re likely to get a variety of answers, with some arguing the departure of Brown may actually help the Pistons. Questions constantly surrounded Brown?s health and tenure in the Pistons organization near season?s end, which can ultimately have a direct affect on players.
That?s open to debate but Detroit seems more determined than ever to return to the NBA finals for a third straight time.
Power forward Rasheed Wallace lost 20 pounds over the offseason, while the other Wallace, Big Ben, has declined most media interviews, saying he wants to focus on preparing for the season.
Chicago Bulls (47-35 SU, 48-32-2 ATS)
Tyson Chandler had better start eating. Lots.
At 7-foot-1, 235-pounds, Chandler isn?t exactly the model NBA center. But he doesn?t have a choice as the departure of Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis has left Chicago slimmer than Ben Gordon?s chances of riding the pine this season.
Chandler, who moves over from power forward, has the height but doesn?t figure to match up against many of the NBA?s other big men, even in the East.
?Tyson has height, but not width,? Chicago head coach Scott Skilles said. ?We`re hoping to make up for it in other areas. The main thing for us is we all have to get on the same page first to have any chance of being able to make up for it in other areas."
Milwaukee Bucks (30-52 SU, 37-42-3 ATS)
Don?t expect Andrew Bogut to start for the Bucks. He doesn`t.
?Like I said, I am going to come in off the bench as a backup,? this year?s first overall pick said. ?It`s not going to be like it was at Utah. I just want to be the best rebounder and take care of what I can control."
Bogut was taking care of business in the preseason. He started Milwaukee?s first five exhibition games, averaging 7.3 points and six rebounds and figures to be eased into the starting lineup later on in the season.
By then, Bogut`s NBA feet should be wet, making him a nice a nice compliment to Michael Redd, Desmond Mason, Bobby Simmons and the rest of the up-and-coming Bucks.
