Central Division
Teams in this division gambled on personnel moves, hoping to hit that elusive winning combination. Raptors continue to be Vince Carter and a cast of extras, Pacers are still growing up, Pistons are just treading water, Bulls decided to build around two high school players, Cavs brought in a new coach and Hawks are regrouping around an ex-Grizzly. That leaves the Bucks and Hornets, both of whom made changes that appear to make them improved.
1. MILWAUKEE
2000-2001 RECORD: 52-30
DIVISION FINISH: First, eliminated 4-3 by Sixers in conference finals
COACH: George Karl, fourth season with Bucks
TOP ROOKIES: F Andre Hutson (Michigan State)
KEY ADDITIONS: F Anthony Mason (free agent, Heat), C Greg Foster (trade, Lakers)
KEY LOSSES: G Lindsey Hunter (trade, Lakers), F Scott Williams (trade, Nuggets)
STRENGTHS: Talented nucleus of scorers in Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, Glenn Robinson. Karl has ability to hold disparate groups together. Tim Thomas is one of league's best sixth men.
CONCERNS: Not the most fearsome defensive unit. Hard to figure trade that sent primary backup guard (Lindsey Hunter) to Lakers for backup center Foster. Cassell and Robinson go on selfishness jags occasionally, and Mason has his volatile moments, too.
2. CHARLOTTE
2000-2001 RECORD: 46-36
DIVISION FINISH: Third, eliminated 4-3 by Bucks in second round
COACH: Paul Silas, fourth season with Hornets
TOP ROOKIES: F Kirk Haston (Indiana)
KEY ADDITIONS: F George Lynch, F Robert Traylor and F Jerome Moiso (trade, Sixers); F Chris Porter (trade, Warriors); G Stacey Augmon (free agent, Blazers)
KEY LOSSES: F Eddie Robinson (free agent, Bulls), F Derrick Coleman (trade, Sixers)
STRENGTHS: Jamal Mashburn had his best all-around effort last season, including a dynamite postseason. Big, rugged team won't get outrebounded often. Small but underrated backcourt in David Wesley and Baron Davis.
CONCERNS: Replacing sixth man Robinson. Inconsistency was their trademark last season. Bench needs to produce.
3. TORONTO
2000-2001 RECORD: 47-35
DIVISION FINISH: Second, eliminated 4-3 by Sixers in second round
COACH: Lenny Wilkens, second season with Raptors
TOP ROOKIES: F Michael Bradley (Villanova)
KEY ADDITIONS: C Hakeem Olajuwon (trade, Rockets)
KEY LOSSES: F Charles Oakley (trade, Bulls), F Kevin Willis (trade, Rockets)
STRENGTHS: Vince Carter is an all-NBA second-teamer who has improved in each of his three seasons. Morris Peterson and Dell Curry provide zone-busting threats. Bench has good variety of role players.
CONCERNS: Desperately need a bona fide No. 2 scoring threat. Olajuwon needs to dig deep to produce something despite rapidly declining skills. Could use perimeter shooting.
4. INDIANA
2000-2001 RECORD: 41-41
DIVISION FINISH: Fourth, lost 3-1 to Sixers in first round
COACH: Isiah Thomas, second season
TOP ROOKIES: G Jamaal Tinsley (Iowa)
KEY ADDITIONS: F Carlos Rogers (free agent, Rockets), C Primoz Brezec (free agent, Slovenia)
KEY LOSSES: C Sam Perkins, C Zan Tabak
STRENGTHS: Veterans Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose, who can score and help teach the kids. Jermaine O'Neal, the Blazer cast-off who blossomed last season at center. Very tall team. The energy of youth.
CONCERNS: Jury still out on whether Thomas can coach. He likes to run players in and out of game like a college coach, and that rarely works in NBA. Consistency is problem on team with so many youngsters.
5. CLEVELAND
2000-2001 RECORD: 30-52
DIVISION FINISH: Sixth
COACH: John Lucas, first season
TOP ROOKIES: C DeSagana Diop (Oak Hill Academy)
KEY ADDITIONS: F Jumaine Jones (trade, Sixers), F Tyrone Hill (trade, Sixers), C Michael Doleac (trade, Magic), G Bryant Stith (free agent, Celtics)
KEY LOSSES: F Clarence Weatherspoon (free agent, Knicks), F Matt Harpring (trade, Sixers), F Robert Traylor (trade, Sixers), F Cedric Henderson (trade, Sixers)
STRENGTHS: Point guard Andre Miller is rapidly improving potential All-Star. Lucas reportedly has good rapport with players. They have several zone-busting outside shooters. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is one of best centers in East when healthy.
CONCERNS: Ilgauskas' never-ending health problems. Lamond Murray's inconsistency. Top two scorers last season averaged just 15.8 and 12.8.
6. ATLANTA
2000-2001 RECORD: 25-57
DIVISION FINISH: Seventh
COACH: Lon Kruger, second season
TOP ROOKIES: None
KEY ADDITIONS: F Shareef Abdur-Rahim (trade, Grizzlies), G Emanual Davis (free agent, Sonics), G Jacque Vaughn (free agent, Jazz)
KEY LOSSES: G Brevin Knight and C Lorenzen Wright (trade, Grizzlies)
STRENGTHS: Shareef Abdur-Rahim is solid all-around player who is just a notch below All-Star level. Theo Ratliff can defend, block shots. Toni Kukoc can score.
CONCERNS: They're banking on one of several point guards panning out. They most likely will continue to play in an empty arena.
7. CHICAGO
2000-2001 RECORD: 15-67
DIVISION FINISH: Eighth
COACH: Tim Floyd, fourth season
TOP ROOKIES: F Tyson Chandler (Dominguez High), C Eddy Curry (Thornwood High)
KEY ADDITIONS: G Greg Anthony (free agent, Blazers), F Charles Oakley (trade, Raptors), F Eddie Robinson (free agent, Hornets), G Kevin Ollie (free agent, Sixers)
KEY LOSSES: F Elton Brand (trade, Clippers), G Bryce Drew (free agent, Hornets)
STRENGTHS: Anthony is solid point guard who should help the youngsters. Third-year pro Robinson was productive sixth man for Hornets and could blossom as starter. Mercer can score.
CONCERNS: Biggest challenge for Floyd — besides keeping job and dealing with GM Jerry Krause — is balancing playing time between promising youngsters and proven veterans. Why would they want to expose the kids to the frequently wacky and sometimes violent Oakley? Not much perimeter shooting.
8. DETROIT
2000-2001 RECORD: 32-50
DIVISION FINISH: Fifth
COACH: Rick Carlisle, first season
TOP ROOKIES: F Rodney White (Charlotte), F Zeljko Rebrace (Benetton), C Mehmet Okur (Efes Pilsen), C Ratko Varda (Partizan)
KEY ADDITIONS: F Cliff Robinson (trade, Suns), G Jon Barry (trade, Kings)
KEY LOSSES: G Mateen Cleaves (trade, Kings), F Joe Smith (free agent, Timberwolves), F John Wallace and F Jud Buechler (trade, Suns)
STRENGTHS: Jerry Stackhouse was second in the league in scoring. Robinson can still score.
CONCERNS: Despite all that scoring, Stackhouse still shot just 40 percent from the field, and the new defensive rules may result in him seeing more double-teams. Robinson has a tendency to disappear for long stretches. Team is small.