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Western conference

Sporting News, The, March 11, 2002

Midwest Division

DALLAS MAVERICKS: Coach Don Nelson says G/F Tariq Abdul-Wahad may be the key to the recent trade with the Nuggets. Nelson says Abdul-Wahad, known for his defense, is valuable because of defensive specialist SG Greg Buckner's history of injuries and because the Mays are mediocre defensively. Abdul-Wahad already has proved himself by stepping up while Buckner and SF Adrian Griffin, another defensive stopper, were on the injured list.... With PF Juwan Howard gone, SF Dirk Nowilzki has moved to power forward, which actually is an ideal spot for him. Nowitzki has excellent 3-point range for a 6-11 player, and his ability to drive allows him to get to the basket against slower defenders. He also has become the team's most consistent rebounder. --Ken Sins

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DENVER NUGGETS: After scoring six points February 24 against the Hawks, PG Tim Hardaway scored 40 in his next two games. The reason may be his minutes--he averaged 26 minutes vs. the Warriors and Grizzlies but played 33 vs. the Hawks. Though it seems obvious Hardaway, 35, plays better in fewer minutes, it will be tough for the team to limit his playing time unless it acquires a better backup. Kenny Satterfield is struggling in that role, and G/F George McCloud doesn't score from the point.... SF Ryan Bowen replaced James Posey in the starting lineup vs. Memphis last week. There's a good chance he'll stick. Bowen has struggled offensively since returning from an ankle injury, but he's rebounding and hustling--just what the team needs. --Marc J. Spears

HOUSTON ROCKETS: In the ongoing quest to find the cause of PG Steve Francis' debilitating headaches, it was determined last week he has symptoms of Meniere's disease, which is linked to problems in the inner ear. Changes to his diet and new medication have been prescribed, but Francis remains skeptical. Whatever the latest findings, he recently went more than two weeks without missing a game because of migraines--the longest stretch since the start of the season.... With rookie PF Eddie Griffin continuing his progress, coach Rudy Tomjanovich appears ready to give rookie SF Terence Morris more meaningful minutes as well. --Adam Wexler

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: The team is struggling offensively, but there's not much it can do. Foes know the team's best option is to go inside to PF Pau Gasol, so they clog the middle and dare the team to take a jump shot. But because the Grizzlies' ball movement is so poor, they often miss chances at wide-open jump shots and settle for contested ones, often missing badly. Help should come from PGs Jason Williams (toes) and Brevin Knight (foot) when they get healthy. ... C Lorenzen Wright isn't back to 100 percent offensively since returning from a knee injury, but he has averaged 7.8 rebounds in eight games. --Don Wade

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: When Terrell Brandon (knee) went down for the season, Felipe Lopez was designated the backup to starting PG Chauncey Billups. But William Avery has been getting most of the minutes behind Billups recently. It might be because as the coaches want to show confidence in Avery, hoping he will show something in the final year of his rookie contract. Avery's play has been surprising. His shooting is spotty, but he is running the offense without incident. For a player who had shown almost nothing in two-plus seasons, this is progress. --John Millea

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: As rookie PG Tony Parker's minutes have decreased--in part because of his inexperience and a lack of faith from teammates--he has begun to play tentatively. But because coach Gregg Popovich defends Parker and because backup Antonio Daniels doesn't want to start, Parker remains in the lineup.... In his first game back from a finger injury, SF Bruce Bowen eased into the offense, getting a few easy baskets by cutting to the rim. The hope is he also eases into defending. He has struggled at times with the Spurs' team defense, but coaches hope the two months he spent watching instead of playing gave him a better grasp of the system. --Johnny Ludden

UTAH JAZZ: The return of SF Donyell Marshall (hip) will shake up the rotation a bit. It appears coach Jerry Sloan will continue to start rookie SF Andrei Kirilenko, with Marshall coming off the bench for now. Kirilenko has improved and continues to be a solid contributor, but Marshall eventually will get the starting job back. SF Scott Padgett has emerged as Utah's top 3-point marksman, but he likely will play less. PF Karl Malone should be pleased to have Marshall back. Malone won't have to shoulder so much of the scoring and rebounding load. --Loren Jorgensen

Pacific Division

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Rookie Gilbert Arenas is doing a credible job as the team's starting point guard. The offense runs more smoothly and is far more exciting than it was with Larry Hughes at the point. Though Arenas, like Hughes, isn't considered a true point guard, he brings energy and a nice touch from the perimeter. Now Arenas must learn to limit his turnovers.... PF Danny Fortson is back in the lineup after being sent to the bench for two games two weeks ago. Fortson gets plenty of rebounds, but when he is paired with SF Antawn Jamison, a case can be made that the Warriors have the worst pair of defensive starting forwards in the league. --Matt Steinmetz

Western conference

Sporting News, The, March 11, 2002

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