Nba Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Jan 1, 2001

WHO'S HOT

With winning streaks rare in the East, the hottest player on the hottest team is Hornets SG David Wesley. Moved from point guard when PF Derrick Coleman's trip to the fat farm led to tinkering with the lineup, Wesley led the Hornets to wins in 14 of 17 games entering last weekend. He averaged 19.3 points on 49.8 percent shooting and 4.6 assists during the run that put the Hornets in first place in the Central.

WHO'S NOT

Teams interested in entering the bidding for Hawks C Dikembe Mutombo might want to check the merchandise. It's tough to tell whether Mutombo, 34, is getting old or still recovering from malaria, but he isn't himself. He was averaging a career-low 8.3 ppg entering last weekend and was shooting below 50 percent (45.3) for the first time in' five seasons. He's no longer an offensive threat.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

Is it coincidence Phil Jackson needed a year off after coaching Toni Kukoc--and Larry Brown is on the verge of burnout?. In the 76ers' loss to the Jazz last week, the 3-pointer Kukoc had blocked with the Sixers trailing by 2 on their final possession was bad enough. More boneheaded was when he retrieved the ball with 1 second left, and time ran out as he tried to step back for another 3 instead of shooting.