Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Sept 11, 2000

ATHLANTIC DIVISION

BOSTON CELTICS: The league-wide perception of PF Antoine Walker is that he is talented but overrated and overpaid. He could silence many of his critics by playing consistently--as he did last spring. He takes exception to his name constantly coming up in trade rumors and Rick Pitino's constant statements about Walker's weight and conditioning. The team would love to trade him, but his contract ($10.1 million) makes that extremely tough. That's a lot for a player with no playoff experience. --Peter May

MIAMI HEAT: As unsigned PG Tim Hardaway continues to vent over his status, his agent admits "there is some legitimacy" to the Heat's delay in re-signing his client. Because of long-term salary-cap concerns, the Heat first needed to know its sign-and-trade deal for PF Brian Grant would be completed before it could deal with Hardaway. Only when the Grant deal was completed was Miami in position to commit to a multiyear contract for Hardaway. Amid Hardaway's expressions of disgust last week, his agent remained hopeful of an amicable resolution. --Ira Winderman

NEW JERSEY NETS: The Nets don't think they have any drastic: weak spots now that Kendall Gill's re-signing has shored up the shooting guard slot, and they figure they can trade PF Jamie Feick and one of their backup point guards (Elliot Perry or Sherman Douglas) without even flinching. What would they take in return? Likely another center--unless they are more impressed with rookie Soumaila Samake than they have let on. Jim McIlvaine and Evan Eschmeyer seem to have a knack for getting injured, and Feick and Aaron Williams probably should be playing only limited minutes in the pivot. A veteran would be a helpful addition to a mostly young roster. The good news for the Nets is that those players often come cheap. --John Brennan

NEW YORK KNICKS: If C Patrick Ewing remains with the club, it may be awkward, but those who question whether he will play hard haven't been paying attention for the past 15 years. If anything has defined Ewing beyond his lack of a title, it's his pride and work ethic. And there's one other thing. He will be playing with the hope of earning a two-year extension with the Knicks or another team. Unless the Knicks can find a way to replace the 15 points, 9 rebounds and physical inside presence he may be expected to provide, they're better off rejecting offers from the Wizards or any team that wants to play them for a sucker, which the Knicks most assuredly are not. --Greg Logan

ORLANDO MAGIC: Grant Hill sees a positive in the fact he and Tracy McGrady are similar in size, style and abilities. Hill thinks teams will have trouble matching up at shooting guard and small forward rather than vice-versa. "Our versatility and flexibility will give us the ability to adapt to any team we face," Hill says. "Maybe some games, Tracy will guard the (shooting guard), and other games I'll guard the (shooting guard). Some games he'll play (shooting guard), and some I'll play there." ... As it sifts through free agents, the club would like to find a shooting guard, preferably one with NBA experience. --Bill Fay

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: After a strong season, PF Tyrone Hill has emerged as an example of what it means to have a full training camp followed by a complete season to show your worth. Hill's turnaround is the reason Larry Brown thinks the same thing can happen with SF Toni Kukoc. His reasoning is that, like Hill, Kukoc never found his groove after arriving after the All-Star break, playing inconsistently as a reserve. Hill is expected to carry the same scoring and rebounding load along the front line, which was enhanced last year when Brown discovered he could run a few plays for Hill in the low post and have success. --Jon Marks

WASHINGTON WIZARDS: After seven years in Orlando, SF Dennis Scott has played for five teams in three seasons. Bothered by injuries, his effectiveness has waned, though he played well with the Grizzlies last season when they used a smaller lineup. Scott says that for the first time since he left Orlando he is healthy and expects to be a factor Besides occasional 3-pointers, he says his locker-room savvy will be even more of a benefit to a club with a history of disjointed chemistry. If Tracy Murray is traded, Scott would assume his role as the top offensive reserve. --Steve Wyche

CENTRAL DIVISION

ATLANTA HAWKS: The club is engaged in countless discussions about trades, and Jim Jackson's name usually comes up-not that the team wants to deal him. The club admires his professional approach and covets his production. But as it continues to rebuild with youth, moving a veteran like Jackson for a young prospect or draft picks or both would further strengthen the club's salary-cap position after the season. Jackson, a 6-6 guard, played last season at small forward. He flourished offensively, showing deft 3-point shooting and his usual ability to score in the post and on the break. --Curtis Bunn

CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Coach Paul Silas has big plans for PF P.J. Brown and doesn't intend to trade him. Silas likes the possibilities of a front line of Brown, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman. Silas, a Nets assistant when both Brown and Coleman were with the club, is convinced they will play well together "P.J. is so special in that his versatility makes him so valuable," Silas says. "Even if I bring him off the bench in any one of three positions, you just don't find guys that are willing even to accept that kind of role." --John Delong