Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Oct 30, 2000

Dallas

NAJERA MAKING HIS MARK: The long-anticipated arrival of PF Loy Vaught should help shore up the team's defense and rebounding. It also means fewer minutes for rookies PF Etan Thomas, SF Donnell Harvey and F Eduardo Najera, who has had an impressive preseason. Najera can play both forward positions, though the coaches like him better at the small spot. He isn't quick enough to defend some of the more athletic small forwards in the league, but coach Don Nelson's team defensive concepts, which include liberal double-teams, could mask some of Najera's deficiencies at that end. Nelson loves the way Najera hustles and crashes the boards, so he has a legitimate shot for a role in the rotation.

DOMINO EFFECT: PF Gary Trent's strained leg muscle could set off a multitude of moves in the lineup. With Trent sidelined, SF Dirk Nowitzki may open the regular season at power forward. Nowitzki has been comfortable at the position in exhibition play, and his quickness and outside shooting make him a tough matchup for most of the league's power forwards. SG Michael Finley likely would move to small forward, which would create more minutes for SGs Hubert Davis, Greg Buckner and rookie Courtney Alexander. Buckner has probably been the most impressive player in camp, and the coaches think his defense is critical to the team's success. --Ken Sins

Denver

A PERFECT MATCH: PG Robert Pack is exactly what coach Dan Issel wants in a backup. He is strong and quick, and he changes the tempo. He still commits too many turnovers, but his ability is enough to allow Issel overlook the miscues. Pack can penetrate, pass and handle the ball. He is rusty, but since he keeps himself in shape, it shouldn't take him long to return to form.... C Raef LaFrentz is stronger than ever. He went to a big man's camp in the summer. He never will be the clinical definition of a center, but when he is playing well, he creates matchup problems with his perimeter game. He can score inside, and he blocks shots. If the matchup problems he creates can offset the matchup liabilities he endures on defense, he could play many opposing centers to a wash or better. And who really gets over on C Shaquille O'Neal, anyway? ... PF Terry Davis gives the team a big man to throw in and bang when LaFrentz isn't cutting it. Davis is not the answer at backup center, but he is all the Nuggets have. He is smart and knows his role. He will help.

ROSTER RUMBA: The team has baffled injuries throughout camp. Davis was out for four exhibition games with a sore Achilles' tendon. SG Tariq Abdul-Wahad missed three games with a shin injury. SF George McCloud had a sore ankle. The team hasn't been able to get a good look at its new faces. --Michael BeDan

Golden State

INSIDE PRESENCE: PF Danny Fortson, although bothered by a sore right foot, is demonstrating why the Warriors pursued him so vigorously in the offseason. He is ferocious on the glass, a load to push off of the low block and a quality free-throw shooter So far, he has avoided foul trouble. Fortson encounters difficulty when he goes straight up for shots in the paint; he has had and will have some attempts blocked. But he drives with such authority and strength that he wills himself to the foul line.... The team picked up its fourth-year options on the contracts of SG Larry Hughes and SF Antawn Jamison. Both have relatively cheap salaries this season and next.

MAKING PROGRESS: C Erick Dampier, trying to regain confidence in his surgically repaired left knee, showed positive signs in exhibitions. He held Seattle C Patrick Ewing to 6 points in 29 minutes; the next night, Dampier had 8 points and 6 blocks and held Cleveland C Zydrunas Ilgauskas to 1-of-7 shooting. Dampier's play exemplified what the team needs from him on a consistent basis: stout post defense, quick rotations to block, altered shots and occasional contributions on offense.... Starring on defense is likely how rookie SF Chris Porter will stick in the league unless he refines his offensive game at a rapid clip. He is unpredictable with the ball in his hands. --Brad Weinstein

Houston

CATO MUST STEP UP: If the Rockets are going to do anything this season, C Kelvin Cato will to have to carry them some of the way. Cato will have to learn how to get a shot off in the paint. And, no, spearing alleyoops for drinks doesn't count. The club needs some of C Hakeem Olajuwon's classic footwork to rub off on Cato. The key to scoring in the NBA is separation from the defender, and Cato simply does not have that in his offensive repertoire yet. He instead settles for outside jumpers, some of which he occasionally makes. But that won't be good enough against Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson or Tim Duncan. The Rockets are going to need an inside presence, and like it or not, it's probably going to have to be Cato, especially until Olajuwon returns from an ankle injury.

GOOD POINT: Point guard is the team's strongest position. Steve Francis has been lighting it up, averaging 19.4 points, but his assists are way down. It's understandable considering the team was missing SG Shandon Anderson (home because of an illness in the family) and PF Maurice Taylor (broken finger). But if the Rockets are going to win many games, Francis must get more players involved. Francis' backup, Moochie Norris, has been solid off the bench, offering a different, bigger look at the point. Trouble is, Norris doesn't pass the ball much. --Michael Murphy