Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Nov 6, 2000

Dallas

ROOKIE IMPRESSES: The story of camp was rookie SF Eduardo Najera's climb up the depth chart. Najera opened workouts with a decent shot at winning the last roster spot, but that was about the best he could hope for. The more the coaches saw of Najera's hustle and offensive rebounding, the better he looked. He made such an impression that he opens the season as the starting small forward.... With PF Gary Trent injured entering the season, Nelson considered several options for his opening night starting lineup before deciding on Najera as his small forward. With Trent unavailable, SF Dirk Nowitzki shifted to the four spot. Nelson considered moving SG Michael Finley to small forward and starting defensive specialist Greg Buckner to shooting guard. Another option was opening with both of his point guards, Steve Nash and Howard Eisley, playing together.

BE PREPARED: Owner Mark Cuban had been saving the team's $2.25 million cap exception in the event PF Joe Smith, whose contract with Minnesota was voided, became available. Coach/G.M. Don Nelson would use Smith at small forward, a thin position for the club. Smith's departure could assist the Mavericks in another way: Minnesota is weaker without Smith, and the Timberwolves were among the teams blocking Dallas' quest for a playoff berth. --Ken Sins

Denver

BANGED UP: The Nuggets wrapped up the preseason with another loss, leaving them 2-6 on the exhibition season. Coach and president Dan Issel isn't worried, though. The Nuggets never had a full complement of players. PF Antonio McDyees missed most of the final four games. Veteran SF George McCloud battled ankle sprains. SG Tariq Abdul-Wahad has a sore calf and had a shin splint.... After final cuts, the team has Nick Van Exel and backup Robert Pack at point guard. If both are healthy, the club is set. If one of them goes down, the healthy point guard could be overworked, and the team would use McCloud, SF James Posey or SG Voshon Lenard in spot duty.

ODD MAN OUT: The player they won't use is PG Cory Alexander. He had knee surgery and is out at least three months. And Issel wants nothing more than to get rid of Alexander. The team is considering waiving Alexander outright. He has $9.7 million left on his guaranteed deal. His agent said his client is willing to accept the net present value--estimated to be about $7.8 million--and walk away. He won't accept anything less.... Raef LaFrentz feels comfortable at center. He will continue to struggle guarding stronger players, but he is more likely to make teams pay at the offensive end this season. He is in great shape and was the team's second leading preseason scorer. --Michael BeDan

Golden State

ON THE BENCH: SF Chris Mullin came home to the Warriors, but he must feel as though he is still in Indiana, where his playing time was scarce and sporadic. Most shooters are rhythm players who loosen up as the minutes mount. Mullin will not have that luxury with the Warriors because coach Dave Cowens plans to stick with a nine-man rotation that may include the sharpshooter on some nights and leave him in warm-ups on others. The prospect of limited game action hardly affects Mullin's practice regimen. During downtime, he often skips the water break and keeps lofting jumpers. All of the extra work he puts in ensures that whenever Cowens calls for him, Mullin will pop off of the bench with a purpose.

MINUTES MAN: PG Mookie Blaylock entered the season figuring to log closer to 25 minutes a game than the 33.7 he averaged last season. With SG Bob Sura (back) sidelined, Cowens may lean on the floor leader more, especially since a healthy, well-conditioned Blaylock is physically capable of going deep in games.... One thing to watch is Cowens' crunch-time lineup. G/F Chris Mills will not start games, but he could finish them. Mills is one of the team's best one-on-one defenders, and he offers the Warriors a legitimate third scoring option if SG Larry Hughes and SF Antawn Jamison are struggling late in a game. --Brad Weinstein

Houston

STILL GOING, MAYBE: C Hakeem Olajuwon insists his improved health caused him to re-think retiring. But you have to feel that he has an eye on the bottom line. He can't help but notice the fat extension given Shaquille O'Neal, the payday Patrick Ewing is about to get or the ridiculous under-the-table money given a role player like Joe Smith. But if Olajuwon wants to continue playing after this season, he will be putting the Rockets in a bind. The club is in the midst of rebuilding and will be spending its money on young players to complement the core. Dropping eight figures on a 38-year-old player--even if he is one of the greatest in the history of the game--just doesn't make economic sense. It would also send a flood of mixed messages to the players they now have. Would it be Olajuwon's team, or PG Stove Francis'? The answer is that Francis now rules the roost, so if Olajuwon decides to keep playing, it might have to be elsewhere.

LANGHI WILL GET BETTER: PG Dan Langhi is stuck in the rookie rut. He will suffer in comparison with SF Eduardo Najera, who was traded to Dallas for Langhi. Langhi is far from starting, but he looks like a keeper who can bury the 3-pointer and create a little off the dribble. His defense is rookie-level (atrocious), but he has a tough streak and should learn some of the finer points of NBA defense. --Michael Murphy