Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Nov 20, 2000

Atlanta

MUTOMBO HELPS A LITTLE: C Dikembe Mutombo came back and provided inside stability after missing the team's first five games. His mere presence alters opponents' ideas of what to do going toward the basket. When he's challenged, he either blocks the shot or alters it. He was the No. 1 rebounder in the NBA last season. Teams have to honor Mutombo on offense, and when they don't he can deliver on a jump hook in the lane or a spin move toward the baseline.... PF Cal Bowdler can come off the injured list, but the team wants him to get in a few tough practices first to test his sore knee.... PF Alan Henderson has played aggressively and is the most consistent player, trot he has constant knee pain. He said the pain will not go away unless he rests it, but he won't sit out unless the pain becomes unbearable.... SG Jim Jackson Finally found his shooting eye when he scored 34 points against the Clippers, but he has been careless with the ball and made 6 turnovers in that game. Because there is no capable backup, he's playing too many minutes, which isn't good, considering his history, of knee tendinitis.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: PG Jason Terry continues to struggle to find a consistent level of effectiveness, He at times gels lost in the action. And when that happens, he loses all aggressiveness. Until Terry, initiates the offense with smart decisions and timely scoring, his and the team's problems could continue. --Curtis Bunn

Boston

WITHOUT `D' IT'S DOA: Three straight losses exposed the Celtics' many weaknesses. Defensively, Boston is still looking for consistency. Opponents are shooting 43 percent from the field, but a greater reason for concern is the team's tendency to suffer from defensive lapses or fail to play defense at all. On occasion, the team allows easy layups and stands around watching opponents grab offensive rebounds. The Celtics rely on their press to help get them back into games and regain defensive focus.... It seems the Celtics can't keep their point guards healthy. Down the stretch of an overtime game, the Celtics were forced to rely on PG Rick Brunson, who had been with the team less than a week. PG Kenny Anderson had his broken jaw wired and two wisdom teeth pulled. He was expected to miss four to six weeks. Until PG Randy Brown (groin) is eligible to come off the injured list November 22, PG Chris Herren will be the most senior point guard in terms of experience, and he spent the first two weeks of the season on the injured list himself.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Look for a more energized offense with Herren at the helm. His enthusiasm can be as infectious as his passing. The team should enter a period of stability at point guard and that should produce more offense and generate more overall confidence. When shots didn't fall in a blowout loss at Toronto, the team let offensive failures drag it down. --Shira Springer

Charlotte

SHIFTING LINEUP: Now that PF Derrick Coleman is back coach Paul Silas has some lineup moves to make. He plans to bring Coleman off the bench for the next few weeks until Coleman consistently can play extended minutes. In the starling lineup, two things are certain. Silas won't mess with the backcourt tandem of SC David Wesley and PG Baron Davis, so the thought of going "big" and moving SF Jamal Mashburn to off*guard is out of the question It's also clear that PF P.J. Brown won't be the guy headed to the bench, because he has been the steadiest frontcourt player on the team. That means C Elden Campbell probably will be the odd man out, unless he gets his act together quickly. As for the rotation, PF Otis Thorpe is the most likely to sit because rookie C Jamaal Magloire has played extremely well. There's a risk Thorpe could lose interest if he winds up as the 12th man, which would be a shame because he seemed rejuvenated and played well in training camp.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Now that Wesley has moved from point guard to off-guard, he is taking a different approach to scoring early. Wesley is determined not to start a game by firing away from the outside on a 3-pointer or a 20-footer He instead tries to get going by driving and getting inside early for a short jumper or layup. He says the move sets the tone for the rest of the game for him. --John Delong

Chicago

VENGEANCE IS CHICAGO'S: The team ended its four-game losing streak with a victory over the Magic, which beat the Bulls in the free-agent market. The summer victories did the Magic little good against the Bulls because SF Grant Hill was injured and SG Tracy McGrady started out ice cold. The team also got 23 revenge points from SG Ron Mercer, who was not re-signed by the Magic. Nobody expected the Bulls to go 0-82. But also don't expect them to consistently win against teams that are .500 and better until they master the offense and play better defense.... Just when C Brad Miller was rounding into the starting center, he broke his right hand and will be out for weeks. PF Michael Ruffin has stepped in with strong rebounding and defense but must improve his shooting. Look for SG Corey Benjamin, C Dalibor Bagaric or C Jake Voskuhl to be activated.