Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Nov 26, 2001

Atlantic Division

BOSTON CELTICS: One of the reasons SF Paul Pierce jumped into the elite class of NBA scorers last season was his ability to get to the foul line. But Pierce was shooting 67 percent from the line before making a change and going 10-for-11 against Indiana. Pierce has a new routine and stance, reverting to the way he shot in high school, when he was close to 90 percent accurate. He now spreads his feet apart more and lines up more squarely with the basket.... PG Kenny Anderson went scoreless against the Pacers but didn't sulk. Instead, he sought out assistant Lester Conner and asked to meet a half-hour before practice to work on extra one-on-one shooting drills. --Shira Springer

MIAMI HEAT: After C Alonzo Mourning began sitting out a second stretch of games related to what initially was called food poisoning, concerns about his body chemistry were raised. Mourning, who missed the first 69 games last season with a kidney illness, has asked his physicians not to release details of his condition. Coach Pat Riley insists Mourning will remain the focal point of the offense upon his return.... SG Eddie Jones has stepped up during the injury absences of Mourning, PF Brian Grant (foot) and SF Kendall Gill (finger) and carried the team with his scoring. This is the go-to role Jones long has sought, but he has struggled late in games. --Ira Winderman

NEW JERSEY NETS: Rejuvenated PF Keith Van Horn is fulfilling the expectations coach Byron Scott placed on him when he challenged Van Horn to average 18 points and 10 rebounds. Van Horn was at 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds through eight games. His turnovers, however, continue to be a problem.... SG Kerry Kittles still is struggling with his shot and sat on the bench during the fourth quarter of a victory at Indiana while SG Lucious Harris played. Kittles and Scott say Kittles' woes have nothing to do with his troublesome right knee. He rebounded nicely with 18 points in a victory over the Knicks, but something appears amiss. Harris, though limited, has filled in well for Kittles. --Don Burke

NEW YORK KNICKS: The team's problems appear to go deeper than the absence of C Marcus Camby (foot). Coach Jeff Van Gundy has suggested SF Latrell Sprewell and SG Allan Houston have given in to the attitude that the Knicks are too undersized to compete with the best teams in the East, but even Van Gundy admits this team has a small margin for error. Will Van Gundy run out of patience and resign (or get himself fired)? Or, will G.M. Scott Layden work a trade to change a mix that becomes more combustible by the day. December 15 is the key date. That's when Houston becomes eligible for a trade. The only way for the team to go after a top big man is to deal Houston or Sprewell. --Greg Logan

ORLANDO MAGIC: The latest transaction in G.M. John Gabriel's nonstop roster manipulations should not be read as PF BO Outlaw for SG Jud Buechler. It should be read as Outlaw for a chance at Spurs PF Tim Duncan. The Magic sent Outlaw to the Suns because it wanted out of his $6 million a year contract that has three seasons left after this one. Trading Outlaw gives the team a chance to get $13 million to $16 million under the projected salary cap for summer 2003, when Duncan becomes a free agent. Buechler gives the team a shooter similar to G/F Mike Miller and SF Pat Garrity, but the Magic still hasn't figured out roles for them. --Bill Fay

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: The team won the first four games after SG Allen Iverson's return from elbow surgery even though Iverson made only 30 of 99 shots and committed 19 turnovers with just 24 assists. Having Iverson on the court forces opponents to concoct all kinds of defenses to counter him. The result is a more open floor for everyone else.... SF Matt Harpring has been the chief beneficiary of Iverson's return. Harpring can score from the perimeter or around the hoop, plays tough defense, rebounds and picks up loose balls. He averaged 12.2 points on 41.5 percent shooting without Iverson and 15 points on 51.9 percent shooting with Iverson. --Jon Marks

WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Michael Jordan has been shifted to his natural position of shooting guard, where he has been able to avoid some of the double-teams that were easier for opponents to use when he was playing in the post at small forward. But opponents are letting Jordan score for 3 1/2 quarters before smothering him in the closing minutes, a strategy that led to six straight losses.... SG Richard Hamilton, the team's No. 2 scorer, is coming off the bench at point guard. He isn't happy, but he hasn't been as diligent on defense or in the weight room as the team would like. --Steve Wyche

Central Division

ATLANTA HAWKS: SF Mark Strickland, signed because Chris Crawford (ACL) is out for the year, is an athletic presence. Once Strickland learns the team's schemes, he could be a factor because he can run the floor and make plays around the basket.... C Dickey Simpkins, signed because of an injury to Theo Ratliff (hip), brings experience and a big body. Eventually, he might be able to spell Nazr Mohammed, who starts at center in Ratliff's absence.... Mohammed can't play extended minutes in the middle. He can flourish for short spells but wears down over 48 minutes. --Curtis Bunn