Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Dec 13, 1999

Atlanta

Secret to recent success? It is Mutombo in the middle

The anchor of the team's recent push has been C Dikembe Mutombo, who has put together the best string of games in his career. He isn't forcing things on offense, and he has developed a few moves in the low post that have made him a viable offensive option. The new, improved Mutombo has nearly perfected the jump hook, which makes the up-and-under moves he developed in the offseason more effective. Although he's still not nimble, his improved quickness and coordination put him in scoring position.... G Isaiah Rider has put aside his turmoil of early in the season--for now, anyway--and is focused on being the team's key offensive weapon. At times he forces shots, but he has delivered more than not lately.... G Jim Jackson is eager to have laser surgery on his knees. The pain prevents him from elevating the way he likes, but he still has been outstanding on offense.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Alan Henderson's contributions can be measured not in points, but rebounds. That he's grabbing close to 10 a game says he's emotionally into playing at a high level. --Curtis Bunn

Boston

Walker shows flashes, but he still is a disappointment

PF Antoine Walker is "nowhere near" where he could be or should be, coach trick Pitino says. Walker continues to have horrible shooting games, although he will now and then make big-time plays. But you have to wonder if the whole package is ever going to materialize.... C Vitaly Potapenko was back in the starting lineup last Friday against Miami after a four-game hiatus that gave Pervis Ellison some playing time. Potapenko responded by outplaying and outmuscling Alonzo Mourning.... SG Paul Pierce has turned into a big- 'tune trash talker, going at it before, during and after the Miami game. That's showing a newer, more confident Pierce, who feels he can do what he wants, when he wants.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team's encouraging defensive performance against Miami was due more to five days of practice and a grudge against the Heat. Until then, the Celtics did not play tight enough defense to be taken seriously, despite a couple big wins. Pierce tied Larry Bird's team record by recording nine steals against the Heat, but that kind of pressure has to be applied by the whole team every game. --Peter May

Charlotte

Team needs to rebound, get Wesley on track

The Hornets were a poor rebounding team early, and coach Paul Silas thought he solved the problem by moving PF Derrick Coleman into the starting lineup and SF Bobby Phills to a sixth man's role in an attempt to get bigger. But after a couple games of winning the rebounding baffle, it's back to the same old problem.... The team needs PG David Wesley to shoot well and keep defenses honest because SG Eddie Jones is not a natural outside threat, and Phills is out with an injury. The better Wesley plays, the less pressure on rookie PG Baron Davis.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: SF Anthony Mason complains he is not a part of the offense. Wesley does most of the ballhandling and playmaking, and the first two options are to run a play inside to C Elden Campbell or Coleman or go to Jones on the wing. That leaves Mason, who switched from power forward when Coleman moved into the lineup, watching. Mason's production has gone way down since the switch, and there are times when he looks frustrated. He isn't rebounding or playing tough defense, and he's not much of a scorer. He may be trade bait. --John Delong

Chicago

Bulls have weaknesses in all parts of game

The Bulls' weaknesses are more pronounced and glaringly visible with the absences of 6-11 F Toni Kukoc, the team's best all-round player, G Fred Hoiberg, the best player off the bench, and veteran reserve G B.J. Armstrong. All are injured. Poor offense remains the main defect. The team still has no player who can consistently create his own shot and finish effectively. Coach Tim Floyd says he feels the offense appears to be flowing better in its halfcourt sets and running better in the transition. On defense, players are helping each other more on defensive switches and overplay, but there is still no formidable interior defensive presence, no great shot blocker, 1-on-1 defensive expert or rebounder.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: More and more, it appears the triangle offense was a bad choice for this team that was injury-riddled early on, featured a lot of new young players and several veterans who were signed to babysit salary cap room. Since the triple post is so difficult to learn, Floyd shouldn't waste his lime on transient players who won't be around to run it after they learn it. --Lacy J. Banks

Cleveland

Sura's scoring, consistency have been a big surprise

Bob Sura might be the Cavs' most consistent offensive player this season, which is hard to believe considering his sporadic career, lie scored in double figures in 13 of his first 15 games, and his 15.3 points a game was second on the team, behind Shawn Kemp (19.7).... Kemp remains the focal point of the offense, but he can't put together a consistent streak from the field. He has been phenomenal at the foul line (a career-high 83.1 percent), but he was shooting a career-low 38.7 from the field.... With Kemp struggling from the floor, Andrew DeClercq and backup Mark Bryant keep getting better. DeClercq remains among the league leaders in field-goal percentage (57.3), while Bryant is even better (60.0), but he doesn't qualify for the league leaders.