Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Feb 21, 2000

Atlanta

Terry, Coles both have been disappointing at point guard

The team is disturbed at the slow development of PG Jason Terry. The coaches are particularly disappointed Terry seems to make the same mistakes over and over. The starter at point, Bimbo Coles, plays hard but just isn't big enough or quick enough to make a great impact.... The team is interested in making trades, but there are few takers. SG Isaiah Rider could be dealt if a team is daring enough to take him, but in return, the Hawks could receive only players in the final year of their contracts. It doesn't want to, but the club could move its most consistent player, G/F Jimmy Jackson, for the right deal. But it looks like there are no personnel moves that could dramatically change this team's course.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team won six of its last nine games before the break, but it hasn't been impressive. The hope is it will return with a renewed enthusiasm. C Dikembe Mutombo, the team's only All-Star, has been a defensive force and provides offensive stability inside when the team goes to him. But the Hawks get into trouble when they go to him too often. --Curtis Bunn

Boston

Unhappy Fortson still around after trade falls through

The team entered the break with a three-game losing streak and another loss in an attempted trade. The club sent unhappy, seldom-used F Danny Fortson to the Raptors for PG Alvin Williams and F Sean Marks. But Williams had a history of knee trouble, and he flunked his physical, negating the deal. Fortson had some choice comments after leaving--calling the Celtics a "sinking ship"--which may come back to haunt him, depending on how long he sticks around. He will rejoin the team on its six-game road trip this week, but the Celtics will continue to try to move him.... F Antoine Walker had 28 useless points in a blowout loss to the Nets and then went 5-for-17 in a loss to Indiana. If he's playing so well that Fortson can't get time, it must be only in Pitino's eyes.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The team has not trapped much this season, and the results have been so discouraging Pitino may do a 180. Though opponents know how to break a trap, it still is a potent weapon. Look for Pitino to go back to the trap, one of his coaching staples, because his experiment with man-to-man defense hasn't worked.--Peter May

Charlotte

Mason's move to point forward pays off

This has been a completely different team since coach Paul Silas made a strategic change two weeks ago and moved Anthony Mason into a playmaker's role as a point forward, with PG David Wesley moving to a wing and SG Eddie Jones free to roam wherever he pleases. The move opens up room in the pivot for F/Cs Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman, who were bunched too tightly when Mason also was trying to slide down into the post. It gives Jones many options, especially when the lane is clear and he can use his slashing ability to drive and draw fouls.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Silas had several good reasons for handing Mason the reins. One that cannot be understated is the impact it should have on Wesley. He never has been a true point guard, and since Bobby Phills' death, Wesley's mind has been elsewhere. By putting Mason in a playmaker's role at the top of the key and moving Wesley to a wing, Silas has taken a lot of responsibility off Wesley's shoulders. All Wesley needs to concentrate on now is hitting the open jumper and playing defense. He just wasn't getting the job done running the offense with so much on his mind.--John Delong

Chicago

Floyd tinkers with using a smaller lineup

Coach Tim Floyd has been showing his creative side. Guarding 6-3 PG Eric Murdock with 6-11 SF Toni Kukoc and guarding 6-11 SF Lamar Odom with 6-1 PG Randy Brown helped the team engineer a comeback win over the Clippers last week. Then Floyd shook up the starting lineup, benching his three best big men--Kukoc, C/F Elton Brand and F Dickey Simpkins--and starting rookie PF Michael Buffin and Gs Matt Maloney and Hersey Hawkins to throw the Jazz off guard.... When Ruffin is pressed into starting a game at center when all of the team's centers are healthy, it's the ultimate admission of how shallow the Bulls' talent there is. It's one reason the team lost two games before the break by a total of 66 points.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: With Hawkins regaining his touch, Floyd is using a small lineup featuring Hawkins, Kukoc, Brown and SG Ron Artest at the end of close games. Hawkins replaces Simpkins, who starts at center and gives Floyd an extra ballhandler and shooter. Plus, Hawkins is no slouch on defense. It's only a matter of time before Floyd will start this unit to see how it plays from the beginning.--Lacy J. Banks

Cleveland

Rookie Miller steps up at point in Knight's absence

Even though PG Andre Miller's turnovers have mounted, he's a scorer who is practically impossible to keep from going to the basket. While starting for the injured Brevin Knight, Miller averaged 21 points, 10.3 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 turnovers in three games. Included in that stretch was the Cavs' first triple-double in five years when Miller had 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds February 5 against Atlanta.... Not that the team was stockpiled with talent when the season began, but injuries have gutted it in the last week. Taking SG Bob Sura, Knight and SF Cedric Henderson out of a rotation about nine or 10 players deep has been detrimental.