Friday Insider

[Guest]

Turf Wars Winners/Losers

by Chad Ford

Also Below: A truce in New York? | Sonics cool on Kenny | Krause making Crawford, Fizer sweat it out | Peep Show

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NBA Sixth Man: Will MJ convince himself to skip the laser show?

With the preseason winding down and coaches ramping up for opening night, Insider revisits this month's camp battles and declares some winners and losers. On Monday, we'll break down the Western Conference.

EASTERN CONFERENCE TURF WARS

ATLANTA HAWKS

PG: Jason Terry vs. Dan Dickau

Dickau may be the team's point guard of the future, but right now it looks like the distant future. Terry has had an impressive start at the point. He's sacrificed his scoring (12.5 ppg) and has done a better job of finding his teammates (5.2 apg). Dickau has suffered through the normal rookie woes, averaging 6.5 ppg and 3.2 apg. With Emanual Davis coming back from injury, he could be doing a lot of towel waving this season.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Jason Terry

SG: Ira Newble

SF: Glenn Robinson

PF: Shareef Abdur-Rahim

C: Theo Ratliff

BOSTON CELTICS

PG: Shammond Williams vs. Tony Delk

Delk has started every preseason game for the Celtics, but has basically spilt minutes with Williams. Delk hasn't exactly shined (9.9 ppg, 1.6 apg), but Williams has struggled to pick up the Celtics' offensive and defensive schemes, giving the clear advantage to Delk.

C: Vin Baker vs. Tony Battie

Forget the Celtics' assertion that Baker was never considered a starter let alone a savior. They expected him to easily beat out Battie for the starting center position. Instead, Baker has struggle mightily (4.7 ppg, 4 rpg). How bad has he been? The Celtics keep reminding the media that at least he didn't show up to camp fat. Battie hasn't blown anyone away (6.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg) but when you consider the competition, the Celtics are glad he's still around.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Tony Delk

SG: Eric Williams

SF: Paul Pierce

PF: Antoine Walker

C: Tony Battie

CHICAGO BULLS

PG: Jay Williams vs. Jamal Crawford

This turf war has turned into a distraction. Crawford was so upset at the apparent "anointing" of Williams as the starter that he was kicked out of practice one day. Daily updates on the battles haven't done much for team chemistry and some Bulls players have questioned whether Crawford has been given a fair shake. For the record, neither player has blown anyone away. Both are shooting around 35 percent from the field, but Williams is committing about twice as many turnovers. While coach Bill Cartwright still maintains that he hasn't decided who will be the starter, all signs point to Williams. And despite GM Jerry Krause's denials, Crawford is available if the Bulls can get the right combination of players in return.

SF: Eddie Robinson vs. Donyell Marshall

With Tyson Chandler out with a concussion, Marshall has been filling in at power forward. He's played well enough (16.7 ppg, 12 rpg) to get the nod there over Chandler, opening the door for Robinson at the three. Robinson has battled injuries all preseason but showed signs of life in the Bulls' last preseason game. Once Chandler recovers, Robinson may have a hard time holding off Marshall to keep his starting job.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Jay Williams

SG: Jalen Rose

SF: Eddie Robinson

PF: Donyell Marshall

C: Eddy Curry

CLEVELAND CAVS

PG: Dajuan Wagner vs. Bimbo Coles vs. Darius Miles

And the winner is . . . Milt Palacio. Who? No one will confuse him for Andre Miller, but Palacio has done enough to outplay Coles. Dajuan Wagner isn't a point guard and a bladder infection has put his progress way behind schedule. Miles has enough to worry about without having to run the team, so the Miles-at-the-point experiment has officially come to an end. The sleeper will be rookie Smush Parker who has shown the size and athleticism the Cavs covet at the point. He's still very raw, but a big last-inute shot versus the Lakers has coach John Lucas smiling about the "Fordham Flash."

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Milt Palacio

SG: Ricky Davis

SF: Darius Miles

PF: Tyrone Hill

C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

DETROIT PISTONS

C: Cliff Robinson vs. Zeljko Rebraca

After a solid rookie season, the Pistons are ready to put a bigger load on Rebraca. While Robinson performed admirably at center last season, he's a more natural fit at small forward. Now that Rebraca has a year of experience under his belt, the starting center job is his to lose. He struggled a bit in preseason, but coach Rick Carlisle is preaching patience. "We have to have an inside presence from him," coach Rick Carlisle told the Detroit News. "When he is in there, we are going to look to get him the ball in the painted area as much as possible. Last year when we were able to do that, he was very effective." For now, the two are putting up almost identical numbers. Robinson is averaging 8.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg. Rebraca is averaging 7.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg. Expect both to get plenty of playing time this season.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Chauncey Billups

SG: Richard Hamilton

SF: Michael Curry

PF: Ben Wallace

C: Zeljko Rebraca

INDIANA PACERS

PG: Al Harrington vs. Ron Mercer vs. Ron Artest vs. Jonathan Bender vs. Austin Croshere

Injuries to Artest, Croshere and Reggie Miller have given Harrington the starting job by default. Mercer has spent all of his time playing two guard and Bender, who looks better, still isn't playing at Harrington's level. Harrington is still trying to shake off the rust of a season-ending injury last season. His offense is coming, but his 2.7 rpg is well below last season's average. When Miller and Artest return, expect the real crunch for minutes to start. Artest is the team's best defensive option and Mercer has been impressive (12.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg) in relief of Miller.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Jamaal Tinsley

SG: Ron Mercer

SF: Al Harrington

PF: Jermaine O'Neal

C: Brad Miller

MIAMI HEAT

PG: Travis Best vs. Anthony Carter

Best hasn't exactly set the world on fire in Miami (7 ppg, 2.2 apg), but when compared with Carter's struggles at the point, he's the best they've got.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Travis Best

SG: Eddie Jones

SF: Caron Butler

PF: Malik Allen

C: Brian Grant

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

SF: Tim Thomas vs. Toni Kukoc

The Bucks moved Glenn Robinson this summer in an effort to get Thomas into the starting lineup. He's more versatile, a better athlete and a superior defender to Robinson, but judging from the preseason, he doesn't pack nearly the offensive punch that the Big Dog did. Thomas has averaged just 11.8 ppg on 41 percent shooting in October. Meanwhile, newcomer Toni Kukoc has been the team's most pleasant surprise. His 12.2 ppg, 6.2 apg and 5 rpg have coach George Karl trying to find ways to keep him on the court. With center Joel Przybilla set to start the season on the injured list, expect Thomas to move to power forward and Anthony Mason to move to center. When Przybilla returns? Thomas will likely stay at the four with Mason coming off the bench.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Sam Cassell

SG: Ray Allen

SF: Toni Kukoc

PF: Tim Thomas

C: Anthony Mason

NEW JERSEY NETS

SF: Richard Jefferson vs. Rodney Rogers

There was never much of a battle here. Jefferson has the starting job from day one and continues to play like this will be his breakout season. Rogers, however, has been the Nets' most consistent scorer in the preseason. He's averaging 12.5 ppg, shooting a sizzling 58 percent from the field, and has knocked down more than half of his treys. He won't push Jefferson out of his starting role because coach Byron Scott is in love with Jefferson's defense, but Rogers looks to get major minutes in the offense this season.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Jason Kidd

SG: Kerry Kittles

SF: Richard Jefferson

PF: Kenyon Martin

C: Dikembe Mutombo

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

SG: David Wesley vs. Courtney Alexander

This one is going down to the wire. Both players could make a case for the starting position. Alexander leads the Hornets in scoring with 18 ppg. However, he's shooting just 39 percent from the field. Wesley is averaging fewer points (14.7 ppg) but is shooting 50 percent from the field and averaging 3.3 apg. Alexander has been battling a hip injury all camp that has slowed him and coach Paul Silas seemed to indicate Friday that, for now, Wesley will get the starting nod.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Baron Davis

SG: David Wesley

SF: Jamal Mashburn

PF: P.J. Brown

C: Jamaal Magloire

NEW YORK KNICKS

PG: Charlie Ward vs. Howard Eisley vs. Frank Williams

Once again, the Knicks are anointing a starting point guard by default. Ward has done a better job finding his teammates (5.7 apg), and Eisley is more accomplished scorer (9.7 ppg). But it's all relative. Ward has the starting job for now, but Eisley's better at running the break, something coach Don Chaney has really stressed in the preseason. It may be only a matter of time before Eisley nails down the starting job. Williams finally made his preseason debut this week but he's definitely a work in progress.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Charlie Ward

SG: Allan Houston

SF: Shandon Anderson

PF: Clarence Weatherspoon

C: Kurt Thomas

ORLANDO MAGIC

PG: Darrell Armstrong vs. Jacque Vaughn

Vaughn is off to another slow start shooting the ball. In eight preseason games he's shooting just 33 percent from the field and averaging a paltry 4.5 ppg. He is leading the team in assists (4.4 apg) but coach Doc Rivers is getting a little impatient. The plan was for Vaughn to start and use Armstrong as a spark plug off the bench. Rivers indicated on Wednesday that Vaughn may not be ready to start. However a late shoulder sprain may knock Armstrong out for a week.

6TH MAN: Mike Miller vs. Pat Garrity

The Magic frontcourt woes have progressed to the point that Garrity has won the starting power forward position by default. That's good news for Miller who now becomes the Magic's No. 1 offensive option off the bench. Rivers has been trying to get Miller to shoot the ball more and take the lead when Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady are out of the game. But during the preseason, neither Garrity nor Miller has shot it well from the perimeter.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Jacque Vaughn

SG: Tracy McGrady

SF: Grant Hill

PF: Pat Garrity

C: Pat Burke

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

6TH MAN: Aaron McKie vs. Greg Buckner

An injury to Buckner has made the question moot. McKie, who is averaging 9.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 4.1 apg in the preseason and will likely get the starting nod at small forward until Derrick Coleman is healthy enough to get back into the starting lineup.

Projected Starting 5:

PG: Eric Snow

SG: Allen Iverson

SF: Aaron McKie

PF: Keith Van Horn

C: Todd MacCulloch

TORONTO RAPTORS

SF: Morris Peterson vs. Lamond Murray

An injury to Murray will keep him out the next eight weeks, guaranteeing Peterson the starting gig.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Alvin Williams

SG: Vince Carter

SF: Morris Peterson

PF: Jerome Williams

C: Antonio Davis

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

PG: Larry Hughes vs. Juan Dixon vs. Tyronn Lue vs. Chris Whitney

The Wizards thinned their point guard corps a bit by trading Whitney to the Nuggets Thursday. Hughes has been the star in the preseason, averaging 14.5 ppg and 3.3 apg. Lue has also shown flashes, leading the team with 3.8 apg. Dixon is running a distant third, especially in the point guard department. Unfortunatley, all three have a downside. Hughes still look uncomfortable running the team. He's played his best when coach Doug Collins moved him to the two. Lue is a sparkplug, but he's too small to get big minutes. Dixon is still trying to prove he can find his shot and his teammates at this level.

SG/SF: Michael Jordan vs. Jerry Stackhouse vs. Bryon Russell

It's probably too early to tell. Jordan has played in only two preseason games, coming off the bench in both of them. Stackhouse has been impressive, averaging a team-high 19.7 ppg. But he also leads the team in turnovers and is only grabbing 1.7 rpg. Russell has really struggled, averaging just 5.5 ppg on 39 percent shooting from the field. That leaves Jordan, who has looked pretty rusty in his first two games. Still, a lineup of Jordan at the two and Stackhouse at the three, regardless of who starts where, seems to be the direction that coach Doug Collins is heading.

PF: Christian Laettner vs. Kwame Brown vs. Etan Thomas

There hasn't been a bigger surprise this fall than the emergence of Brown. His game has suffered a bit since Jordan returned (he defers to MJ a little too much) but the Wizards are really pleased with his aggressiveness, especially on the boards. He's averaged 13.1 ppg and 8.9 rpg while shooting an impressive 51 percent from the field. If the Wizards can get that from Kwame on a regular basis, they'll be very good. Thomas has given them some toughness inside, but seems better suited backing up Brendan Haywood at center. Laettner hasn't see a lot of action and, with the signing of Charles Oakley, seems to be the odd man out at this point.

Opening Night Starting 5:

PG: Larry Hughes

SG: Jerry Stackhouse

SF: Bryon Russell

PF: Kwame Brown

C: Brendan Haywood

A truce in New York?

The uneasy cease fire between Scott Layden and Latrell Sprewell went into effect Thursday. Obviously, Spree is still suffering from shell shock.

"I think we can be [a playoff team]," Sprewell told the New York Post. "You look at the teams that made it last year in the East, we're very capable of making that eighth spot. If we were in the West, that would be a different story. The West is so tough. . . . We lost a lot of close games last year. This year if we find a way to win those games, we have a shot."

When pressed on the issue, Spree admitted that the Knicks were in the same boat last year and an assist from Layden this offseason could've helped. Layden reportedly turned down a Kurt Thomas/Charlie Ward-for-Dikembe Mutombo swap this summer that had Spree playing "what if."

"It would have definitely helped. Especially Mutombo, they don't get much better than that. He's the best defensive [big] in the league. It would have been nice. It's just a missed opportunity."

Speaking of missed opportunities, the Knicks decided against picking Lee Nailon off the waiver wire Thursday. Layden believes there are better players available via trade. Insider reported Wednesday and Thursday that the Knicks were still looking to deal Spree and have discussed trades with the Timberwolves (for Wally Szczerbiak, Anthony Peeler and Marc Jackson) and the Blazers (for a combination of Derek Anderson and either Dale Davis or Ruben Patterson). The New York Times, in today's editions, is also reporting that the Knicks are talking about a Spree trade with the Blazers.

Citing an Eastern Conference official, the New York Times is reporting that the Knicks, now more than ever, are trying hard to move Spree. But first, he'll have to return to the court and prove that his hand has healed and that he's in shape to play.

"The better he does, the more power he will get and the less influence they will have over him," the Eastern Conference official told the Times. "It's my understanding that fans were chanting `Sprewell, Sprewell' at their preseason game the other night at Madison Square Garden. He's going to get a standing ovation when he steps out there. It's a funny situation."

Same-Old Knicks Aim For New End

Marc Berman / New York Post

Same-Old Knicks Aim For New End

Marc Berman / New York Post

Sprewell's Pinkie Still Weak

Staff / New York Times

Sonics cool on Kenny

Rafer Alston? Rod Strickland? Damon Jones? The point guard market is razor thin at the moment, but good new may be on the way. Kenny Anderson, one of the Celtics' heroes last season, may be available soon. With the T-Wolves (who appear close to signing Strickland), Knicks, Heat, Magic, Hawks, Warriors and Cavs all looking for help at the point, can anyone make a deal?

According to the Boston Herald, the Sonics are looking to part with Anderson and have discussed paying $6 million of his $9.185 million salary as a buyout. That would mean Anderson would need to find a club willing to pay the rest. Or if he wanted out badly enough he could play Shawn Kemp and just swallow the rest.

Anderson has played limited minutes for the Sonics this preseason and has struggled to adapt to their offense. Almost every play is designed for a right-handed point guard and Anderson is a lefty. He hasn't been vocal about his displeasure coming off the bench behind Gary Payton, but clearly he isn't in an ideal situation.

However, the Sonics may want to think twice about dumping him. Payton is rattling his saber again, this time insinuating that owner Howard Schultz lied to him about a contract extension.

"He knows what he said and I know what was said and we know what was said between the two," said Payton, according to transcripts of the Best [censored] Sports Show Period. "As I said, if you changed your mind, you could have told me. I took it as, if we were supposed to be so tight as he says, why couldn't I get a phone call. Why couldn't we talk on the phone and say something and we could resolve this or just give me an explanation of what's going on. Then we can deal with it in house."

According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Payton has told the team he will not do any team-sponsored community-relations events. Last season, according to the Sonics, Payton participated in 21 community-relations events, more than all but 40 players in the league.

"Whatever," Payton said when queried on the topic. "I am just going to be Gary. My job is to play basketball. And that is what I am going to do is play basketball."

Sonics cool on Kenny

Steve Bulpett / Boston Herald

Angry gyrations between Sonics, Payton continue

Frank Hughes / Tacoma Tribune

Strickland deal 'getting closer'

Robbi Pickeral / Pioneer Press

Krause making Crawford, Fizer sweat it out

Want more evidence that Jamal Crawford and Marcus Fizer are on the trading block? Bulls GM Jerry Krause told the Chicago Sun Times that he'll wait until the last minute (Oct. 30th) before deciding whether to exercise the Bulls' option on the fourth year of Crawford's and Fizer's rookie contracts.

If the Bulls fail to extend the contracts, Fizer and Crawford would become unrestricted free agents next summer. The Bulls would also lose their Bird rights to both players, meaning they could exceed the mid-level exception to sign either player.

Why wait if Crawford and Fizer are as big a part of the Bulls' future as Krause says they are? Krause claims that he's contemplating the salary-cap space he can create by not picking up the options.

Fizer is slated to make $3.7 million next season, and Crawford is in line for $2.6 million. The Bulls are also considering what to do with Dalibor Bagaric, who is slated to earn $1.6 million next season. If the Bulls were to dump all three players, they would likely clear only $5 to $6 million in cap space next summer. Is it worth it?

A more plausible explanation is that Krause is shopping both players and wants to give teams trading for them the option. A team needing to clear a little bit more cap space may prefer to let them play out their contracst and take their chances next summer.

Crawford and Fizer are both hoping that the Bulls extend them. "I'd like to have my option picked up because of the security to know I'll be here another year," Crawford said. "It's kind of scary because they're waiting until the very last day. Either way, there are positives and negatives. The positives are job security, knowing I'll be here another year. I just bought a new place, so I'm really excited about that and would love to be here."

Three Bulls sweat out options

Roman Modrowski / Chicago Sun-Times

Peep Show

T-Wolves: Owner Glen Taylor said Thursday he believes the team is close to signing Kevin Garnett to a contract extension that would keep the All-Star forward in a Wolves uniform for the next six seasons. "I think we would have to have one more meeting to get it done," Taylor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I know even the smallest details can make these things fall through sometimes. But I'm optimistic we can get it done."

Blazers: Mo Cheeks thinks the point-guard controversy between Damon Stoudamire and Jeff McInnis is overblown. "I like a guy who is going to take ownership with the ball," Cheeks told the Oregonian. "If you see that Rasheed [Wallace] hasn't had a shot, you don't have to look to me to call a play. Call a play yourself. If you see a guy not getting something done on the floor, you go up and talk to him. When I say running the team, I want a guy not just running the offense, I'm talking about running everything . . . telling the guys certain things and not always waiting on me to say it." Based on what he saw during the exhibition season, Cheeks is confident that Daniels, McInnis and Stoudamire can get the job done. So can Anderson. And so can Pippen, when he's healthy. "We have guys who are interchangeable," Cheeks said. "If you had a Jason Kidd or a John Stockton, there's no question who is going to have the ball in his hands. With these guys, I think you can alternate putting the ball in guys' hands and let them run a play, depending on the matchups out on the court."

Clippers: Coach Alvin Gentry said that Quentin Richardson will get the starting nod over Eric Piatkowski at the two guard position. "More than likely, Q is going to start," Gentry told the L.A. Times. "We'll get scoring off the bench with Eric.... It's not etched in stone. We'll take a look at it and we'll see. Andre [Miller], Q and Pike probably will play together some. We're also happy with the way Marko [Jaric] played with Andre [Wednesday] night."

Pacers: Reggie Miller flew to Los Angeles Thursday to receive additional treatment on the lingering injury to his right ankle. "He really hasn't been able to get over the pain," team president Donnie Walsh told the Indianapolis Star. "The doctors don't know whether it's just the recent injury that's causing the pain or if it kicked off another injury. He's got an ankle that's played 15 seasons in the NBA." . . . Miller isn't the only Pacer expected to miss the opener. Ron Artest looks like he's another week away, Austin Croshere is out for a while and Jamaal Tinsley has a badly sprained ankle and is questionable. "We're in a tough spot," coach Isiah Thomas admitted. "We're going to see what kind of heart some of these other guys have because they're going to be out there."

Hornets: Center Elden Campbell has been put on the injured list and is likely to miss the Hornets' first five games after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last Friday, said Bob Bass, executive vice president of basketball operations. "The quickest we can get Campbell is the best, but we want him ready," coach Paul Silas told the Times Picayune. "Only he will know that, but he's so anxious to get started playing again. I have never seen him like that. This is a critical year for him. This is the last year of his [contract] deal, and he wants to be out here." . . . The good news is that injured players P.J. Brown and Baron Davis are expected to play in the team's last preseason game tonight.

Heat: Here's another first, Pat Riley is begging a rookie to shoot the ball more. "[Coach is] giving me freedom," rookie Caron Butler told the Sun Sentinel. "Go, Caron. Create for yourself. Create for your teammates. I trust you with the ball.' At every level you have a transition where you have to enhance your game to another level. Now is the time." Even Butler says it's a little odd. "I'm kind of leery out there when Coach Riley tells you at first," said Butler, who scored a team-leading 11.7 points a game this preseason. "It's like, 'Are you sure?' Then I look at my teammates [saying], and it's 'Go!' That's every kid's dream, to come into the NBA and right away be an immediate impact."

Rockets: Allen Iverson is the latest to get on the Yao Ming bandwagon after he scored 13 points and grabbed 5 boards in 24 minutes versus the Sixers. Iverson, of all people, proved especially complimentary. "He's special," Iverson told the Houston Chronicle. "He's a gift from God."

Garnett, Wolves are close to a deal

Chip Scoggins / Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Logjam at point guard is still the No. 1 issue

Jim Beseda / Oregonian

Gentry Switches to Richardson as Starter

Elliott Teaford / Los Angeles Times

Miller being treated for ongoing ankle pain

Mark Montieth / Indianapolis Star

Pacers forced to limp into the season

Sekou Smith / Indianapolis Star

Campbell to miss at least 5 games

John Reid / New Orleans Times-Picayune

Familiar starters, finally

Jimmy Smith / New Orleans Times-Picayune

Riley tells Butler 'shoot it'

Harvey Fialkov / South Florida Sun-Sentinel

This is the start of something big

Dale Robertson / Houston Chronicle

[cyman3]

for NEW ORLEANS HORNETS... E CAMPBELL no longer a starter?

[Blunt91]

Chad Ford has his information wrong about Milwaukee. I was watching the preseason game Thursday and John Thompson said that Dan Gadzuric will probably start at center, he didn't say anything about Anthony Mason being the starting center. Looks like the Old Toni Kukoc is back as he is having a good preseason but we all know it is just a matter of time before he gets injured,plus he isn't as good of a defender a Big Dog. Maybe we did right by not resigning Jacque he is struggling with his jumpshot again. What is up with that? Doesn't he practice during the offseason?

[Guest]

They started Gadzuric the other night and while Karl didn't stay with the lineup all that long, Gadzuric actually looked pretty good out there. Granted the kid's built like a stick, but he was running the floor and finishing the break.

[Boondocks]

I like Gadzuric, it's nice having a dutch player in the NBA again.