There are a handful of teams that stand above the pack as we examine the season. With the off-season additions of the reviled but immensely talented Latrell Sprewell and young star Marcus Camby, the Knicks, who were already a contender, are even stronger. Pat Riley has a contender of his own down in Miami. The Heat returns with the same nucleus that won 55 games last year, but with another year's experience. The Indiana Pacers took the World Champion Bulls to seven games in last year's Eastern Conference finals.
Word is that the team stayed together and scrimmaged regularly during the lockout.
They could be a few weeks ahead of the pack. The Utah Jazz have been bridesmaids for the past two years, finishing as runners-up to the Bulls. Karl Malone and John Stockton are closing in on social security and would like nothing more than to win now. With Jordan out to pasture, the path is somewhat clearer for them. Scottie Pippen wasted no time in fleeing the Windy City.