Starks, Jordan to meet again

It took the NBA 50 years to produce as much off-season activity as fans witnessed this past summer, but on the eve of its 51st season, there are more new faces in new places than at any time in history. Shaquille O'Neal made the move from Disneyworld to Disney-land; Larry Johnson will find out what everyone means when they discuss the New York media; and Dikembe Mutombo looks to block shots south of the Mason-Dixon instead of in the mile-high air of Denver. Part I of the Herald's 1996 NBA preview examines the upcoming season in the East.

1. New York Knicks: The Knicks sport an entirely new look this season. Allan Houston, Chris Childs, and Johnson should give center Patrick Ewing some offensive support, and Charles Oakley is back for another year of crashing the boards. One worry in Knicks camp, however, is whether the team overspent for unproven talent. Coach Jeff Van Gundy's Knicks may struggle early, but by mid-season they will be clicking and should provide Chicago with a solid conference title challenge.

2. Orlando Magic: How much will the loss of Shaq hurt the Magic? Plenty. O'Neal, for all of his foul shooting woes, provided the Magic with a real defensive presence in the middle, something that injured journeyman John Koncak and Felton Spencer cannot hope to replicate. Anfernee Hardaway must carry the team for an entire season the way he did during an O'Neal injury last year.

3. Washington Bullets: Before they officially become the Washington Wizards next season, the Bullets will make great strides in becoming one of the NBA's elite. Juwan Howard is back after a contract fiasco with Miami, and is teamed with a healthy Chris Webber in one of the best forward combinations in the league. Resident NBA growth hormone Gheorghe Muresan patrols the middle, using his 7'7" frame to block, rebound, and intimidate, and Rod Strickland is a steady and proven backcourt player.

4. Miami Heat: What an off-season for coach/GM Pat Riley. First, he resigns Alonzo Mourning to a $105-million contract (well- deserved for a guy who's never even been to a conference finals), grabs P.J. Brown from the Nets, holds onto Tim Hardaway at point guard, and then watches his entire plan blow up in his face when the NBA nixes his signing of Howard. They will be physical and improved, but they won't compete.

5. Boston Celtics: The Celtics finishing fifth shouldn't give Boston fans any hope-it's only a reflection of just how bad the 76ers and Nets really are. Coach/GM/egomaniac M.L. Carr has a lot of mediocre talent who couldn't defend a squad of old-timers.

6. Philadelphia 76ers: Say this for the Sixers-they will be entertaining. Derrick Coleman, Allen Iverson, and Jerry Stackhouse each want to take half of the team's shots. Can the three egos coexist? Probably not.

7. New Jersey Nets: The Nets new coach/GM John Calipari will get off NJ Turnpike exit 16W into the Meadowlands. Will his team get 16 W's? Questionable. He inherits a huge mess, in addition to swamplands.

1. Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson. Any questions? Barring injury, or the Mothership coming to claim Rodman, nothing can stand in their way.

2. Indiana Pacers: A new year, same story for the Pacers. Indiana just can't take that next step. Reggie Miller returns to fill up the basket, but his streaky shooting can either rescue or kill the Pacers, while Rik Smits continues to improve at center. Coach Larry Brown has serious match-up problems against the elite.

3. Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks aren't a third-place team. They just happen to play in a very bottom-heavy division. Mutombo adds some much needed defensive presence, but Christian Laettner and Alan Henderson are far from All-Stars.

4. Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks could surprise people this year. New head coach Chris Ford will preach defense on a traditionally soft team. Power forward Vin Baker continues to improve. The rest of the team remains uncertain, but with a huge upside.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: How long can coach Mike Fratello win with mirrors? The streak ends here. They just aren't very talented.

6. Detroit Pistons: This is the year Grant Hill either enters the true NBA elite, or takes his place with the Reggie Millers of the world: good, but not good enough. Hill's relationship with coach Doug Collins is shaky at best, and the Pistons don't have a solid supporting cast.

7. Charlotte Hornets: Can Anthony Mason bring some much-needed toughness to a traditionally pushover? Maybe, but Mason's effectiveness will be sorely hampered when not in the Knicks' system. Former Laker Vlade Divac will add versatility to the center position.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damon Stoudamire and Marcus Camby help build a solid foundation, but the Raptors are years away. If GM Isiah Thomas continues to show shrewdness and patience, his team will get to the top soon.

(Next Week: Western Conference Preview)