The Dream is back for another crack at Shaq

The NBA's Western Division promises to produce one of the most exciting regular seasons in history. The West has three extremely talented teams in the Sonics, Lakers, and Rockets. While the Sonics have made few changes to the team that took the Chicago Bulls to six games last season, Los Angeles and Houston sport new looks. The Rockets' new threesome can match the formidable Bulls. The Lakers added a 7'1", 300 lb. center named Shaquille O'Neal, who traded in his mouse ears for the bright lights of Hollywood. Who will survive the rough West? Part two of the Herald NBA preview tackles this question.

1. Houston Rockets: The Rockets, who had a disappointing season after championships in '94 and '95, made drastic changes. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich sacrificed depth in his trade for Charles Barkley. Barkley, along with newcomer Kevin Willis, gives Houston physical domination and much needed help on the boards. Hakeem Olajuwon is the best center in the league, and Clyde Drexler is still a tremendous shooting guard. The loss of Sam Cassell presses young Brent Price into action at the point. Can Hakeem take Jordan in the Finals? We may find out.

2. Utah Jazz: New year, same old story for Utah. John Stockton and Karl Malone are still All-Stars, but the Jazz simply doesn't have a strong enough supporting cast to put them over the top. Jeff Hornecek is a good shooter who cannot defend the quicker guards of the West, and Bryon Russell and Chris Morris are too small to be effective forwards.

3. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs miss Dennis Rodman. For all his antics, Rodman provided them with a tough presence that center David Robinson lacks. The backcourt is shaky, and won't get much help from perennial troublemaker Vernon Maxwell. To make matters worse, the team added an over-the-hill Dominique Wilkins. The Spurs don't have true direction for the future.

4. Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs are the classic "All-or-Nothing" NBA team. They certainly have the talent. Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn, and Jimmy Jackson each have All-Star potential, but can't seem to co-exist. The addition of Derek Harper lends court leadership and locker-room stability.

5. Denver Nuggets: The loss of Dikembe Mutombo to Atlanta strips the Nuggets of their defensive presence, but their biggest weakness is the lack of a go-to player. Antonio McDyess has some bright years ahead of him, but cannot be counted on to carry a team this early in his career.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: GM Kevin McHale has put together a good, young squad. The addition of Stephon Marbury certainly added some life to the backcourt, but the jury is still out as to whether he can stand up to the rigors of a full season. Kevin Garnett is still a few years away. Perhaps the best move was dumping headache J.R. Rider.

7. Vancouver Grizzlies: Hang on Grizzly fans. Bryant Reeves and Sharif Abdur-Rahim will lead the squad for seasons to come.

1. Seattle Supersonics: The top of this division is really a toss-up between Seattle and the Lakers. Seattle boasts the best one-two punch in the conference in All-Stars Shawn Kemp (who really came into his own in the Finals) and Gary Payton. The Sonics play good, hard defense, and can present match-up problems for other teams.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: "Showtime II" in L.A. New $121-million center O' Neal joins a cast of offense-minded players, who can also play a little on the other side of the court. The Lakers have few talent problems in their starting five. Coach Del Harris must worry about team chemistry, though, especially in the case of Cedric Ceballos. They could be the next dominant team.

3. Sacramento Kings: The Kings have one great player in Dream Teamer Mitch Richmond and bunch of solid role players. Richmond will get another shot-happy teammate in Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Unfortunately, none of their players realizes that after you score a point, you should run back to the other end of the floor and guard a big, tall guy in a different color uniform.

4. Golden State Warriors: Guard Latrell Sprewell and forward Chris Mullin can still shoot, but the latter just can't stay healthy. New point guard Mark Price is another injury-prone player, but adds some leadership to an often rudderless team.

5. Phoenix Suns: The Suns got rid of Barkley's big contract and bigger ego, trading it in for four serviceable players. Phoenix is just biding time until they can dump some more contracts and start bidding on free agents.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Two words for the Blazers--young punks. J.R. Rider, Rasheed Wallace, Kenny Anderson, and Cliff Robinson only care about their own names and contracts. The Blazers will be constantly facing internal problems. And P.J. Carlessimo thought he was dealing with children at Seton Hall.

7. Los Angeles Clippers: If the Clippers and the Nets flipped a coin for the chance to draft the only can't-miss player in NBA history--a combination of Magic, Bird, and Jordan, the coin would probably land on its side. This luckless, hopeless franchise continues on the road to nowhere in 1996-97.