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For a decade, the Pistons and then the Bulls made the Central Division appear greater than the sum of its parts. But Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars got old and Michael Jordan launched his second hiatus before taking his eroding skills to Washington.
What's left? The rubble. Even Milwaukee, which figured to lead the division back to some level of prosperity, tripped over George Karl's amazing ego. Detroit, the most consistently mediocre team in the league, was good enough to win the division title and was the only Central team to win more than 44 games this past season. Only four years ago, four Central teams won 50 to 62 games.
What can such teams as the Bucks, Pacers and Hornets do to get back to that level by training camp? Let's examine them all.
Atlanta Hawks
Walk the walk. After winning 58 games in two seasons under Lon Kruger, can the Hawks bring back the fans with a playoff guarantee?
Get Theo on the court. Theo Ratliff must start camp completely healthy and ready to become a dominant force.
Stay healthy. The Hawks led the league in player games lost to injury last season (219).
Find a shooter. Before they go to camp, the Hawks must upgrade their perimeter shooting if they are going to become a threat.
Work Dickau into the offense. The gamble on rookie point guard Dan Dickau isn't a big one. He elevates the team if he becomes a solid offensive contributor behind Jason Terry.
Chicago Bulls
Teach Jay to share. The Bulls need a point guard who can make their other young players better. That's a tough assignment for a rookie. Can Jay Williams do it?
Follow Jalen's lead. After functioning as a secondary player throughout his career, can Jalen Rose change his mindset and become a leader?
Add muscle in the middle. The Bulls can't grow unless they gain some toughness inside. They lost that when Charles Oakley quit on them. They need to acquire some.
Forget how to lose. They need to learn how to win. Can they do that over the summer?
Impress the locals. Will the fans stick around? There were more defections last season, and empty seats in their huge building make for a deadly atmosphere.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Figure out who's their man. What is this mess Jim Paxson created by drafting Dajuan Wagener? If this means Andre Miller is going, it better happen soon.
See if Diop has game. Remember DeSagana Diop? The Cavs took him despite a history of foot problems a la Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Will either arrive at camp healthy? Will Diop show he can play?
Sign Ricky Davis. The Cavs have 11 players with guaranteed contracts and three key free agents, including Ricky Davis. Paxson can't allow Davis to walk away and get back nothing.
Make Cleveland rock. The Gunds have put the Cavs up for sale. Gund Arena is a mausoleum on game nights. They need to put fannies in the stands.
Keep cool under Luke. Let's see if John Lucas can prepare a bad team to play above its level. He didn't do it in Philadelphia and he failed last season.
Detroit Pistons
Get used to that bull's-eye. No one believed the Pistons last season. They had better get ready to rumble because they'll sneak up on no one this year.
Get Stack back on track. Jerry Stackhouse flopped in the playoffs. When that happens, the "star" has to work harder to gain his teammates' respect.
Locate a point guard ASAP. The Pistons needed a point guard in the draft. Instead they got a Tayshaun Prince. Get some help for Chucky Atkins.
Develop new motivation. Rick Carlisle controlled the hearts and minds of his players. Now, as Central champs, can he prepare them for a similar sacrifice?
Make fans believe (again). After deserting their team, Pistons fans came back for the playoffs. Will they buy into this team over the summer?
Indiana Pacers
Let's see them sweat. No competition for jobs right now. There are 12 Pacers snug under guaranteed deals. Create some competition.
Find the Croshere of 2000. What to do with Austin Croshere, whose game collapsed when he got his big contract after the 2000 NBA Finals?
Forget past failures. There is a perception this team has underachieved under Isiah Thomas, in large part due to erratic handling of personnel.
Call on Al. Al Harrington must start camp healthy and ready to contribute if the Pacers are to start fast.
Make way for Freddie. Fred Jones was a nice pick. Somebody tell the kid there's no room in the rotation. In fact, the Pacers might have too much talent. Move some.
Milwaukee Bucks
Get tough. The Bucks need toughness and they did not find it in the draft.
Muzzle George Karl. Old volatile George needs to shut his mouth so his players don't quit on him again.
Get Big Dog out of the doghouse ... Glenn Robinson has to be embraced by his coach because nobody is going to take on a contract that pays Robinson $41 million-plus the next four years.
... and get George and Sam to kiss and make up. Can anybody repair Karl's relationship with Sam Cassell? Can Sam put his team first and his own ambitions second now that he has a new contract?
Pay up or shut up. With a payroll that already exceeds the market as well as the salary cap, will owner Sen. Herb Kohl keep his purse strings open for free agents Michael Redd and Darvin Ham, essential bench players?
New Orleans Hornets
Get Baron to stay. His Cheapness, George Shinn, didn't ignore Baron Davis' desire for a maximum deal, but what's creating tension in the Hornets' new town is the point guard's wish to play elsewhere.
Make themselves at home. After ownership poisoned the well in Charlotte, Hornets players will be very conscious of the degree of acceptance in their new city.
Get Mash in shape. Jamal Mashburn suffered a serious injury and then a disabling virus. Can he regain his health before the start of camp?
Gain trust from above. Paul Silas has proved to be a unifying force as coach. What happens when Shinn typically leaves him dangling?
Prepare for the worst. This will be a free agent or (team) option year for seven key Hornets. That makes things even worse.
Toronto Raptors
Regain that late-season fire. It's funny how this team was ready to lay down on Lenny Wilkens until Vince Carter got hurt. Somebody light a fire. Lenny won't do it.
Hire Tony some help. Committed to two more years of Hakeem Olajuwon, the Raptors need to acquire a center so Antonio Davis isn't stuck in the middle where he is overmatched.
Revive Vinsanity. Carter better mend some fences and win back his teammates before the problems meld into the new season.
Get to the point. Committed to seven more years of Alvin Williams, the Raptors had best get a solid backup, because he's not a great player.
Keep Keon. Apparently willing to let free agent Keon Clark walk, general manager Glen Grunwald might want to rethink that policy.
Jeffrey Denberg, who covers the NBA for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.
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