NBA
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup

 Wednesday, October 6
Eastern Conference primer
 
  Which team was the best in the NBA's Eastern Conference last season? Larry Bird's Indiana Pacers were supposed to go to the NBA Finals, but they hit a little Allan Houston/Latrell Sprewell-induced speedbump. The Orlando Magic and Miami Heat had big regular seasons, then bombed out in the playoffs. The Knicks ended up representing the conference, but as a No. 8 seed their ascension may have said more about the rest of the East than their own team.

So who's the favorite this year? Hard to tell, but chances are you won't recognize some of your favorite teams from last year. Just ask Doc Rivers.

With training camps underway here's a little primer on where the teams in the Eastern Conference are practicing and what to look for when they do.

TEAM PLACE KEY QUESTION
Atlanta Hawks UT-Chattanooga Does Lenny Wilkens have any idea what he's in for with Isaiah Rider?
Boston Celtics Waltham, Mass. Can Antoine Walker and Rick Pitino co-exist?
Charlotte Hornets Hornets practice facility Can Anthony Mason and Derrick Coleman play the same position?
Chicago Bulls Bulls practice facility Can Hersey Hawkins turn his career back about five years?
Cleveland Cavaliers Cavaliers training center Will Andre Miller beat out Brevin Knight at the point?
Detroit Pistons Pistons training center First Bison Dele, now Derek Harper? Will there be any more retirements?
Indiana Pacers Orlando, Fla. Will Larry Bird's retirement overshadow team goals?
Miami Heat Florida Atlantic Univ. Does addition of Otis Thorpe finally make P.J. Brown expendable?
Milwaukee Bucks Bucks training center Is is time for Robert Traylor to emerge, not only around the waist?
New Jersey Nets Atlantic City, N.J. Who plays center? Gheorghe Muresan? Michael Cage? This is ugly.
New York Knicks Charleston, S.C. Where do we begin? Ewing, Sprewell, Camby, Van Gundy, take your pick...
Orlando Magic Univ. of North Florida Name three Magic players. We dare you. How soon before Doc Rivers has regrets?
Philadelphia 76ers Chapel Hill, N.C. Will defensive sieve Billy Owens upset team chemistry?
Toronto Raptors Raptors practice facility Does Antonio Davis suddenly turn into a 20-point, 10-board guy?
Washington Wizards Shepherdstown, W.V. Aaron Williams is the starting 4? Is a trade in the works?

 


ALSO SEE
Western Conference training camp primer