Salt Lake Tribune: C's 6th in the East

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

                                                              Sunday,
 NBA 1999-2000 PREVIEW: East Is Least, Best Out West          October 31,
                                                              1999

      BY PATRICK KINAHAN                  
      THE SALT LAKE
      TRIBUNE

          One thing is abundantly clear about the NBA this
      season: The balance of power has shifted to the Western
      Conference. Picking a winner from the Eastern
      Conference is like trying to decide which week to burn
      a vacation with your in-laws.
          Any number of teams from the West would be a worthy
      candidate to reach the NBA Finals. The East has nobody.

          With those thoughts in mind, here are predictions
      from the 1999-2000 season:

          ATLANTIC DIVISION
          1. Miami Heat <snips>

          6. Boston Celtics -- Rick Pitino continues to make
      wholesale changes after every season. Forwards Eric
      Williams and Danny Fortson and guard Calbert Cheaney
      are the newest additions.
          With Kenny Anderson as his point guard, Pitino may
      want to change addresses after next season.

          7. Washington Wizards -- Gar Heard will have talent
      (Mitch Richmond, Juwan Howard and rookie Richard
      Hamilton) is his first year as coach. Center Ike
      Austin, a bust in Orlando last year, has no more
      excuses.