The long-awaited NBA champoinship has just started. The time is ripe for predictions for this abbreviated season. We'll start off from the Eastern Conference teams.

Playoff Teams

New York Knicks
Oded Katash did the right thing by bailing out. Ewing will want 20+ shots a game, same for Sprewell. And then Allen Houston, Larry Johnson and Marcus Camby will want some shots also. If there isn't enough shots to go around, the point guard will get the blame. Charlie Ward shouldn't be so eager to start at point, if he even re-signs with the team.

Indiana Pacers
The acquisition of Sam Perkins gives them another center with a jump shot. Mark Jackson isn't getting any younger, so Travis Best will have to step up this season if he is to be the point guard of the future. Rik Smits has to stay healthy for the Pacers to make a serious run. This is the season Larry Bird will prove that his tremendous first season as a coach was not a fluke. Reggie Miller has to be warned not to give Latrell Sprewell the choke sign.

Miami Heat
Core of this scrappy team remains the same, although Terry Porter replaces Eric Murdock as backup at the point. Jamal Mashburn has to become the 3rd scorer, but it still won't be enough against the Knicks who have 4 scorers. If Heat meets Knicks in playoffs, they will have to resort to instigation tactics and unfortunately the Knicks may be foolish enough to oblige.

Atlanta Hawks
Scot Pollard (trade) and Roshown McLeod give Dikembe Mutombo some help down low. Steve Smith has to become more of an emotional leader. Mookie Blaylock has to cut down on his 3-pointer attempts. He also needs some rest now and then, and newly acquired Shammond Williams can give him a few minutes of rest every game.

New Jersey Nets
Good-guy Jayson Williams got a huge contract and has to pick his game up a level. His rebounding is fine, but he has to improve his offense. Kerry Kittles is a year older and wiser. Same for Keith van Horn. With Jim McIlvaine and Rony Seikaly coming off the bench, Nets have size to spare. One of them, perhaps combined with Kendall Gill could be traded in mid-season if someone becomes available.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Not too many changes here. Shawn Kemp is the leader of a team composed of young talent. Brevin Knight proved last year that at 5'11" he can play with the bigger guards by utilizing his quickness. Wesley Person has to fully regain the form he once showed for the Suns, or give up a lot of minutes to Bob Sura and Derek Anderson. Zydrunas Iglauskas has to become a force at center.

Washington Wizards
God is playing for Washington. Guard God Shammgod is only good as a backup and the Wizards need to re-sign Rod Strickland to get the ball to Juwan Howard and Mitch Richmond. Richmond's arrival allows the 6'7" Calbert Cheaney to move to a more natural small forward position. Wizards also have to realize that they can't rely on 7'7" Georghe Muresan and his ailing knees.

Boston Celtics
With Ron Mercer and Antoine Walker leading the way, this is the most athletic young team in the league. They'll be fun to watch and this may be the beginning of another Celtic dynasty. Kenny Anderson and Dana Barros will share time at the point, while Popeye Jones and Tony Battie give the Celtics some sorely needed strength and size down low. Look for rookie Paul Pierce to dazzle the crowd with athletic prowess.

Non-Playoff Teams

Orlando Magic
Good, but not good enough. Ike Austin, who shined while filling in for Alonzo Mourning in Miami, had trouble being the number 1 guy during his short stay with the Clippers. Now he is the big man who will try to replace Shaq in Orlando. If Penny Hardaway stays healthy and Nick Anderson plays like it's a contract year, the Magic could contend for the final playoff spot.

Detroit Pistons
Grant Hill is a great player, but at this stage of his career he can't carry the team by himself. If he gets this team to the playoffs, he is my MVP candidate.

Milwaukee Bucks
The signing of free agent Dell Curry gives the Bucks a solid guard rotation together with Terrell Brandon and Ray Allen. Glenn Robinson will have to learn how to share shots and play solid defense. He can score on anybody, but at this point anyone can score on him. Robert "Tractor" Traylor should get a lot of minutes at center, and Ervin Johnson is a solid backup.

Charlotte Hornets
Losing two 7-footers (Vlade Divac and Matt Geiger) and having a star Glen Rice miss a few weeks with an injury during a shortened season, dooms the Hornets. Derrick Coleman will be sure to get plenty of time on the court and Bobby Phills, an extraordinary defensive player, will have to contribute some points.

Philadelphia 76ers
Allen Iverson got a 6-year contract extension, showing that he is serious about staying at Philly with coach Larry Brown. Tim Thomas, in his second year out of Villanova has to take a bigger role. Sixers bulked up on size in the offseason, with Matt Geiger, Nazr Mohammed, and Harvey Grant. They still need a solid shooting guard to solidify the team. Next year, the Sixers will be in the playoff picture.

Toronto Raptors
Charles Oakley and Kevin Willis are there to impart wisdom and experience to young stars Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. Raptors have to get the ball to those two guys and see what they do.

Chicago Bulls
Jordan's retirement was just the beginning. Scottie Pippen (Rockets), Steve Kerr (Spurs) and Luc Longley (Suns) have been traded. Toni Kukoc is the go-to guy on a team that could finish dead-last. He may be begging for a trade halfway through the season. The Bulls will now look to rebuild and the rest of the league will look for payback for all the years of Bulls dominance.

Moshe Olivson
molivson@new-generation.com