The NBA in 86

Mike Gminski

2008-01-15T13:08:00.000+08:00

New Jersey Nets
6-11 270 Center

Signed 4-year, $2.6 Million contract before last season after missing some of training camp... Hardly missed a step, however, leading club in scoring with 15.5 ppg and finished second in rebounding at 8.2 rpg... Had career high 41 points and 22 rebounds in late season game against Celtics, then had 35 points and 15 rebounds in next game against Hawks... After Daryl Dawkins went out, this Duke product averaged 21.8 ppg and 10.2 rpg... In last 12 games, his figures were 25 ppg and 11.3 rpg... Broke Mike Newlin's franchise freethrow accuracy of .888 by forging .893 mark, third best in the league... Had streaks of 44 and 42 in a row from line... Wife Stacy is a stockbroker, prompting him to say, "She should be reaching six figures by the time I'm falling out." Has nearly unstoppable jump hook... Born Aug. 3, 1959, in Monroe, Conn.... Nets chose him 7th overall in 1980 draft.

Relevant Stats:
16.5 ppg, 51.7 FG%, 8.2 rpg

Buck Williams

2008-01-06T09:22:00.000+08:00

New Jersey Nets
6-8 215 Forward

Failed to become first forward in NBA history to grab 1,000 rebounds in each of his first five seasons, finishing with 986 last season... Had great start on offense and off boards in first half, then tailed off when teams began double-teaming him after Daryl Dawkins went down. "He never had to contend with that before," said coach Dave Wohl... "Heck," said Williams, "my first couple of years in the league, nobody paid any attention to me on offense at all. Now I've got two or three guys on me."... Began picking his spots to play hard for the first time in his career... Has base salary of $1 million this season, the last on his contract... Despite occasional lapse, he remains league's best power forward, although few casual fans know it... "If he had my mouth," said Dawkins, "he'd be the best known, most-respected player in the league."... Born March 8, 1960, in Rocky Mount, N.C.... Nets made him third overall pick in 1981, out of Maryland.

Relevant Stats:
15.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 52.3 FG%

Mike O'Koren

2008-01-05T21:18:00.000+08:00

New Jersey Nets
6-7 210 Forward

Confidence dipped again last season, when he missed 15 games and averaged only 15.3 minutes when he did play... North Carolina product working on last year of contract that paid him $400,000 last year and will only pay him $300,000 this time around... Suffered most from first-year coach Dave Wohl's struggle to find combination of players he liked... Never complains, but deserves more time than he is given... Was sixth player chosen overall, one spot ahead of Mike Gminski, by Nets in 1980... Born Feb. 7, 1958, in Jersey City, N.J.... Was told by Wohl that he would play more in playoff series against Bucks, but was used for only seven minutes in opener and did not play in second game.

Relevant Stats:
5.2 ppg, 47.6 FG%, 59.0 FT%

Albert King

2008-01-01T16:12:00.000+08:00

New Jersey Nets
6-6 190 Forward

Signed disputed five-year, $3.3 million offer sheet with Knicks, including cash bonus of $960,000, that Nets matched to keep him... League won appeal when it claimed offer sheet circumvented salary cap, voiding terms of deal and making him free agent... Contract didn't make him any more consistent... Still a streak shooter... Ended season by making only 27 of 92 shots in final eight games... Denies he's not as tough as brother Bernard, but that's part of his problem... Born Dec. 17, 1959, in Brooklyn, N.Y.... Nets drafted him 10th overall in 1981, out of Maryland.

Relevant Stats:
14.3 ppg, 45.6 FG%, 5.01 rpg

Daryl Dawkins

2007-12-30T20:28:00.000+08:00

New Jersey Nets
6-11 275 Center

His back gave out for the second straight season, although last year's injury was in a different place than the one that limited him to 39 games in 1984-85... Was injured Feb. 4 against Pacers... Missed 15 games, played 5 minutes in one, then sat out last 16... Missed first playoff game, scored 10 points in second, and sat out finale... Problem manifested itself in groin area, but emanated from back... Saw battery of physicians, who finally decided he needed surgery... Started three games, then came off the bench, with Mike Gminski becoming starter... Flourished in new role, averaging 15.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg while shooting .644 from floor... Field-goal accuracy would have won league crown, but he didn't have enough baskets to qualify... Has one season left on contract, so it's no play, no pay... Born Jan. 11, 1957, in Orlando, Fla.... Nets can't win without him: they were 10-21 when he sat and 29-22 when he played... Drafted out of high school as No. 5 overall by Philadelphia in 1975... Dealt to Nets for first-round pick and cash prior to 1982-83.

Relevant Stats:
15.3 ppg, 64.4 FG%, 4.92 rpg

Coach Don Nelson

2007-12-28T16:03:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks

Another member of the tortured soul set... Just can't cool out... Highest paid coach in the league at $400,000 annually... Donated playoff earnings to help Milwaukee farmer who was losing his spread to the bank... His Bucks captured seventh straight division title and won 50 or more games for sixth thime in row with 57-25 finish... Still yearns for first NBA championship ring as coach after winning five as a forward with Celtics... Has 490-314 regular-season record since joining Bucks as head coach in 1976-77 season as replacement for Larry Costello... Born May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Mich.... While stress of job ate away at him, he just ate, gaining great deal of weight... Planned to take it off during summer and solicited monetary pledges for each pound dropped, with proceeds going to Wisconsin farmers... A master coach and superior strategist who needs to relax.

Jerry Reynolds

2007-12-27T20:30:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-8 200 Forward

Averaged fewer than 10 minutes in 55 games after being drafted 22nd overall in 1985, out of LSU... Born Dec. 23, 1962, in Brooklyn NY... Animated when he was on the floor, which wasn't often... Didn't play in 11 of final 23 games, but did get 17 points and 10 assists in Game 79 against Chicago... May be sacrilegious, but his nickname is "Ice" and it has been since sixth grade... Certainly got the cold shoulder from Don Nelson, who hardly ever uses rookies very much.

Relevant Stats:
3.7 ppg, 44.4 FG%, 55.8 FT%

Charles Davis

2007-12-26T09:50:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-7 215 Forward

Keeps showing flashes of real talent... yet never plays enough to allow any real judgments to be made... Started several times... Has B.S. in recreation with concentration in special education from Vanderbilt... Bullets drafted him 35th overall in 1981... Bucks signed him as free agent November 1984... Born Oct. 5, 1958, in Nashville, Tenn.... Made $125,000 last season, then became a free agent... In last 19 regular season games, he averaged 10.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg in 17.7 minutes... Spent first 10 games on the injured list with broken finger... Good shooter... Has a future in limited role.

Relevant Stats:
7.7 ppg, 47.4 FG%, 81.3 FT%

Kenny Fields

2007-12-25T15:12:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-7 225 Forward

Sat out final two games of playoffs with injury... Began showing some of the promise he displayed at UCLA before Bucks drafted him No. 21 overall in 1984... Born Feb. 9, 1962, in Iowa City, Iowa... Played at LA's Verbum Dei H.S., a hotbed of basketball talent... Idol was ex-Bucks Marques Johnson... Wore Johnson's No. 54 with Bruins and now wears it with Bucks... Established single-game career high of 23 points last season, making 10 of 11 field goals, against Knicks March 3... Bucks were 16-3 when he scored in double figures... Including pro-rated share of signing bonus, he will earn $185,000 this season.

Relevant Stats:
6.4ppg, 51.3 FG%, 2.6 rpg

Mike Glenn

2007-12-24T11:23:00.001+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-3 180 Guard

The Shootist was signed as free agent around midseason... Missed only 2 of 49 free-throws last season... Plays less and less each year and could be on the way out... Great ambassador for league, he donates numerous hours for programs for deaf... Born Sept. 10, 1955, in Rome, Ga.... Bulls drafted him 23rd overall in 1977, out of Southern Illinois... If all you had to do to be a star was shoot accurately, he would be Future Hall of Famer... Never played beyond first round in playoffs before last season... Shot below 50 percent for first time in career.

Relevant Stats:
6.2 ppg, 49.5 FG%, 95.9 FT%

Craig Hodges

2007-12-22T13:01:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-3 190 Guard

Led NBA in three-point field goal percentage with 73 of 162 for a .451 mark after making four of six in final regular season game... Finished second to Boston's Larry Bird in first Long Distance Shootout during All-Star weekend... Bargain pick-up when he came from Clippers with Terry Cummings and Ricky Pierce in Marques Johnson deal... Made $115,000 last season, then became free agent... Drafted No. 48 overall by Clippers in 1982, out of Cal State-Long Beach... Born June 27, 1960, in Park Forest, Ill.... Needs to go to the basket more... Took only 86 free-throws in 66 games... Mised 16 games with dislocated right index finger... Has degree in social studies.

Relevant Stats:
10.8 ppg, 50 FG%, 87.2 FT%

Jack Sikma

2007-12-21T11:08:00.000+08:00

6-11 250 Center

Can he be this young? Seems like it was decades ago when he was shooting that drop-stepping jumper and crashing the boards for the Sonics' NBA Championship team in 1978-79... He was the only remnant of the glory days and, losing enthusiasm, he said he would like to finish his career with a winning team... Now he gets his chance with the Bucks, who got him in early summer in exchange for Alton Lister... As part of the deal, the Sonics will receive Milwaukee's first-round draft choices in 1987 and 1989, while the Bucks will get Seattle's second-round picks in those years... Born Nov. 14, 1955, in Kankakee, Ill.... The steal of the 1977 draft, when Sonics made him the No. 8 overall pick, out of tiny Illinois Wesleyan... An instant hit and a perennial All-Star... Has changed from a Prince Valiant haircut to a perm to just fashionably short over the years, but has maintained style as a banger and excellent outside shooter... The ultimate compliment was once paid to him by former Sonics' GM Zollie Volchok, who said he wouldn't trade Sikma for the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe in his bedroom... An iron man, played in 80 of 82 games last season... His $1.6 million salary last year ranked him among the league's elite.

Relevant Stats:
17.1 ppg, 9.35 rpg, 46.2 FG%, 86.4 FT%, 3.76 apg

Ricky Pierce

2007-12-17T14:14:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-5 205 Guard-Forward

One of the league's best sixth men during regular season, he was pretty much a bust in playoffs... Got tossed from final game against Boston after throwing vicious elbow at Celts' Danny Ainge... Shooting percentage of .538 in regular season was best of career... Born Aug. 19, 1959, in Garland, Tex.... Came to Bucks in Terry Cummings-Marques Johnson swap... Pistons drafted him 18th overall in 1982... Rice product made $150,000 on one-year deal... then became free agent after last season... good shooter and an animated player in general... Don Nelson gave him back his confidence and he gave Nelson a reliable sub.

Relevant Stats:
13.9 ppg, 53.8 FG%, 85.8 FT%

Paul Mokeski

2007-12-15T22:13:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
7-0 250 Center

Forty-five games, 521 minutes, 143 points, $350,000... Does not compute... "Big Mo" made big dough and will continue to do so, getting $350,000 this season and next, and $375,000 in 1988-89... All is guaranteed, with possibility of $20,000 bonus every year... Variety of injuries kept him sidelined often... Was little more than a bouncer in the playoffs... Still can knife you with his outside jumper, but couldn't make this much money anywhere else... Rockets cut him after drafting 42nd overall in 1979, out of Kansas... Born Jan. 3, 1957, in Spokane, Wash.... Bucks got him on waivers from Cavaliers in December 1982... Was guest conductor of Milwaukee Symphony last year... journalism grad... Father Cass was basketball player at University of Detroit and Gonzaga.

Relevan Stats:
3.2 ppg, 42.4 FG%, 3.01 rpg

Randy Breuer

2007-12-15T11:13:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
7-3 230 Center

How did this guy become a starter?...Celtics' super fan Busty Hart, an exotic dancer, pegged the Bucks right when she said they were the "doughnut team, a team without a center."... He tries, but fails... He still hasn't figured out what to do with his body... Works hard, though, listens to Don Nelson and appears not to let Nellie's quick-hook policy disturb him... Will make $275,000 on final year of contract signed in 1983, when Bucks drafted him No. 18 overall, out of Minnesota... Born Oct. 11, 1960, in Lake City, Minn.... How did ge ever average 20 ppg in college?

Relevant Stats:
8.4 ppg, 47.7 FG%, 5.58 rpg

Paul Pressey

2007-12-14T20:32:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-5 200 Guard

If Sidney Moncrief is Bucks' soul, this guy is Bucks' heart... Runs the team totally... Knows what to do and when... Led club with assists for second straight season with 623... Born Christmas Eve, 1958, in Norfolk, Va.... Cut from high school as soph and didn't play as senior because he was too old... Bucks drafted him 20th overall in 1982, out of Tulsa... made base salary of $192,000 last season... Finally solved "The Mystery of the Free-Throw Line," shooting .806 compared to previous career norm of .683... Don Nelson's extension on the floor... Bucks were 50-13 when he had at least six assists and 7-12 when he didn't last season... Had 20 double doubles, including 18 in points and assists... Pictured on front of team media guide last season.

Relevant Stats:
14.3 ppg, 48.8 FG%, 7.79 apg

Terry Cummings

2007-12-12T20:27:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-9 235 Forward

Pentecostal minister combines spiritualism and athleticism... Says he saw the light, literally, in dream when he was 16 and decided then that Christianity was his way out of Chicago ghetto, where he flirted with gang membership... Career has blossomed since coming to Bucks from Clippers with Craig Hodges and Ricky Pierce for Marques Johnson, Junior Bridgeman and Harvey Catchings prior to 1984-85... Inside or out, he ranks as one of game's best forwards... Thoroughly frustrated by Celtics in playoffs... Became free agent after making $600,000 base salary last season... Wanted at least $1 million per year... Heart problem hasn't surfaced recently... Born March 15, 1961, in Chicago... Clippers drafted him No. 2 overall, out of Depaul... Named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1982-83... Averaged career-low 19.8 ppg last season after terrible start... Improved dramatically as season went along... Coach Don Nelson says "he is a very impressive young man and he impresses everyone he touches."

Relevant Stats
19.8. ppg, 47.4 FG%, 8.5 rpg

Sidney Moncrief

2007-12-12T14:57:00.000+08:00

Milwaukee Bucks
6-4 195 Guard

Gutsy... Gave more than he probably should have in playoffs, when he was suffering from very sore left heel... Sustained injury in first-round game against Nets... Soul and inspiration of the Bucks, he rallied them past Sixers in conference semis, but could do nothing to avert Celtics' seep in finals... Bright, articulate team leader... Will make $784,000 this season, down $100,000 from last year... Collects $1.42 million in deferred payments, beginning in 1987... Bucks drafted him No. 5 overall in 1979, out of Arkansas... Can't find anything bad to say about him, except that his knees and his heel have betrayed him and could pose serious problems as he grows older... Excellent defensive player.

Relevant Stats:
20.2 ppg, 48.9 FG%, 85.9 FT%, 4.89 apg

Coach Jack Ramsay

2007-12-12T14:48:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers

Marks his 19th year as an NBA coach, his first in Cleveland after a decade in Portland... Fired by Trail Blazers following his first losing (40-42) season there, the 61-year-old Ramsay is second-winningest coach in NBA history with 785 victories (691 losses)... Topped only by Red Auerbach's 938... Is a physical fitness fanatic who jumps rope, jogs, rides a bicycle, lifts weights and swims... Born Feb. 21, 1925, in Philadelphia, he played basketball at St. Joseph's and coached there for 11 seasons before moving into the NBA with Philadelphia (four years) and Buffalo (four years)... Won NBA title in first year with the Blazers (1976-77) and missed the playoffs only once in 10 years... Used to be known for his outrageously loud sports coats and pants for storming the sidelines... Clothes have been toned down, but not his bench demeanor.

Bill Garnett

2007-12-12T14:23:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-9 220 Forward

Was this man really the fourth player taken in the 1982 draft?... Did the Pacers really give up No. 1 choice in 1990 to get him and Terence Stansbury from Dallas prior to 1984-85? The answers are yes and yes... Has done nothing to live up to his lofty status... Has never averaged as many as 6.5 ppg... His chief worth is as an enforcer and an occasional rebounder... Averaged one rebound for every 4.35 minutes he was on the court last year... University of Wyoming star shot .609 as a senior, but hasn't made it above .481 in the last three seasons as pro... Born April 22, 1960, in Kansas City... Father Shad was drafted as tackle by San Francisco 49ers... Will earn 300,000 this season.

Relevant Stats:
4.3 ppg, 46.9 FG%, 3.44 rpg

Bill Martin

2007-12-12T14:13:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-7 215 Guard

Was 26th player drafted last season, after outstanding career at Georgetown, where he played on 1984 NCAA title team... Appeared in 66 games for Pacers and had a single-game high of 20 points... Never a good free-throw shooter in college, he made 46 of 54 for .852 mark as NBA rookie... Born Aug. 16, 1962, in Washington, D.C.... Showed flashes of being able to handle pro game, but because he had only about 10 minutes of floor time per outing, no real conclusions can be drawn.

relevant stats:
5.0 ppg, 48.0 FG%, 85.2 FT%

Stuart Gray

2005-11-01T21:43:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
7-0 245 Center

Most interesting thing about him is that he was born May 27, 1963, in Panama Canal Zone... Story goes downhill after that... Continued to prove he had no business leaving UCLA after junior year to become Pacers' second-round pick and No. 29th overall in 1984... Averaged fewer than seven minutes per game, although he did increase his scoring norm--from 2.0 ppg as a rookie to 2.3... Will earn $165,000 this season... Why the Pacers though he was worth $647,500 in guaranteed money is anyone's guess... Plodding, indecisive and hardly ever used, he is an example of what makes the NBA great: If you are a seven-footer and white, you will be given great gobs of money... It's not Gray's fault; the Pacers were willing to pay him... Here's hoping he saved his money.

Relevant stats:
2.3 ppg, 50.0 FG%, 1.76 rpg

Ron Anderson

2005-09-18T18:35:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-7 215 Forward

Obtained from Cavaliers, he started 27 of 60 games after his arrival, averaging 10.4 ppg and getting career-high 28 in one game... Was 26-year-old rookie with Cavs in 1984-85... Began his college career at age 22 at Santa Barbara College... Finished it at Fresno State... Cavs drafted him No. 27 overall in 1984... Didn't play high-school ball... Pro career began with 27 point explosion against 76er's Julius Erving... Then he was injured and missed 46 games... Born Oct. 15, 1958, in Chicago... Will earn $150,000 this season... Raised field-goal accuracy to .493 last season and seems to have a future in the league.

Relevant Stats:
9.2 ppg, 49.3 FG%, 3.56 rpg

Clint Richardson

2005-09-17T21:18:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-3 195 Guard

Started 61 of 82 games after being acquired from Philadelphia for two second-round draft choices... Had mediocre year, at best... Longed to get away from the 76ers since they wouldn't raise his salary, which will never be above $275,000 during contract that runs through next season... All the losing probably made him wish he were back in Philadelphia... Was drafted No. 36 overall by Sixers in 1979, out of University of Seattle... Born Aug. 7, 1956, in Seattle... Had his brightest moment during 1985 playoffs, when he made 24 of 37 shots during Sixers' sweep of Bucks... No playoffs for him or Pacers last season... Using slingshot jumper with that astoundingly flat trajectory, he shot .455 from field... Excellent under offensive boards for a guard... Had similar season to onces he had with Sixers, but Pacers need more than that from him.

Relevant Stats:
9.7 ppg, 45.5 FG%, 4.54 apg

Terence Stansbury

2005-09-16T12:28:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-5 170 Guard

Biggest moment remains 1984-85 Slam Dunk contest, when he finished third... Started 17 games last season, but averaged only 17.9 minutes... Shooting percentage tumbled to .433, thanks in part to .169 mark on three-point attempts... Born Feb. 27, 1961, in Los Angeles... Drafted 15th overall by Mavericks in 1984... Signed deal worth $165,000 for this season... Capable of offensive explosions as single-game high of 22 points showed... Temple's first-rounder since Guy Rodgers in 1958... His pro career figures to be a short one.

Relevant Stats:
6.7 ppg, 2.78 apg, 43.3 FG%

Steve Stipanovich

2005-09-08T22:06:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
7-0 245 Center

Will he ever play up to his potential?... Was his potential grossly overstated?... Does he know he is a center and not a guard and that centers are at least supposed to be vaguely acquainted with the paint area? "Stipo" stands 20 feet from the hoop and lets fly with far too much alacrity... Career scoring average is a lot less than was expected from second player taken in 1983 draft... Missouri product was Pacer pick right after Rockets took Ralph Sampson. That's like having Phyllis Diller finish as runnerup to Farrah Fawcett in a beauty contest... Born Nov. 17, 1960, in St. Louis... Must get tougher -- not in the sense of fisticuffs -- but in game situations when a seven-footer is supposed to plant himself low and dare the opposition to move him... Will make $600,000 this season.

Relevant Stats:
13.6 ppg, 47.0 FG%, 7.89 rpg

Wayman Tisdale

2005-09-06T21:00:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-9 238 Forward

Blubbery and out of shape when he reported to the Pacers, he was a major disappointment in the first half of his rookie season... Lefty shooter did slim down and his performance perked up... Led Pacers with .515 field-goal accuracy en route to 14.7 ppg... Didn't rebound as well as he should have with only 7.2 rpg and shot only .684 from free-throw line... Had averaged 25.6 ppg and 10.1 rpg in three seasons at Oklahoma before leaving school early to become Pacers' top pick and second choice overall in 1985... Born June 9, 1964, in Tulsa, Okla.... All-time leading scorer in Big Eight with 2,661 points ... Led 1984 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic team with 6.8 rpg.

Relevant Stats:
14.7 ppg, 51.5 FG%, 7.21 rpg

Vern Fleming

2005-09-05T22:47:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-5 195 Guard

Georgia product continued his progress after strong rookie season in 1984-85... Led team in assists with 505 and steals with 131... Developing into a pro point guard who can shoot... Smart player who shows little selfishness... U.S. Olympian in 1984... No. 18 pick overall by Pacers that year... Born Feb. 2, 1962, in Long Island City, N.Y.... Scheduled to earn $210,000 this season... Good rebounder for his size... Fouled out only once... Scored 1,777 points at Georgia, replacing Dominique Wilkins as all-time leader... Seems entrenched as Pacer starter... Was one of two Pacers to make more than 50 percent of field-goal attempts (.506) in 1985-86.

Relevant Stats:
14.2 ppg, 50.6 FG%, 6.3 apg, 4.8 rpg

Herb Williams

2005-09-04T12:42:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-10 240 Center-Forward

Another so-so season for a guy who, on occasion, looks like he could be one of the best... Earned embarassingly small salary of $275,000 last season... Drudgery of playing for a lousy team year after year may be taking its toll... His scoring output of 19.9 ppg led team and was a career high, but he should be able to do more with that wondrous body... Born Feb. 16, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio... Was Clark Kellogg's teammate at Ohio State... Pacers drafted him 14th overall in 1981... Had best year ever from free-throw linewith .730 mark,compared to career norm of .682 at the start of 1985-86.

Relevant Stats:
19.9 ppg, 49.2 FG%, 9.1 rpg

Clark Kellogg

2005-09-02T12:12:00.000+08:00

Indiana Pacers
6-7 225 Forward

Played only 19 games due to knee injury and surgery... Did manage single-game high of 30 points, third-best on team... Had been counted upon to give Pacers four-man frontcourt rotation, along with Herb Williams, Steve Stipanovich and rookie Wayman Tisdale... Had plenty of time to spend on refining his skills as Ms. Pacman player... Will earn $516,000 this season... Born July 2, 1961, in Cleveland... Pacers made him No. 8 pick overall in 1982 after hehad been named Big 10 MVP at Ohio State... Injury could take spring out of his knees, affecting the leaping ability which allowed him to lead club in rebounding two seasons ago... His return to health is vital to pitiful Pacers.

Relevant Stats:
17.6 ppg, 47.3 FG%, 8.84 rpg

Coach Chuck Daly

2005-08-31T11:59:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons

Turned down contract offer early last season during feud with GM Jack McCloskey, then signed two-year agreement after team was eliminated from playoffs... Will get about $200,000 per season... Still has plenty of cash left over from his settlement after he was fired during first year of contract with Ted Stepien's Cavaliers... Wanted to return to Philadelphia as head coach, but Pistons wouldn't let him... "Daddy Rich" is among best dressers as coach... Also does color work for several TV outlets... Born July 20, 1930, in St. Mary's Pa.... Was given much credit for helping Billy Cunningham make transition from playing to coaching 76ers while an assistant... Graduated from Bloomsburg St. (Pa.) College, where he averaged 13.1 ppg over two seasons... Had eight-year collegiate coaching record of 151-62... Didn't get his first head-coaching job in pros until age 51... Has 150-137 regular-season record after a 46-36 finish in 1985-86.

Earl Cureton

2005-08-30T11:07:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-9 215 Forward-Center

Outstanding in exhibition games during the summer of '85, leading some to believe he was about to blossom last season... He didn't... Since he played the most he ever did, his rebounding total was a career high, but he wasn't consistent enough to make the Pistons stronger off the boards... Still thinks he's better than he is... Will make $235,000 on the last season of his contract... Born Sept. 3, 1957, in Detroit... Was 58th player chosen in 1979, going to the 76ers out of the University of Detroit... Journeyman player who is capable of decent part-time production... Able to help a team if it doesn't need to rely on him heavily.

Relevant Stats:
8.6 ppg, 50.5 FG%, 6.3 rpg

Chuck Nevitt

2005-08-29T13:45:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
7-5 225 Center

Signed as free agent past the midway point of last season and stayed around, but didn't do much to earn his keep... Born June 13, 1959, in Cortex, Col.... Was raised in Marietta, Ga.... His tallest-player-in-the-league status was forfeited to 7-7 Manute Bol of the Bullets last season... Still hasn't grown into his body... One wonders why teams keep trying to make a player out of him... It's true that you can't coach height, but you can't coach coordination, either... A swell guy, but there have to be a hundred players more deserving of an NBA chance... No. 63 pick overall by Houston in 1982... Was a bench-sitter at North Carolina State and is a bench-sitter in the pros... Made approximately $120,000 last season.

Relevant Stats:
1.7 ppg, 34.9 FG%, 1.1 rpg

Tony Campbell

2005-08-28T11:57:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-7 210 Forward

Showed some of the ability that prompted Pistons to draft him 20th overall in 1984, out of Ohio State... Had high game of 20 points last season... Figures to develop into good shooter if given more playing time... Born May 7, 1962, in Teaneck, N.J.... Gets $165,000 this season, the last on his contract... Lack of size continues to hurt him, because it means he can't play in the power slot... Plays behind Kelly Tripucka at small forward and can't handle the ball well enough to become a big guard... Might do better elsewhere, where he'd get a chance to prove whether he can play.

Relevant Stats:
7.9 ppg, 48.4 FG%, 2.87 rpg

Rick Mahorn

2005-08-27T12:14:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-10 250 Center-Forward

Second straight failure for the Pistons in search for power forward... Acquired from Bullets for first failure, Dan Roundfield, and Mike Gibson prior to last season, he began 1985-86 as starter but lasted only 12 games in that capacity... Enforcer of the first degree... Pistons wanted him to hit the boards as well as opponents, but he averaged only 5.2 rpg... Prince off the court and the devil personified on it, where he asks no quarter and gives none... Somewhere along the line he lost what seems to be a decent shooting touch... Needs to put his mind to rebounding more if he is to stay around the NBA... Will make $506,000 this season... Bullets made him 35th pick overall, out of Hampton Institute in 1980... Was a better football player prospect than a basketball prospect in high school... Born Sept. 21, 1958, in Hartford, Conn.

Relevant Stats:
4.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 45.5 FG%

Vinnie Johnson

2005-08-26T12:46:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-2 200 Guard

Maybe he read his own press clippings from 1984-86 playoffs... Launched too many long-range rockets, whether or not he had the hot hand... Was tried as a starter for a dozen games, but didn't the part... Best suited for reserve duty, because his streak-shooting ability still confounds opponents, but he has to get his game back under control... Gets a dollar raise to $491,667 this season... Born Sept. 1, 1956, in Brooklyn, N.Y.... Drafted No. 7 by Seattle in 1979... Average of 13.9 ppg was second best of career... Among the strongest of guards, he can't be moved by opponents, but he can be posted up... Baylor product is one of eight children... Needs to pull the reins on his game... Acquired from Sonics for Greg Kelser in November 1981,

Relevant Stats:
13.9 ppg, 46.7 FG%, 3.79 apg

Additional Info: Vinnie's the older brother of former Spurs player and current Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

Joe Dumars

2005-08-24T13:08:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-2 190 Guard

"He's legit," said Chuck Daly, and no one can doubt that after this guy's performance last season... Started 45 games and amassed 390 assists, which cut into Isiah Thomas' total... Good shooter who handles pressure well... Drafted 18th overall by Pistons in 1985... Born May5, 1963, in Shreveport, La.... Brother David plays for USFL Birmingham Stallions... Gives Pistons insurance should Thomas go down, but also presents problems for them since he's not much bigger than Isiah, making Detroit backcourt vulnerable to post-up moves by bigger opponents... Good free-throw shooter who seems to know what should be done and when... As he matures, he should develop into an outstanding pro and prove to be one of the steals in last year's draft... Pistons will pay him only $120,000 this season.

Relevant Stats:
9.4 ppg, 48.1 FG%, 4.76 apg

John Long

2005-08-23T02:31:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-5 200 Guard

Continued his fall from favor, losing his starting spot to Joe Dumars... Did sign a new contract that paid him $350,000 after some long-term bickering... Born Aug. 28, 1956, in Romulus, Mich.... Attended University of Detroit... Pistons made him 29th player chosen in 1978... Played for Dick Vitale, who was his college coach before moving to the Pistons... Broke Dave DeBusschere's scoring record at Detroit... One of the game's better free-throw shooters... Maddeningly accurate set shot can torture opponents, but he seems to lack the mobility to succeed in Pistons' fast-break approach... Didn't get much of a chance to wipe out image as poor pressure player.

Relevant Stats:
10.0 ppg, 48.2 FG%, 85.6 FT%

Kelly Tripucka

2005-08-22T16:15:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-6 215 Forward

Averaged 20 or more ppg for fourth time in five pro seasons... Last year was his first injury free campaign since he was a rookie in 1981-82... Pistons drafted him 12th overall in 1980 out of Notre Dame... Will earn $900,000 again this season... Born Feb. 16, 1959, in Bloomingfield, N.J.... Son of former Notre Dame quarterback Frank... Still called selfish because his defense isn't great and he's not exactly a tenacious rebounder... But he puts fannies in the seats, scores well and is a great free-throw shooter... For a guy who supposedly doesn't jump worth a darn, he was an awfully good high jumper in high school, where his best was 6-6... Also threw the javelin 211 feet.

Relevant Stats:
20.0 ppg, 49.8 FG%, 85.6 FT%

Bill Laimbeer

2005-08-21T11:34:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-11 250 Center

Battled for rebounding crown all season and thought he had it locked up when his season ended the day before Charles Barkley's did... Barkley needed a bundle of rebounds to pass him and, on last day of season, Laimbeer received call from Pistons' PR man telling him that the 76ers-Bullets game had gone three OTs and Barkley had edged him... Sank into instant depression... When he was told it was just a joke, he didn't laugh... Opponents don't laugh when they play him, either... The next time his feet leave the floor will be the first time, but he knows all about positioning, so he won rebounding title with 13.1 average... Still has no inside game on offense, but no one has found a way to stop his 18-foot jumpers from falling with incredible regularity... One of league's least-popular players because of his penchant for acting his way into drawing offensive fouls... All-around ability can't be questioned... will earn $630,000 this season... Drafted No. 65 overall by Cavs in 1979, out of Notre Dame... Played one season in Italy... Born May 19, 1957, in Boston... Acquired from Cleveland with Kenny Carr for Phil Hubbard, Paul Mokeski and two second-round picks in February 1982.

Relevant Stats:
16.6 ppg, 49.2 FG%, 13.1 rpg

Kent Benson

2005-08-20T12:18:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-10 245 Center-Forward

A mediocre talent and that's all he'll ever be... Started 51 of 72 games at forward after Chuck Daly decided that Rick Mahorn couldn't handle first-team duties... Field-goal shooting fell below his career norm, but he did rebound a bit better then in 1984-85... Still a defensive liability whose only real worth is offense... If his shooting is off, he should be given a seat on the bench... Pistons need him to rebound more, but it's obvious that he'll never do that... Drafted No. 1 overall by Bucks in 1977, out of Indiana... Born Dec. 27, 1954, in New Castle, Ind.... Begins last season on contract which will pay him $350,000 this time around... Acquired by Pistons from Bucks with first-round pick for Bob Lanier in February 1980.

Relevant Stats:
6.5 ppg, 48.4 FG%, 5.22 rpg

Isiah Thomas

2005-08-19T11:56:00.000+08:00

Detroit Pistons
6-1 180 Guard

Developed internal bleeding problem during playoffs, making observers wonder if his health is deteriorating... Illness didn't affect his performance in postseason as he tried to do what he always tries to do when his team is struggling -- to much... Shot too much against Hawks, allowing his passing game to suffer... Assist total fell from NBA-record 1,123 in 1984-85 to 830, but his shooting improved from .458 to .488... Underwent postseason surgery on thumb... Management was willing to deal him to a quality center... Coach Chuck Daly wanted none of that talk... Fourth year on 12-season deal will pay him $750,000... Born April 30, 1961, in Chicago... Youngest of nine children was married last summer... Drafted No. 2 overall by Pistons in 1982, after he left Indiana with a year of eligibility remaining... Won second All-star game MVP award last season.

Relevant Stats:
20.9 ppg, 48.8 FG%, 10.8 apg, 2.22 spg

Coach Lenny Wilkens

2005-08-18T13:01:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers

Named as George Karl's replacement in early July... Served one year as Seattle Supersonics' VP-GM after 11 seasons as their head coach... Became increasingly aloof from players... Some feel his hiring in Cleveland is another example of the recycling syndrome, whereby teams are afraid to give younger men with fresher ideas a chance, turning instead to veterans who may have become stultified... Born Oct. 28 1937, in Brooklyn, NY... Nine-time All-star as a player after outstanding career at Providence College... Wilkens played eight seasons with the St. Louis Hawks and two each with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Cavaliers... Responsible for trading Dennis Johnson to the Phoenix Suns after labelling him "a cancer"... One of only nine men to have coached 1,000 NBA games (1,044), he has a 553-491 record and coached Seattle to the 1978-79 NBA title... Needs five wins to pass Al Attles of Golden State Warriors as seventh most successful coach ever.

Dirk Minniefield

2005-08-17T12:31:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-3 180 Guard

Mavs drafted him No. 33 overall in 1983, out of Kentucky, Nets secured his draft rights and signed him, then cut this father of four prior to 1983-84 season... Played two season in CBA before landing roster spot with Cavs... Played 76 games and started two... Had game high of 20 points... Born Jan. 17, 1961, in Lexington, Ky.... Kentucky's Mr. Basketball in 1979... Co-MVP for Wildcats in each of his last three collegiate seasons... Will bounce around the league for a few years because of reasonable skills as a passer and scorer... Earned $75,000 last season.

Relevant Stats:
5.5 ppg, 48.1 FG%, 3.53 apg

Eddie Johnson

2005-08-16T13:00:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-2 185 Guard

Obtained from Hawks for Johnny Davis during last season... Used primarily as reserve, he averaged approximately 20 minutes per game... Career on wane... Shooting from field (.457) and free-throw line (.723) plus scoring output (10 ppg) last season were all well below career norms... Brought even more chaos to an already wild backcourt corps of World B. Free and John Bagley... Has manic-depressive problem under control, but can't control passage of time, which is robbing him of his quickness and shooting ability... Scored 20 points in 1980 All-Star game... Born Feb. 24 1955, in Ocala, Fla.... Chosen No. 49 overall by Hawks in 1977... Was teammate of Spurs' Mike Mitchell in Auburn... Brother of Bullets' Frank Johnson.

Relevant Stats:
10.0 ppg, 45.7 FG%, 4.7 apg

Mark West

2005-08-15T12:06:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-10 225 Center

Just sort of hangs around, not doing much except taking up space on the bench or, less frequently, the floor... Improved career free-throw accuracy, but still shot only .524 from line... Started 26 games and averaged only 17.5 minutes... Could fall by wayside this season, after making $150,000 in 1985-86... Mavericks picked him No. 30 overall in 1983, out of Old Dominion... Born Nov. 5, 1960, in Ft. Campbell, Ky.... Grew up in Petersburg, Va., Moses Malones's original stomping grounds... Size and strength could keep him in league, but he'll have to score more than 4.2 ppg.

Relevant Stats:
4.2 ppg, 54.1 FG%, 4.8 rpg

Edgar Jones

2005-08-14T12:41:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-10 225 Forward

"EJ," the DJ, the incredible talking machine... He'll score on you, then talk you down and on his face there's never a frown... Decided the best way to get a reputation after spending five mediocre seasons in the NBA was to become his own PR man, a la World B. Free... So he issued outlandish, sometimes unfathomable quotes and had the time of his life... Had he not missed 29 games with injuries, his output would have been better... Never as confident as he was last season... Born June 17, 1956, in Ft. Rucker, Ala.... Grew up in Newark, N.J.... Bucks drafted him No. 31 overall in 1979, out of Nevada-Reno... Cavs got him from Spurs for Jeff Cook in December 1984... Scored a point every 1.97 minutes... Earned $235,000 last season.

Relevant Stats:
9.7 ppg, 50.6 FG%, 3.9 rpg

John Bagley

2005-08-13T12:26:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-0 185 Guard

His scoring was up and accuracy was down in rollercoaster year... Averaged 9.4 assists, ranking fourth in league... Made 70-foot shot against Nets to spark victory for Cavs... Earned $300,000 on contract he won before last season after becoming free agent... Observers no longer ridicule his selection as No. 12 overall in 1982... Born April 30, 1960, in Bridgeport Conn.... Most onlookers felt he made big mistake by leaving Boston College and entering draft after junior season... Scores in streaks... His lack of height works against him.

Relevant Stats:
11.7 ppg, 42.3 FG%, 9.4 apg

Phil Hubbard

2005-08-12T11:52:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-8 205 Forward

May have turned out to be the most significant player for Cleveland in his absence... No one filled in adequately at his small-forward spot after he went down with knee injury 23 games into season... Made $225,000 last season, his option year, and then became franchise agent... Physical condition hurt his bargaining power... Was most consistent Cavs in previous seasons... Had prior serious knee injury while at Michigan, robbing him much of his prior mobility...197 U.S. Olympian... Pistons chose him No. 15 overall in 1979, after he had left college a year early... Born Dec. 13, 1956, in Canton, Ohio... Acquired from Pistons with Paul Mokeski and two draft picks for Kenny Carr and Bill Laimbeer in February 1982.

Relevant Stats:
11.4 ppg, 47.0 FG%, 5.2 rpg

Ben Poquette

2005-08-11T12:23:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-9 235 Forward

Gentle Ben isn't so gentle... Deserves better fate than his career has wrought -- one playoff appearance in nine seasons... Great role player... It seems foolish a team like the Nets didn't try to make deal for him as a backup to Buck Williams... Grabbed a rebound every 4.01 minutes on floor... Central Michigan star was chosen No. 36 overall by Pistons in 1977... Born May 7, 1955, in Ann Arbor, Mich.... Earned $284,000 last year before becoming free agent... Has great corner jump shot... Considering that he has averaged double figures in only one season, it's a tribute to his all-around game that he has lasted as long as he has... Cavs purchased him from Jazz prior to 1983-84... Still has a few good years left, if he can play for contending team.

Relevant Stats:
5.0 ppg, 47.7 FG%, 4.6 rpg

Keith Lee

2005-08-10T12:24:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-10 230 Forward

Another guy who goes to dinner table better than he goes to his left... Reported to camp out of shape and became a rookie flop... Cavs regret 1985 draft-day trade in which they sent Calvin Duncan and Charles Oakley to Bulls for Lee and Ennis Whatley... Seems a lot of scouts were right when they advised their teams to pass on him, allowing him to slip to 11th overall after he had been projected as a top five selection... Born Dec. 28, 1962, in West Memphis, Ark.... Set six records at Memphis State, including rebounds (1,329) and points (2,398)... Averaged a foul every 5.9 minutes last season... will earn $301,666 this season.

Relevant Stats:
7.4 ppg, 46.6 FG%, 6.0 rpg

Lonnie Shelton

2005-08-09T12:17:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-8 285 Forward

In the past, he was a shadow of his present self... How big is he?... He's so big he can play the weak side and strong side at the same time... He can be stationed in the paint, but you won't know it, because when he's in it, you can't see it... Weight took its tool on his knees and he played only 44 games, second-fewest total of 10-year NBA career... Knicks drafted him No. 25 overall in 1976 as hardship case... Starred in Oregon State... Born Oct. 19, 1955, in Bakersfield, Cal.... Cavs got him from Sonics for second-round pick and cash prior to 1983-84... Earned $420,000 last season and then became free agent... May have eaten himself out of a job.

Relevant Stats:
4.5 ppg, 48.9 FG%, 3.25 rpg

Mel Turpin

2005-08-08T16:22:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-11 265 Center

"Dinner-Bell Mel" jiggled his girth up and down the court last season, again failing to live up to expectations... Gund brothers, who own Cavs, must be shuddering as they contemplate paying him $900,000 this season... Can shoot, but that seems to be the only thing that interests him -- other than eating... There's no truth to the rumor that when 342-pound Geff Crompton was cut by the Cavs two years ago, he left this guy a list of his favorite eating places around the league... If he ever took the game seriously enough to really get in shape, he could be a serious force... Bullets picked him No. 6 overall in 1984, out of Kentucky... Was involved in draft-day, three-way trade that cost Cavs Cliff Robinson and No. 1 pick... Born Dec. 28, 1960, in Lexington, Ky... Pays for the privilege of overeating, because he has weight clause in contract.

Relevant Stats:
13.7 ppg, 54.4 FG%, 7.0 rpg

World B. Free

2005-08-07T14:29:00.000+08:00

Cleveland Cavaliers
6-3 185 Guard

Was robbed when Eastern Conference coaches didn't vote him to All-Star team... Average of 23.4 ppg was his best since 1982-83, when he began season with Warriors, then was traded to Cavs for Ron Brewer in December... Made 42 percent of three-point field-goal attempts to finish fifth in league and third among players who took more than 100 of them... Was one of main protagonists in lengthly drama that led to firing of coach George Karl... Born Dec. 9, 1953, in Atlanta.. Drafted No. 23 overall by Philadelphia in 1975, out of Guilford College... He and former Celtic M.L. Carr led college team to NAIA title... Shoots from the hip, with a ball in his hand or a phrase on his tongue... "I put basketball on the map here," he said... Book on his life being prepared by suburban Cleveland writer... Earned $675,000 last year and Cavs held option on this season at price of $725,000.

Relevant Stats:
23.4 ppg, 45.5 FG%, 4.2 apg

UPDATE: Real name used to be Lloyd B. Free.

Coach Doug Collins

2005-08-06T19:46:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls

Replaced Stan Albeck as confused management made change for the sake of change... Albeck never had a legitimiate chance to succeed, since Michael Jordan missed most of 1985-86 season... Words of warning from Albeck: "I don't know if he (Collins) understands the meddling and interference that comes with this job. they're going to try and manipulate him."... Born July 28, 1951, in Christopher, Ill.... making him the youngest coach in the NBA... Was 76ers' top draftee in 1973, out of Illinois State... Played eight seasons before injuries ended career and scored 7,427 points... Four-time All-star, he scored 14 points for victorious East team in 1978... Had been assistant coach at Arizona State and color commentator on Sixers' games... Reportedly will earn $250,000 per season, so Bulls will pay half-million to two head coaches this season, because one guaranteed year remains on Albeck's contract.

John Paxson

2005-08-05T20:45:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-2 185 Guard

Yet another product of the San Antonio connection, Coming to Chicago as free agent... Brother Jim plays for Trail Blazers... Finally got decent playing time, about 20 minutes per game, and showed a little talent... Spurs picked him 12th overall in 1983, out of Notre Dame... Can stick the outside shot, but so can a lot of gas jockeys... Born Sept. 29 1960, in Dayton, Ohio... Father Jim Sr. played in NBA for Cincinnati and Minneapolis... Erupted for 23 points in playoff game against Celtics... Will have to prove himself every training camp.

Relevant Stats:

5.3 ppg, 46.6 FG%, 3.6 apg

Jawaan Oldham

2005-08-04T11:24:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
7-0 255 Center

Missed 30 games with injuries, which didn't help him in contract negotiations after becoming free agent at end of 1984-85... Made $175,000 last season, when he started 47 times... Just coming into his own after six seasons in NBA... Agent made big pitch to get him out of Chicago prior to last season because he felt Oldham should start... Bulls didn't deal him, but did promote him past Dave Corzine... Born July 4, 1957, in Seattle... Drafted 41st overall by Nuggets in 1980, out of University of Seattle... More than doubled any teammates's blocked-shot total, finishing sixth in league with 2.57 per game last season... Had 13 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in title game for gold-medal-winning U.S. team in 1979 World Games... Must improve offensive game, but appears to be true late bloomer.

Relevant Stats:
7.4 ppg, 51.7 FG%, 5.9 rpg

Kyle Macy

2005-08-03T00:01:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-3 195 Guard

Signed as free agent for $305,000 annually prior to last season... Amounted to $4,500 raise over salary with Suns... Drafted 22nd overall by Suns in 1979... Born April 9, 1957, in Kendalville, Ind.... Cut his teeth on a basketball iron... Was coached by his father in Peru, Ind., as schoolboy and was state's "Mr. Basketball"... Tenor saxophonist played sweet music when teamed with Michael Jordan in backcourt, but was mediocre without him... Kentucky product led team in assists with 446... Good free-throw shooter, but he didn't drive to the basket enough to make his accuracy pay dividends for Bulls... In 2,426 minues, he took only 90 free throws, an average of one every 15.8 minutes... C'mon Kyle, get down 'n' dirty or you'll be down 'n' out.

Relevant Stats:
8.6 ppg, 48.3 FG%, 5.4 apg

Dave Corzine

2005-08-02T13:08:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-11 255 Center

Begins last year on contract which, inlucing share of signing bunus, will pay him $710,000 this season... Never was worth that much, but Nets gave him huge offer sheet when he was with San Antonio in the hope that Spurs wouldn't match it... They did and shipped him and Mark Olberding to Windy City and Artis Gilmore prior to 1982-83... A journeyman at best, he couldn't handle weight of huge salary... Decent player with good shooting touch... Was No. 18 pick overall by Bullets in 1978, out of DePaul... Born April 28, 1956, in Arlington Heights, Ill.... Might as well weigh 155 for all the banging he does... Prefers to stay outside and pop jumpers... Limited to 67 games due to injuries last season after appearing in all 82 games for five straight years.

Relevant Stats:
9.6 ppg, 49.1 FG%, 6.5 rpg

George Gervin

2005-08-01T14:01:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-8 185 Guard

Somehow it didn't seem right for the Spurs to have traded a legend to the Bulls... Took him long time to adjust... Michael Jordan's injury helped, since it provided him with more playing time than he would have gotten... "Ice has a few more years left," said former coach Stan Albeck, who rode Gervin's scoring to three straight 50-plus-victory seasons with the Spurs... Earned base salary of $771,000 last season before becoming free agent... born April 27, 1952, in Detroit..."The Iceman" was drafted 40th overall by Suns in 1974, but he already had played two years with ABA teams in Virginia and San Antonio by that time... Tossed out of Eastern Michigan after one year for fighting... Last year, he remarried woman who had divorced him the year before... Played only 11 minutes in playoffs.

Relevant Stats:
16.2 ppg, 47.2 FG%, 87.9 FT%

Gene Banks

2005-07-31T12:39:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-8 225 Forward

Played all 82 games after being acquired from Spurs for Steve Johnson and second-round pick prior to 1985-86... San Antonio drafted him No. 28 overall in 1981... Huge letdown for one of most highly recruited schoolboy players ever... Born May 15, 1959, in Philadelphia... Deserves to shoot more, given his lifetime percentage... Deep-thinking sort and he has political ambitions... A Christian who has delved deeply into study of Hebrew... One of seven siblings... Made only $193,000 last season before becoming free agent... Led Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring during senior year at Duke with 18.3 ppg... Has never missed more than two games in a season since entering NBA.

Relevant Stats:
10.9 ppg, 51.7 FG%, 4.4 rpg

Steve Colter

2005-07-30T14:46:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-3 175 Guard

Became a Bull after the second round of the 1986 draft when the Trail Blazers traded him for the rights to Larry Krystkowiak (28th pick) and second-round picks in 1987 and 1992... Doesn't look like much... Maybe that's why so many teams passed on him in the 1984 draft and allowed the Blazers to grab him with the No. 33 pick... A good wind would blow him him away... If he turns sideways, you can barely see him... All right, enough of the funny stuff, this toothpick with legs is a solid point guard, Needs work on his shot... Better from three-point range than from in close... But he can run the offense and finished with 113 steals last season, ranking second on team... Born July 24, 1962, in Phoenix... Had a quietly effective four-year career at New Mexico State... Invited to the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984... It was his rapid development at the point-guard spot that pushed Darnell Valentine to the bench and eventually allowed the Blazers to ship him to the Clippers... A real bargain at $112,500.

Relevant Stats:
8.7 ppg, 1.4 spg, 45.6 FG%

Sidney Green

2005-07-29T12:27:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-9 210 Forward

Finally got chance to play and showed at least a glimpse of what could be a bright future... Was wasted by former coach Kevin Loughery... Started 68 games last season... One of 10 children... As senior at New York's Jefferson High, he averaged 35 ppg, 25 rpg and six blocked shots per game... All-time leasding rebounder and second-ranking all-time scorer at Nevada-Las Vegas... Fifth player picked overall by Bulls in 1983... Born Jan. 4, 1961 in Brooklyn, N.Y.... Will earn $400,000 on final year of contract... Finished second on Bulls in rebounding... Might as well have missed playoffs for all the impact he had, shooting 30 percent from field... Only way he'll develop is if he's turned loose regularly.

Relevant Stats:
13.5 ppg, 46.5 FG% 8.2 rpg

Orlando Woolridge

2005-07-28T12:18:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-9 215 Forward

Became free agent after making $300,000 last season... Wants huge raise, but went about seeking it in strange way, missing some regular-season games to press demands... A few teams soured on him after that... Quality offensive player who rebounds like someone half his size... Should take some lessons in fortitude from cousin Willis Reed... Born Dec. 16, 1959, in Mansfield, La.... Not counting injured Michael Jordan, he led team in scoring and had single-game high of 44 points... Would thrive on a team that needs his scoring, like the Nets... Might continue to get overlooked and sulk if he continues to play in Jordan's shadow in Chicago... Bulls drafted him sixth overall in 1981, after brilliant career at Notre Dame.

Relevant Stats:
20.7 ppg, 49.5 FG%, 5.0 rpg

Charles Oakley

2005-07-27T11:00:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-9 240 Forward

Chosen No. 9 overall by Cavaliers in 1985, he was dealt with Calvin Duncan for Ennis Whatley and Keith Lee... Exploded during second half of season, grabbing season-high 26 rebounds in overtime game vs. Bucks March 15... Led Bulls in rebounding... Had single-game scoring high of 35 points... Needs to be reacquainted with fact that free throws are supposed to be free... Born Dec. 18, 1963, in Cleveland... NCAA Division II Player of the Year in his senior season at Virginia Union, when he led team to 31-1 record by averaging 24 ppg and 17.3 rpg... Makes $325,000 this season... Has degree in business administration... Don't miss Chicago-Philadelphia games, when this guy goes against Charles Barkley.

Relevant Stats:
9.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 51.9 FG%

Michael Jordan

2005-07-26T14:46:00.000+08:00

Chicago Bulls
6-6 200 Guard

Didn't like the Bulls' plan to dump the regular season so he dumped on management types until they changed their minds... Missed 64 games with broken bone in foot, then had to verbally fight his wayback into prominent spot in lineup... Management wanted him to stay out until this season, figuring Bulls would miss 1985-86 playoffs and make draft lottery... He won and Bulls lost, gaining playoffs berth and losing three straight to Celtics despite his incredible 49-point and 63-point efforts... NBA Rookie of the Year in 1984-85 was third player chosen in 1984 draft after brilliant career at North Carolina... Larry Bird says, "He's God disguised as Michael Jordan."... Including pro-rated share of signing bonus, he'll make $710,000 this season... Born Feb. 17, 1963, in Wilmington, N.C.... Reportedly triples his basketball salary with outside endorsements... Barring reinjury, he should enjoy a sensational basketball career.

Relevant Stats:
22.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.9 apg (18 games)

Coach K.C. Jones

2005-07-25T12:54:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics

All he does is win... Most successful coach ever over a three-year period with 192-54 record (.780) since coming to Celtics... His career mark is 347-145 (.705)... Took rap when his Washington Bullets were bounced in four straight by Warriors in 1974-75 and was canned after the following season... Member of 1956 Olympic team... San Francisco product played on eight NBA title teams during nine-season career with Celtics... Had career .387 shooting percentage... Was Celtics' second-round pick in 1956... Rams took him on 30th round of NFL draft in 1955... Ever afable, he loves to play self-depreciating role, laughing all the way to the bank and probably the Hall of Fame... Only coach in history to post 60-plus victory seasons with two teams... Low-key demeanor is vital to Celtics' success... An accomplished singer, he loves to entertain in lounge settings... Born May 25, 1932, in Tyler, Tex.... Initials stand for nothing... His father was fond of legendary railroader Casey Jones... Truly one of the game's nice guys... No one begrudges him his success.

Sam Vincent

2005-07-24T11:05:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-2 185 Guard

Part of Boston's "Learn While You Earn" program for most rookies... Was drafted 20th overall in 1985, out of Michigan State, but averaged fewer than eight minutes per game and sat out 25 altogether... Salary this season is only $75,000... Received $37,000 bonus to sign last season... He'll get total of $380,000 next year... Was 65 of 70 from free-throw line for .929 mark... Takes streak of 22 straight into this season... Born May 18, 1963, in Lansing, Mich.... considered the best point guard in 1985 draft, he has plenty of time to develop, if he doesn't get impatient... Thinking about guaranteed playoff share every year might help.

Relevant Stats:
3.2 ppg, 36.4 FG% 1.21 apg

Greg Kite

2005-07-22T12:01:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-11 255 Center

He's 83 inches of insurance policy against injuries to Robert Parish, Kevin McHale or Bill Walton... doesn't play much and plays raggedly when he does... Star of first magnitude as Houston schoolboy... Attended Brigham Young... Celts drafted him 21st overall in 1983... Born Aug. 5, 1961, in Houston... Averaged only 1.3 ppg, lowest mark on team... Ejected on April 8 in Milwaukee for throwing ball at official Lee Jones... Becoming known around league as thug... Earned $150,000 last season... Had season-high 10 rebounds twice... Celts will replace him if they can.

Relevant Stats:
1.3 ppg, 37.4 FG%, 38.5 FT%

David Thirdkill

2005-07-20T12:04:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-7 215 Forward-Guard

Should have dropped to his knees in thankful prayer when Celtics claimed him off waiver list Dec. 5... Just the 12th man... His playoff share of about $40,000 was more than half his salary... Doesn't figure to be in league this season... Certainly doesn't project as Celtic... Did have 20-point, eight-rebound effort against Warriors Jan. 24... Born April 12, 1960, in St. Louis... Suns drafted him 15th overall in 1982, out of Bradley... Has played for five teams in four years.

Relevant Stats:
3.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.3 apg

Additional info: Played in the Philippines as Tanduay's import back in the late eighties. Also known as "The Sheriff," IIRC.

Scott Wedman

2005-07-19T14:48:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-7 225 Forward

Started 18 games when Kevin McHale was injured and Boston went 15-3... Very important part of the Celtics... Played only last game in finals due to broken ribs sustained earlier in playoffs against Bucks... Completed third full season with Boston and got his second championship ring... Born July 29, 1952, in Harper, Kan.... Kings chose him sixth overall in 1974, out of Colorado... Hasn't averaged double figures for Boston since arriving from Cavaliers in January 1983 for Darren Tillis, cash and a 1983 first-rounder... Had 10 or more points 14 times as starter... Streak shooter played in more games than he had in any season since 1980-81.

Relevant Stats:
8.0 ppg, 48.1 FG%, 2.4 rpg

Rick Carlisle

2005-07-18T21:23:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-5 210 Guard

Just another pretty face who didn't contribute a whole lot to the Celt's success... Some say he has talent, but he doesn't get much chance to show it... Born Oct. 27, 1959, in Ogdensburg, N.Y.... Celtics chose him 69th overall in 1984... Attended Virginia, where he played with Ralph Sampson... Averaged fewer than 10 minutes per game in regular season... Had game high of 10 points... Missed much of rookie year with injury... Made 5 of 6 shots in Los Angeles when Celtics scored second of two victories over Lakers... Spent most of NBA finas blocking view of fans and reporters by sitting where he didn't belong in the Summit.

Relevant Stats:
2.6 ppg, 1.35 apg, 65.2 FT%

Jerry Sichting

2005-07-18T16:03:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-1 175 Guard

Another of those "outhouse-to-the-penthouse" types who escaped a career on the garbage heap in Indiana and now wears a championship ring... Celts signed him as free agent for $825,000 over four years, including bonus of $125,000... Gave Boston the outside shooting it needed... Was average player with Pacers and would have been that for nearly any team other than Celtics, who needed him only to do what he does best -- shoot -- and for only 19.5 minutes per night... Made 42 of his last 61 shots during regular season, when he was only Celtic not to block a shot... Showed he can take a punch when Houston's Ralph Sampson clocked him twice on the chops in Game 5 of finals. "I didn't know if that was a punch or a mosquito," said Sichting. "My son hits harder than that and he's only three years old."... Born Nov. 29, 1956, in Martinsville, Ind.... Drafted 82nd overall by Warriors in 1979, out of Purdue.

Relevant Stats:
6.5 ppg, 57.0 FG% 92.4 FT%

Dennis Johnson

2005-07-15T19:50:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-4 200 Guard

Where would the Sonics have been without him?... Where would the Suns have been without him?... Where would the Celtics have been without him?... Lost in the expansive shadows of the Celtics' frontline, but DJ was neck-and-neck with Larry Bird for final-round MVP honors until subpar Game 4... Outlived his welcome in Seattle, where coach Lenny Wilkens called him "a cancer" and in Phoenix, where coach John MacLeod said he was disruptive... Hard to believe that about the DJ of today, who is quiet, confident and productive at both ends of the floor... Born Sept. 18, 1954, in San Pedro, Cal.... Drafted 29th overall by Sonics in 1976, out of Pepperdine... Earns $ 782,500 per season... One of 16 children... Was MVP in 1978-79 playoffs.

Relevant Stats:
15.6 ppg, 5.8 apg, 45.5 FG%

Bill Walton

2005-07-13T13:37:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-11 235 Center

The tallest non-7-footer in the world... Looks down at Robert Parish and Akeem Olajuwon, both of whom are listed as taller than he is... Former shyness caused him to refuse to be ranked as a 7-footer... Had a ball last season... Laid groundwork for his trade from Clippers to Celts for Cedric Maxwell... Moments after the Celts beat Rockets for title, he said, "Considering what has happened in my career, this is the happiest moment of my basketball life."... Missed nearly four full seasons due to foot fractures... First pick overall in 1974 draft by Trail Blazers... Had starred at UCLA, leading Bruins to two NCAA titles... Last season, he won NBA's Sixth Man Award, supplanting Kevin McHale, who took it the previous two seasons... Played about 18 minutes a night, spelling Parish and McHale... A force with his scoring, rebounding and passing... Field-goal accuracy of .562 was best of career... As final seconds ticked away in decisive Game 6 against Rockets, he embraced Larry Bird. "I said, 'Thank you, very much,'" said Walton. "I came here to win a title and, these guys, they gave it to me."... Makes $425,000 per season... Born Nov. 5, 1952 in La Mesa, Cal.

Relevant Stats:
7.6 ppg, 52.2 FG%, 6.8 rpg

Danny Ainge

2005-07-12T17:11:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-5 190 Guard

Improved again.. Made the right move when he abandoned major-league baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays to sign with Celts in 1981... Negotiated his own new contract, worth about $600,000 per year... Had he made two more free throws, he would have own league percentage championship last season... finished with .904 mark, but had only 123 successes, two less than required minimum... Rarely misses an open outside jumper and gets plenty when opponents double-team big men... Still feisty, still hated by most fans outside Boston, still an integral part of Boston attack... Born March 17, 1959, in Salt lLake City... Drafted 31st by Celtics in 1981, even though he was playing for Blue Jays at that time... Brigham Young product will probably always be thought of as a cheap-shot artist, but it's his peskiness that really gets opponents angry.

Relevant Stats:
10.7 ppg, 90.4 FT%, 50.4 FG%

Robert Parish

2005-07-09T13:00:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
7-0 240 Center

Signed new contract worth about $1.5 million annually... Will he ever be accepted as a "true Celtic," whatever that is?... Boston press ripped him after he had 3-for-15 shooting effort in Game 3 of finals... Wasn't all that sensational against the Rockets, but did have his moments... Had strong regular season, posting second-best shooting percentage of career with .549 mark... Seemed to mellow a bit last season, answering criticism calmly for the most part, although he did jilt the press for one day in Houston, earning the monicker "Chief Run 'n' Hide" for his efforts... Soft-touch jumper is maddeningly accurate... Stone-faced expression always makes him look like he's apathetic, but neither teammates nor management have any problems with him... Born Aug. 30, 1953 in Shreveport, La.... Warriors picked him eighth overall in 1976... Came to Celtics along with draft choice that became Kevin McHale, for two first-round picks, one of which became Joe Barry Carroll.

Relevant Stats:
16.1 ppg, .549 FG, 9.5 rpg

Kevin McHale

2005-07-08T12:08:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-10 240 Forward

Talented, strong , colorful, articulate, funny, charming, outdoorsy, family-oriented, fun-loving... The complete package of person and player... Second on club to Larry Bird in scoring at 21.3 ppg... Led Celts against Rockets in finals with 25.8 ppg average, forged on .573 shooting from the floor... After Akeem Olajuwon exploded on him in opener of finals, he held Rocket center in check, then shackled Ralph Sampson in climatic Game 6... Always open and witty with media, he gets burned occasionally but never seems to care... Would rather be fishing, with a six-pack beside him, than just about anything else... No. 3 pick overall by Celts in 1980, out of Minnesota... Born Dec. 19, 1957, in Hibbing, Minn.... Secured new deal worth average of $1.6 million, but told agent not to ask for more than that since he felt Bird deserved to be top-paid player on team... Ranked fifth in league in field-goal percentage at .574.

Relevant Stats:
21.3 ppg, 57.4% FG, 8.1 rpg

Larry Bird

2005-07-06T12:41:00.000+08:00

Boston Celtics
6-9 220 Forward

What else can he do?... Another regular-season MVP award, another postseason MVP award, another NBA championship ring... "Well," he said, "I can do it all again." Don't bet that he won't... Struggled until late December, as back and elbow ailments held him to 44-percent accuracy from the field. "I couldn't bend over or anything," said Bird. "But when my injuries went away, I felt there was nothing I couldn't do."... Did it all... Led NBA in free-throw shooting and won three-point field-goal contest during All-Star weekend... Named NBA Player of the Month twice... Born Dec. 7, 1956, in French Lick, Ind.... A future eligible pick by Celtics, who chose him sixth overall in 1978 draft... Last season, Indiana State product was fourth in league in scoring (25.8 ppg), seventh in rebounding (9.8 rpg), fourth in three-point field-goal percentage (.423) adn nith in steals (166)... Tied three others for most field goals made in a game with 21... Makes $1.8 million... The best there is and, arguably, the best there has ever been.

Relevant Stats:
25.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 6.8 apg, 2 stls/game, .496 FG, .423 3ptFG

Coach Mike Fratello

2005-03-06T01:00:00.000+08:00

Atlanta Hawks

NBA Coach of the Year, as judged by writers and broadcasters... Signed new contract following last season... Feisty to a fault... Some observers felt it took him awhile to learn what to do with a fast-break team... Admitted he cut his coaching teeth on the half-court style of Hubie Brown, but said he's an uptempo kind of guy at heart... Made Dominique Wilkins a better player with a firm but understanding hand... Yanked Wilkins immediately after each forced shot or bad pass, explained what he did wrong, then reinserted him into the game... Gave Spud Webb a chance and was rewarded many times... Born Feb. 24, 1947, in Hackensack, NJ... Attended Montclair State (N.J.) College... Improved three-year head-coaching to 124-122 with 50-32 finish.

Scott Hastings

2005-02-27T13:01:00.000+08:00

6-10 235 Center

Became more of a thug than anything else... Dragged down Celtics' Danny Ainge in playoff game and got kicked several times for his trouble... Was ejected in Game 5 after flagrantly fouling Greg Kite... Obviously knows roughstuff is only way he can stay in NBA, where he earned $180,000 last season... Has been a pro for four season and has yet to average more than 4.5 ppg... Born June 3, 1960, in Independence, Kan.... Knicks chose him 29th overall in 1982, out of Arkansas... Went to Hawks along with $600,000 for guard Rory Sparrow in February 1983... He's cheap insurance against injuries to Tree Rollins and Kevin Willis, but his cheap shots have to stop.

Relevant stats:
3.4 ppg, 2 rpg, 40.9 FG%

Mike Mcgee

2005-02-27T13:00:00.000+08:00

6-5 190 Guard

Became a Hawk on draft day, when Lakers traded him and rights to first-rounder Billy Thompson and second-rounder Ron Kellogg... Was jerked in and out of the Laker starting lineup throughout five-year stay in LA... At times, you wonder why he's not in the CBA... Shooting is his forte, but he slumped to .463 last season... Born July 29, 1959, in Tyler, Tex., the home of football star Earl Campbell... Grew up in Omaha, Neb.... A virtual scoring machine during his days at Michigan State, where he played one season with Magic Johnson... Lakers made him No. 19 pick overall in 1981 and had big plans for him, but he never got more than brief chances to play... Maybe things will be different in Atlanta.

Relevant stats:
8.3 ppg, 46.3 FG%, 1.17 apg

Antoine Carr

2004-12-05T13:10:00.000+08:00

6-9 225 Forward

Was hurt more often than not and missed the playoffs... Played in 17 regular-season games... Has failed to live up to advance billing as eight player chosen overall by Pistons in 1983, out of Wichita State... Played first pro season in Italy after contract squabble... This Carr looks like he's carying around a rumble seat... Born July 23 1961, in Oklahoma City, Okla... Will make $390,000 this season... Time for him to start earning it... A good shooter, but one wonders about his work ethic... Improvement by him could make Hawks even better than they were in 1985-86.

Relevant Stats:
6.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.82 apg

Jon Koncak

2004-12-05T13:09:00.000+08:00

7-0 245 Center

Worked extensively with former Knick great Willis Reed... Positioning remains a problem... Reed wants him to develop a sweeping hook shot, a la Kareem Abdul-Jabbar... Had lousy playoff series against the Celtics, taking 13 shots, missing eight, scoring 15 points and fouling out of Game 5 in 18 minutes... Born May17, 1963, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa... Became 1984 Olympian, then was chosen No. 5 overal by Hawks in 1985... SMU's all-time leading rebounder and shot-blocker and its second-best scorer... Could use more of a nasty streak.

Relevant Stats:
8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.67 apg

Johnny Davis

2004-12-05T13:08:00.000+08:00

6-2 170 Guard

Acquired from Cavaliers for Eddie Johnson with 32 games left in season... Had gone to Cavs from Hawks prior to 1884-85... Hawk GM Stan Kasten obviously meant it when he said at the time that this guy was "the finest human being I've ever met," because Kasten got him back when the opportunity presented itself... Just an insurance guard now, with Randy Wittman, Glenn Rivers and Spud Webb getting most of minutes... Used rarely in playoffs... Attended Dayton... Was drafted 22nd overall by Portland in 1976... Played on Blazers' championship team in 1976-77... Born Oct. 21, 1955, in Detroit... Took $175,000 pay cut to sign with Cavs last season.

Relevant Stats:
6.3 ppg, 0.83 rpg, 3.3 apg

Randy Wittman

2004-12-05T13:07:00.000+08:00

6-6 210 Guard

Flourished in the playoffs after ranking second to Dominique Wilkins among Hawks' regular season scorers... Averaged 17.8 ppg in postseason, including 35-point outburst the same night Wilkins scored 50 against Pistons... A great corner jump-shooter he needs a good pass and a short screen and he'll do the rest... Indiana product drafted 22nd overall by Bullets in 1983, then sent to Hawks for second-round pick and forward Tom McMillen shortly thereafter... Started 79 games and played in 81 last season after missing 41 in 1984-85... One of three 1,000-point scorers on Hawks... Confidence boost should carry over to this season, when his contract runs out after paying him $300,000... Born Oct. 28, 1959, in Indianapolis, Ind.

Relevant Stats:
12.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.78 apg

Cliff Levingston

2004-12-05T13:06:00.000+08:00

6-8 215 Forward

Plays caddy to Dominique Wilkins, which cant't please former star at Wichita State... Became free agent earning $200,000 last season... Averaged 24 minutes per game in regular season, down nearly five minutes per game from previous year... Lousy free-throw shooter... Still doesn't seem comfortable with his own body... Was ninth player chosen in 1982 draft, going to Detroit, which eventually sent him and Antoine Carr to Hawks for Dan Roundfield prior to 1984-85... born Jan. 4, 1961, in San Diego... May want out of Atlanta because his prospects for playing timearen't good.

Relevant Stats:
9.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 0.89 apg

Kevin Willis

2004-12-05T13:05:00.000+08:00

7-0 245 Forward-Center

Thought to be a gamble when Hawks made him 11th pick overall in 1984, but Michigan State product is developing rapidly... Third-leading Hawk scorer last season, he was second to Dominique Wilkins in playoff... Underutilized against Boston... Terrorized Larry Bird, but didn't see the ball consistently enough for the mismatch to change the series' outcome... Born Sept. 6, 1962, in Los Angeles... Became more and more vocal as season went along and projects as possible team leader... Needs to learn to pass ball when he's double-teamed instead of forcing shots... Will make $250,000 this season.

Relevant Stats:
10.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 0.55 apg

Spud Webb

2004-12-05T13:03:00.000+08:00

5-7 130 Guard

Drafted 87th overall by Pistons in 1985, out of North Carolina State, he was cut before summer ended, then signed by Hawks as free agent... Steal of steals... NBA Slam Dunk champion, defeating teammate Dominique Wilkins in finals... Victory was bittersweet because it was Wilkins who took him under his wing and told coach Mike Fratello that the little guy with size-seven sneakers should make the team... Blossomed in second half of season... Free throws in second OT gave Hawks victory in Game 5 of series vs. Pistons... Was virtually unstoppable in set with Celts, getting 21 points, 12 assists and six rebounds in Game 4 victory... Carries huge chip on tiny should about his size... Made $75,000 last year... Born July 13, 1963, in Dallas... Says "I guess I would say I am livin a dream."

Relevant Stats:
7.8 ppg, 1.55 rpg, 4.26 apg

Wayne (Tree) Rollins

2004-12-05T13:02:00.000+08:00

7-1 245 Center

Elder statesman of team... Born June 16, 1955, in Cordele, Ga... The 14th plyer picked in 1977 went to Atlanta and he has been there ever since... Still has an offensive game that is offensive, but his rebounding and shot-blocking are big plusses for Hawks... Richly rewarded at $923,000 this season, with provisions for another $59,000 in bonuses... Could double salary of teammate Dominique Wilkins... Coach Mike Fratello said in 1985-1986, "Tree had his best season ever for us,"... Lost starting job, then regained it... Clemson product turned the boos of 1984-1985 into cheers last season... Cousin of former teammate and current Cavalier Eddie Johnson... Was eight among league's shot-blockers with average of 2.26 per game last season.

Relevant Stats:
5.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 0.55 apg, 2.26 bpg

Glenn "Doc" Rivers

2004-12-05T13:01:00.000+08:00

6-4 184 Guard

Missed 28 games with broken hand... Accepted responsibility as on-court leader after being tentative... Streaky shooter who needs work... Missed all 16 three-point shots in regular season, but was 3-for-6 in playoffs... Finally stopped asking people not to call him "Doc," out of respect for Julius Erving... Usually relieved by Spud Web, presenting drastic change in style... Good defensive player, he is also fearless where rebounding is concerned... Born Oct. 13, 1961, in Maywood, Ill... Was thought to have made a mistake when he left Marquette a year early to become 31st overall pick by Hawks in 1983... Made $155,000 last season and completes contract this season at $200,000 with possibility of $10,000 in bonuses.

Relevant Stats:
11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 8.4 apg

Dominique Wilkins

2004-12-05T13:00:00.000+08:00

6-7 215 Forward

Became NBA scoring king with a 30.3-ppg average, improving his game in many facets last season... Outside shot and passing improved but, when games were on the line, Hawks looked for him to go one-on-one, just like always... After leading Hawks past Pistons in first round of playoffs, he slumped badly against Celtics, making only 41 of 103 shots... In two games at Atlanta, he had 75 points, but he managed only 45 in three at Boston... Bitterly disappointed at failure to repeat as NBA Slam Dunk champion... Felt teammate Spud Webb got sympathy points from judges because of size... Tireless worker who still plays out of control sometimes... Born Jan. 12, 1960, in Sorbonne, France... Utah chose Georgia grad thrid overall in 1982, but dealt rights to Hawks for John Drew, Freeman Williams and cash... Grossly underpaid at $510,000 this season, considering all he means to Hawks.

Relevant stats:
30.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.6 apg