Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Microcap & Penny Stocks : IATV - ACTV Interactive Television -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve Hausser who wrote (4137)	1/23/1999 1:34:00 PM
From: art slott	Respond to of 4748

Despite the late start I think it will be an exciting season. Houston, New York win big in free-agency After acquiring Pippen, Rockets aren't done yet; Pacers also big players Jan. 22 — Admit it. You got a little bored in June. It was like watching the same movie six times. The plot and the supporting cast changed a little, but the ending was always the same: Michael and Scottie smoking a fat cigar in Chicago's Grant Park. But now the A.M. (After Michael) Era begins in the NBA. Say it's sad, but don't say it's not interesting. A full section on the NBA MSNBC scores, stats and box scores Odds NBA Bulletin Board Keyword Title Author WHO WILL WIN it this year? Suddenly, you can't say for sure. The Houston Rockets made an early play to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers for supremacy in the West, working a deal for Scottie Pippen. Free-agent frenzy Suns may also lose Googs; Pippen, McDyess, Divac sign An updated team-by-team look at free agents, trades TSN: Sprewell joins Knicks, apologizes for past actions Murphy: Rockets might have stolen a championship Pippen finally a Rocket Rodman says he would like to play for Heat or Magic Gargano: Rockets, Knicks, Pacers are early winners Full reports on each team The Knicks were a step behind, trading for NBA bad boy Latrell Sprewell. But the dealing isn't done. Who will start the season as favorites? The Indiana Pacers? The Lakers? The Knicks or Rockets? All these teams have a legitimate shot. We'll even have a better idea in a week when this whirlwind of signings and trades shakes out. Anything else is up in the air, without Air. Let's examine the contenders: ROCKETS They scored the first big coup by working out a deal for Pippen, who is a perfect fit with Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, who decided to stay. It seems everybody wants to play in Houston. During the lockout, an All-Star team of players gathered together daily to get in their runs. As for the Rockets, it doesn't hurt that everybody likes Olajuwon and coach Rudy Tomjonavich. The Rockets also might make a pitch for Dennis Rodman, which would leave the team only a point guard away from almost being a sure thing to make a title run. Kevin Johnson would make a nice fit. KNICKS New York got younger and quicker quickly by trading John Starks, Chris Mills and Terry Cummings for Sprewell. They had hoped to make a run at a top point guard (Terrell Brandon, Bobby Sura) this offseason, but the lockout killed those plans. So they will bring back Charlie Ward as their point guard and use Chris Childs as backup. Point guard Rod Strickland has hinted he would love to return to New York. The Knicks would have the complete package if that did happen. The Knicks also must replace the big body of Charles Oakley — traded for Marcus Camby. Although the Knicks say they won't go after Rodman, don't be so sure. Rodman also would elevate this team. The point guard position remains a worry. It was the reason they lost to the Mark Jackson and the Pacers in last season's playoffs. So they will make a call to Rod Strickland or Kevin Johnson. Strickland actually might be easier to get with a one-year contract after a recent disagreement with the Wizards. PACERS No contender is more secure than Indiana. With a veteran team all under contract, a deep bench and Larry Bird as coach, the Pacers don't need much help. But one possibility is free agent forward Alan Henderson from the Hawks. He's a former Hoosier. He's a selfless player. He works. One problem: The Hawks, already without Christian Laettner, can't afford to lose him. The Pacers did add veteran Sam Perkins for some outside shooting — and this is a bigger plus than most people think. A full section on the NBA SPURS San Antonio has the '90s version of the Twin Towers — Tim Duncan and David Robinson — and that automatically means contending. Avery Johnson is an underrated point guard (see last year's playoffs) and Sean Elliott is supposedly healthy, but the missing ingredient here comes at the two-guard spot. The Spurs have been negotiating with the agent for Vinny Del Negro, who is currently playing in Italy. And believe this, he'll get mega money to stay there. Three nice additions also were guard Steve Kerr and forwards Jerome Kersey and Mario Elie. JAZZ In the scramble to assemble rosters for the upcoming season, which team took the biggest stride toward an NBA title? Blazers Magic Heat Pacers Hornets Rockets Jazz Sonics Knicks Spurs Lakers Suns Vote to see results Utah is very similar to the Pacers. The Jazz don't need much help, except maybe for Bryon Russell and Shandon Anderson to continue to improve and for John Stockton to stop aging (he'll turn 37 in March). But they do have a motivated Karl Malone, who signed an extension. The only addition will likely be former-Jazz Thurl Bailey, who will get a chance to replace the finally retired Antoine Carr off the bench. LAKERS You can expect them to be the new people's choice, if only because of Shaq and Kobe. But the Lakers knew they needed some tinkering. They acquired a strong backup center in Travis Knight and that probably means Eldon Campbell will be dealt. The Lakers also decided to sign Derek Harper as their point guard instead of Kevin Johnson. SUNS The plan was in place. The Suns were set. They were going to be the biggest player in free agency this off-season, signing two big-name players. Then the lockout came. Then they lost most of their cap leverage. They may become the market's biggest loser. The Suns, with only four players under contract, should still get one major player. The question is who. McDyess? They had hoped to re-sign McDyess, but the forward instead went to Denver. Gugliotta? The forward has hinted he is not interested in Phoenix. Gugliotta would complement Jason Kidd, Danny Manning and Rex Chapman well. Beyond that, they are awaiting approval from the league that will bring Luc Longley from Chicago in a trade. SONICS The Sonics did themselves a favor by trading center Jim McIlvaine to New Jersey for Don MacLean and Michael Cage. The only problem is that the Sonics are looking older. They signed center Olden Polynice and forward Billy Owens. None of the acquisitions are big enough to bring home a title though. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony Gargano writes regularly for MSNBC on the Internet and is a columnist for the New York Post. Broncos nearing end of the line Reeves makes believers of Falcons Bears' hiring of McGinnis on hold NBA free agents, team by team McDyess signs with Nuggets MSNBC VIEWER'S TOP 10 Would you recommend this story to other viewers? not at all 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 highly