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NBA opens 60th season with Spurs seeking fourth crown in eight years
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-31 09:21
"Team unity goes a long way toward success in this league," Pacers coach Rick
Carlisle said. "San Antonio and Detroit, those teams have been the most
together, along with being very good. That's got to be a big part of our goal."
Phoenix won 62 games last season but could not overcome the Spurs in the
playoffs and Canadian guard Steve Nash, the NBA Most Valuable Player, will be
without center Amare Stoudemire for at least four months after knee surgery.
Shawn Marion and Jim Jackson provide scoring punch for a Suns' squad hoping
to find some defensive intensity to match its offensive aggressiveness.
"I think we can still spread the floor and we can create some mismatches,"
Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We scored on them last year. It's just that we
couldn't stop them. Hopefully we'll be able to do a little bit better job."
Carmelo Anthony could lift Denver into contention while Chinese center Yao
Ming and star guard Tracy McGrady ignite Houston's offense in a bid to advance
beyond round one of the playoffs.
"I think we'll have a good year," Yao said. "Right now, Tracy and me have one
year of experience. We know how to play together."
LeBron James vows to lift Cleveland into the playoffs at last.
"There should be no excuses for us not getting to the playoffs," James said.
"Anything is possible, but I won't let it happen, not this year."
Phil Jackson returns to coach the Lakers and Bryant, whom he once dubbed
"uncoachable". NBA scoring champion Allen Iverson looks for team success in
Philadelphia while top draft pick Andrew Bogut of Australia attempts to revive
Milwaukee.
Damage from Hurricane Katrina will force the New Orleans Hornets to play most
of their home games in Oklahoma City, which might help the poorest-drawing team
in the NBA improve upon attendance figures.
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