My Opinion
Changes in store as 'new' NBA tips off tonight

With an unprecedented amount of trades, transactions and roster moves, even the keenest fanatic would have a difficult time keeping tabs on who the starting five is for the dismantled Chicago Bulls or the revamped frontcourt of the Houston Rockets.

So, in an effort to keep what fan base basketball's most spoiled league has, here are the key additions and losses of the reconstructed teams, complete with the biggest winners and losers.

Biggest loser: This unwanted award undoubtedly goes to the Bulls. With Jordan's retirement and Scottie Pippen taking his act to the Rockets, the team that won it all six of the last eight years might be one of the league's worst this year. In addition to losing two of the NBA's all-time greatest players, Dennis Rodman retired, then came back, then left saying he wants to play in warm weather. So, the over-hyped Brent Barry and Toni Kukoc will lead the running of the Bulls.

Biggest Winner (tie): Even though Houston only picked up one primetime player, the acquisition of Pippen for Roy Rogers and a second-round pick immediately launches the Rockets back into title contention. Now Hakeem Olajuwon will have someone else to go to for the majority of the game, not just the 20-huffing-and-puffing-minutes turned in by Charles Barkley.

New York now has a firm grip (pun intended) on its title chase since it won the Latrell Sprewell sweepstakes. The ex-Golden State Warrior guard who once choked his coach P.J. Carlesimo during practice will now play beside Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Marcus Camby, Allan Houston and newcomer Dennis Scott. Talk about an improvement in scenery. Now Sprewell has a definite shot of legally turning some heads.

Other key moves: The Suns added onto their already-potent offense by taking Tom Gugliotta away from Minnesota. Phoenix also picked up Luc Longley from the giving Bulls, but lost Antonio McDyess to the mountains of Denver.

Vlade Divac and Chris Webber are now making Sacramento their home court, thus adding at least some interest to what is traditionally one of the league's worst teams.

The Sixers are looking to improve on their putrid 31-win 1997-98 season with the addition of rookie Larry Hughes and Matt Geiger.

Milwaukee got a good rookie of its own in Robert "Tractor" Traylor and added veteran Vinny Del Negro.

Fearless Predictions: Expect to see four teams -- Utah, the Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana, and the New York Knicks -- rise above the rest in their respective divisions. When the playoffs come around after just 50 games, don't be surprised if you see a Shaquille O'Neal vs. Rik Smits showdown in the finals.

With many roster moves and pickups, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Denver and Detroit will all be improved. The Nuggets, who added McDyess and Chauncey Billups to go along with Nick Van Exel, should win more games in this shortened season than the 11 they won all of last year.

Look for Shaq to lead the league in both scoring and field goal percentage. Last season O'Neal won the field goal percentage race in a landslide and his 28.3 points per game were eclipsed only by His Airness.

Depending on where Rodman finally decides to play, Indiana should meet the Lakers in the finals. However, if Rodman goes to the Big Apple, it could change everything and give Spike Lee something to really cheer about.

Either way, Shaq should finally get his ring and hopefully quit rapping.