| |
NOMINEE |
THE SKINNY |
| Overrated |
Michael Jordan |
Remember how his taking over as president of the Wizards was supposed to revitalize the entire league? Hasn't happened. Remember how his mere presence was expected to at least make his underachieving team play harder? Hasn't happened. The great Jordan is just another suit now, hamstrung by the salary cap. He's had zero impact. |
| Underrated |
Utah Jazz |
They were supposed to be washed up, but they outplayed the defending
champion Spurs and won the Midwest Division. They never have a high draft
choice, they never sign a big-name free agent, yet they always win at least 50
games. Their sustained excellence over the last 15 years is more impressive than
any single championship season. |
| Annoying |
The Dream Team debate |
Should we send the pros or shouldn't we? Are they boorish or just exuberant? Enough already. The NBA has no plans to pull out of the Olympics, so if the behavior of its players makes your blood boil or the routs put you to sleep, skip men's hoops and wait for gymnastics. |
| Breakthrough |
Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
|
The jolt of electricity that went through the crowd when Carter soared
for the between-the-legs dunk during All-Star Weekend not only cemented his
status as the NBA's top attraction, but also it was one of the few moments of
genuine, non-packaged excitement the league produced all season. |
| Uplifting |
Sean Elliott, San Antonio Spurs |
In making it all the way back after a kidney transplant, Elliott showed a quiet courage that was matched only by that of his brother Noel, who donated the kidney that saved Sean's life. It doesn't matter whether you're a Spurs fan -- you have to smile every time you see Elliott play. |
| MVP |
Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers |
He finally had the year all his opponents always feared he would, dominating the league at both ends of the court from the start of the season to the finish. Everyone wondered what Shaq would do if he ever really got serious. Now we know. |
| Storyline to follow in 2001 |
Declining fan interest |
TV ratings are down, and there are empty seats in cities where you couldn't beg, borrow or steal a ticket a few years ago. No one expected the league to maintain the popularity it enjoyed during the Magic-Larry-Michael days, but the lack of interest is getting serious. The buzz about the NBA is fading, and the league has to stop this trend. |
