9602030732
DETROIT FREE PRESS
961101
Friday, November 01, 1996
METRO FINAL
11H
CORKY MEINECKE; MITCH ALBOM; CHARLIE VINCENT;
SPECIAL SECTION; '96-'97 NBA PREVIEW
Copyright (c) 1996, Detroit Free Press
FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
Corky Meinecke
It won't be as much fun -- how can it be, with Allan Houston's pretty
jumper residing in New York? -- but there's no reason why the Pistons can't
win another 46 games and qualify for the playoffs. Trouble is, they still
don't have enough firepower to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs.
The NBA title goes to Chicago unless one of the Big Three -- Jordan, Pippen,
Rodman -- suffers serious injury. But this time, Seattle extends the Bulls to
seven games.
Mitch Albom
The Pistons were making big progress -- and then New York offered Allan
Houston a limo ride, and things began to unravel. Now the burden falls on
Grant Hill. If he's really as determined as he sounds, I'll pick the Pistons
to win the first round of their playoffs. If not, they'll be the nicest bunch
of guys to just miss. As for the championship, Michael over Hakeem in six.
Charlie Vincent
The Pistons will get better as this season goes on, but a slow start
probably will keep them from matching last season's 46 regular-season wins.
If they get past the first round of the playoffs, they are making progress.
But don't expect them to get to the Eastern Conference finals -- where the New
York Knicks will win -- or to the NBA Finals, where the Knicks will defeat
the Utah Jazz.
Perry A. Farrell
Doug Collins says he isn't concerned about the offense; the defense might
be better than last year, when it allowed an average of 92.9 points. It won't
be easy to duplicate last season's 46 victories; let's say 44-38 and a spot in
the playoffs. In the Finals, the Chicago Bulls over Houston in six.
Keith Gave
If the Pistons can't inspire us with their hard work, then there is
something wrong with our work ethic. Look for them to win fewer games in the
regular season than a year ago, but one or two in the playoffs. Chicago will
take the fifth after a nasty battle with Houston.
THIS ELECTRONIC VERSION MAY DIFFER SLIGHTLY FROM THE PRINTED ARTICLE.
BASKETBALL; PISTONS; PREDICTION