CyberSpy - CBS SportsLine

An opening night fairy tale

By Mike Kahn
CBS SportsLine Executive Editor
Nov. 2, 1998

The season is not going to start any time soon. But with the original opening date of Nov. 3 upon us, the CyberSpy offers a fantasy scenario of what would happen had the games been played. 'Twas the night before the opening and all through the NBA, not a player was stirring, or even allowed in the house. So we'll put together our own scheduled games, and players too, but not before we briefly discuss the snafu.

Let's begin with this interlude of pessimism from the players association and the NBA with regard to the future of real games for the 1998-99 season.

The NBA has locked out its players thanks to collective bargaining discord, and if you want to know how optimistic players association executive director Billy Hunter is, all you had to do was hear him on a national conference call Monday.

HIS GUT FEELING: The games won't begin until January. Ruminations over the weekend about a deal being complete in principle prompted the conference call, with Hunter saying, "We obviously think we're much further apart than we were a week ago on economic issues. My optimism last (week) was because we were meeting, and I felt the owners and the league were somewhat anxious."

Now everybody else is just that -- anxious. Or, as deputy commissioner Russ Granik said, "We agree with Mr. Hunter. We are not close."

All that aside, let's take a look at the scheduled games for Tuesday:

Boston at New York, Philadelphia at Washington, Dallas at Orlando, Indiana at Miami, Detroit at Atlanta, New Jersey at Toronto, Chicago at Cleveland, Vancouver at Utah, Minnesota at Phoenix and Seattle at Golden State.

Any games jump up and grab you?

Well, let's have some fun with it anyway. Starting from the top.

Boston Celtics at New York Knicks

The Celtics have 11 players and the Knicks 10. There's also this continuing perception that Antoine Walker and somebody will be traded by the Celtics to Miami for Jamal Mashburn and P.J. Brown. As for the game, Patrick Ewing would have scored 28, and the Knicks still would have lost to the ever-improving Celts. Marcus Camby can't help because the Knicks still don't have a point guard.

Philadelphia 76ers at Washington Wizards

Not only are the Sixers a bad team,

Allen Iverson is more than capable of filling in the offensive void of missing teammates. (AP)

they only have six players right now, although Allen Iverson can certainly take enough shots to cover the team. The Bullets, uh, Wizards, now have Otis Thorpe and Mitch Richmond instead of Chris Webber. They still have Juwan Howard and are threatening to re-sign My Giant. Skip the game. Wait for it to come out on video.

Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic

Let's see, the Mavs have six players and the Magic five. Well, the Magic have five until Penny Hardaway starts to play and twists an ankle or knee or strains his calf, hamstring or quad. Hopefully he'll wear goggles so he won't get poked in the eye. And then there's the possibility of Nick Anderson at the free throw line! The Mavs have Michael Finley, and he's pretty spectacular. Hopefully, Don Nelson won't ruin him.

Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat

All things being equal, this would be the best matchup of the night, especially if they have some players. The Pacers actually have nine players -- including both Davises, Reggie, McKey and Mullie. The Heat have Zo and Bug and Majerle can probably stand up for 10 minutes at a time to fire some treys. But if they play soon enough, Riles will suit up himself. And you can bet, he won't be taking any prisoners.

Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks

The Pistons have eight players under contract, and that's twice as many as the Hawks, if you can believe that. Under contract are Mookie, Dikembe, Smitty and young Ed Gray. Now we'll see if Lenny can really coach. We still know Grant Hill needs help and Brian Williams is the best quote in professional sports and Lindsey Hunter is exceptionally quick (if he could ever figure out what to do with the ball). In this case, Alvin Gentry outcoaches Lenny.

New Jersey Nets at Toronto Raptors

OK, now we have a matchup. Ten players apiece. Of course, the average age of the Raptors is 14 compared to 30 for the Nets. Oh yeah, they decided to add aging masons Kevin Willis and Charles Oakley. And Dee Brown continues trying to be a 6-1 shooting guard, and people think Tracy McGrady will be a great player once he gets out of his teens. The Nets have a chance to be good, featuring the extreme speed of Sam Cassell, Kendall Gill and Kerry Kittles and a budding star in Keith Van Horn. The rest are head-bangers. Actually, this might be a fun war to watch.

Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers

There was a time when this was one of the great matchups in sports. The Bulls have Keith Booth, Randy Brown, Ron Harper and Toni Kukoc. Evidently, Tim Floyd can play, too. By the way, Michael will show up soon. Count on it. Meanwhile, the Cavs, starring Shawn Kemp, are young and loaded. With their European bangers Potapenko and Ilgauskas, plus youth in Brevin Knight, Derek Anderson and Cedric Henderson, this is a team on the move. So much for the defending champs.

Vancouver Grizzlies at Utah Jazz

Another matchup of 10 players apiece. That's the good news. The Mailman ran a radio guy out of town and Stockton keeps trying to get the rest of the players to compromise and play while his knees and Horny's knees are still working. And there are other guys still beating each other up. As for the Grizzlies, the Shareef is still in charge, and Big Country is knocking people round, while all his buddies are also getting physical. In fact, the 20 players need shoulder pads for this game.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns

The Wolves have this super young duo of Garnett and Marbury, although Marbury keeps threatening to head home to New York next season. Garnett will have to see about that, while the Wolves try to reel Googs back in to play with the rest of a group that is trying to figure out how to be a contender. Meanwhile, the Suns have all of five players, essentially four stiffs and Jason Kidd. The entire concept of Danny Manning moving quickly on the basketball floor is a little hard to believe.

Seattle SuperSonics at Golden State Warriors

The Sonics have six players under contract for new coach Paul Westphal, including the Glove, Vin and Det. Hersey and The Man who was paid too much (Jim McIlvaine) also are back with somebody named Aaron Williams. As for the Warriors, P.J. still has Spree to deal with, and Muggsy, and Adonal and Donyell and Felton. And they're hoping Erick can play center and guard Tony Delk. A fun game? The Warriors need twice as many players to beat anybody, especially the Sonics. Or, maybe we should just play the games on video.

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