European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 04, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 28 the stars and stripes sports thursday november 4,1993 come is new with air missing Michael Jordan s departure makes things easier for Patrick Ewing and the kicks. By Harvey Araton the new York time sin the Eastern conference this time around there Are French doors swung wide open with a mat that says Wel come knicks.". Welcome to the Michael Jordan less East where two words i quit erased Alt memories of a stand Pat Knick sum Mer and made heavy favourites of the team that stands behind Pat. Coach Riley ought to have himself Good laugh watching his favorite spitting contest partner coach Phil Jackson at tempt to squeeze 45 victories but of the Chicago  air Jordan the bulls won 57 last season. Barring the acquisition of a Impact scorer or another a Den Cross Over career move by Jordan the bulls should t count on Home court playoff advantage again not even in the first round. The bulls will need big time performances by Scottie Pippen Horace Grant and . Armstrong and if Toni Kuko can pick up the National basketball association Pace Tymi season Jackson an the Jordan Aires May be Able to silence the critics who have said they will be nothing without Jordan. _. L certainly the bulls their situation made even worse by the knee injury sustained Friday by Center Scott Williams won t be finalists. Based on last season the Patrick Ewing led kicks would appear to be a shoo in for their first championship series since 1973, though questions of How sound they Are at Point guard and Small Forward remain. Sweet stroking Hubert Davis looks ready to join John Starks in a potent two guard rotation though Ritey will find the temptation to unite these two for stretches irresistible. One cliche born of truth is that de sense travels which is Why the kicks will win 60 regular season games and finish first again in what should be a spirited conference of rising new franchises Salut ing sliding old  s retirement keeps the kicks on a natural progression allowing rile to drive them hard without much threat of dissension getting in the , or who will be an obstacle some believe that with Jordan no around to traumatize them Mark Price and the Cleveland Cavaliers can with a infusion of passion from their new coach. Mike  the Cavaliers Are weak willed stuck with Gerald Wilkins at their Start ing two guard spot and a frontline that features  Nance an under achieving John Williams and no Clear Choice of shall  playoff time Ewing May regret those summer tutorial scrimmages wit Alonzo mourning at Georgetown and Charlotte May pose a far greater threat to the kicks than the cursory upstart status now being granted the  with mourning who by the end of the regular season will have established him Elf As the new improved 1990s Model of Moses  hornets lost the gifted Kert Dall Gill but added a dependable and much needed perimeter shooter in Hersey Hawkins whose percentage did t falter last season even after Charles Barkley took his inside game from Philadelphia to  Johnson from Seattle and Del Curry Are Veteran scorers off the Bench. Aba East most people ask whether Charlotte can win big with the 5-foot-3-Inch Muggsy Bogues at the Point jut More pertinent questions  these can Larry Johnson live up to his $84 million deaf and can Allan Bristow coach at a championship level Orlando and Miami the other expansionist should move up to the Middle of the playoff pack. If Anemee Hardaway who struggled in the preseason begins earning his playing time next to Scott Skiles in the backcourt and so Aquileo Neal can stay out of foul trouble the magic could even push  no perceptible College coaching and no certificate of excellence from the Pete Newell big men s summer school Shaw did average 23.4 Points and 13.9 re Bounds last season. The heat needs an injury free season from All purpose guard Steve Smith whose Mere presence makes Glen Rice Rony Seikaly and Harold Miner better. If the heat starts slowly coach Kevi Loughery has to be fired. What next nets perhaps not the utter disarray and despair that might be expected after the tragic loss of Draze Petrovic and the defection of Chris Dud  Chuck Daly still has two of the league s most highly skilled players Bot with Brilliant court vision in Derrick Cole Man and Kenny Anderson. Both must Sta healthy for the nets to make the playoffs. Under the circumstances Kevin Edwards and Armon Gilliam Are useful additions though Coleman represents the Only Veteran who shoots the jumper with much  there was last season there will Likely be a wild scramble for the last Cou ple of playoff spot with Milwaukee in Diana and Atlanta capable of challenging the nets and bulls. Detroit and Boston could in the bestow situations stubbornly avoid the lottery which would Only satisfy the proud Veter ans on both rosters. The Bucks Are a legitimate Center away from becoming a solid playoff team with their nucleus of the emerging Star Tod Day free agent Forward Ken Norman Anthony Avent Blue Edwards and fran Brickowski. Indiana and Atlanta both have new coaches Larry Brown and Lenny Wil kens who Tell old stories. The pacers cast led by detlef Schrempf Reggie Miller and Rik Smits has for several years blown hot cold and out of the play offs in the first round and Schrumpt was traded to Seattle tuesday. The Hawks continue to Field terrific athletes led by the great Dominique Wil Kins who Are All lacking in one or two Basic basketball skills. \ the Best news for the crumbling Tel tics