SCOUTING REPORTS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
 
ATLANTIC DIVISION
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (4)*
NEW YORK KNICKS (6)
NEW JERSEY NETS (8)
BOSTON CELTICS (9)
TORONTO RAPTORS (12)
 
CENTRAL DIVISION
DETROIT PISTONS (1)
INDIANA PACERS (2)
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (5)
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (11)
CHICAGO BULLS (13)
 
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
MIAMI HEAT (3)
ORLANDO MAGIC (7)
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (10)
ATLANTA HAWKS (14)
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (15)
 
WESTERN CONFERENCE
 
NORTHWEST DIVISION
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (2)
DENVER NUGGETS (7)
UTAH JAZZ (8)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (11)
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (12)
 
PACIFIC DIVISION
SACRAMENTO KINGS (3)
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (5)
PHOENIX SUNS (10)
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (14)
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (15)
 
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (1)
HOUSTON ROCKETS (4)
DALLAS MAVERICKS (6)
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (9)
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (13)
*Conference ranking, 1 to 15
 
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
PISTONS OVER HEAT
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
SPURS OVER T-WOLVES
NBA FINALS
PISTONS OVER SPURS
PLAYER VALUE RANKINGS (PVR): We ranked the NBA's players from 1 (the best) to 400 based largely on our projections of their statistical production this season as well as other factors related to past performance and potential. The categories considered were points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots, field goal percentage, free throws made and three-pointers made. We also took into account each player's career stats as well as his role on the team, his prospects for improving or declining, his injury history and his physical condition. Using these criteria, we determined each player's PVR, which appears next to his name in his team's projected lineup.
NBA scores and stats, complete PVR listings, and news and analysis from Jack McCallum and Marty Burns at si.com/basketball.
PROJECTED LINEUPS, FAST FACTS AND PVRS COMPILED BY DAVID SABINO
 
COLOR PHOTO
Photograph by John W. McDonough
FLYING SOLO
Without his sizable sidekick Shaq, Kobe Bryant won't make it back to the Finals with the Lakers, but the well-knit Spurs and their team defense will make their second trip in three years.