The Big Dog's bark is worse than his bite.

ARE THEY BETTER THAN AOL?
Yep, but that only means they're not AOL Time Warner's worst performer. The Hawks finished 26th in assists last season and added a star, Glenn Robinson, who won't pass. They also finished 25th in points allowed, and Big Dog doesn't play D, either. In other words: same old, same old, only more of it. Robinson, Jason Terry and Shareef Abdur-Rahim will score in bunches. But so will the guys they guard.

STARTING FIVE
Ratliff may have been Philadelphia's MVP the first half of 2000-01 (when he earned an All-Star spot), but he might never be healthy for a full season again.

Central Division

1. Hornets

2. Pacers

3. Pistons

4. Raptors

5. Bucks

6. Hawks

7. Bulls

8. Cavs

Scouting Report Index

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, PF: Can't argue with the numbers (21.2/9.0)
Glenn Robinson, SF: You can argue that his boards (6.2 rpg) should be better
Theo Ratliff, C: Best shotblocker in the game, if healthy
Dion Glover, SG: How about one more look at the waiver wire?
Jason Terry, PG: The assist number (5.7 last season) isn't so hot

BENCH
DerMarr Johnson's absence hurts because Emanual Davis, Chris Crawford, Alan Henderson and Nazr Mohammed are, at best, average.

GLOBAL VIEW
Nada. C'mon, guys, they play good ball beyond your own backyard.

FREEWHEELIN' WITH WALTON
Does the playoff guarantee have a regime change as the payoff?

This article will appear in the November 11 issue of ESPN The Magazine.