The only thing the Warriors can count on is Jamison scoring big.

CAN MUSS FIX THIS MESS?
Not even Phil Jackson could do that. Hiring the inexperienced Eric Musselman as coach is just the latest questionable move by a team mired in mediocrity (and that's in a good season). At least Muss has a foundation: Dunk king Jason Richardson is set to break out, and Antawn Jamison (19.7 ppg) can fill it. But the Warriors will extend the NBA's longest playoff drought to nine years. Moldin' State would be more apt.

STARTING FIVE
The goal this season is to have better shooters on the floor than in the front office (where Chris Mullin now works). Hey, you gotta start somewhere.

Pacific Division

1. Kings

2. Lakers

3. Clippers

4. Blazers

5. Sonics

6. Suns

7. Warriors

Scouting Report Index

Troy Murphy, PF: Didn't Danny Fortson finish fourth in NBA in rpg (11.7)? He did
Antawn Jamison, SF: It's been four years. Is it going to happen for you, or not?
Erick Dampier, C: Only because someone's gotta start in the middle
Jason Richardson, SG: Sorry, 'Tawn, this will soon be Jason's team. (Sorry, Jason)
Bob Sura, PG: Scoring has dropped two straight years (13.8/11.1/10.0)

BENCH
Gilbert Arenas backs up at the point, and promising rookies Mike Dunleavy, Jiri Welsch and Steve Logan will play. Fortson's demotion remains a mystery.

GLOBAL VIEW
Welsch (Czech.) shot 55.6%
in the Slovenian League last season.

FREEWHEELIN' WITH WALTON
Why hire a coach you'll have to fire soon? Curiouser and curiouser.

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