1 After winning NBA titles in his past four full seasons, Michael Jordan is denied when the Chicago Bulls are beaten by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. Upon completion of the season, Jordan, Phil Jackson and Dennis Rodman - all operating under one-year deals - say so long to Chicago.
2 An unhappy Shawn Kemp tosses his ill feelings aside to help the Seattle SuperSonics win their first NBA title since 1979. The four-time all-star is upset that his renegotiated seven-year, $24 million contract - plus a balloon payment of $14.5 million in 2002-03 - pales in comparison to recently signed mega-deals.
3 After Shaquille O'Neal helps the Los Angeles Lakers dominate the Western Conference during the regular season, the team falls flat during a second-round playoff loss. Los Angeles proves to be a good setting for O'Neal, although he does decide to boycott the Academy Awards after he's not recognized in the Best Actor category for his starring role in "Kazaam."
4 The Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett emerges as a true superstar. His passing, ability to run the floor and expanded shooting range only figure to improve for the 6-foot-11 forward. The key for Garnett: Rookie point guard Stephon Marbury casts his ego aside and realizes this team belongs to "Da Kid."
5 Though the Orlando Magic definitely misses Shaquille O'Neal, Anfernee Hardaway steps out of the big man's shadow to establish himself as the league's Most Valuable Player. All Hardaway needs to do is play with an attitude and toughness, which he promises in his role as new team leader.
6 The new-look Washington Bullets return to postseason play. Aside from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies - three products of recent NBA expansion - no other franchise has experienced a longer postseason drought than the Bullets, whose last playoff appearance was in 1988.
7 It's winning time again in New York, where the Knicks - with key new faces - wrest the Eastern Conference title from the Bulls. With the additions of Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, Buck Williams and Chris Childs, the Knicks accomplish what no New York team has ever done - beat a Michael Jordan-led team in the playoffs.
8 One year after helping the Chicago Bulls to the championship, Dennis Rodman will wear out his welcome. Between movies to television shows to his weird attire, Rodman will lose focus of just what he is - a basketball player - and the team will suffer.
