Bernard King

NEW YORK -- The Washington Bullets, who already have lost all five of their starters to injury for at least several games this season, received more discouraging news yesterday, when general manager John Nash estimated that neither Bernard King nor Mark Alarie would return to action until after the All-Star Game Feb. 9.King and Alarie started the season on the injured list after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last September. The two veteran forwards have experienced pain when trying to run, delaying their rehabilitation.

(in predicted order of finish)ATLANTIC DIVISIONBoston CelticsLast season: First (56-26), lost to Detroit in conference semifinals, 4-2Coach: Chris Ford (56-26 career record)New face: F Rick Fox (draft)Outlook: A rejuvenated Larry Bird has the Celtics thinking title again.Key: Keeping the aging front line of Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale healthy and active.New York KnicksLast season: Third (39-43), lost in first round of conference playoffs to Chicago, 3-0Coach: Pat Riley (533-194 career record)

LANDOVER -- Bernard King was an unexpected guest at the Washington Bullets' tipoff luncheon yesterday. Unfortunately, he did not come to announce he is ready to get back on the playing floor.His face is on the cover of the Bullets' media guide, but he said it won't be in the lineup any time soon.When the Bullets open the 1991-92 season in Indiana Friday night, they'll be missing his leadership, not to mention the 28.4 points he averaged last season when he made the NBA All-Star team to complete a six-year comeback from career-threatening knee surgery.

The bad news is that the Washington Bullets, facing their final preseason test tonight against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., have lost 15 straight exhibition games dating back to October 1989.The good news is that the losses don't count until the regular NBA season opens Friday night.But coach Wes Unseld is enough of a realist to know the results are likely to be the same until Pervis Ellison (groin pull) and Ledell Eackles (bruised rib) return to action.Unseld's options were severely limited Saturday night when the depleted Bullets dropped a 93-86 decision to the Boston Celtics in Albany, N.Y.With Ellison absent, Unseld was forced to start defensive-minded Charles Jones at center.

Kurk Lee, a high-scoring guard who led Towson State to a 1990 NCAA tournament berth and a near-upset of regional top seed Oklahoma will be one of four former area basketball stars bidding for a roster spot with the Washington Bullets when training camp opens at Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg Tuesday afternoon.Lee, released by the New Jersey Nets after making the team as a free agent last season, will be joined by former Maryland standouts Albert King and Cedric Lewis and Coppin State alumnus Larry Stewart.

"We've got a few scores to settle" was the Washington Bullets' battle cry this season, with the menacing looks of head coach Wes Unseld and forwards Bernard King and Tom Hammonds on the media guide promising sweet revenge.But the lottery-bound Bullets got few things settled this season, finishing 30-52, their worst record in 14 seasons, and missing the National Basketball Association playoffs for a third straight season.Surprisingly, both Unseld and general manager John Nash remain optimistic about the team's future.

LANDOVER -- The Bullets' final game, at the Capital Centre yesterday, was a microcosm of the season, as Washington, reduced to six healthy bodies, lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 89-87, on Tony Campbell's jump shot at the buzzer."

LANDOVER -- The Washington Bullets might as well begin calling their home the Hotel Capital Centre, a place where visitors can check in any time they want, but where they never want to leave.And why would they, seeing as how the Bullets are so gosh darn hospitable to weary travelers. Way back in November, the Sacramento Kings limped into town and hobbled out with an 87-82 win, their only road victory of the year.The Miami Heat, the worst of the four recent expansion teams, made reservations here in February and checked out with a 105-101 win.And last night, the New Jersey Nets, the not-so-proud holders of a 20-game road losing string, came in for comfort and found the accommodations much to their liking, escaping with a 108-103 triumph over the home team.

LANDOVER -- The Washington Bullets have turned their attention to postseason awards, outfitting their cheerleaders in T-shirts that tout Harvey Grant as the league's most improved player.New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Coleman did some touting of his own last night, continuing to look like a shoo-in for National Basketball Association Rookie of the Year. Coleman powered his way inside for 29 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds as the Nets beat the Bullets, 108-103, before 5,191 at the Capital Centre.

V.S. NEW JERSEY NETS* WHEN: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.* WHERE: Capital Centre.* TV/RADIO: Home Team Sports; WTOP-AM 1500.* OUTLOOK: There are undoubtably thousands in the area wondering why anyone should care about this game. After all, the Bullets (30-49) and the Nets (24-55) are both on a slow boat to nowhere, getting set to watch the NBA playoffs next week from the comforts of their living rooms.But, believe it or not, this game has its merits. For example, the Bullets, who may have dealt Milwaukee a crushing blow in its hopes to catch Detroit for third in the Eastern Conference Tuesday, hold the NBA's second longest current win streak.