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1996-97 Nba Preview

Associated Press

WINNERS

Shaquille O’Neal. Signed a $120 million deal, richest contract in pro sports history.

Alonzo Mourning. Was a bust in the 3-0 playoff loss to the Bulls, but it didn’t hurt him in open market. Miami had to pay $112 million to keep him around for 7 more years.

David Falk. NBA superagent got his high-profile clients - Michael Jordan, Mourning, Juwan Howard, et al. - more than $200 million, and he gets 4 percent.

Washington Bullets. Thought they lost Howard, so used his cap money to get Rod Strickland and Harvey Grant. Then got Howard back after the league voided his deal with Miami - and got to keep the other players.

Dennis Rodman. The player nobody would touch two years ago is now overexposed. Oh, and he signed a one-year, $9 million deal to remain with the Bulls, too.

Jordan. Signed a one-year contract for $30 million, setting himself up for a increasing one-year deals until he’s had enough.

Jim McIlvaine. Averaged 2.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in two seasons as a Bullets backup, then got a mind-boggling seven-year, $33 million deal with Seattle.

LOSERS

Orlando Magic. Offered Shaquille O’Neal as much money as the Lakers, maybe a little more. Obviously, he wanted to leave.

Oliver Miller. Opted out of a $5.3 million contract with Toronto, turned down Raptors’ $19 million, refused to let Utah weigh him and ended up getting league minimum at Dallas.

Miami Heat. The NBA said it broke salary-cap rules by signing Juwan Howard after it had agreed to terms with Alonzo Mourning. Coach-GM Pat Riley said the league was out to get him, but gave in and returned a dominating player.

John Calipari. Forget the fact the former UMass coach got $15 million from the New Jersey Nets. It’s one of the more depressing franchises in pro sports. His career is going downhill.

Reggie Miller. Although he got the money he wanted to re-sign with Indiana, he had to suffer the humiliation of being virtually ignored on the free agent market.

Shawn Kemp. During NBA Finals, he proved to be one of the best no-quit, clutch players in the league. But he sullied his questionable reputation by holding out and claiming he’s underpaid.