News from April 19.
 
The NBA named Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) as Player of the Month.  O'Neal
averaged 33.7 points including .588 FG and 12.6 rebounds as the Lakers 
went 8-1 in April.
 
The NBA named Isiah Thomas (Ind) as Coach of the Month.  Indiana went 8-2
in April.

The NBA named Courtney Alexander (Was) as Rookie of the Month.  Alexander
averaged 22.4 points in April.
 
Washington named Doug Collins as head coach.
 
Cleveland fired head coach Randy Wittman.  Assistant Mike Woodson was also 
fired.
 
Detroit fired head coach George Irvine.
 
Gerald Wallace (freshman, Alabama, forward) declared himself eligible for
the NBA draft.  Underclassmen have until May 13 to declare.  [Thanks to
Jed Tai]


Final season stat leaders
Points
Allen Iverson (Phi)     31.1
Jerry Stackhouse (Det)  29.8
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL)  28.7

Rebounds
Dikembe Mutombo (Atl)   13.5
Ben Wallace (Det)       13.2
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL)  12.7

Assists
Jason Kidd (Pho)         9.8
John Stockton (Uta)      8.7
Nick Van Exel (Den)      8.5

Field Goal %
Shaquille O'Neal (LAL)  .572
Bonzi Wells (Por)       .533
Eddie Robinson (Cha)    .531

Free Throw %
Reggie Miller (Ind)     .928
Allan Houston (NY)      .909
Doug Christie (Sac)     .897

3-Point %
Brent Barry (Sea)       .476
John Stockton (Uta)     .462
Shammond Williams (Sea) .459
 
Steals
Allen Iverson (Phi)      2.5
Mookie Blaylock (GS)     2.4
Doug Christie (Sac)      2.3

Blocked Shots
Theo Ratliff (Atl)       3.7
Jermaine O'Neal (Ind)    2.8
Shawn Bradley (Dal)      2.8

Minutes
Michael Finley (Dal)    42.0
Allen Iverson (Phi)     42.0
Antoine Walker (Bos)    41.9

Fouls
Kenyon Martin (NJ)       4.1
Aaron Williams (NJ)      3.9
Joe Smith (Det)          3.7

Turnovers
Jerry Stackhouse (Det)   4.1
Alvin Williams (Tor)     4.0
Avery Johnson (SA)       4.0


Playoff Standings
  1st Round             2nd Round            3rd Round         Finals
  (Best of 5)           (Best of 7)          (Best of 7)     (Best of 7)
1 San Antonio (0) __
8 Minnesota (0)     |_ _____________ _____
                     _ _____________      |
4 Utah (0)   _______|                     |_ _____________ _
5 Dallas (0)                               _ _____________  |
                                          |                 |
2 LA Lakers (0) ____                      |                 |
7 Portland (0)      |_ _____________ _____|                 |
                     _ _____________                        |
3 Sacramento (0) ___|                                       |
6 Phoenix (0)                                               |_ ___________
                                                             _ ___________
                                                            |
1 Philadelphia (0) _                                        |
8 Indiana (0)       |_ _____________  ____                  |
                     _ _____________      |                 |
4 New York (0) _____|                     |                 |
5 Toronto (0)                             |_ _____________ _|
                                           _ _____________ 
2 Milwaukee (0) ____                      |
7 Orlando (0)       |_ _____________ _____|
                     _ _____________    
3 Miami (0)     ____|
6 Charlotte (0)