A LOOK AT THE 1992-93 NBA SEASON : Is Title 3 the Charm for Bulls? : Preview: In a year of change, the constant is Chicago, which will try to emulate the success of the 1966 Boston Celtics.

A sight in the Detroit Pistons’ locker room in the spring of 1991 comes to mind as the Chicago Bulls begin their quest this week to become the NBA’s first team to win three consecutive championships since the Boston Celtics in 1966:

Isiah Thomas is at his corner cubicle, talking in tones of a relieved man after being eliminated in the playoffs. He seems almost glad to be free of the pressure of going after a third consecutive title.

The Bulls figure to feel some of that pressure starting Friday night, and judging from Thomas and the Pistons, the emotional load can be as grueling as the play on the court.

The Western Conference is stronger than ever, the New York Knicks have improved and the Cleveland Cavaliers remain a threat, but the Bulls are still the team to beat.

“We’ve had little things that spilled out from our club always,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “This kind of club is competitive, but the players are very united in their play and approach to the games and want to go after a third championship. I don’t think there’s any residual jealousy. . . . I don’t have any question about their competitive zeal and aggressiveness and determination. That’s a given.”

Bored with the Bulls as favorites? The 47th NBA season will make up for that with plenty of different looks.

The Pistons are talking about being a running team, but so what? The New Jersey Nets, with Chuck Daly as coach, are talking about becoming an impact team. And Daly is only one of several coaches who will be watched closely with new teams, such as Mike Dunleavy in Milwaukee, Jerry Tarkanian in San Antonio and Doug Moe in Philadelphia.

There are other new faces in new places, although not all are quite where they belong. Charles Barkley is in Phoenix, and Shaquille O’Neal is in Orlando. But Alonzo Mourning is not in Charlotte, Jim Jackson is not in Dallas, Doug Christie is not in Seattle and Jon Barry is not in Boston. All are holding out for better contracts.

Jay Humphries went from the East--Milwaukee--to the West: Utah. Charles Smith, Doc Rivers and Rolando Blackman passed him heading the other way, from the West to New York. Gerald Wilkins has gone from New York to Cleveland. Pooh Richardson got his wish and left Minnesota, landing in Indianapolis to play alongside Reggie Miller, a familiar face from UCLA days.

And as if to prove that the old can be renewed, Dominique Wilkins has returned after an injury and is back in Atlanta.

A capsule look at the 27 teams in predicted order of finish, from the same person who told you a year ago that Cleveland would finish sixth in the Central Division:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

PACIFIC DIVISION

1. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

1991-92 record: 57-25.

Outlook: They are familiar, but they aren’t standing pat, either. They have added rookies Tracy Murray and Dave Johnson and signed Rod Strickland to offset the loss of Danny Ainge as the third guard. Still, they are the team to beat in the division, even if the Utah Jazz might finally run them down in the West.

The numbers game: The Trail Blazers tied for No. 1 in rebounding last season without any player finishing with an average higher than 8.8.

2. PHOENIX SUNS

1991-92 record: 53-29.

Outlook: The Suns’ front office has proved to be more aggressive than the team. Sensing it was a group that needed a spark as playoff disappointments piled up, management obtained Charles Barkley. The next move was to give Danny Ainge a three-year contract at $5.2 million. That shows a commitment, and in something of a surprise, Ainge might end up in the starting lineup so that Dan Majerle can remain as the conference’s best sixth man.

The numbers game: The Suns traded six statistical leaders from last season to get Barkley--Jeff Hornacek in five categories and Andrew Lang in blocked shots.

3. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

1991-92 record: 55-27.

Outlook: The test this season for Don Nelson, in addition to the annual battle of squeezing 82 games at center out of three or four players, is to not run Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway into the ground so much that they are worn out for the playoffs. It won’t help that Sarunas Marciulionis, the backup off guard who might play more this season at point guard, will probably sit out the first month because of a broken right leg and a dislocated right ankle. Billy Owens didn’t make the improvements Nelson had hoped he would during the off-season, but Tyrone Hill did.

The numbers game: The Warriors have ranked No. 1, No. 2 and No. 1 in scoring the last three seasons.

4. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

1991-92 record: 47-35.

Outlook: The SuperSonics won 67.6% of their games in their three full months under George Karl. But is the team looking ahead or over its shoulder? Karl and General Manager Bob Whitsett are in the last years of their contracts, and talk that the team will leave Seattle for San Diego, Toronto or almost anywhere is more prominent than ever.

The numbers game: The SuperSonics went 27-14 during the second half of last season, the best in franchise history, despite using 18 starting lineups.

5. CLIPPERS

1991-92 record: 45-37.

Outlook: They look great at forward, as always, even before John Williams gets in shape. But depth at guard and center has to be a concern. In the backcourt, if Ron Harper, Mark Jackson or Gary Grant have even minor injuries that keep them out for a couple of games, Randy Woods and Jaren Jackson suddenly become prominent players. In the pivot, Stanley Roberts and Elmore Spencer need to avoid foul problems--at least on the same night.

The numbers game: The Clippers last season were the best they have been since moving to California, but still finished last in the league in attendance and did not sell out their only playoff game at the Sports Arena.

6. LAKERS

1991-92 record: 43-39.

Outlook: Their stock dropped dramatically with Magic Johnson’s decision to re-retire, but as long as they don’t have another rash of injuries--and with the addition of James Edwards, Anthony Peeler and Duane Cooper--this is still a better team than Houston. The Lakers have too much experience to get the 10-count prematurely.

The numbers game: With Houston’s Otis Thorpe out of the lineup because of a bruised kidney, A.C. Green will take over the iron-man streak among active players with his 475th consecutive regular-season appearance Friday in the opener.

7. SACRAMENTO KINGS

1991-92 record: 29-53.

Outlook: Lionel Simmons and Mitch Richmond would play--if not star--for any team. But Walt Williams had better be a better ballhandler than a lot of general managers think or the Kings, needing help everywhere, have used the seventh pick for depth. At least they should be more entertaining, because new coach Garry St. Jean, a Don Nelson disciple, plans an up-tempo attack.

The numbers game: Simmons, a small forward, has led the Kings in rebounding for two consecutive seasons.

MIDWEST DIVISION

1. UTAH JAZZ

1991-92 record: 55-27.

Outlook: The Jazz had a very successful draft day, despite not having a pick. The club traded for Jay Humphries, a nice acquisition because it makes for a three-guard rotation that was already solid with John Stockton and Jeff Malone. Though it will come as a surprise to those who think he has no purpose, the Jazz might miss injured Mark Eaton for the first month. Stockton and others can gamble for steals when Eaton is at center. Then again, maybe no one will be so eager to go down the lane with Karl Malone waiting.

The numbers game: Utah won 55 games last season, even though it was only 18-23 away from the Delta Center.

2. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

1991-92 record: 47-35.

Outlook: Terry Cummings and Willie Anderson are on the sidelines, an even bigger problem than whether Coach Jerry Tarkanian knows how to call 20-second timeouts. David Robinson is apparently recovered from the torn thumb ligaments that forced him out at the end of last season. Sean Elliott is also back. The trade that brought Antoine Carr from Sacramento for Dwayne Schintzius looks even better. Carr probably will start.

The numbers game: Tarkanian is the first coach to jump directly from college to pros without any NBA experience since Dick Vitale in 1978.

3. HOUSTON ROCKETS

1991-92 record: 42-40.

Outlook: Hakeem Olajuwon and his teammates will try to get along long enough to get back to the playoffs. But the longer Thorpe is sidelined because of an injury, the more trouble Houston will be in.

The numbers game: Vernon Maxwell led the league in three-point shots made, 162, and attempted, 473, but was 29th in percentage.

4. DENVER NUGGETS

1991-92 record: 24-58.

Outlook: The Dan Issel era begins with some promise in the form of Dikembe Mutombo, Reggie Williams and Mark Macon, but also some questions. Will Macon, a very good defensive guard, make the switch from shooter to point guard, as the Nuggets hope? What impact will rookies LaPhonso Ellis and Bryant Stith have? Will Chris Jackson, once the No. 3 pick in the draft, ever start 20 games in a season?

The numbers game: Williams, dumped in a trade by the Clippers and cut by Cleveland and San Antonio, averaged a team-high 18.2 points last season.

5. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

1991-92 record: 15-67.

Outlook: If co-owner Marv Wolfenson is happy with Coach Jimmy Rodgers, he does a good job of hiding it. Wolfenson’s comment last season was, “I think I’m satisfied.” That makes Rodgers the odds-on favorite to be the first coach fired. Four newcomers will have prominent roles: Christian Laettner, Marlon Maxey, Chuck Person and Micheal Williams.

The numbers game: Laettner will lose more games this season than in his previous eight. He played in 12 defeats in four seasons of high school in New York and 26 in four seasons at Duke.

6. DALLAS MAVERICKS

1991-92 record: 22-60.

Outlook: They won 22 games and have lost Rolando Blackman and Rodney McCray in trades for draft picks, Fat Lever to an injury and Herb Williams to free agency, all without getting a player in return. And now No. 1 pick Jim Jackson remains a holdout. Any wonder the Mavericks could be headed to the mid-teens in victories?

The numbers game: The Mavericks asked Jackson not to select jersey No. 22, his number at Ohio State, because they plan to retire it to honor Blackman. Jackson picked 24.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

1. NEW YORK KNICKS

1991-92 record: 51-31.

Outlook: The Knicks have proven players, but that proof came other teams. If additions Rolando Blackman, Charles Smith, Doc Rivers, Tony Campbell and Hubert Davis mesh as hoped with the returnees, the possibilities are obvious. Favorites to win it all? Maybe some are getting carried away. But threats to beat Chicago? Yes. The Knicks are deep and versatile and have gotten more athletic along the front line with the arrival of Smith from the Clippers to make New York a better match against the Bulls in a seven-game series.

The numbers game: The new starting shooting guard, Blackman, shot less than 47.3% for the first time in his 11-year career last season. The old starting shooting guard, Gerald Wilkins, has shot better than 47.3% once in his seven-year career.

2. BOSTON CELTICS

1991-92 record: 51-31.

Outlook: As if Larry Bird’s retirement isn’t enough, the Boston Garden’s parquet floor has been resurfaced for the first time since 1974, with a lot of the boards replaced and, players say, no dead spots. Whether the building still creaks more than Kevin McHale’s ankles, it will be home to venerable Robert Parish, newcomer Xavier McDaniel and all-star Reggie Lewis. That should be enough to hold off upstarts New Jersey and Miami.

The numbers game: Reggie Lewis led all guards with 105 blocked shots.

3. NEW JERSEY NETS

1991-92 record: 40-42.

Outlook: The Nets will have a strong front line and Drazen Petrovic in the backcourt. Most important, they have Chuck Daly on the sidelines. Let’s see Derrick Coleman, who has star potential and says so, refuse to go into a game now.

The numbers game: Chris Dudley led full-time centers in offensive rebounds and was fourth among all players, behind only Dennis Rodman, Kevin Willis and Horace Grant.

4. MIAMI HEAT

1991-92 record: 38-44.

Outlook: The rise will continue. The addition of John Salley gives Coach Kevin Loughery the shot-blocker he wanted, even if Grant Long ends up starting at power forward. That makes the Heat more complete. Miami already has Rony Seikaly, Glen Rice and Steve Smith and a first-round pick, Harold Miner, who will score, even if he has no outside shot.

The numbers game: The 155 three-pointers by Rice last season were more than 10 teams made .

5. ORLANDO MAGIC

1991-92 record: 21-61.

Outlook: There’s more than just Shaquille O’Neal, although he alone could be enough to beat out the 76ers and Bullets. Orlando also has Nick Anderson; Dennis Scott, returning from a knee injury, and Scott Skiles, who is often inconsistent but makes up for it with grit.

The numbers game: The Magic used 29 starting lineups last season because of injury or illness, which presumably includes Coach Matt Goukas, who simply got sick of watching.

6. PHILADELPHIA 76ers

1991-92 record: 35-47.

Outlook: It will be quieter without Charles Barkley, but not necessarily duller. Doug Moe has arrived, calling players stiffs the way some people say hello. The 76ers also have a good three-guard rotation in Jeff Hornacek, Hersey Hawkins and Johnny Dawkins, a promising rookie in Clarence Weatherspoon and a scorer in Armon Gilliam. And with the addition of Andrew Lang, they have a starting center besides Charles Shackleford, so some improvement is inevitable.

The numbers game: Manute Bol has had more blocks than points in each of his seven seasons.

7. WASHINGTON BULLETS

1991-92 record: 25-57.

Outlook: They have Pervis Ellison, Harvey Grant and Michael Adams, and that still isn’t enough to put the Bullets in the same class with the rest of the division. Weight class, that is. The day he was drafted, 6-foot-9 Tom Gugliotta weighed more than anyone on the team except John Williams--since traded--and Greg Foster, making the Bullets probably the slightest team in the league. That Coach Wes Unseld gets them to play as hard as anyone can’t make up for that.

The numbers game: Ellison didn’t play enough games to qualify among the league leaders, so it didn’t get much attention that in 66 appearances he averaged as many rebounds as Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone.

CENTRAL DIVISION

1. CHICAGO BULLS

1991-92 record: 67-15.

Outlook: Michael Jordan goes after his seventh consecutive scoring title, trying to tie Wilt Chamberlain. Jordan is being chased by the Knicks, the Cavaliers and some teammates. So what if he isn’t best friends with Horace Grant? It didn’t seem to make much difference the last two seasons. The addition of Rodney McCray to back up Scottie Pippen was a nice move and should provide a much more secure feeling than having Byron Houston, the first-round draft pick who has since been traded.

The numbers game: Although he spends lots of his time slashing through traffic and battling double- and triple-teaming and physical defenses, Jordan has stayed strong and sound enough to have sat out only three games the last six seasons.

2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

1991-92 record: 57-25.

Outlook: The Lakers made popular the saying, “No rebounds, no rings.” The Cavaliers finished 19th in the league in rebounding last season. That is the challenge if they hope to overtake the Bulls. The addition of Gerald Wilkins should help a team that already has talent--Mark Price, Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance. Coach Lenny Wilkens needs 50 victories to move into second place on the all-time list, behind only Red Auerbach.

The numbers game: The Cavaliers are 102-59 with Price in the lineup the last three seasons, 30-55 without.

3. DETROIT PISTONS

1991-92 record: 48-34.

Outlook: How the mighty have fallen. Some are picking the Pistons fifth or sixth, but some talent remains--namely Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman. Come this season, though, there are more questions than answers.

The numbers game: The 18.7 rebounds a game by Rodman were the highest average in the NBA since 1971-72.

4. ATLANTA HAWKS

1991-92 record: 38-44.

Outlook: Dominique Wilkins is so rusty that he has had trouble holding onto the ball in exhibitions, but he is back nonetheless, after sitting out half of last season because of a ruptured Achilles’ tendon. The Hawks hope to have a point guard after obtaining Mookie Blaylock from New Jersey on Tuesday. But can Kevin Willis have a repeat of 1991-92?

The numbers game: Center Jon Koncak, who made $2 million last season, scored 241 points and had 261 rebounds.

5. CHARLOTTE HORNETS

1991-92 record: 31-51.

Outlook: They could be the team of the late ‘90s, but will remain a team with obvious problems inside until the contract dispute with first-round choice Alonzo Mourning is settled. Two other young players, Larry Johnson and Kendall Gill, are big-timers.

The numbers game: The Hornets have been in the NBA four seasons and have ranked last in blocked shots each season.

6. INDIANA PACERS

1991-92 record: 40-42.

Outlook: They are already calling the backcourt of Reggie Miller and Pooh Richardson, reunited from their UCLA days, Batman and Robin. It’s a potentially potent combination, and Detlef Schrempf remains a star in reserve. Things get a little thin after that. This no longer appears to be a team capable of making noise in the playoffs.

The numbers game: In the two seasons since making the All-Star game in 1989-90, Miller’s statistics have declined in scoring, shooting, three-point shooting, shots and free throws.

7. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

1991-92 record: 31-51.

Outlook: Mike Dunleavy can only hope the landing will be soft. He goes from the Lakers to a team that will have Eric Murdock, backed up by Lee Mayberry, at point guard; and Anthony Avent or Alaa Abdelnaby at power forward. There is some good news: Alvin Robertson is back and could benefit a lot from Dunleavy’s attention to defense; and Moses Malone, troubled by a herniated disk, has practiced since Monday without pain. He still might open on the injured list, though.

The numbers game: Dunleavy’s eight-year contract is the longest of any coach’s.

Quick-Change Artists

There have been coaching changes involving five of the seven Pacific Division teams from the start of last season to the start of this season.

Team Old Coach Current Coach Golden State Don Nelson Don Nelson Clippers Mike Schuler Larry Brown Lakers Mike Dunleavy Randy Pfund Phoenix Cotton Fitzsimmons Paul Westphal Portland Rick Adelman Rick Adelman Sacramento Dick Motta Garry St. Jean Seattle K.C. Jones George Karl