Commissioner for a Day

All of this talk about rules and suspensions and then listening to David Stern made me realize that the NBA needs a change. While the league is making money annually, many fans are still being turned off by many things. If I were somehow handed the reigns for one day, how would I handle this? I've thought about this long and hard and here are my thoughts.

1) Clean Up the Officiating

While the NBA can continue to say they have the best officials in the world, we as fans know that is not correct. While we may have a bias towards our team, anybody that watches the games consistently will tell you that the only thing that is consistent about officiating in today's NBA is the inconsistency. It may be drastic but the NBA should rid itself of all the officials that have been working for an extended period of time. They are jaded by the game and the money and new blood needs to be implemented. I say look to the NBDL, College and Europe for officials. I tell them to call the game down the middle and to not think about how famous a certain player is. Also, I understand the playoffs are more intense so they should let them play but anything that is over the line means automatic ejection, (cough,cough, Bruce Bowen). Here are some other rules within the game that I would change:

A) Flopping should be an offense. We don't want the league to go all futbol on us. I say if you flop once, you get a warning. If you do it again, it is a technical and the other team gets a foul shot.

B) A travel is a travel. I understand you can't call them all but it would be nice to see the league not allow players to dance all over the floor. These guys have been playing forever and should understand that three or four steps or picking up your pivot foot is not allowed.

C) The bench fight rule should still remain but it should be clarified. If players leave the bench and touch anyone or get in anyone's face, they are suspended one game. As coach Mike and Bill Simmons stated, it is human nature to want to be there for your friends and teammates.

D) Complaining should be allowed to a point. It is fine to be emotional but not after every call that goes against you. Also, superstars should not be devoid of T's just due to their status.

2) Hire all new Advertising and PR people for the league. While the league continues to pump out video of the game in the 50's accompanied by music from 1985, it just makes me feel they have no idea who their demographic is. The league is full of young and hip people that should be put to the forefront of everything. Allow their personalities to shine and allow them to wear what they want on the sidelines. Highlight them in commercials and create new video packages with modern players and updated music. We should never forget our past but we need to highlight what is good about the present and future as well.

3) Change the arena environment. I'm fine with the big introductions but I'm tired of the dancers and the music being played during the game. I want to hear the crowd "ooo" and "ahh" and I want to hear them boo the enemy and cheer on the home team. You go to a game to let loose and scream, not to be told when to cheer and to have to yell over Guns N Roses.

This is all I can think of right now that really bothers me about the game. I love basketball but I feel that the NBA allows politics and money to get in front of the essence of the game. It's time to get the corrupt feel out of everything and to allow the fans to really know the players and have a more enjoyable game experience.

Catching Up With Bad Predictions!

Awards are being passed out in the NBA just about every day right now and I thought it would be a good time to look back at my predictions and see how things turned out.

Rookie of the Year Prediction: Adam Morrison

Rookie of the Year Winner: Brandon Roy

Morrison seemed like a safe pick at the beginning of the season because the Bobcats needed someone to market and someone that could score. Unfortunately, neither has been the case thus far for Ammo.

Roy was supposed to be the safest pick in the draft and he looks more and more like it every day. He is poised and versatile and you can't have enough players like that in the modern NBA.


MIP Prediction: Josh Smith

MIP Winner: Monta Ellis

While Josh had a good year and showed those flashes of brilliance at the end of the year, Monta was a surprise to almost everyone. He brought that Allen Iverson type little man scoring to the table nightly. He should only continue to improve in Nellie's uptempo style.


Defensive Player of the Year Prediction: AK47

Defensive Player of the Year: Marcus Camby

I picked one often injured player to win while another won. It's sad that AK isn't getting minutes at the four where he could flourish as a weak-side defender. Hopefully he ends up on a team where he can because Boozer is the man in Utah from here on out.

As for Marcus, I'm happy that he was healthy for a year and was able to showcase his immense shot blocking ability.


Coach of the Year Prediction: Brian Hill

Coach of the Year Winner: Sam Mitchell

The Magic made the playoffs but underachieved and Brian may be on the way out. Sam looked like he was on the way out but ended up having a great year. There is still the perception out there he isn't a great coach and I know Iavaroni is high on their wish list. How crazy would it be to see a coach of the year in the D league the year after?

6th Man of the Year Prediction: Leandro Barbosa

6th Man of the Year Winner: Leandro Barbosa


It's been a pleasure to watch Leandro grow into a star over the years and I'm so happy that he achieved this award. I only hope he can give the Spurs troubles like he did to most of the league.


As for MVP and the Finals, it looks like it may be Dirk but it has not been announced yet and the Suns are alive but we all know the Heat aren't going back. So, it looks like I ended up with one right! YES! I'll be back with more playoff and award chatter later.

Dem Florida Boyz!!

I'm not going to toot my horn by mentioning that I picked Florida but I thought I would mention it at least. In modern basketball, it's hard to pick a team to repeat due to great players turning pro early and just the amount of teams and the fact that you can be eliminated by playing one poor game. This Florida team however, is different. They are loaded with NBA talent and the thing that is really special about this team is that these players play with all their heart. People always complain that the special players or NBA players are spoiled brats that only play for money. While I see people hating on Florida consistenly, I simply can't understand it. Appreciate these extrememly talented players that are good people and play the game for the purity of it. This team will go down in history as one of the best ever within the NCAA and I have no problem saying that I enjoyed every moment of the ride.

Oh, the madness of March!

I'm not going to sit down and break down every game in every bracket because, like most people, I haven't had the time to scout VCU or Oral Roberts at length. If anything, I thought I could suggest who I think will be in the Final Four and who I think will be king of the hill.

The Final Four


VS.



This would be an interesting matchup a year after the fact. These are two very different teams. UCLA is a very controlled team that plays grind it out basketball and fantastic defense. Florida is an uptempo team that kills you on the interior with their bigs and on the exterior with kick outs to their guards. Guard play is huge in college basketball and will get UCLA far but I don't see them getting past a team so much larger than themselves.



VS.



I know this is the sexy pick but it is hard to ignore all the NBA level talent on both these teams. Due to their inexperience though, I could see this being a sloppy game full of a lot of nerves. In the end though, I don't think Oden can contain both Hansbrough and Wright. OSU is used to being the bigger team but they will struggle to contain their bigs as well as their guards on kickouts.

The Final!




VS.



This will be a great matchup between two teams full of NBA talent. This will be an up and down game with a lot of scoring and highlight reel plays. In the end though, the experience amongst Brewer, Noah, Horford and Green will be too much for the young Tar Heels. It will be a close one but with the way the Gators have hit the switch again, the title will be in their hands once again. After all is said and done, we can only hope for this...



I'll give my impressions on the actual tournament and how I was probably completely wrong in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy the Madness!

Who is the best young point guard in all the land??


Being a person who admires the point guard position more than any other in basketball, I love all the hype and discussion going on in college basketball right now. It really is a toss up depending on what you look for in a lead guard but it is fun to look at and dissect D.J. Augustin, Mike Conley, Javaris Crittenton and Darren Collison. While some discussion focuses on who is the best within college basketball, I'm looking at them as NBA prospects for this piece. Let's begin, shall we?

Our competitors:



Javaris Crittenton 6'5 200 lbs

I read somewhere earlier in the year that compared Javaris to Steve Francis and after watching him a few times, I would have to agree with that. While he displays more heart, his intangibles are very similar. He is a big lead guard that has freakish athleticism. He is at his best slashing and attacking the rim. He has a good handle and shows pretty good court vision. He also rebounds well due to his size and leaping ability.

While many may not agree, I don't like his skill set. While he does give the ball up, he isn't a true pass first point guard. He is a scoring guard that will put up good numbers in the pros and the thought of him potentially becoming an all-star isn't out of the question. But, he would fit in better with a slower tempo team that runs more half court sets with isolations.




Darren Collison 6'1 165 lbs

The thing that I think about when I watch Darren is poise. He has obviously had good coaching in the past and Howland is fantastic at getting his players to play both properly and hard. I guess those go hand in hand. Darren knows when to push, when to slow it down, when to shoot and when to pass. A lot of this is coaching but a lot of this is something that just resides within a player. He is a flash in the open court and you can thank his Olympic parents with their super duper DNA. His stroke is solid and I can only see it improving. To top all this off, he's a great on the ball defender that is a terror in the passing lanes.

Really, the only knock on Darren is going to be size. Teams all want giant point guards and when a point guard is a traditional size, he will be labeled as undersized. He will never be a giant both in height or in bulk but I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up being at about 175 lbs before it is all said and done.



D.J. Augustin 5'11 175 lbs

The thing I like most about D.J. is his ability to take over a game with his scoring when he needs to and then just simply distribute when he needs to. While Collison understands this, he can't score at the rate that D.J. can. He can shoot it from inside, mid-range and deep. His passing is top notch and he may have the best vision in college hoops outside of Jordan at Marist. He's a strong kid both mentally and physically. You can tell he's been in the Texas weight training program and he survived the disaster of Katrina with his family.

The knocks and D.J. are going to go back to size. He is probably 5'10 and people will question if he will constantly be posted up in the pros and if he'll be able to get his shot off. He is a bit turnover prone but I don't harp on that too much because he's trying to make the right play. Also, he needs to learn to stay within himself and not get too out of control. Really, the thing to remember here is that he is just a kid. Most of these things only come with experience.



Mike Conley Jr. 6'1 180lbs

Mike is another pass first point guard that shows great poise. He is very unselfish and always looks for his teammates before he ever thinks about shooting. But, as he showed against Wisconsin, knows when it is time score. He is a great on the ball defender and is actually probably the best defender amongst this group, which is saying a lot. He is also the son of a former Olympic athlete and is blessed with terrific athleticism and strength.

The biggest knocks on Mike are going to be his height and his jump shot. He doesn't possess the scoring ability of Javaris or D.J. . This can always improve but his array of floaters and mid-range game are probably always going to be his bread and butter.

Now I'm sure you're asking, well, who do you really like as the best pro? Honestly, that's a really tough question. All of these guys have great strengths and a few weaknesses like anybody. Right now though, before the tournament, I'm leaning towards D.J. Outside of Javaris, all of these guys will be labeled as undersized. While Mike and Darren play great defense and are fantastic point guards in their own right, D.J. has tremendous vision and a great ability to score. He is a great competitor that should be able to be a pretty good defender before it is all said and done. Then again, this all may change after March. We're lucky to be in an era where the pass first point guard is coming back and we've got so many people carrying the torch.

Note: I understand that Ty Lawson is very talented and is in the same mold as Raymond Felton but I wanted to dissect players that are currently being discussed in draft circles. Don't sweat it Tar Heel fans...

And down goes Livingston...

I feel your pain Clippers fans. I watched Amare Stoudemire, one of the most awe inspiring athletes I've ever seen be reduced to a moderate athlete that struggled to get his jump shot off against Jason Collins. Then again, I've watched him slowly get better and better. It's been a joy to watch this humbling experience transform him from cocky young player to confident leader.

The thing to keep in mind is that Shaun had a terrible injury but not the dreaded microfracture surgery. He's very young and in an elite class of point guards that jumped straight to the pros from highschool. He will only continue to get stronger and that jumper will slowly start to fall. His ability is too great to simply not have something special within himself. Just continue to be patient and pray the Clippers retain him. If they don't, an uptempo team will fully utilize his abilities at some point and then what the Clip show sees in practice every day will be on full display for the world. Keep your head up Shaun...

UPDATE...

Upon further testing, Shaun has tears within the ACL, MCL and PCL. On top of this, he suffered a patella dislocation. The initial word is that he is out eight to twelve months. In a game that requires such hard cuts, I would look for him on the later side of things. He has a long road back but this will say a lot about his patient, maturity and desire over the next year. I for one hope it makes him stronger.

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

When I heard this comment that Tim Hardaway made about John Amaechi today I could and couldn't believe it. You feel that we are becoming a forward thinking society that has a little more social consciousness about themselves. Then again, this is a slow process. While many African Americans are finally being treated equally, there are still many people that live in a time within themselves that can't tolerate something of that nature. While I understand one represents a people as a whole and another represents sexuality, regardless, they represent stereotypes and hate. Homosexuals within sports are thrown within a very damning atmosphere themselves.

Playing sports, you see a very macho community. It is full of testosterone and stories like Wilt's sleeping with 20,000 women is a perfect example of this. I can see why John would feel like an outcast even among friends. People don't need to fully agree with his lifestyle on a religious or moral level, but they should be able to understand that he is simply a teammate and not some sexual maniac that lusts for every man that walks. Hopefully this will put an idea out there that many athletes have either known about or thought about and open up some discussion. People also need to recognize that all athletes aren't like Tim and have a more open mind as well.

You can't surf the web for fifteen seconds without coming across some article that discusses whether or not Kevin Durant or Greg Oden should be the first pick in the draft. This really depends on whom is drafting and also the age of that person. By saying that, I mean that traditional, more old school thinking would suggest Oden is a no brainer. While people that are inspired by systems like those of the Suns would think that Durant could be a force of nature. I thought I could give my two cents on the subject and give the tale of the tape.




Kevin Durant: 6'9, 217 pounds, 11' wingspan

This kid is the living, breathing version of Mr. Fantastic. His arms go for days and when you combine that with his height and athletic ability, he can't be stopped on his jumper and could eventually be a terror on weak-side help defense. It is simply unreal to see someone his height crossing people over on the perimeter and then pulling up for a twenty-three foot three pointer. What is also rare for someone his age is his ability to post up. His basketball IQ is high and this is reflected in his ability to make the right decision and not loose his poise. In otherwords, he is a match up nightmare for any team he plays against because he is a shooting guard in a power forwards body.

Defensively, Durant is starting to show his weak-side help potential. He had a five steal game against Iowa State and has also had a few games with five blocks. While this is improving, his perimeter defense and post defense in one on one situations is where he is lacking. While he plays like a two guard, he can't move his feet quickly enough to keep other traditional two guards or even threes in front of him. While Kevin has put on weight, he still has a lot of room to grow and you can see this if a big boy gets him down low. He doesn't have the strength in his lower body to keep anyone from getting deep position on him in the paint. All of this can be improved upon with maturity and weight work as well as desire.


Greg Oden: 7'0 255lbs

I think the photo of Greg above was taken in 1967. Sorry, I was the only person that discusses bball that hadn't made an Oden age joke yet. I feel better now. Where's the peach basket?

Greg is the true definition of a traditional center. He is very much in the mold of centers of old like Bill Russell, Patrick Ewing (circa G Town), Alonzo Mourning, etc. I say this because his main task on every given night is to patrol the lane and that means blocking shots and cleaning the glass. He won't put on a dribbling display, a passing clinic or even show fifteen foot range on his J. He is a dirt worker that many, many NBA teams covet because they feel that defense wins championships. This leads to where I am on these two.

Being in Phoenix in recent years, you can't help but see the focus of the NBA shifting to athleticism and fast pace offense. I've seen time and time again where bigger centers struggle with high octane offense. Honestly, had the Mavs not choked in the Finals last year, Durant may be more of the consensus right now. While I agree that defense is important, Kevin has a chance to create an entire new position along the lines of shooting forward. Imagine a 6'10, 235 lb shooting guard that can do everything that someone like TMac can except he doesn't have a bad back or an on and off attitude. While I may eat my words down the road, Durant is the new breed of NBA player and I know teams like Phoenix and Dallas would covet him and see his vast potential. Oden may end up being the next Zo but I don't see enough in him offensively and from a hunger standpoint that I would pick him over Durant.

The Suns and Mavs, the Mavs and Suns. The regular season is just a prequel to the playoffs but that still doesn't stop debate. While Dallas and Phoenix continue to roll off wins and winning streaks, the debate over which team is better is being discussed heavily. There is a lot of back and forth and in all reality, until a series is played, it is very subjective. I thought I would take a crack at it after both discussing and hearing both sides of the equation on slamonline.com.

Now, the perception among both teams is that the Suns are the high octane team that leads the league in all scoring categories. The Mavs can score but there is also the feel among the general public that they also play great defense now under Avery Johnson. The Suns can score and the Mavs are better defensively but that also doesn't mean that Phoenix isn't playing any defense either. John Hollinger always discusses pace factor when discussing offense and also the effect that has on the defense in turn.

Avery has slowed the Mavs down offensively and created a team predicated on isolations more than anything else. These isolations center around Dirk but Jason Terry and Josh Howard do very well in this set. The Mavs are long and athletic and disruptive on defense. This centers around Josh Howard, Devin Harris and Erik Dampier. They are all great weak-side defenders but I don't really see anyone on the team that is a stopper ala a Trenton Hassell. The Mavs also have a solid bench when Jerry Stackhouse is healthy. If he is injured, which he is often, the likes of Devean "kick out" George likely don't strike fear in anyone's heart.

The Suns are run and gun all the way but this also does not mean they can't play in the half court. With Amare back, along with Boris and Steve, the team is more than capable of creating in a playoff type atmosphere. Most people view Raja Bell as the true defensive player on the Suns but he has actually been struggling this year. Shawn has been great as a weak-side defender as always and has played very well as an on the ball defender considering he is matched up against any player at almost any time. Kurt remains one of the best low post defenders in the league and Amare has become a great weak-side defender. That's right, Amare. The bench isn't extremely deep but goes eight deep with the 6th man of the year thus far Barbosa and a greatly improving James Jones.

The way I see it, the Mavs are the same strong team they were last year that is built in more of a traditional playoff style. They play the half court game on offense and try to make things as difficult as possible on offense. The Suns still play uptempo but with several key additions back, can easily slide into a half court system. The defense is right there with Dallas and the real key to victory in a seven game series relies on Amare's knees. I believe Nash will be healthy but if Amare can even play at the same level he is at now, will be a force getting rebounds, blocking shots and getting to the free throw line. People can't credit him being back enough. Without him, the Mavs are the clear cut champs but otherwise, I like the Suns and feel they turn the corner this year. Time will tell...

We're getting deeper into the season and the pretenders that looked like contenders look like pretenders again and the contenders that looked like pretenders are back to looking like contenders. Of course most basketball journalists are discussing mid-season awards as well as All-Star selections all over the place. Once again Steve Nash's name is either at the top or right next to it in all MVP discussions. Once again though, people seemingly undervalue him and throw out wild accusations like he is only getting the award because he's white. I thought in this post I could provide a little clarity on what I've been lucky enough to see over the course of the last two and a half years.

In an age where the score first point guard has become the standard, players like Nash have been a revelation. It's a thing of beauty to watch a true point guard orchestrate the tempo of a game. Mike D'Antoni has a great system in place but Steve truly is the engine that is the driving force behind it. Players simply have to get out on the break and find an opening and they know that they have a great chance of seeing the ball. Steve has proven this time and time again with teams that he's led leading the league in scoring for five consecutive years.

The thing that truly seperates him from other point guards in the league currently and many on the all-time greats list, is his ability to score. While Nash is an outstanding passer, he has a knack for knowing when to pick up the scoring slack. To see a point guard shoot for over 50% from the floor, 40% from the three point line and 90% from the free throw line, is simply amazing. He kills other teams with the long range game, the mid-range game, floaters, left and right handed layups and a variety of other moves. He's currently at 20 points per game but he could easily average 25 if he wanted.

So when people complain that other players are better choices for the MVP award, remember that we are seeing one of the all-time best point guards leading one of the all-time best offenses. Detractors can point to the fact that he doesn't play defense, which is more due to a lack of lateral quickness than effort. He's outstanding in so many other areas and every great player had a flaw. People who point to race are simply grasping at straws. Watch him play for just a couple of consecutive games and tell me Steve Nash doesn't play the game the right way.

The Gauntlet in the Garden!

You can't turn on ESPN or basically any news station without seeing something about the brawl. While one part of me wants to stay away from the subject due to more overexposure than the Olsen twins... I digress

First of all, people need to stop comparing this to the situation in Detroit. That was a complete riot and this was a scuffle between a few heated players. As many people have pointed out in recent days, fights used to be normal within basketball. Teams had goons much like hockey and even the stars like Bird and Barkley would be known to thrown down. This is not uncommon by any means and is more knee-jerk reactions by people who have been waiting for another fight with bated breath. Calm down people! In the heat of the moment with testosterone raging like wild fire, things do happen.

More than anything, all I could think about beyond the fact that Nate Robinson is Stephen Jackson's midget, crazier brother, was that Carmelo just stepped down a bit in my eyes again. He has always seemed like a punk to me and watching him throw a punch at a guy with his hands down and then run away didn't change that perception. Bill Simmons can swear Mardy was asking for it (which he was), but he reacted like a kid once again. Whether he refuses to enter a game, calls out AK47 or cheap shots someone, his true character always comes through. His veiled apology through his PR person didn't help either. His talent is immense but his attitude, much like Kobe's, will always shine through.

As for Zeke and G Karl, they just need to duke it out in a cage. I kid, I kid. There are always unspoken laws in sports. You don't stare at home run balls and you sit your starters when you're up by 10000 points. George and Zeke are both known for being, well, not the greatest guys and this just demonstrated that. George should have sat his boys and there should not have been orders given to foul any Nuggets that entered the paint.

The suspensions where harsh but I do agree with the NBA in some degree. You hate to see this with the game you love because people will only say the continual stereotypes you already hear about the game. "It's too black", "They are all thugs!", etc, etc. All I want is for people to see the true beauty and art of the game and not judge an entire league on a few incidents. When fans of other games point fingers, they can't deny the criminals and steroid users in football and baseball. All games have their dark pasts but basketball honestly may be the cleanest of them all in reality.

I thought I would give the season twenty games or so before I looked back at my projections and analyzed how things are going thus far. Some are right on while others...... I don't want to talk about it but I must.

Rookie of the Year Prediction: Adam Morrison

Rookie of the Year Thus Far: The stache

This is an award by default. It's like giving a ribbon to a kid who didn't place in the top three but is just "special". Ammo has had his moments for sure but he is sputtering recently like George Jetson's flying briefcase. He also needs to start boarding a bit more and distributing the ball as well. Most of this will come with weight work as well as time within the system. Bargnani is playing good ball in spare minutes and the same goes for John Hollinger's man crush, Paul Milsap.


Most Improved Player Prediction: Josh Smith

Most Improved Player Thus Far: Andris Biedrins

Josh has teased us, or been a "tantilizer" like Bill Simmons would say. If I were a Hawks fan I would feel like a highschooler again that had the captain of the cheerleading squad that would flirt but never fully commit to a date. You see that potential there but she doesn't. His break out year may be a year away which is good news for Suns fans that stare at Hawks box scores hoping for a lose.

Some people will claim Monte Ellis here, which is fair, but he doesn't do much for me beyond scoring ability. Andris is boarding like man, blocking shots and making shots when he gets opportunities. He has to work on his free throw stroke but his numbers have been amazing since Nellie gave him some burn.


Defensive Player of the Year Prediction: AK47

Defensive Player of the Year Thus Far: Emeka Okafor

I haven't seen a 100 block game from him in a little bit but he has put up some insane numbers already this year. He had 8 blocks against Dallas, seven against the Big Easy and 6 against Indiana. It's good to see him healthy and playing well since he's such a stand up guy. Speaking of healthy...

I feel for you Jazz fans. You expect big things from AK47 and he ends up hurt again and he is struggling to fit within the system with everyone back. Then again, you have the best record in the league... so I don't pity you.


6th Man of the Year Prediction: Leandro Barbosa

6th Man of the Year Thus Far: Leandro Barbosa

He has started a bit this year but he has been instant offense off the bench. He's averaging 17 points to go along with 4 assists per game. This is super encouraging for Suns fans because beyond scoring, we never really wanted to see him handle the ball or have to make a decision. It would be like handing George Bush the rock and letting him dictate things. He will always be more of a scorer but his vision and point guard instincts are improving daily.


MVP Prediction: King James

MVP Thus Far: Steve Nash

You can call homerism on this but Nash is putting up insane numbers. He's already had a 20 assist game and then followed that up with a 43 point game. He does all the right things to win and always gives the Suns a chance in every game. He will lead the league in assists again and there is a chance he will be the first 20 and 10 guy since Timmy Hardaway back in 92. He's got skillz!


Finals Matchup: Suns vs. Pistons

The real finale will be in the Western conference finals but I had to pick someone from the East. You could honestly throw a pick up squad out there and they would have a chance to at least be a 5th seed in the East. I still go with the Suns because they have been through the wars the last couple seasons and Amare is beasting again. If you need any proof of this, watch the Magic game as he pushes Dwight Howard around like his little brother. The Jazz, Spurs and Mavs are all solid but with an inside/outside game going in Phoenix, we are really tough to beat. They are even playing a little defense! Writers won't admit to it but they are greatly improved in this area with Kurt, Raja, Shawn and Marcus Banks around.


Others Shocks and Surprises!

I'm glad to see that the NBA finally listened to the players and brought back the old ball. I understand not wanting to slaughter animals for a game but at least take your time and properly test balls. There is no rush and this will ultimately dictate how the game is played in the end. I only hope the players can adjust quickly to bringing back the old ball once again.

There are two more awards to add to the list. This should do it for my predictions before the season rolls out. I'm looking forward to another year of hoops and I hope it is as exciting as it was last year.


Defensive Player Of The Year: AK47

Andrei would have at least one defensive player of the year award had he remained healthy. He looks to be in good health and I think he needs a year of health to benefit his team and silence critics. There is no better weak-side defender in the league and he is one of the few players that can change an entire game without scoring a point. I wouldn't be shocked to see him end up with 2.5 blocks and 2.5 steals per game.


6th Man Of The Year: Leandro Barbosa

The scoring has always been there for the Blur but his improved defense will keep him on the court longer. With more time, will come more points and more exposure. I told friends that I thought he could become another Bobby Jackson before his time was done, and he is really nearing that status.

It is prediction time ladies and gents. I'll look deep within my Magic Eightball and see what lies ahead this season in the NBA. I'll run down the awards and all the teams that I feel are going to be big winners this year. Feel free to agree or disagree, but chances are we will all mostly be wrong.

Rookie Of The Year: Adam Morrison

He will get an opportunity right away to put up points for those tangerine orange Bobcats. While most rookies will struggle to find time, Ammo should be a focal point of an offense in desperate need of a pure scorer. I wouldn't be shocked to see him put up seventeen to eighteen points per game. Foye and Roy should both have good years as well but once again, they will not be a focal point of an offense. You can't stop the stache...

Most Improved Player: Josh Smith

I agree with John Hollinger in regard to this award. The player that wins it is usually just a young bench player or recently traded player that is finally getting some burn. It is great to recognize improvement but the All-Star game and the various other awards around the league should be enough. Being that the award is around though still, I have to pick someone. Josh Smith has a game very similar to players like Shawn Marion or AK47. He's versatile and is a terror on defense. His jump shot is improving and combined with his flash, should create a perfect ingredient for MIP.

MVP:King James

While nothing would make me happier than seeing Steve win another MVP, this will most likely be Lebron's year. His insane numbers will just continue to rise and the Cavs look set to win 55+ games. The first time I saw him play, I told my father that I thought he would average a triple double at some point in his career. It's only a matter of time before he does it, maybe even this year. The crazy thing about all this, is that he's only 21 and all this seems like a possibility.


Coach Of The Year: Brian Hill

All the ingredients are in place for the Magic to have a great year. Dwight Howard, Darko and Jameer should all only be better. The rest of the team is a nice blend of vets like Grant Hill and Pat Garrity to go along with other whippersnappers like Ariza and J.J. They won't win the East by any means but they will make the playoffs and improve enough that Brian Hill should be considered a real option for coach of the year.

Finals: Suns vs. Heat

Deep down inside, I wanted to pick the Cavs or Bulls to be in the finals. I don't feel like the Bulls have enough inside scoring or experience and the Cavs don't really have much outside shooting. Shaq doesn't have much left in the tank and this will most likely be his last hurrah.

Anyone who reads here knows my Suns bias but all the ingredients are there for them to make it all the way. Even without Amare, I would be tempted to put them in the finals now that Kurt Thomas is healthy and Nash has a true backup. With Amare improving day by day and the rest of the youth like Diaw, Barbosa and Banks doing the same, there is no reason this team shouldn't win the whole thing. Besides, we're due after waiting since the late 60's for a title. Give us one!!

It's been a while but there has not been much to talk about! I've been riding a roller coaster ride that is called: "Amare Stoudemire's Knee" for over a year now. He looks to be rounding into form and I only pray that Suns curse that began with Lew will not strike again.

I was working on putting together my fantasy team this year and sleepers kept popping up left and right. Nothing is more gratifying than grabbing a guy in the 9th round that ends up not only starting but putting up great numbers for you. We all hope we find a Boris Diaw, not a Yinka Dare. Here are a few cats that could round into form this season.

Josh Smith

Initially, when the Suns traded Joe to Atlanta, I really wanted them to request Josh. I heard Atlanta was expecting that and was shocked when they requested Boris. He is the closest thing I have ever seen to Shawn Marion, who's game is very hard to duplicate. Josh flies up and down the court and attacks the rim relentlessly. Not only that, but he gets a ton of blocks and steals. Hopefully his J will improve a bit, as well as his ball handling, but there is no reason to think the kid won't get any good looks with both Speedy and Joe on board.

Dwight Howard

I know he's already very good but he is about to become great. He is already the best rebounder in the game but his post moves and all around offense are rounding into form. He has all the potential in the world and don't be shocked to see him pull out a 25/25 game at some point this season. That may seem like something that could only happen in NBA Live or Lakers vs. Celtcis, but it could very well be a reality.

Leandro Barbosa

It's been both fun and depressing to watch Leandro over the course of his career with the Suns. He can look like the second coming of the "Microwave" and then look like Robert Pack hopped up on speed. He's finally starting to understand pacing and he is picking his spots rather than constantly pushing the fast forward button. He is starting to focus on defense and with his length, could be a magnet for steals. Don't be shocked if he is 6th man of the year in '07.

Shaun Livingston

Sam I am is bound to get injured at some point this year, being that he is on the cusp of being 1000. Seriously, how long does it seem like he's been in the league? I think both he and Dikembe Mutombo were drafted in 1967. Shaun is putting up great scoring numbers in the preseason and is really working on his J. To top it off, he has great vision to go along with great defense. People compare him to Magic but I see Penny Hardaway with more defense written all over him. This should be the year his numbers rise up.

I can't wait for the season to start and I'll be posting my predictions here very shortly.

This is belated but I wanted to discuss how the World Championships played out and how my picks looked afterward. Not to toot my own horn but I was right on with Greece and the US squad. The thing that killed me was that Argentina and Spain game. To make matters worse, Argentina only lost by a point. I can't wait for more international ball next summer and then the big dance in 2008.

On a side note, get well Pau. I've broken the same bone in my foot and it's more irritating that you can't play than anything else. Have a speedy recover and I expect him back to full strength ASAP.

A lose from an American perspective...

To anyone that tries to follow the international game, you realize that there are many great teams scattered across the globe. It has been a pleasure as a basketball fan to see the game continually grow and reach such a great status in various countries. After this latest US defeat by Greece, it is obvious that many people just don't see the truth yet.

The American basketball player is usually an exceptional athlete that plays high above the rim with a lot of flash and bravado. These players have been held up to such a degree that they feel and act as if they are invincible. The true idea of "team" is something that they know but do not necessarily adhere to. That is why I found it so hard to believe that we would simply waltz into this tournament with almost no time together and just walk all over teams in the truest sense.

Teams like Greece, Argentina and Spain play what I consider to be, real basketball. They obviously have very talented players and I would be foolish to assume that there isn't a little ego in some of them, but, they get it. They understand the basic fundamentals of basketball that seem to be lost in the modern day American player. Greece ran a simply pick and roll and completely left the US clueless. Until the American team plays together for a while and builds cohesion and realizes that there are aspects of their games that they need to improve, they will never beat teams of this caliber. Honestly though, I don't know if that will happen. The International player may not be as athletically gifted but they play the game the right way and will always have a place on many US team rosters.

I congratulate Greece on a great performance and apologize for the US players that did not do the same. It's time for America to put the ego aside, grow from this experience and try to properly utilize all that ability. It's time for some soul searching for many players on this US roster and I truly hope that we have the fire within us to come back strong in 2008. Until then, I will watch these true "teams" and enjoy the beauty and enthusiasm that they play the game with.

There is a name coming out of Europe that many people here in the states could be getting to know very well in about the year 2010. DraftExpress did some coverage on him and my friend Christophe did over at EuropeanProspects. His name is Ricard Rubio and he could easily be the top pick when he becomes draft eligible. His Spanish team at the U16 championships won the gold medal and Ricard took home MVP honors and finished the final game with 51 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and 7 steals. Seriously, those were his stats. He already is on the bench for DKV Joventut, which is one of the top teams in Spain. The scary thing is, he is only 15 years old! I could barely make myself breakfast at that age and he is putting up stats and creating hype like a young Lebron or OJ Mayo. His J needs work, but being only 15, I suspect it will improve. Playing along with someone like Rudy Fernandez should help him elevate his game. Keep your eyes open for this kid because the Stern man may be calling his name number one over all in the not too distant future.

News just broke that Tony Parker has a broken finger and will not be playing in the championships. Well, go ahead and move France on down and move Team USA up. If any other new developments come up, I will feel free to change my mind again. : )

The World Championships!

Finally, basketball ladies and gentlemen! I've been held up in my apartment with my girlfriend and cat trying to get over my basketball addiction. I can't sleep at night, I can't eat and all I watch is CSI and I keep hoping Grissom pulls out a basketball. Let's talk world hoops, shall we?

Everyone and their mother is going to pick the US team but I don't see two things on this team that are going to be very important in this tourney. This team doesn't have great outside shooters and this team doesn't play very good defense, especially now that Bowen is off the team. While people like Lebron and Carmelo will continue to pump out team first catch phrases, this hasn't helped them play defense any other time. Kirk and Melo might pump some long distance treys and help break down these zones but there aren't enough people with a mid range game to really help them out. I'm not saying they will be awful but I don't see them finishing higher than third. Here's my crack at the top three...

1. Argentina

This team is full of NBA talent and they have played together for years. I simply love to watch this team play. Their offensive execution is a thing of beauty and I look forward to seeing them every chance I can get. Ruben Magnano needs to be credited with this system and he showcases that now in the Italian league.Look for Nocioni to break out here much like he did in the playoffs for the Bulls.

2. Greece

I'm not just putting this here because I'm hoping for a couple boxes of hummus. Although, I wouldn't turn them away. Regardless, this is a true team. They won the European Championship last year and this team D's up. Diamantidis is probably the best defender in Europe and Yannakis is simply a great coach that easily could be in the NBA before you know it.

3. France

This is an extrememly talented team that I have mentioned before. I'm not just saying this because I love French bread, cheese and wine either. They are loaded with NBA talent top to bottom and all it would take for them to possibly win this whole thing is Diaw or Parker really breaking out. Gelable could become a more recognized name due to his defense and athleticism after this tourney.

I see team USA and Spain falling somewhere in fourth or fifth. This US team just needs more time together and time to evolve to the international game. Next time around, if we keep this core intact and add Greg Oden, the tourney is ours to lose.