Close but no cigar is a very good description of the Dallas Mavericks’ season. After taking a dominant 2-0 lead against the Miami Heat, the Mavericks faltered losing 2-4 in a complete team collapse. Though they can blame the refs, the team ultimately has to blame themselves for playing scared in the waning moments of the final four games. Josh Howard and Devin Harris lost their nerves in critical moments that contributed to crucial losses.

Marc Cuban is no stranger to the offseason. In the last five years, many big names, such as Antawn Jamison, Antoine Walker, Nick Van Exel, and Steve Nash, offered their services at some point in their careers. Cuban’s array of moves is probably the sole reason the team has always be a very successful team and naturally a shoo-in for the playoffs. Cuban continues the trend as he has been very adamant in acquiring playoff savvy and experienced veterans to instill the degree of poise necessary to battle pressure and finish games.NBA Draft: Maurice Ager
A guard from Michigan State, I cannot see him earning enough minutes to be effective. Ager will have to compete against Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, Anthony Johnson, and Jason Terry. Unless he is very exceptional, the amount and depth of the Maverick guards will win out.

Free Agents: Greg Buckner, Pops Mensah-Bensu, Devean George
A longtime Denver Nugget, Greg Bucker has never exhibited his talents. He is the “Tayshaun Prince” of the Nuggets’ starters, playing fifth fiddle to Carmelo Anthony, Andre Miller, Kenyon Martin, and Marcus Camby. This season, he averaged seven points and three rebounds. These numbers coincide with Adrian Griffin’s, so look for him to play a very similar role.

Pops Mensah-Bensu was actually injured and unavailable for the NBA Draft. However, he participated in the Summer League where he warranted enough of Cuban’s attention to be signed. I have no idea how good he is, but the Mavericks could have yet another sleeper on their squad (Remember, Josh Howard was a late draft pick).

The sixth man during the Lakers’ championship run, Devean George has been hampered by injures in the last two years. He put them behind him as he continued to show his outside shot, dropping an array of three pointers against the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs. Though the Lakers did not express the desire to resign him, he made a glorious exit. After Smush Parker stole the ball against Steve Nash, George darted for the ball, pushed it up court, and passed it to Kobe to force overtime. Okay, he did not make the shot, but if it was not for his hustle, the series would not have gone seven games. George was signed by the Mavericks for his playoff experience. He has three rings on his fingers, and Cuban hopes his knowledge and experience will help his team get over the hump.

Walk the Line: Adrian Griffin
The little things is the perfect description for Adrian Griffin. The former low key left-handed guard of the Mavericks, Griffin was always good for 4-8 points and 2-4 rebounds every game. He was very consistent with these numbers, and consistency apparently kept him on the roster for some time. He never exhibited any of the speed that is often characteristic of the team but had his niche. Despite this, Cuban let him walk. I am not surprised because the Mavericks are overstocked with guards. Griffin has signed with the Chicago Bulls.

Trades: Austin Croshere and Anthony Johnson for Marquis Daniels, Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell, and Rawle Marshall
This is practically a 2-2 trade as most NBA fans have no idea who Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall are.

Marquis Daniels and Josh Howard made names for themselves at the same time. As rookies, they hustled for loose balls and rebounds while providing 12-15 points each. While Howard is progressing towards all-star status, Daniels has stayed in place due to an assortment of back and neck injuries that kept him on the bench until late season. Though he played admirably in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, he was traded to the Pacers. With Jermaine O’Neal and Al Harrington leading the offense, Daniels could be their third guy as the main outside shooter.

Darrell Armstrong never found the minutes in Dallas. A key component during his days with the Orlando Magic, Armstrong has not found his groove since the move to Texas. Though he is a veteran player, Cuban opted for Anthony Johnson who had an offensive explosion against the New Jersey Nets in his playoff series.

Often dubbed the Jason Kidd understudy, Anthony Johnson showed his abilities in his playoff series against the New Jersey Nets. In Game 6, he exploded with a career high forty points. At age 32, Johnson is a veteran with the offensive skills of any player in his prime. Hopefully, for Cuban’s sake, his playoff performance was not just a fluke. Even so, he is much more competent than Armstrong and will do a stellar job in giving guidance to Devin Harris.

Austin Croshere is a longtime Indiana Pacer who coexisted with Jeff Foster. He hustled for many rebounds while showing his range with the three-point shot. In my opinion, he is another Raef Lafrentz who played for the Mavericks a few years ago. His minutes have wavered throughout his career due to back and rib injures. If he can fully recover, the team will have a very hardworking player.

NBA Draft: C
Ager will probably not see the light of day in the very deep and talented guard pool.
Free Agents: B-
Greg Buckner is the perfect replacement for Adrian Griffin as he has similar numbers and is two years younger. Mensah-Bonsu is unproven. Finally, George has the offensive capabilities to fill in the void left by Marquis Daniels. Despite the upgrades, Bucker has not exhibited much talent, and George is a pure jump shooter and rarely drives to the basket.
Walk the Line: A
The Dallas Mavericks have progressively become more athletic and young. Griffin is too slow for what Cuban has in mind for the team.
Trades: A-
Cuban wants more veterans, and he has two competent players in Johnson and Croshere. Dropping Armstong is a good move as he is deadweight. The minus comes from Daniels who I feel has plenty of time to improve and grow like Josh Howard did.
Overall: B-
Marc Cuban has consistently offered lots of money to many big names during the offseason. However, this year, Cuban was much more conservative and did not set out on creating a totally different team. Despite a number of moves, Cuban acquired more veterans and role players who will not destroy the chemistry that made the team very successful last season. My only hope for the team is that Cuban will not become impatient and let the transition periods occur. A few seasons ago, Cuban brought defense to the squad but ultimately let Don Nelson drop it midseason. Instead, the team reverted to the all out offense strategy of small ball. Maverick fans, cross your fingers and hope that these moves work out.

Different starting lineup, same result. Team USA cruised to a 119-73 blowout victory over China by applying pressure defense, finding steals, and forcing turnovers. The team is pumped and ready to start competition. Here is the second set of reports with a few added categories:Lebron James: The only starter from the previous exhibition game against Puerto Rico, I think Lebron took it upon himself to set the game’s tone. He contributed thirteen points in the first half. In my opinion, Lebron was very conservative against Puerto Rico by only showing his playmaking and dunking abilities. However, against China, Lebron displayed all facets of his offensive games through dunks, jumpers, and treys. He finished with twenty two points on a 9-13 shooting night.

Dwight Howard: Howard was relentless on the offensive board once again. There was no better indication of this than the time he rebounded his own free throw miss for a monstrous dunk. Howard then added another dunk to his mediocre four rebound night. On the defensive end, Howard did not box out or outmuscle any of the Chinese big man as they poured in easy lay-ups and dunks in their brief first quarter run.

Joe Johnson: Johnson played as well as he did in the previous game. He doubled his assists with four dimes but once again shot only 1-4 from three-point range. He started against China meaning Coach K probably will have no problem relegating him to the bench.

Gilbert Arenas: Gilbert Arenas displayed very good decision-making. Against Puerto Rico, Arenas pushed the ball up the floor in order to gather speed for his own lay-up. This time, he was very calm and did not commit any silly fouls. However, he was cold from the field with a 1-6 shooting night. I am a little surprised considering I have seen video of him practicing shots, especially the much shorter three-point shot. This is not a good sign as he is supposed to be one of the team’s best shooters.

Shane Battier: Battier played extremely well. Not only did he score the first basket, he added five rebounds to his seven points. However, Battier has yet to drive successfully to the basket. His only attempt led to a blatant offensive foul. If Battier remains a jump shooter, then I do not see him making his mark on Coach K.

Brad Miller: Brad Miller truly showed why he was chosen as one of the finalists on this team. He was on pace to another lackluster performance after the first half but redeemed himself in the second. After providing a lob for Lebron James, Miller displayed a ferocious offense consisting of three treys in succession. He finished with thirteen points at the end of the night. Even though the international line is four inches shorter than the NBA’s, that 20.6 inch footer is still outside of his range.

Kirk Hinrich: Kirk Hinrich was a no-show against China. Coming off the bench, Hinrich missed a three-pointer that would be his only shot of the night. He did have three assists, but they were not fancy passes but simple ones given to random jump shooters. I am not sure if he was hampered by any injuries, but his performance was best forgotten.

Dwyane Wade: Wade earned his starting position. Though he came off the bench, he finished with thirteen points, six rebounds, and six assists. The highlight was a NBA three-pointer that looked insanely difficult when taken four feet from the international line. His all-around performance will guarantee him a starter for actual competition. However, my only complaint was that Wade tried to draw a foul after his defender bought the head fake. Wade, remember the international rules.

Antawn Jamison: Jamison continued to exhibit his range, but the shots did not fall as well as the first game. He finished with five points off a 2-5 shooting night while contributing no rebounds or assists.

Carmelo Anthony: The man on a mission showed no signs of losing focus. The minute he came off the bench, he swished a jumper. After an array of dunks and treys, Carmelo finished with seventeen points off a 7-12 shooting night.

Elton Brand: Elton Brand was unconscious from the field with a 5-7 performance. He would not miss his mid-range shots. On defense, Brand poured in six rebounds, making him a very viable and solid double-double performer. However, like Howard, Brand did not pressure any of the Chinese big man in their first quarter run.

Chris Paul: Like Hinrich, Paul missed the only shot he attempted. He did not appear to be in the flow like he was in the previous game. His overall performance was non-existent, especially his two assists.

Bruce Bowen: Bowen practically put up 0’s the entire night. The highlight of his night was a three-pointer when the game was well in hand.

Chris Bosh: Bosh was a beast inside and outside. Highlights of his performance included two three-point plays and a three pointer that finally dropped after four attempts. He did not have any rebounds, but he dominated offensively.

Team Notes: Team USA’s pressure defense reappeared to force 21 steals and 34 turnovers. I actually felt sorry for the Chinese team as no player could get inside and was forced to take a three-point shot. Team USA willingly gave them the shot; China made a decent amount of them, but they died by the three.

China pushed the ball inside in a brief first-quarter run. The big men were scoring at will while the guards had no problems getting the ball inside. Team USA was fortunate that this defensive lapse did not occur at the end of the game.

Chopping Block Candidates: Bruce Bowen, Kirk Hinrich, Shane Battier, Antawn Jamison

Interesting Tidbit: Even Ronald McDonald, albeit an Asian Ronald McDonald, could not afford to miss this game. He appeared in the stands.

Bill Walton Quotes: “China finally gets an outside shot to drop as they whittle this…INCALCUBLE LEAD that is too difficult for me.”

“Elton Brand just does not miss his mid-range shots. Every aspect of his game is just FLAWLESS.”

“Joe Johnson is playing really well tonight. The way he executes is just FLAWLESS”

Last Thursday, Team USA dictated play on both ends of the court en route to a 114-69 blowout victory over Puerto Rico. Showing poise and passion, Team USA is off to a great start in reestablishing America as the king of basketball. Though I do not like to base performance on one game, here are my notes on each player’s performance that may prove critical when determining the final twelve.Dwyane Wade: Wade played very well last Thursday; however, his 6-10 performance was overshadowed by his showboating. This showboating got the best of him as he committed two traveling violations. The first negated a breakaway dunk, and the second was from taking too many steps after a spin move. I do not agree with the second call considering Wade uses that move frequently to weave through traffic; however, Wade has to be more cautious with the international style of officiating.

Lebron James: Lebron was very excited about playing and was very active in trying to find steals which would lead to breakout opportunities. He overplayed on defense in the first quarter by double teaming Carlos Arroyo who had no difficulty splitting his defenders and weaving through traffic for open lay-ups. Eventually, Lebron settled down in the second half like the other guards and got steals the proper way: one-on-one reach ins and getting into the passing lanes. On the offensive end, James was both a creator and a finisher with approximately the same amount of assists and dunks.

Carmelo Anthony: Carmelo is a shooter, and he made it clear last night. Every time he received the ball, he did not even take a dribble. He launched the ball instantly every time for a 6-10 shooting night. I am glad to see his confidence considering those shots did not fall in the last Olympics. Carmelo is on a mission and is definitely not fooling around. This is a great sign for Team USA.

Chris Paul: Chris Paul was ridiculous. Paul was the facilitator throughout the night, leading the fast break and setting up dunks for the other guards. He finished with only five points but eight assists. He threw more lobs than shots. The Rookie of the year turned Team USA starter is simply amazing.

Kirk Hinrich: As I stated previously in another article, Hinrich is a very streaky shooter. In his first action of the night, he missed his first three shots. I believe he was forced to shoot because the second unit composed of him, Bruce Bowen, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, and Gilbert Arenas was not getting it done. However, Hinrich made up for his slow start by scoring seven points at the beginning of the second half. He helped blow the game wide open. On the defensive end, Hinrich picked up three silly reach in fouls and one blocking foul which was clearly a charging violation. Hinrich established his position for two whole seconds before contact was made. He needs to learn the international game very quickly if he wants to spend more time on the court than the bench.

Joe Johnson: Johnson may be a borderline all-star, but he played very well. When Puerto Rico led by four at the beginning of the second quarter, Johnson calmly crossed his man over and was fouled on the ensuing reverse lay-up for a three point play. The shot whipped the Las Vegas crowd into a frenzy and helped start the run that would lead to a double digit USA cushion at halftime. He finished with a 4-7 shooting night but only 1 of 4 from three-point range which is his forte.

Gilbert Arenas: Arenas was either nervous or excited. In the first half, Arenas drove down the lane and missed a point blank lay-up. Shortly after, he drove again and ran into Santiago for a blatant charging violation. He redeemed himself in the second half with two three pointers, but the game was already well in hand. He needs to work on his decision making if he wants to remain on the team. I do not think Arenas fans have much to worry about as Coach K is not going to drop his best three point shooter.

Shane Battier: Battier will not make any highlight reels while he is on Team USA. His numbers were practically nonexistent because he picked up four fouls. The only time he really saw action was a blocking violation which was clearly a Puerto Rico charging violation and a three pointer after Team USA had already blown the game wide open.

Bruce Bowen: Team USA is playing a very fast-paced, Phoenix Suns tempo meaning defense is very secondary to offense. Bowen, at age 35, is not competent at playing at this speed. During the game, his first moment of action consisted of a turnover. In the second half, he airballed a three pointer which is his sweet spot when he plays in the states. Bowen is too slow for this offense, and when he is 38, he will not be athletic enough to keep up with the pace.

Elton Brand: Brand restored order when USA lost the lead in the second quarter. He made two of his mid range jumpers and a putback lay-up in the run that led to the double digit lead at halftime. He asserted his position in the post and never quit despite constantly having the ball stripped by the Puerto Rico defenders.

Brad Miller: Miller deferred to his teammates way too much. He started the second quarter and passed up his consistent mid range shot at the elbow. His lack of aggressiveness forced Coach K to bring in Brand to reinstate order. When the game was well in hand, Miller found the confidence to take his mid-ranger which went in beautifully.

Dwight Howard: Howard proved why he was the second highest rebounder last season. He finished with ten rebounds, five of which were offensive. Besides rebounding, Howard was a finisher with two massive dunks in the game.

Antawn Jamison: Jamison showed his range last night connecting on 3-7 three pointers. However, they came after the game was well over with. If he continues to produce from the outside, he will be a versatile player. However, I just cannot see him replacing Brand, Howard, or Bosh in the roster.

Chris Bosh: Bosh played very well…when he played inside. His first two shots were three pointers, and I was wondering why he would take those. I know he has range, but three pointers are not his forte (even if the international line is shorter). When he played inside, Bosh found himself with numerous opportunities at the free-throw line. He made 3 of his 4 free throws, and it is nice to see a big man show his stroke at the line.

Team Notes: Team USA dictated play on both ends of the court through pressure defense and monstrous dunks. If they bring this mindset and aggressiveness to every game, winning gold will not be a problem.

Team USA also had numerous offensive rebounds which led to many shot opportunities. Early in the second quarter, USA was 4-13 from the field while Puerto Rico was 4-5. The extra opportunities will be key as I expect the team to hit some dry spots in their pseudo Phoenix Suns offensive style.

Speaking of the Phoenix Suns style, I think Team USA can play at this pace, but they need to commit to defense as much as offense. In the first half, the guards were very adamant in forcing steals than sticking to their man. This defense gave Puerto Rico many lay-up opportunities.

Longtime Hornet icon Baron Davis is dishing dimes in the Bay Area, but the New Orleans Hornets still have sting. The Rookie of the Year turned team leader overnight, Chris Paul, has done an admirable job at point guard. His 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists performance this season resulted in an assortment of individual accolades such as Rookie of the Year, ESPY Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, and Team USA finalist for the World Championships.

Under CP’s era, the Hornets almost made the playoffs, reaching the seventh seed midseason. Unfortunately, the Kings and Lakers went on ferocious runs to close out the season, leaving the Hornets on the outside looking in. Given the lack of depth on the roster, the Hornets had to feel good about themselves. With just a few more pieces, mainly outside shooters, they will definitely be in the playoff hunt for seasons to come.NBA Draft: Hilton Armstrong, Cedric Simmons
Considering it’s somewhat difficult to watch college basketball routinely, I do not have any idea how talented these first-round picks are. However, I do know they are forwards meaning both will come off the bench. Versatile swingman Rasual Butler and newly acquired Peja Stojakovic will start. Only time will tell if these two will earn their paychecks next season. I have confidence in these two because Paul will give them opportunities to exhibit their talents.

Free Agents: Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Jackson
The acquisition of Peja Stojakovic is quite possibly the best offseason move. The Hornets desperately need a shooter considering the bulk of their offense came down low from David West or from layups created by Paul slicing down the lanes. Peja stretches defenses with his range and stroke and definitely has the dribbling capabilities to weave his way to the basket for a small layup. He will have the defense constantly guessing which will take pressure and attention off of West and Paul. I am starting to like this Big Three, especially since Peja is very happy to be with the Hornets. He may play like his MVP year.

Bobby Jackson, a former Sacramento King as well, signed with the Hornets, but no contract terms were announced. Jackson complements Paul perfectly as the more offensive guard. During his time in Sacramento, Jackson provided instant offense from the bench. During a Kings and Mavericks’ shootout, he ran to the scorer’s table to chalk up his hands when his name was called. He was ready to score, and the Hornets need a scoring punch this season.

Walk the Line: Kirk Snyder
Kirk Snyder is a very low-key guard who is often competing for a spot. In Utah, he competed against Keith Mcleod and Deron Williams for the starting position. A few weeks ago, Snyder was basically given to the Houston Rockets for a second round pick. The Rockets need to resolve their point guard situation while the Hornets have already resolved theirs.

Trades: Tyson Chandler for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith
It would seem ludicrous that the Hornets would trade hardworking, double-double averaging P.J. Brown and up-and-coming J.R. Smith for chronic injury ridden Tyson Chandler. However, the Hornets have their guard situation resolved, and they are going for a youth movement. Brown is eligible for the Dikembe Mutombo club at age 37 while Chandler is only 24. Both players have comparable numbers; both average a near double-double in points and rebounds (except Chandler’s 5 points average). When he does play, Chandler is fairly consistent with his rebounds and blocks which are the two things the Hornets want him to do. Finally, I assume that the Hornets plan to keep him and expect his numbers to exceed Brown’s in a few years.

NBA Draft: -
I have no real criteria to judge these two rookies.
Free Agents: A+
Stojakovic and Jackson provide much needed offense while filling in needed positions.
Walk the Line: A
There is no longer any point guard dilemma, so Snyder is just deadweight to them. The Rockets could use Snyder if Bobby Sura is still not fully recovered from knee and leg injuries.
Trades: B
I like the youth movement. The Hornets receive comparable numbers with a much younger player. However, like Marcus Camby, Chandler’s effectiveness depends on the amount of games he dons a jersey instead of a business suit.
Overall: A-
Of my current reports, the Hornets have made the best moves. The best part, albeit scary, is that this is a relatively young team that fans will be seeing for a long time. The team’s resurgence could not have come at a better time for the hurricane-ravaged populace.

Months ago, I previewed the 2006 free agent market. Since then, all of the prospective free agents, except Drew Gooden, have reportedly made their decisions. Where are they now?Al Harrington: The best free agent on the market decides to be very conservative in his investing. Despite offers from practically every team, Al Harrington is currently in the process of rejoining his former ball club, the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are seeking a sign and trade with Harrington, but they need to determine what players to release. Sources state that the Pacers have sixteen players on their roster which is one above the limit; they want to acquire Harrington without trading any players in return in order to give them more time. Good luck with that. Other teams have dropped out on the Harrington hunt, so only time will tell when the Pacers actually acquire him.

Peja Stojakovic: Apparently, he was not very happy in Indiana. Though it would have been a ridiculous big three of Harrington, Stojakovic, and Jermaine O’Neal, the shooter has signed a $64 million, 5-year deal with the Hornets. Peja complements the team perfectly as the outside threat. He will stretch defenses which will take more pressure off David West down low and open the lanes for driving Chris Paul. I like this Big Three, making the Hornets one of my favorite teams entering next season. (Will, stop jumping on the bandwagon…NO!!!)

Ben Wallace: Taking way too much heat for a lack of an offensive game in the playoffs, Ben Wallace appeared to just shake it off as fan frustration for losing. Besides, blame cannot be attributed solely to him. If anything, the Pistons would be much worse without their 4 time Defensive Player of the Year and anchor holding the team down with his twelve rebounds a game. Losing Ben Wallace would send the Pistons’ ship into treacherous waters, so they offered him a $48 million dollar contract. Shortly after, Wallace verbally agreed that he would be signing with the Chicago Bulls in a $52 million dollar contract. People were shocked that he would leave the franchise that embraced him with open arms for another four million, but the deal has reportedly been acknowledged as $60 million. Ben Wallace brings defense to a team that has been naturally soft in the frontcourt recently. Tyson Chandler’s injuries and the loss of Eddy Curry leave much to be desired. The Bulls will continue to rely on their guards for offense as Wallace will have none of that.

Jason Terry: Despite a roller coaster NBA finals ride, Jason Terry will continue to be Marc Cuban’s point guard. He signed an extension, and the terms were not disclosed. Jason Terry brings his clutch shooting abilities to the team that played scared in the waning moments of the last four finals games. In addition, the Mavericks desperately need him as the series questioned Devin Harris’ reliability.

Drew Gooden: The only major free agent whose contract negotiations are still underway. Sources report that he has been offered a $6.5 million dollar contract for 6 years, but Gooden is seeking a deal similar to Nene’s $60 milllion, 6-year deal. The Cavaliers’ wooing of similar players like Reggie Evans is impeding progress as well. Should the Cavaliers let Gooden walk, I do not believe they will lose much. Varejao played extremely well in the playoffs and showed tremendous amounts of heart. He is a fan favorite, and his energy and hustle will bring victories to the Cleveland crowd.

Sam Cassell: Despite rejecting an offer by the Clippers, Sam I Am finally resigned for two more years. Cassell will continue to provide veteran leadership to a very young, yet deep, starting five composed of himself, Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, Chris Kaman, and Cuttino Mobley. He will mainly serve as the mentor and player coach of Shaun Livingston who is acknowledged by Dick Vitale as the next Magic Johnson. I am glad to see Cassell retire after his two years because the Clippers desperately need to give Livingston the point. He creates numerous mismatches because of his size and has shown so much upside and heart since they acquired him.

Mike James: James was not on my list initially, and the reason was that he was not playing at an all-star level. This year, James averaged nearly twenty points and seven assists and his status is akin to Joe Johnson’s. Having played at an impressive level, James has been vocal about seeking a big contract. The Raptors were apparently not willing to offer him a lucrative deal, and they practically ousted him when they acquired T.J. Ford a few weeks ago. James has offered his services to the Minnesota Timberwolves who desperately need a point guard now that Marcus Banks left for Phoenix and Sam Cassell resigned with the Clippers. Sorry KG, you have to play with someone who thinks he’s MJ. James, Garnett, and Ricky Davis are the Wolves’ big three, and this trio can be as successful as Cassell, Garnett, and Latrell Sprewell. James needs to hit the big shots like Cassell, Garnett needs to play with heart and stop crying, and Davis needs to remain a consistent triple-double threat.

The fifteen finalists continuing on to represent Team USA in the World Championship have been chosen.

Your Fab Fifteen finalists include:Dwyane Wade: This season’s MVP and ESPY NBA Player of the Year, Dwyane Wade was a no-brainer for Team USA. Spectacular throughout the playoffs, Wade showed the ability to literally carry his team to victory. Hopefully, his success will continue in Japan as he did not have a particularly strong outing in the last Olympics.

Carmelo Anthony:  One of the leaders in last-second shots, Carmelo Anthony returns for another shot at Olympic gold. Unlike the others, Carmelo is under the magnifying glass after voicing displeasure with his limited minutes in the last Olympics. When asked on what he could do to help the team succeed, Anthony merely scoffed and stated how he cannot help the team if he does not play.

Lebron James:  The King has returned to the Olympics. After two mediocre seasons in Cleveland, Lebron finally made the playoffs and almost defeated the Detroit Pistons. Though he felt his playoff run was cut short, Lebron is looking to the future and that is of course, regaining that USA Basketball pride that was lacking last year. James is so talented that the public will not care that he said, “Without me, there’s no team.”

Dwight Howard: Dwight Howard disproves all the doubters who thought Emeka Okafor was the more sound and safe #1 pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. The second highest rebounder after Garnett, Dwight Howard will continue on crashing the boards in Japan. The great part, albeit scary, is that he is only in his second year of pro basketball. Technically, he is still a rookie…a sixteen points, thirteen rebounds rookie.

Chris Paul: This season’s Rookie of the Year and ESPY Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Chris Paul had a stellar season, averaging fifteen points, five rebounds, and seven assists while almost leading his New Orleans Hornets to the postseason. He is still a rookie but definitely is not playing like one. Chris Paul is a perfect fit and will complement the more offensive guards in Carmelo and Lebron.

Kirk Hinrich: Not initially chosen to compete, Jerry Colangelo made a strong effort in wooing Kirk Hinrich to the team. There was nothing surprising when his name was called because of this incident. The Bulls’ point guard of the future, Hinrich complements the more offensive guards as his shot often runs cold and often resorts to running the offense.

Antawn Jamison: From Maverick sixth man to Wizard starter, Antawn Jamison is part of the new triple-threat trio alongside Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. However, he is the weakest of the three and could not compete with the all-around offensive and ballhandling abilities of Arenas or the slashing-down-the-lanes ferocious play of Butler. In addition, he is somewhat of a liability as his offense solely dictates how effective he will play. A shooting slump this season made him completely useless. Because he plays the forward and center positions, I do not expect him to be part of the final twelve, losing out to the likes Elton Brand and Dwight Howard.

Bruce Bowen: The hardnosed defender from the San Antonio Spurs who is known to be a thorn in many players’ sides. Because he is 35, the committee has been cautious in embracing Bowen with open arms. However, with the lack of defense in last year’s Olympics, they will need some guy to defend the other team’s best player. In my opinion, if Bowen qualifies for the first cut, Colangelo is already planning on keeping him for the final twelve.

Elton Brand: The hardworking Clipper big man who is finally getting the recognition he deserves, Elton Brand will probably start at power forward. Looks like Team USA has another solid twenty points, ten rebounds big man on the roster.

Joe Johnson: The versatile Hawks point guard, Joe Johnson proved this season why the Suns should have offered him more money. After a slow start, Johnson emerged by averaging twenty points and above average assists. Granted, any good player can have fantastic numbers in Atlanta cough* Antonie Walker cough*, but Johnson was also instrumental in giving the Hawks some amazing last-second shots to win games. The most important of which was the shot that defeated the Pistons. THE HAWKS BEAT THE PISTONS. Swallow that. Though he is more than ready to drop some dimes, he is much more adept at scoring and could be Team USA’s number one shooting guard.

Brad Miller: The once best free agent on the market, the Sacramento Kings center was probably chosen for his ability to pass as well as any guard. He can also score and rebound at will making Miller very difficult to defend and a threat on both ends of the court.

Gilbert Arenas: The most improved player turned all-star, Gilbert Arenas will bring his shooting and ballhandling skills to Japan. The team has a plethora of offensive guards, but he is the only one who possesses a consistent three-point shot. Lebron and Wade refrain from the shot, Carmelo is a much better jump shooter, Paul drives to the basket, and Hinrich is often cold from the field.

Chris Bosh: The new face of the Toronto Raptors, Bosh has quickly become a dominant power forward. Because of his slender frame, he draws many comparisons with Kevin Garnett. Considering he’s the second string behind Elton Brand, this is one scary kid.

Amare Stoudemire: Considering he has made the first cut, Stoudemire appears to be both mentally and physically ready to play. The team desperately needs him to return to the Stoudemire who scorched the Spurs defense with forty points a game. Otherwise, the starting center will be Brad Miller who is more of a threat outside than inside.

Shane Battier: Apparently, doing a little bit of everything means a lot to the coaching staff. A longtime Memphis Grizzly, Battier’s role of either starter or sixth man has changed each season but his numbers have not. He does not excel at any particular category. In my opinion, injuries and the fact that he was one of Coach K’s favorite athletes at Duke had something to do with his selection.

The following are those who did not qualify and probable reasons why not:

Chauncey Billups: Made a commitment to spend more time with his daughter.

Kobe Bryant: Knee surgery will keep him out of action for 8-12 weeks.

Shawn Marion: Leg and knee injuries. Even so, Marion’s ability to score mainly comes from getting open running down the court. Marion did not see many breakway dunks last Olympics, so he would have to show an array of post moves in order to score. Because that is not his forte, Bosh and Brand are much better candidates.

Adam Morrison: Has yet to play professionally

J.J. Redick: Has yet to play professionally

Lamar Odom: He is still very uncomfortable with the typeof position he plays. In addition, the recent death of his daughter probably has him mentally fatigued.

Paul Pierce: He is just a scorer and has no other specialties that will help the team.

Michael Redd: In my opinion, Redd possesses the nicest looking shot in the NBA, but he is only capable of scoring like Pierce.

Luke Ridnour: Ridnour is a mediocre player competing for a spot on a championship team.

On the eve of the World Championships, the fifteen selected will be trimmed down to twelve. I believe that Kirk Hinrich, Shane Battier, and Antawn Jamison will not make the second cut. Hinrich not only sustained knee and leg injuries during practices, but he is the weakest point guard, Battier is just a mediocre player, and Jamison is the weakest forward.

After experiencing a quick reversal following the second retirement of Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls resurfaced, making the playoffs in three consecutive years. The numerous talented first round picks have led to this resurgence. Kirk Hinrich is the team’s point guard of the future, and Ben Gordon (Ben Jordan?) won the Sixth Man of the Year Award. The new generation of players has created a new image of baby Bulls who scrap and grind out their games.

However, by having to work hard for every game, the Bulls often struggle to close them out. Barely making the playoffs this season at seventh seed, the Bulls desperately need to address their lack of an inside presence this offseason. Tyson Chandler has never performed to their expectations, and they need another big man to resolve the Eddy Curry situation.

NBA Draft: Tyrus Thomas

The Bulls’ major pick was LaMarcus Aldridge who they traded to Portland for Tyrus Thomas. I highly doubt he will play considering they now have a nucleus of young guys with 2-3 years of experience to develop into a team.

Free Agents: Ben Wallace

The face of the Detroit Pistons’ franchise, Ben Wallace was criticized for his lack of an offensive game and his overall decrease in his averages. There are numerous players that average less than ten points per game, but he is probably the only NBA superstar with this average. Even so, losing the four-time Defensive Player of the Year and his eleven rebound average would leave a huge gap in the team. The Pistons had to keep him, offering Wallace a $48 million dollar deal.

It was reported that the Bulls offered $52, and nearly everyone expected Wallace to stay with the franchise that embraced him with open arms. He would not leave the Pistons for an extra four million. However, shortly after Wallace announced he would sign with the Bulls, the Chicago deal was reported at $60 million. For a player who is approaching the tail end of his career (he is 32), I am not surprised he would accept the bigger deal.

The addition of Wallace adds more depth and defense to the team’s backcourt which was clearly lacking due to Chandler’s chronic injuries, and the loss of Eddy Curry. Wallace will not produce Curry’s or Chandler’s offensive numbers but will provide exceptional amount of boards and average blocks. His defense will help eliminate the easy points and will ultimately make the Bulls a better defensive team. Will this make the Bulls a better team record-wise? I expect the team to have a better record but not by much because the team will continue to rely on their guards for scoring and their two best guys, Hinrich and Gordon, often are cold from the field.

Walk The Line: Othella Harrington

Perhaps in an attempt to pay Wallace’s salary, the Bulls let Othella Harrington walk. Though he never made headlines, I think he was the best big men next to Curry. He clearly had a much better shot than Chandler, but nobody ever gave him the ball. Hopefully, he can offer his services somewhere else.

Trades: J.R. Smith, P.J. Brown for Tyson Chandler

The Bulls addressed Tyson Chandler by dealing him to the Hornets. P.J. Brown is a major upgrade in that he is a hard worker. He is one of those blue-collar guys that gives it all he’s got. His numbers are very similar to Chandler as he almost averages a double double in points and rebounds. However, unlike Chandler, the Bulls can expect him to suit up nearly every game as I do not recall him being injury prone. J.R. Smith is a great addition at point guard as he is young like every other Bull and can fill in for shooting should Gordon go cold (which I think happens frequently). However, the Bulls may be overstacked since Chris Duhon plays admirably off the bench, meaning Smith may never play if Gordon and Hinrich continue to improve to all-star level. One must also forget that the Bulls use numerous lineups. They have never used a set rotation due to the fact that they have been in a rebuilding phase for the last few years. Smith may get lost in the shuffle or come out on top. The former might be expected considering he only averaged six points a game this season.

NBA Draft: C
After very successful draftees in Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich, this draft appeared to just be a formality with not many big names available for the Bulls.
Free Agent: A
Acquire an all-star for nothing. How could this be a bad move?
Walk the Line:  B
There is still not enough inside scoring. Brown and Ben have like 15 points between them. Continuing to rely on the guards for scoring has allowed the Bulls to get by but not win crucial games.
Trades:  A-
Brown is a great replacement for Chandler. A few more rebounds and same amount of points. Smith may not play enough minutes to have an impact season. The trade appeared to be more about getting rid of Chandler than acquiring players to address the backcourt.
Overall: B+
The Bulls are making great moves to make them one of the better teams in the East, but they cannot win it all. They have changed their players, but not their offensive game plan. With Wallace and Brown in the front court, the Bulls will still lack a consistent amount of scoring meaning Gordon and Hinrich will shoulder the offensive load. This has been the strategy for them the last few years, and it has been mildly effective.

Having gone a full year without longtime superstar icon Vince Carter, the Toronto Raptors officially entered the franchise’s next generation. Led by all-star power forward Chris Bosh, the Raptors are looking to once again enter the playoff picture. Management has been very active in the offseason looking for proper pieces to fit around their growing all-star. Careful decision planning must be made as they wish to avoid a Kevin Garnett situation, the player who in my opinion is very similar to Bosh in that both men are dominant forwards yet have skinny slender frames.  Without a deep team, Bosh could spend the majority of his career producing excellent numbers, rarely seeing postseason glory, and being blamed for it.

After another mediocre season, the Raptors’ only silver lining was Mike James’ breakout season in which he doubled his scoring and assists average. However, even James recognized his growth and was very adamant about his search for a big contract and his willingness to leave Toronto should that wish be unfulfilled. The main concern this offseason was addressing their point guard situation.NBA Draft: Andrea Bargnani

With the #1 pick, the Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani, a big man from Italy who has drawn many comparisons to Dirk Nowitzski. He appears to have a decent shot and can shoot the three meaning he will most likely play from the outside. Being a foreign player, I have not seen him play, but I expect his style of play to be a mix of Vladimir Radmanovich and Dirk Nowitzski. He will not be completely dependent on the guards to set his shot up (Radmanovich) but will take the ball in himself for a jumper or layup (Nowitzski).

Free Agents: Anthony Parker, Jorge Garbajosa

These signed players have not made much buzz, but Parker will be the Raptors’ starting small forward next season. He will replace Villanueva. Garbajosa will come off the bench if he plays at all.

Walk The Line: Mike James

Mike James was a nobody when he played with the Pistons. He filled in admirably as the backup point guard to Chauncey Billups. A season later, he became the backup to Bob Sura and ultimately became the starting point guard when he came down with a leg injury. Though he voiced how he felt Houston had a chance to win the championship this season, James was traded to the Raptors for Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston. The Raptors got the better of the trade as Rafer had a few injuries to tend to and James doubled his points and assists average to 19 and 7.

After his outburst, he now felt in a position to demand more money and voiced he would leave the Raptors if he did not get a big contract. Well, the Raptors heard him and slammed the door after acquiring T.J. Ford. Mike James has reportedly signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Trades: T.J. Ford for Charlie Villanueva

No one knew what the Raptors were doing when they drafted Villanueva. Having acquired a power forward in Chris Bosh, the team had that position filled. In his first year, Villanueva disproved his doubters, showing that both he and Bosh could coexist. Villanueva’s 13 points and 6 rebounds season was more than enough to be a top ten rookie of the season.

Only a year removed from rookie status, T.J. Ford has actually only played two of his three seasons in the league. A chronic spinal cord injury has restricted his play on the court, but it appears to be behind him. He has come off his best season averaging 12 points and nearly 7 assists a game. He jumped out of the gate quickly dropping at least 10 dimes a game at the beginning of the season before coming back down to earth for the remainder.

Last month, these two exchanged places which is a good move for the Raptors who apparently were not willing to give Mike James a hefty contract*. Ford may not produce James’ offensive numbers, but he is a pass first point guard. The team needs that as Bosh is the team’s primary option on offense. For Villanueva, expect him to play admirably alongside the Bucks’ frontcourt of Jamaal Magloire and Andrew Bogut. Not sure who the Bucks’ point guard will be but Maurice Williams was en route to a no contest 6th Man of the Year Award before becoming injured. He has more offensive power than Ford and similar assists. He is a perfect replacement if the Bucks are not looking for another guard.

Rasho Nesterovic for Eric Williams, Matt Bonner

I first heard of Nesterovic during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves were a pretty successful franchise, always making the playoffs usually as the fourth or fifth seed. The team rode the backs of Nesterovic and Kevin Garnett. At the time, Nesterovic was a decent double-digit scorer (11.2) and average rebounder (6.5) for a center.

After the Wolves’ glory run, Rasho Nesterovic became a Spurs and was one of the three big men who played in the shadow of Tim Duncan and did not score much. It was the trio of Rasho Nesterovic, Robert Horry, and Nazr Mohammed who never found the playing time. I do not blame them; Tim Duncan is perhaps one of the top three big men in the league. As a result of Duncan’s dominance in the paint, Nesterovich’s numbers were cut in half.

Now a Raptor, Nesterovic is assured of the starting center spot. If he plays with some passion, I expect his numbers to revert to his Timberwolves days. The added scoring will take some pressure off Bosh and will replace the scoring and rebounding lost by Villanueva.

NBA Draft: C
Reviews on Bargnani are very polarized. Half tote him as the next Nowitzski and half tote him as the next Rafael Araujo (WHO?). I am not convinced about Bargnani and feel he will have a mediocre rookie season akin to Andrew Bogut. This draft was best forgotten.

Free Agent: C-
These two guys are unproven, so I really have nothing positive to say about them.

Walk the Line:  B
The Raptors have a better team image now that the money grubbing point guard is gone, but you have to admit that a backcourt duo of Ford and James is lethal.

Trades: A-
Villanueva showed plenty of potential, but I would personally choose T.J. Ford because Mike James clearly cared more about himself than the team. In addition, a special player like Villanueva could not continue to play in Bosh’s shadow. Though he probably is now relegated to third string behind Magloire and Bogut, he could probably play well enough to split minutes with Bogut.
Nesterovic’s numbers have been consistently on the decline, but the reason is that he never got the minutes in San Antonio. As the starting center, his numbers can only go up but please remember he is still just Rasho Nesterovic.

Overall: B-
The Raptors are clearly moving in the right direction, but they still need to address their shooting guard position. Morris Peterson is definitely somebody they will need to upgrade, but unfortunately, Peja Stojakovich is already taken.
]]> http://www.sportscolumn.com/2006/07/21/offseason-report-card-toronto-raptors/feed/ 1 http://www.sportscolumn.com/2006/07/20/flint-star-all-we-do-is-ball/ http://www.sportscolumn.com/2006/07/20/flint-star-all-we-do-is-ball/#comments Thu, 20 Jul 2006 10:52:00 +0000 wtt02005
A copy of Marcus G. Davenport’s Flint Star DVD has been on my computer desk for some time. A documentary depicting the life of individuals attempting to leave the ghetto through basketball, I already had a few preconceived notions about the film. I have never lived in what people would deem a “rough” neighborhood rife [...]]]>

A copy of Marcus G. Davenport’s Flint Star DVD has been on my computer desk for some time. A documentary depicting the life of individuals attempting to leave the ghetto through basketball, I already had a few preconceived notions about the film. I have never lived in what people would deem a “rough” neighborhood rife with crime, guns, and drugs, so it might be an alarming yet insightful experience to be an outside observer. However, in my opinion, the subject matter appears to be overdone. Eminem’s 8 Mile chronicled the life of a rapper who wanted to “get a record,” leave his decrepit slum of a hometown, and live the rich life. Even the less glorified, less Hollywood, and more street Through the Fire detailed the life of numerous athletes, mainly Sebastian Telfair, from their time in the streets to the NBA…if they got that far. Yes, most hit the wall as one man interviewed in Through the Fire stated, “There comes a time when you realize that you won’t get paid for this [playing basketball].”

I do not have issues with people wanting to be professional athletes or any other type of famous icon; however, I have issue with those that feel that there is no other way to be successful. The Flint residents are blinded. They see basketball as the only key to success and place absolutely no value on education which to them is merely an obstacle. Mateen Cleaves, one of the successful Flint athletes, mentions how he went to school just to make whatever grade needed to keep him eligible to play basketball.

Attack me for not understanding the Flint culture, but the following explains why I think Flint has more options than playing ball:
The documentary begins with an assortment of individuals justifying their way of life. Numerous testimonials ensue, and two things stick out: the repetition of basketball which is heard at least one hundred times and the phrase, “There’s nothing else to do but ball.”  Of the former, it is apparent that basketball is prevalent within the culture; I have no problem with that. However, of the latter, if there is clearly nothing else to do but play basketball then go get a job or more importantly, go to school.

Davenport profiles the Flint residents as robots willingly programmed to play sports without any coding for education or other forms of leisure. I understand that Davenport is trying to depict a culture heavily influenced by basketball, but everyone is brainwashed into thinking only basketball will allow people to rise up out of the ghetto. That is not right because I highly doubt that everyone believes they can play in the NBA whether or not they are physically gifted. In addition, approximately twenty professional Flint basketball athletes are represented in the documentary while the Flint residents greatly outnumber that. Surely, there are people who have failed. Finally, dispersed throughout the film are a number of individuals who speak of “those” who have not left Flint. The most notable of which is the individual who constantly repeats the phrase, “Reality hits, and they’re doing drugs.”  Who interviewed the drugees? Not Marcus G. Davenport obviously.

Without interviews of those who have tried and failed, the documentary leaves out the other side of the issue. This “plot hole” is evident as a bulk of the documentary glorifies the successful athletes like Latrell Sprewell and Mateen Cleaves. The mere mention of these names sends coaches and residents into a frenzy while there are no sob stories of the unfortunate ones. Davenport does not balance the scales and portrays all of Flint’s athletes as superheroes. This is not true. Otherwise, I would be in the NBA.

Another aspect missing in action is Flint’s education system. Davenport makes it clear that education is the last thing on these students’ minds, so he might as well not include what is considered insignificant in the community. However, when you display in the marquee that eighteen million people in Flint do not have a GED or diploma , you need to address that issue. People whining and moaning about how they cannot obtain a “30,000 salary jobs,” is prevalent within the film, and isn’t it a little bit obvious why not? Without any education or job-related skills, these individuals have nothing to offer the working world. The lack of schooling and/or the lack of ascribing importance to it are not providing these valuable skills to students.

The education issue also fails to instill some sense of having to work in the community. These particular segments that have gone missing portray the athletes as the enemies. Public enemy #1 is Eddie Robinson who is not willing to donate money to Flint because he has to pay for his million dollar home and car. Though I do not agree completely with Robinson’s logic, there is one important statement where he says he has difficulty deciding whether people really need money or if they are just asking for it. This is an important statement because I believe a number of the residents are just asking for it. They do not have an education and are not working to make themselves better. They just play basketball and then just sit around waiting for someone to help them out like the homeless. You have to work hard if you want to be successful in this life, and I do not believe that residents of Flint understand this. Some may answer in response that they’re working to get a college scholarship to play basketball. Well, why don’t they try to get a scholarship for something besides basketball? They know that not everyone makes it, so I do not see why they are not looking for other options. Has the “scholar” in scholarship disappeared as well?

Though I wish I could give my life to the sport that I love so dearly, I know that “reality hits” and I have to have some kind of backup plan. Flint does not have one, and Flint does not believe they have one. It will be near impossible to start a new culture in this area as it has already trickled down to the next generation. I cannot erase the image of the little kid raised by his grandparents who is already mentally set on making it to the NBA.

Before my religious viewing of Fox’s Sunday night programming, I flipped the channel to watch the ESPY awards. In days of yore, it would be a no-brainer whether or not to watch the show. I watched Kobe effortlessly climb up the Laker ladder of history, and I watched Vince Young single-handedly run his team to victory. Reliving those moments is simply a Youtube search away. However, being a college kid, I left home and had something of a long distance relationship with the boob tube (too much homework). As a result, I made a vehement effort to catch the sports highlights I missed this year while not sacrificing an extravagant amount of Simpsons, Family Guy, and (dare I say it) American Dad content. The show began with a humorous opening monologue by Lance Armstrong. I expected the night to retain its upbeat, intense, and energetic atmosphere that is characteristic of most sporting events. Little did I know that I would be on the edge of my seat constantly reaching for the nearest Kleenex box.

The bulk of the programming centered around poignant, touching, and at times, tear jerking moments of individuals finding meaning in their lives through sports. The first installment was the John Ehret basketball team that was constructed from high school boys from numerous New Orleans school districts. The story was essentially a microcosm of the New Orleans community putting aside their differences to help everyone find the road to recovery from the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Though a great movie preview and the answer to Glory Road and Coach Carter (move over Jason McElwain), what stood out was that this team was not about their love of basketball but the social response of people coming together in times of need. I thought the ESPY’s was a sports awards show.

After Katrina’s destruction made me go through my first batch of Kleenex, I had to open a new box after Ashley Judd introduced her fifteen minute video segment. Inspiring and touching, the segment described numerous Afghan women being repeatedly murdered and brutally abused by the Taliban regime. They were punished for wanting to be recognized as people. Fraught with corpses and personal accounts of violent whippings, the video made one wonder why ESPN was showing this. Finally, in the last three minutes, the brief documentary mentioned the women using soccer to rebel against the oppressive rule and culture.

I think it is great that people are being exposed to such a dire situation, but seriously, give the video to news syndicates. Call Dateline, call 20/20, give Dan Rather his job back. The Afghan women’s soccer team has implications beyond sports. They do not want some silly sports award; they want change. These women reached out to the wrong audience.

The remainder of the night had a few segments, but most of it was devoted to actually handing out the awards. The awards were limited in scope with the exception of Jason McElwain’s 20 point performance that won him “Best Moment” To a jubilant crowd and standing ovation, Jay Mac gave a speech that was surprisingly the most thoughtful and articulate of the night. Everyone who attended or simply just watched the show knew that anything is possible after watching his acceptance speech.

ESPN should conduct a separate show for these touching sports moments. They could be special segments on Sportscenter. Let the awards show be an awards show.

The ESPY’s, a sports awards show? Hardly.