You can think about the NBA in any number of ways. It can be superstar versus superstar - Kobe versus Shaq. It can be team versus team - Pistons versus Spurs. It can be coach versus coach - Riley versus Jackson. How about the NBA as a 3 on 3 - with GM, coach, star. It is not too far fetched. Think about it.
Detroit - Dumars, Flip, Billups You have to like Dumars, Flip, Billups. It's rock solid. It is machine-like in its efficiency. It is perfect spacing and execution. It is Dumars and Dumars was always great - even if it wasn't ever flashy or more than it needed to be. I like this team.
Indiana - Bird, Carlisle, ONeal Bird, Carlisle, ONeal is good but you have to think this organization is still suffering some sort of bird flu that they caught last year. With the upcoming trade they will likely have finally kicked it but it will take a little more time to regain their strength and fully compete.
Miami - Riley, Riley, Shaq Riley, Riley, Shaq is really with Wade too but you know showtime has many moving parts - and in this case even includes a reinvigorated Alonzo Mourning - so you gotta like what you see. The talent is there and the coach is on the bench. If it wasn't for Wade I would be rooting against these guys out loud, but with Wade I am very intrigued and ready to jump on the bandwagon.
Chicago - Paxon, Skiles, Hinrich Paxon, Skiles, Hinrich. I could play on this team. I am a short white guard who understands the value of playing with the most intensity and grit and I make smart shots and most of my free throws. They have established the work ethic and style of play. The next step is hanging out the Help Wanted sign and signing some offensive stars.
New York - Isiah, Larry, Marbury Isiah, Larry, Marbury. I tend to root against Isiah - not as any firm rule but somehow I always find myself rooting against him. He signed all of this talent - based on his keen eye for the stuff - and then hoped that it would come together. When it didn't, he called somebody who knew how to clean up a mess. The problem in NY is that Marbury needs to go. It will take time and, as such, can only be done if Isiah can follow the coach long enough. All that is needed is patience in New York - good to see him struggling.
Cleveland - Ferry, Brown, LeBron Ferry, Brown, LeBron. If I repeat the names of this team out loud five times I always have the same thought - Brown will be gone before this team hits its stride. With LeBron you can copy the Jordan path to championships that the Lakers will be taking or you can come up with a new way - but you need a way that LeBron buys into because you will hit bumps along the ways. My bet is that the Brown system falters before the glory that is coming hits LeBron in all its gold and glitter and, at that point, there is a high profile coach on the Cav's bench.
Boston - Ainge, Doc, Pierce Ainge, Doc, Pierce. What is this? I always admired Ainge's competitiveness and style of play. I always liked Doc. And Pierce looks like a real star. What is going on here? From a distance I thought they were purging their malcontents. They should be doing better, shouldn't they? Somebody please fill me in.
Lakers - Kupchak, Jackson, Bryant Kupchak, Jackson, Bryant. Wow. It will be a fight with the Pistons, Spurs, and Heat but they could do it. It wont be hard to attract top talent to play Kobe's supporting cast - no matter how much bad press he gets. Some of the new talent needed grew up watching and dreaming of being like him winning all those championships and playing in L.A. Every star loves sunshine, girls, movies, the recording business and money? It is a good bet that Phil can teach Kobe how to be Jordan and Mitch can bring in the missing pieces. I like this bet. Buy now.
Memphis - West, Fratello, Gasol West, Fratello, Gasol. I don't know what to make of that. Seems to be working. I would enjoy seeing it work. I am just not a true believer yet. There is a weakness in the spine or something. Not that they won't dazzle us at times but the frailty will make itself felt eventually. They also score lower than you would expect when you look at them with my handicapping. I guess what I am saying is - I am not afraid of this team.
Denver - Kiki, Carl, Melo Kiki, Carl, Melo. I don't know what to make of it but I basically like what I have seen from all three - when they were on their own. This one is better for me to hear from people who are closer to these guys.
Clippers - Baylor, Dunleavy, Brand Baylor, Dunleavy, Brand. Interesting. Seems to be working ok. Worth keeping an eye on even though it is usually hard to imagine the Clippers as a good team or organization. Brand brings a lot to the equation. An argument could be made that he is the best player over the last 5 years.
Dallas - Donnie Nelson, Avery, Dirk Minnesota - McHale, Dwane Casey, Garnett New Jersey - Thorn, Frank, Kidd Philidephia - Billy King, Cheeks, Iverson Washington - Ernie Grunfeld, Eddie Jordan, Jamison San Antonio - Buford, Popovich, Duncan...
The Book's Hot Tip Keep an eye on this no name team - Larry Harris, Terry Stotts, Michael Redd.
Thanks. That is funny though because when I was writing about the Heat above I first put Riley, Riley, Wade because Wade is the superstar of that team now. But Riley is so tied to centers that it really seems more accurate to team him up with Shaq. I do like this team but I wonder if they can chart a path for the long season?
Last edited by MBrady on December 23rd at 7:41 PM.
Stacey - thanks for the innovator remark. I also got good feedback from some locals on the Reading Between the Lines so you can expect that to be developed more.
As for this post, I knew that you would be somewhat hurt if you ended up reading this and getting to Memphis but when Pau disappears like he does it tells me that he may be better and tougher than he was but not top tier - yet.
I remember hearing about Pau for the first time from a relative while eating lunch in his Madrid apartment. This was just after Gasol was drafted. I have kept him in my sights to some extent ever since and am rooting for him but I am not convinced yet.
I am also a little skeptical because of how many quality wins they have compared to the other top 16 teams in the league. Milwaukee shows up lower in the standings but they have more quality wins.
I have played baseball, basketball and football my whole life. I have suffered the tragedies of defeat and tasted sweet victory for me and my team. And it's these experiences that will come in handy as I compete with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back.
What do I mean?
I haven't watched sports for the last 5 years and I currently don't have a t.v. or cable. I will cover my beat from cyberspace. I will read the box scores and articles and "watch" some games refresh every 15 seconds - but that is it.
What else?
I will be suspended by my feet with my head hanging over a boiling pit full of crocodiles and snakes. All ending on February 8th - with a fiesta at my house (mariachis and margaritas for everyone) celebrating my new job at FoxSports.
