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By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

PRESEASON NEWS, NOTES … YOU NAME IT

Random thoughts from the first two weeks of the NBA‘s preseason:

-- Nick Collison’s season-ending shoulder injury is a killer for both Seattle and Collison. Not too many rookies have missed their first year and gone on to have an All-Star career. Plus, even if he didn’t score much, Collison would have provided the Supersonics with a few extra rebounds -- something they desperately need. Most of all, Seattle expected Collison to at least fill the void left by departed free agent forward Predrag Drobnjak (L.A. Clippers).

-- Before the injury, no less than Allen Iverson and Ray Allen predicted Collison would be the NBA’s rookie of the year. Iverson and Allen should know, as Collison was their teammate on the U.S. Olympic qualifying team this past summer.

-- None of this is to say the Sonics are doomed. They still have Allen, Rashard Lewis, Brent Barry, and one of the league’s most underrated coaches in Nate McMillan. My favorite thing about the Sonics, though, is the stability provided by the front office. Unlike a lot of teams, they truly value their players, as owner Howard Shultz tends to treat each like an only son. Believe me, that type of family atmosphere goes a long way when the idea is building a contender.

-- Did you notice that the Utah Jazz won each of their first three games without John Stockton and Karl Malone? Granted, it’s only the preseason, but it just goes to prove my point that the Jazz will always play hard under Jerry Sloan. Trust me, this team is going to be more competitive than you think. No, the Jazz won’t win as much as they used to -- but they won’t get blown out much, either. Jazz fans can thank Sloan. If the man had Phil Jackson’s talent, he too would own nine championship rings.

-- I am going to absolutely love watching Antawn Jamison play alongside the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Michael Finley in Dallas. It’s true that the last thing the Mavericks needed was another scorer (a big, mean rebounding machine would have been better), but Jamison will help take point-producing pressure off the other guys. He’s the perfect fit in Don Nelson’s offense -- meaning you can expect the Mavs to lead the league in scoring again. And unlike Nick Van Exel -- the guy for whom Jamison was traded -- Dallas will no longer be forced to use a small lineup every time it needs some scoring punch.

-- As for Van Exel, if he maintains a positive attitude, he’ll be an equally good fit with Golden State. I know I picked the Warriors to make the playoffs earlier this summer, and yes, I’m sticking to it. A big key will be the play of second-year man Mike Dunleavy, who will replace Jamison in the starting lineup. Dunleavy isn’t the scorer Jamison is, but he’s already a better passer and at least as good of a defender. So, don’t let me down, Mike.

-- I know, I know. You’re dying for me to write something about LeBron James. Well, read on …

-- No question, Cleveland is much-improved because of James. But forget about him averaging more than seven or eight points per game this season. It’s just not gonna happen. But James’ passing skills have already made a huge difference -- and that’s really saying something, considering the Cavaliers previously approached ball movement with all the zest of someone who just received a parking ticket.

-- Still, this is a team in desperate need of a starting point guard. One thing’s for sure: Darius Miles is NOT the answer. Eventually, Miles will just have to come off the bench, as he’s still not polished enough to be a starter. Not now, with new coach Paul Silas implementing a system that stresses the fundamentals. But could you imagine if Miles actually accepted a sixth-man role? He’d be one of the league’s best.

-- Silas was a great hire and the Cavaliers are unquestionably headed on the right path. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see them steal the seventh or eighth seed in the unpredictable Eastern Conference -- this season. Don’t be shocked if they start slowly, though. There’s just too much youth to expect awesome stuff right away. It all depends on James, who only needs to improve his outside shot, and defense, to reach the level of greatness everyone expects of him.

-- Silas recently had this to say in the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “I was told that we’ll be the second most-watched team on the road behind the Lakers. It just blows my mind that a team that won only 17 games last year and all of a sudden everyone wants to see you, and that’s all because of one guy. That blows my mind, but people are fickle.”

-- For more on James, be sure to pick up a copy of Ryan Jones’ excellent book, “King James: Believe the Hype.” Jones is a writer for SLAM magazine, and he did an outstanding job detailing James’ glorified high school years. It really hit home for me, as like James, I’m a native of Akron, Ohio. It was nice to see the deteriorating rubber capital of the world get some positive ink. Of course, unlike James, I’m not close to 6-foot-8 and have never been referred to as The Next Magic Johnson. An extremely poor man’s Avery Johnson, maybe, but not Magic. Then again, the only thing I have in common with even Avery Johnson is I’m old and short.

-- Rookie guard Willie Green has looked very good for Philadelphia this preseason. Green was drafted in the second round, and could turn into the athletic scorer the 76ers need off the bench. Also, second-year forward Sam Clancy appears to be healthy for the first time in forever, and the Sixers are still holding out hope that he’ll turn into a Clarence Weatherspoon-type banger underneath the basket.

-- Again, it’s just the preseason, but you have to love the way George Lynch has been playing for New Orleans. Lynch has been scoring and hustling, and just generally performing like the small forward the Hornets hoped they got after trading for Courtney Alexander before the start of last season. Meanwhile, James Lang, a second-round pick out of high school, doesn’t seem to be anywhere near ready for life in the NBA’s low post. The same is not true of first-round pick David West. He appears to have found a niche as a steady rebounder off the bench.

-- Orlando rookie Keith Bogans is kind of making me look bad (what else is new)? Immediately after the draft, I insisted that the Magic got a second-round steal when they obtained Bogans, calling the guard out of Kentucky “this year’s Carlos Boozer” and “a guy who will make about 32 other teams wish they had drafted him.” Instead, Bogans is making about 32 other teams look like they made the right choice. Most of his minutes are being eaten up by undrafted rookie Britton Johnson, who has been a ball of hustle and athleticism. When Bogans does play, he sort of looks overwhelmed. But it is very early. As for first-round pick Reece Gaines … well, he’s been OK.

-- Washington won’t live up to new guard Gilbert Arenas’ guarantee and make the playoffs, as the Wizards are simply too young. But I can promise you they’ll be loads of fun to watch. The Wizards had a lineup on the floor in their most recent preseason game that I just loved: Brendan Haywood at center, Kwame Brown and rookie Jarvis Hayes at the forwards, and Arenas and Larry Hughes at the guards. Throw in Jared Jeffries, Juan Dixon, and one of my all-time favorites, Chris Whitney, off the bench, and it’s clear that this team is starting to take shape. Yes, Whitney is one of my favorite players, and don’t even bother asking why. Anyway, I really like new coach Eddie Jordan, who not only seems to be a bright X-and-O guy, but has displayed the necessary patience when dealing with so many young players.

-- Speaking of the Wizards, 32-year old swingman Mitchell Butler is trying to latch on with the team. Butler is a hustle player who could teach the young guys a lot about good practice habits. More importantly, he’s one of the world’s all-time great guys -- something I learned when Butler was playing for Cleveland from 1997-99.

-- My man Omar Cook has been playing for Indiana this preseason, and he just might make the team. A lot of it depends on the effectiveness and health of free-agent signees Kenny Anderson and Anthony Johnson -- both of whom will be battling for minutes behind starting point guard Jamal Tinsley. Meanwhile, Carl English, an undrafted guard who the Pacers signed to a two-year deal, was just 1-of-10 from the floor in a loss to Chicago.

-- Second-year shooting guard Roger Mason Jr. has been a pleasant surprise for the Bulls. If Mason can be more consistent, he just might beat out Trenton Hassell as Jalen Rose’s top backup. I like both players, as Mason has the potential to turn into a solid scorer, and Hassell is already a proven defender.

-- Matt Carroll, not Mike Sweetney, has been New York’s top rookie so far. Of course, I once referred to Sweetney as the Knicks’ best draft pick in 10 years, which is about all it takes to jinx a guy. At any rate, Sweetney simply hasn’t been aggressive enough, while Carroll is shooting the lights out, and playing as if he has nothing to lose. In other words, don’t blink -- the Knicks might have found themselves yet ANOTHER forward.

-- The truth is, the Knicks are still desperate at point guard, and until they trade one of their forwards for some help in the backcourt … well, you get the idea. Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley make wonderful reserves, but each is basically the same type of player. Also, second-year guard Frank Williams continues to be plagued by a lack of confidence and simply has not looked played very well.

-- Back to the Jazz. It looks like undrafted rookie guard Jermaine Boyette will make the team. Boyette will be a good fit, as he’s bright and knows how to score. He also played his college ball at Weber State, just up the road from Salt Lake City. And when I say Boyette is bright, I really mean it. After all, the kid was smart enough to sign up for this very newsletter.

-- Another young player I like for the Jazz is second-round pick Maurice Williams. A lot of people felt the point guard out of Alabama would be selected in the first round, but for whatever reason, he dropped. He seems to be one of those players who will shine if given the opportunity.

-- Former Gonzaga guard Richie Frahm has looked good enough to force the Sonics to consider at least stashing him away on the injured list. If not, Frahm’s outside shooting would be a nice addition to some club, somewhere. At the very least, he’d make one heck of a CBA player.

-- Second-year man Chris Wilcox has been holding his own in the middle for the Clippers. You also have to like how free-agent pickup Eddie House is providing the Clips with energy off the bench.

-- Another sleeper to keep an eye on is center Loren Woods in Miami. Woods is long and athletic, and could receive plenty of minutes after riding the pine for the last two seasons in Minnesota. One thing’s for certain, Pat Riley seems to love the guy. And having the head coach in your corner always helps.

-- A poll on the Toronto Raptors’ Web site asked, “Who do you think has impressed Coach (Kevin) O’Neill the most this preseason?” A whopping 63 percent chose rookie big man Chris Bosh, while 26 percent of the votes went to my pick, Vince Carter. Meanwhile, Antonio Davis received not one of the first 13,476 votes.

-- Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Rick Fox could be back as soon as December, no later than January. No question, small forward is the Lakers’ least glamorous position. It’s also the most stacked, as Fox will join Devean George, Bryon Russell, and rookie Luke Walton at the spot upon returning.

-- Congratulations to the Charlotte Bobcats, who named Bernie Bickerstaff general manager and coach. Forget the fact the guy completely ruined the Denver Nuggets (or was that Paul Westhead?), Bickerstaff has practically no ego. And that’s exactly the type of trait you want when starting a team from scratch. One other note: The NBA will move to six, five-team divisions next season to make room for Charlotte.

THE ANTI-LEBRON

This is the first in what will be a regular segment to the newsletter, in which I will publish a quote from an NBA player who is unimpressed with LeBron James. The purpose isn’t to pick on James -- rather, it’s to, you know, provide some balance.

This week’s quote comes from Atlanta guard Jason Terry, who was speaking to reporters after the Hawks-Cavaliers preseason game:

“(James) looked like just another rookie to me. Nothing special.”

READER FEEDBACK

From Tony Mastrone (Albany, N.Y.)

Q: After two weeks of the preseason, who is your pick to win rookie of the year?

A: Dear Tony, I would have to say Denver’s Carmelo Anthony. He’s tough, a good shooter, and doesn’t seem the least bit fazed by the bright stars of the NBA. Anthony reminds me a lot of another former Syracuse forward, Billy Owens. A year of college seems to have done Anthony wonders.

From Jason Starr (St. Louis)

Q: Do you know what’s become of former Detroit and Sacramento point guard Mateen Cleaves?

A: Dear Jason, Cleaves was just waived by Boston. No question, the guy was a great college player -- but his lack of quickness and an outside shot have been exposed in the pros. Still, you’d think he could find a spot somewhere in the league.

From Tom Kjar (Ralston, Neb.)

Q: When do you think the NBA will work its marketing magic and expand to Europe?

A: Dear Tom, Commissioner David Stern recently said that the league could expand to Europe by 2010. The question is, will Stern be commissioner long enough to see it?

NEWSLETTER NOTES

-- This edition of The Amico Report is being e-mailed out Wednesday, Oct. 15. If you didn’t receive your newsletter on that day, please e-mail me at amicoreport@hotmail.com.

-- To sign up for a free subscription to The Amico Report, just send an e-mail to me at the above address. The newsletter is free, and always will be. Questions can also be e-mailed to the above address, although you must include your full name to be considered for publication.

-- Don’t forget, next week I’ll be sending out my team-by-team previews. The newsletter will return to its regular format during the first week of the season. In the meantime, thanks for reading and keep e-mailing your thoughts. I love reading them.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!