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By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

NBA NOTEBOOK

Prior to the start of the season, I promised to write a special, abbreviated version of the newsletter that will be sent to your inbox randomly throughout 2003-04. This is an addition to the regular Amico Report, not a replacement (try to think of it as, “The Amico Report2”).

Each of these shorter reports will be titled “Talkin’ NBA” -- at least, that’s what it will say in the subject line of your inbox. Basically, the shorter versions will consist of my thoughts as I type furiously while watching a game. I’ll even try to throw in a couple of your thoughts.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t worry, you’ll still be receiving the regular way-too-long edition of the newsletter. This is merely more bang for your buck. Or in the minds of some readers, more free junk.

On that note, let’s get started …

-- LeBron James may just be a teenager, but he is going to turn the NBA into a league for men only. I admit, I had my doubts about the Cleveland rookie before the season, often wondering if he was just another manufactured superstar. But after seeing his first two games, I am a firm believer that everyone else is manufactured, and LeBron is the real deal. The thing I like most about James is he’s not just a great player, he’s a great TEAM player.

-- A lot of today’s players get the stats. They score a bundle of points, grab a bunch of rebounds, block lots of shots. And then their teams don’t really go anywhere. James, on the other hand, is a winner. A lot of today’s player are also Michael Jordan wannabes. James, on the other hand, has his own style of greatness. He’s not like Michael, or Magic, or Larry. He’s like LeBron, period. Although, he does have the many of the same traits as each of those names in basketball’s holy trinity, and like Michael, Magic and Larry, the game seems to move in slow motion for LeBron.

-- I’ve just spent close to five minutes writing about James, and I still haven’t said anything to explain WHY he’s so good. All I know is when Michael Jordan was on the court in his heyday, the players on the opposing team always wore a look of bewilderment, an expression that indicated they just might be in for some serious trouble. I saw that same look in the eyes of some of the more established Sacramento players against Cleveland, guys like Mike Bibby and Doug Christie.

-- So, do I think James will “transcend” the pro game in the same manner that Michael, Magic, and Larry did? Yes. Like those three, James is more than a great natural athlete, more than just a tall kid with a quick first step. He is a great BASKETBALL player, first and last. No, he doesn’t have Michael’s fluidity, Magic’s ballhandling skills, or Larry’s shooting touch. Yet I have a strong feeling LeBron will be the guy who helps us to finally stop longing for the Michael Jordan era. Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan are awesome. But just like Jordan, James has that special something that will make him better than those guys.

-- What does all of this mean for the Cavaliers? Well, first and foremost, it means the front office had better be ready to ante up some cash in three-to-four years when James‘ contract expires. Cleveland can’t afford to lose this kid. On the court, James needs more-disciplined teammates. Ricky Davis almost hurts the Cavaliers as much as he helps, as he continues to take bad shots (although, less bad shots) and commit turnovers at the worst possible moments. Darius Miles is improved, but remains generally lost with no guarantee of ever learning the fundamentals.

-- Granted, the Cavaliers are still the youngest team in the league, and it wouldn’t be fair to completely write off Davis, Miles, or any of the other promising kids in wine and gold. Nor would it be wise for Cleveland to rush into a trade. As Paul Silas has stressed repeatedly, it will take time, and everyone involved in the organization must be patient. Remember, Chicago’s roster consisted of lost souls such as Orlando Woolridge and Quinten Dailey during Jordan’s rookie season. (Incidentally, that team finished 30-52 and made the playoffs).

-- Here’s something else to think about: Truly great players are completely unselfish, yet usually lead their team in scoring (read: Magic, Michael, and Larry). They spend the first three quarters distributing the ball and making their teammates look good, then take over when the game is on the line. James is that type of player. Also, like Magic and Larry, James isn’t necessarily a great one-on-one defender, but he is incredibly SMART on defense. He sneaks in the passing lanes for steals and slides over to help when a teammate is in trouble.

-- Reader Steven Pierce (Pittsburgh) sent in this LeBron-related e-mail: “In a recent newsletter, you wrote that the Cavaliers have a shot to make the playoffs ‘this season.’ But in your Central Division preview, you wrote that they ‘aren’t going anywhere for at least two seasons.’ Which is it?”

-- Dear Steven, can you tell I’m a native of Northeast Ohio, where the only sure things in sports are confusion and disappointment? Basically, I really want to believe that Cleveland can make the playoffs, but deep inside, I know better. At least, that’s the way it was before watching the Cavaliers’ first two games, both close losses on West Coast. Today, I feel completely comfortable saying the Cavs have a good shot at finishing slightly above .500 and winding up seventh or eighth in the Eastern Conference … and yes, making the playoffs.

-- Another thing I wrote in a recent newsletter: “LeBron James won’t average double figures in scoring this season. It’s just not gonna happen.” What I probably should have written was, “Hello, my name is Sam Amico, a babbling idiot who knows nothing pro basketball.” Truth is, James will indeed average in double figures, and be one of Cleveland’s top three scorers.

-- As for Denver rookie Carmelo Anthony, I love this kid too. He reminds me very much of another former Syracuse star, Billy Owens, whose NBA career was ruled by untimely injuries. But like Owens used to be, Anthony is a tough young man who understands how to play the game. He handles the ball extremely well for someone 6-foot-9, and is an excellent passer. So far, Anthony has been forcing things a little too much, but once he gains some experience and learns the pro game, he’ll lead Denver to very good things.

-- The interesting thing about the Los Angeles Lakers is despite all of the future Hall-of-Famers, they are the best passing team this side of Sacramento. Karl Malone is a very underrated passer, as he threw too of those back-to-the-basket, over-the-shoulder jobs to a cutting teammate in the opener against Dallas. Not only do the Lakers’ have the league’s most talented lineup and best coach, they move the ball as well as anyone. And we all thought the news couldn’t get any worse for opponents after L.A. signed Malone and Gary Payton this off-season.

FINAL QUICK THOUGHTS

-- I can’t help it. I am extremely intrigued by the Dallas’ lineup of Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Steve Nash, and newcomers Antoine Walker and Antoine Jamison. By midseason, the Mavericks might just average about 150 points per game.

-- I normally don’t say I told you so (for the sole reason that I’m normally wrong), but didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on unheralded Philadelphia rookie guard Willie Green? If not, start doing it, as Green was 4-of-4 from the floor in his first game, providing a the 76ers with a nice lift off the bench.

-- I agree with Magic Johnson, Pat Riley will be coaching again soon. Some rumors already have Riley lined up as the next coach of the Boston Celtics, although that’s just pure speculation. If it happens, Riley would be the first man to coach both the Lakers and the Celtics since Bill Sharman.

-- NBA referees MUST stop calling a charge on every single defensive flop. I usually don’t complain about the officiating, but in the first three days of the season, I saw SIX charges called and each was very questionable. This is the NBA, not Duke. Contact under the basket is to be expected.

-- The last 10 NBA champions have had either Steve Kerr or Robert Horry on the team. Who woulda thunk?

-- The Los Angeles Clippers own the honor of being the league’s tallest team with an average height of 6-foot-8.4 inches. The once-short New York Knicks are second at 6-8.27 (thanks largely to the off-season additions of 7-2 Dikembe Mutombo and 6-10 Keith Van Horn), and Cleveland is third at 6-8.13. The Atlanta Hawks, at 6-6.13, are the league’s shortest team.

-- A total of six players who didn’t get drafted this past summer made NBA opening-night rosters: Chris Marcus (Denver), Britton Johnson (Orlando), Theron Smith (Memphis), Josh Moore (Clippers), and Marquis Daniels and Jon Stefansson (Dallas).

-- I should mention that the two above pieces of information were shamelessly stolen from the NBA’s media newsletter.

-- Honest, I really did think this edition of the Amico Report would be abbreviated. Anyway, until next time …

NEWSLETTER NOTES

-- For a subscription to the Amico Report, just send your e-mail address to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. The newsletter is free, and always will be.

-- Questions and comments can also be e-mailed to that address, although you must include your full name for your thoughts to be published. Also, please include your hometown, as I love seeing where your e-mails are coming from.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!