That's what
I kept asking myself after watching the Seattle SuperSonics
during the
first two weeks of the season. To put it simply, the Sonics have
played with
sheer determination and emotion. They've done nothing but dive
for loose
balls, hustle after rebounds, and bend their knees and shuffle
their feet
on defense.
They even won
in Orlando in a double overtime game that was one of the NBA's
most exciting
in years. Of course, as the Sonics' luck would have it, that
game fell
on the same night that the Raiders, Broncos and Dennis Miller did
their thing
on Monday Night Football.
So no one really
noticed the Sonics' big win over the Magic -- or their
overtime loss
in Miami a night later. Yes, the Sonics played three OTs in
two nights,
both coming in venues that were about as far from Seattle as you
can get. And
both against teams that are expected to fare well in the
Eastern Conference.
Granted, the
Heat didn't have Alonzo Mourning (food poisoning). But the
truth is,
the Sonics should have never been in the game, especially after
wearing themselves
out the previous evening. Instead, they could have won,
as Gary Payton's
3-pointer at the overtime buzzer hit the back of the rim
and skimmed
out. It allowed the Heat to escape with an 87-85 win.
I'm not trying
to say the Seattle SuperSonics are your next World Champions.
I'm not even
saying they'll make the playoffs. But they could -- and that's
a lot better
than this self-proclaimed NBA authority predicted they could
do. In fact,
my preseason pick for the Sonics in the Pacific Division? Dead
last.
There are a
number of reasons I could be dead wrong:
A). Payton.
At 33, he's supposedly on the downside of his career. That sure
has not been
the case so far, as Payton continues to be one of the best
defenders
in the game -- if not the best, period. He also continues to
display an
ability to score a lot of points while running the team like an
unselfish
point guard. It's a tough balance, but one Payton has mastered.
And to think
he was nearly traded before the season, a possibility about
which he was
reportedly bitter. Today, all reports indicate that Payton is
the consummate
pro, the class act everyone hoped he would someday become.
B). Rashard
Lewis and Desmond Mason. If Lewis played in a larger market such
as L.A. or
Chicago, some would be calling him the brightest of the hot,
young stars.
Lewis is in Seattle, but I'm going to call him that anyway (and
then call
Tracy McGrady as my first witness, as Lewis scorched the Magic
with 36 points).
Mason is simply
a lot of fun to watch, a high-flyer with a great attitude
and work ethic.
C). Nate McMillan.
The second-year coach is hardly the second coming of
Lenny Wilkens
-- but he has figured out a way to inspire a group of guys who
some expected
to do absolutely nothing. McMillan even has power forward Vin
Baker seeming
somewhat interested, a real feat by itself.
D). The new
uniforms. The Sonics own the best of this year's new unnies,
reminding
many observers of the late 1970s. That's when the franchise won
its lone title
with players like Gus Williams, Jack Sikma and a couple of
Johnsons (Dennis
and John).
Unfortunately,
the Sonics have no nationally-televised games this season. So
in order to
see them play, you'll have to trade in your first son and two
pets for the
right to watch NBA League Pass on digital cable.
Either that,
or wait until the playoffs. And when it comes to the Sonics,
the playoffs
are something this moron said would never be possible.
LAMAR LIGHT?
It's a shame
Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom can't pull himself
together.
The fact that he violated the league's drug policy a second time
has landed
him a spot on the trading block.
As I've mentioned
in the past, I don't care about the players' personal
lives, the
so-called "inside stories." But when a guy's problems start
messing with
team chemistry ... maybe it's time to start thinking about
dealing him.
And that's exactly what the Clippers are contemplating.
Odom is a decent
guy, a young man with a big heart and an even bigger love
of the game.
He was simply thrilled when the Clips acquired Elton Brand
during the
offseason, saying they had a legitimate shot at making the
playoffs.
And Odom was right.
Now, he's gone
and jeopardized that chance.
BAD TUNE
The Utah Jazz's
1-4 start is the worst since 1982. The funny thing is, John
Stockton had
been playing as well as ever before injuring the index finger
on his shooting
hand. Karl Malone hasn't quite been his usual self, but he's
been darn
close.
A big part
of the problem may have to do with the fact that the Jazz have
already played
the Lakers twice. But even more pressing is Utah's lack of a
shooting guard.
Quincy Lewis is a nice fella and would be a quality backup,
but he's no
starter.
I've said it
before -- hey, Jazz, ever heard of Jimmy Jackson? He's out
there, and
you could get him cheap. He's not exactly Michael Jordan, but
Jackson is
a better than John Starks, a 412-year old shooting guard that
currently
comes off the bench.
POINT NOT
TAKEN
I'm still convinced
that young point guards Omar Cook and Khalid El-Amin are
worthy of
a roster spot somewhere in the league -- especially El-Amin.
Apparently,
El-Amin has some issues, although he proved he could contribute
last year
with Chicago. He did the same thing during the preseason in
Dallas, but
the Mavericks already have Steve Nash and Tim Hardaway. Also,
some scouts
and general managers have called El-Amin a head case.
As for Cook,
no, he can't shoot. But I think he's already better than Erick
Barkley, now
starting for the injured Damon Stoudamire in Portland. But
following
a lengthy contract squabble (never a good idea for a second-round
pick), Cook
was released by Denver.
A good place
for either of these guys? Again, Utah. I mean, they have to be
better than
John Crotty. Don't they?
CBA IS BACK
The Continental
Basketball Association is up and running again. That's
amazing when
you consider how former NBA star and current Indiana Pacers
coach Isiah
Thomas ran the minor league into the ground as its commissioner.
Then Thomas
picked it up, chewed on it, spit it out, and stepped on it a few
times.
Anyway, the
CBA is the nation's oldest basketball league and will consist of
eight teams.
Then again, this will be its first season without the NBA's
backing. As
you probably know, the NBA has started its own developmental
league, the
NBDL, which tips off in November.
The new CBA
is made up of leftovers from the old one, and something called
the IBA. Teams
include the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Grand Rapids Hoops,
Rockford Lightning,
and my personal favorite, the Fargo-Moorhead Beez
(they're too
tough to end their nickname with an "s").
I think one
minor league is plenty, but hey, maybe Cook and El-Amin can earn
a paycheck
here.
QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
FROM JON GARLAND
Q: Akron Beacon
Journal sportswriter Terry Pluto recently wrote a column
about the
best play-by-play men in Cleveland sports history, and it's made
me think about
the top five play-by-play men in pro basketball. Who would be
your choice
for the current top five?
A: Jon, much
to the dismay of those forced to spend any time with me, I have
purchased
the NBA audio pass,. That means I've heard just about every radio
play-by-play
man in the league. But I haven't heard them all, and being an
alleged writer,
I am certainly not qualified to say which five are "the
best."
But I can give
you a list of guys who I enjoy listening to most. They are:
1. Joe Tait,
Cavs. For me, no one paints such an accurate picture -- in any
sport anywhere.
Tait is precise, entertaining, funny, and far from a homer.
A true legend.
2. Steve Holman, Hawks. Straight-forward and never too loud,
Holman is
a real pro. What I like most about Holman is he understands that
people tune
in to listen to the Hawks, not Steve Holman. Awesome stuff. 3.
Al McCoy,
Suns. Another guy who tells it like it is. You can go watch the
Suns, or you
can save yourself some money and listen to McCoy. After all,
it's pretty
much the same thing.
Other top NBA
radio voices: Brian Wheeler, Blazers; Chuck Swirsky, Raptors;
Dave Johnson,
Wizards; and of course, Chick Hearn, the longtime voice of the
Lakers.
Finally, keep
reading Pluto. In my opinion, he knows the Cleveland sports
scene better
than anyone -- and I'm not just saying that because he's
responsible
for about 30 percent of my subscribers.
FROM KAREN
MONROE
Q: I am a
big Minnesota Timberwolves fan and I was just wondering if you
think they're
great start is for real. Also, how about that Loren Woods?
A: Karen, the
Timberwolves are another team that I said would struggle this
season (GONG!).
But they sure look good early -- in fact, with the demise of
Utah, the
Timberwolves could finish as high as second in the Midwest
Division.
As for Woods,
a rookie center who lasted until the second round of the draft
... let's
just say a lot of teams are having trouble sleeping after taking a
pass on him.
Among them are the Knicks, Sonics, Hornets, Jazz and the
Cavaliers,
who probably would have been better off taking Woods with the
eighth pick
than the guy they actually chose (somebody called DeSagana
Diop).
FROM TANNER
DAVID
Q: I'm only
14 and even I know the Washington Wizards aren't going to finish
fourth in
the Atlantic Division. What are you, nuts?
A: Tanner,
allow me to answer your second question first -- yes. I am nuts.
Secondly,
let me remind you that I'm what's known as an old man, and I
actually saw
Michael Jordan play prior to his FIRST retirement. So I'm
picking the
Wizards to finish fourth based on the idea that Jordan will be
as good as
he used to. It's called nostalgia, a disease that typically
strikes people
older than 30.
Anyway, you're
right. I'm not all that bright. So please keep the questions
(and solutions)
coming. Although I must say, Tanner, please use your first
name first
from now on -- just kidding.
VONTEEGO
WATCH
This newsletter
marks the first of what will be a weekly segment called the
Vonteego Watch,
in which we will follow the career of none other than
Philadelphia
76ers backup guard Vonteego Cummings. Why Vonteego Cummings,
you ask? Because
I have a couple of friends who like him (they went to Pitt,
just like
Cummings), and the idea was to find the most obscure player
possible.
And this, my
friends, is why it's so great to have your own e-mail
newsletter.
Anyway, after
being traded from Golden State before the start of the season,
our pal Vonteego
has averaged xx points and xx assist off the bench. The
question is,
what will become of him once Allen Iverson returns?
SAM'S SLAMS
Before the
season, when everyone talks about how promising their team is,
the one thing
they never seem to factor in is the idea of injuries. Such is
the case with
the poor Atlanta Hawks, who are currently without Jason Terry,
Toni Kukoc
and Theo Ratliff. Their absence today could mean the difference
between making
and missing the playoffs in May. ... Can the NBA be far
behind Major
League Baseball when it comes to eliminating teams? Something
to think about.
... To those of you who have been asking, the Web site
launch is
now scheduled for the first week of December. I will have more
information
about that, and the release date of my book, "A Basketball
Summer," in
the coming weeks.
CONTACT
AMICO
E-mail questions
and comments to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. I will try to answer
all questions in the newsletter, but you must include your full name.
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