And how about
this guard named Jerry Stackhouse, who seems to have rediscovered himself
and who is actually beginning to enjoy passing the ball? Or how about Clifford
Robinson, the former small forward who's currently playing center -- and
who's now been in the league for something like 412 years?
Finally, who
are these Detroit Pistons? Surely not the same group that's bickered, refused
to play defense and done nothing but lost for the past five years. And
certainly not the same team that this so-called expert predicted to finish
just above Cleveland and Chicago in the Central Division. "Barely," was
the word I believe I used.
Yet the Pistons
aren't only one of the NBA's most improved teams, but they are clearly
one its best.
And let's start
with Carlisle. All I know about him was that he was a heck of a player
at the University of Virginia and he's good friends with Larry Bird. I
also know he had been an assistant under Bird in Indiana, and that when
Carlisle was hired in Detroit, I asked, "What are the Pistons thinking?"
Well, apparently
they were thinking that they wanted somebody who could push today's sensitive
athletes without offending them. They wanted someone who could convince
men such as Stackhouse and Jon Barry that, yes, defense does matter. They
wanted somebody who could "relate to the modern day player."
So far, Carlisle
has done exactly that. And a lot of folks who know him say that after five
minutes of talking to Carlisle, they feel like lacing up their sneakers
and taking part in rebounding drills.
That type of
enthusiasm apparently is not lost on Carlisle's players, as the Pistons
are winning by executing the most fundamental aspects of the game. In fact,
they play a lot like ... and Detroit fans will hate this ... well, like
the Boston Celtics of the 1980s (not coincidentally, Carlisle was on some
of those teams as a player).
In other words,
not only are the Pistons playing with some real fire, they're playing with
some real brains. Pass. Cut. If you don't have a good shot, by golly, pass.
What a concept, huh?
The result?
Stackhouse is no longer just shooting, but he's hitting big shots -- and
yes, bending his knees and shuffling his feet on defense. Dana Barros isn't
just senselessly launching three-pointers, but is running the team as a
real point guard should. The players off the bench aren't making anyone
cringe with fear when they enter a game -- but Barry, Chucky Atkins and
even rookie Randy White all know their roles, and perform them well.
Then there's
Robinson, who has forced opposing centers to guard him on the perimeter,
where he is burning them with long jumpers and pinpoint passes. Kinda like
another Piston center who used to roam the three-point arc (hint: His last
name was Laimbeer).
Look, I'm not
saying it's time to fit these Pistons for championship rings. I'm not even
guaranteeing a playoff spot, although that seems highly likely at this
point. But the Pistons are worthy of your attention, and yes, they're even
a joy to watch. In fact, they may have become the most unselfish group
of guys in the league.
And whoever
thought a team with Jerry Stackhouse would be called that?
PLEASANT REMINDER
If you're favorite
team currently stinks, just remember ... the Milwaukee Bucks started 3-12
last season before advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
WIZARD REVISION
Those of you
who have been reading the newsletter since the summer have been reminding
me of what I wrote about the Washington Wizards. I said that if Michael
Jordan stays healthy, they'll win 40-plus games and make the playoffs.
What do have
to say for myself now? Well, if Jordan stays healthy, the Wizards will
win 40-plus games and make the playoffs. Jordan has proved me right by
getting better as he gets in better shape. The more flab he loses and the
more flexibility he gains -- both of which will come via playing -- the
more like the Jordan of old he will become.
The rest of
the Wizards, meanwhile, has proved me dead wrong. Christian Laettner, Richard
Hamilton and Courtney Alexander have all pretty much stunk. But I still
expect one of them to step forward before too long -- and maybe all three.
If that happens, look for Washington to rattle off 7-10 wins in a row.
And that's something the Wizards will need to do if I'm to be right about
their playoff chances.
A quick final
Wizards note: You have to love Popeye Jones. Not only is he one of the
nicest men you'll ever find, he is selfless and a great role model for
young players everywhere. And what a great nickname.
TEENAGE THINKING
I rarely agree
with anything Danny Ainge says, but his thoughts on high schoolers entering
the NBA was right on the money. Ainge, a former player and coach, is now
a commentator for Turner Sports, and one that usually drives me nuts. But
he and former coach John Thompson (also now a Turner commentator), watched
Washington Wizards center Kwame Brown and pretty much shook their heads.
Ainge said
that the Wizards should be happy because Brown was taking "baby steps,"
and that's all you can expect from a kid straight out of high school. He
said that Brown was still learning the very basics, such as the proper
way to set a pick and how to get into a defensive stance.
Actually, it
was Thompson with whom I agreed the most. Thompson stressed that players
aren't paid to learn the fundamentals -- that once they reach the NBA they
should already know how to play the game. High schoolers entering the NBA
"is bad for basketball at every level," Thompson said.
Those of you
who have been reading the newsletter for some time know I wrote those exact
words. And again, it's no fault of the high school kids, who are only doing
what the rest of us would do -- seizing an opportunity. But NBA general
managers just need to stop drafting these kids.
SHORT ON SHORTS
I'm sorry,
but L.A. Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal's comments after being fined for
wearing out-of-control baggy shorts were just too funny.
"Would all
the kids then wear John Stockton shorts? No, they wouldn't. They would
laugh at me, and I wouldn't be their favorite player any more. I'd be the
laughingstock of big men," O'Neal told the Associated Press, dabbing his
eyes with a paper towel to pretend he was crying.
The AP also
reported that after O'Neal was finished saying that, he pulled his shorts
up so high that they covered the bottom half of his No. 34.
NOT SO FOXY
Reader Ken
Gaska took issue with comments in last week's newsletter in which I said
the Lakers were likable champions. I said that players such as Shaquille
O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Rick Fox were not only good players, but first-class
decent citizens.
But Gaska wrote
that Fox isn't such a nice guy. "The crap he pulled on Scottie Pippen in
that big playoff series a while back was so juvenile I wished that basketball
had "enforcers" like in hockey. That way somebody could go slap the headband
off Fox's head." Ouch.
Gaska added,
"I just started receiving the Amico Report and I enjoyed the whole thing,
except I must be missing the sarcasm on that Laker segment. I like Kobe,
as he is very down to earth. Shaq isn't that bad. ... I can't believe the
Rick Fox part, though. He is hated."
QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
FROM PETE DANTLEY
Q: What's
the real story behind the trade of Elton Brand to the Clippers? Even Jerry
Krause can not possibly be that enamored of Tyson Chandler, especially
after Chandler's embarrassing decision to talk trash during garbage time
of a game the Bulls were losing. It's not as if Brand was at the end of
his career or a thug or had cornrows. He averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds
-- and he's just 21 years old! I could see if there were some draft picks
or an all-star -- or even starters in the mix -- but there is no way the
Bulls got fair return in this trade. Any truth to the rumor that a bald
ex-GM named Jordan wanted Elton, and Krause traded Brand to the Clippers
out of spite? Did David Falk whisper in somebody's ear? Was Bulls management
really afraid they couldn't re-sign Brand? Does anybody think Marcus Fizer
will produce Brand's numbers? Did the Bulls trade Brand because they knew
they could get Oakley?
A: Pete, to
answer your questions: Possibly, possibly, I doubt it, no, and let's hope
not. Truth is, you brought up some very valid points about that trade,
and aren't alone as a frustrated Bulls fan who seeks answers. Unfortunately,
I don't have them. And I'd be willing to bet Jerry Krause doesn't, either.
I do, however,
have some advice. Stick with them. Yes, that's coming from me, a recognized
Bull basher. But I saw the Bulls play Golden State recently, and I liked
what I saw from young players such as Trenton Hassell, Brad Miller, and
even Eddy Curry. Besides that, there will probably be a new management
team in place soon. Maybe even Scott Layden (see next question).
FROM CLIVE
WATSON
Q: My Knicks
are looking awful and I believe a lot of it has to do with general manager
Scott Layden. Between the money wasted on Allen Houston, the re-negotiated
contracts of Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley, the $4.5 million exemption
given to Clarence Weatherspoon and moneys gained from the retirement of
Luc Longley and Larry Johnson couldn't the Knicks have enticed Chris Webber
to come to New York? Seems like the whole thing wasn't given much thought
by Layden. When you add on the wasted draft picks and the size issues I
would give Layden an "F." Creativity and basketball smarts appear to be
lacking. Your opinion please on the job done by Layden.
A: Clive, I
think you pretty much said it all, but I'm all for giving Layden at least
another offseason. I mean, there was no way Chris Webber was going anywhere
but Sacramento. Not with the luxury tax, anyway. I agree that Houston received
WAY too much, but Anderson has been one of the Knicks' better players so
far. The problem is in the middle, where the Knicks are either injured
or lacking in depth.
Layden definitely
has "basketball smarts." Give him one more year before you call for his
head. After all, the Knicks probably will.
VONTEEGO WATCH
This is the
regular segment of the newsletter in which I update the status of Philadelphia
76ers backup guard Vonteego Cummings.
Vonteego is
pretty much bolted to the end of the bench, as he rarely plays in anything
but garbage time. Still, with all the injuries suffered by guards such
as Allen Iverson and Aaron McKie, the Sixers brass probably knows keeping
Cummings as an insurance policy is a good idea. Cummings is averaging 3.3
points on 29.7 percent shooting from the floor.
This week's
Vonteego fact: Vonteego's says his favorite actor is Chris Tucker.
SAM'S SLAMS
Omar Cook signed
with Dallas, so those of you who accused me of wanting to be his agent
can resume your name-calling. But I will not be deterred. Omar belongs
in the NBA, period. ... Since Omar is signed, I will now make a push for
somebody to sign one of my other all-time favorites, Eldridge Recasner,
who was recently waived by Charlotte. ... You really have to like what
you've seen from Kevin Garnett, Wally Szczerbiak and the rest of the Minnesota
Timberwolves. Garnett has proven that if it means winning, he'll take less
shots and get his teammates more involved. That. folks, is the sign of
an all-time great, a la Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, etc. ... The Celtics
are definitely improved, but the idea of having someone named Milt Palacio
as the third-leading scorer has to make Red Auerbach cringe. ... One fan
recently wrote to ask what became of former Creighton standout Rodney Buford.
Your answer: Rodney signed with Memphis just last week. ... Through Nov.
21, the Chicago Bulls had lost 22 straight to Western Conference teams.
... Check out collegebasketballnews.com, NBA draft guru Chris Monter's
site on, you guessed it, college basketball.
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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