NBA BASKETBALL
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
<November 29, 2001>

By Tom Trush

This year isn't any different, and as with every season, there have been surprises, some let-downs and other events that are better off left forgotten. Here are some actions that have caught my eye -- the good, the bad and the ugly.

Good

Detroit Pistons

The team concept, with an emphasis on defense, has blossomed in Detroit under the guidance of first-year head coach Rick Carlisle, and so have the victories. Jerry Stackhouse has been the model team player, after previous seasons where it seemed wins were secondary to his personal stats. With a more stable squad around him, last year's second-leading scorer in the NBA has sacrificed points and increased assists. As a team, the Pistons are second in the NBA in points allowed at 87.1 per game and third in assists, dishing out 23.8 per game. A soft early-season schedule with victories against the Grizzlies, Wizards and Bulls may have attributed to their 7-3 record. With the next two games against Atlanta and Memphis, the Pistons should add to their win total.

Derrick Coleman

A chance of scenery has brought new life to the 1990 first overall draft pick out of Syracuse. After an injury-plagued, 34-game season last year in Charlotte, Coleman was acquired for a second stint with Philly, in a three-team trade a week before the season began. So far this season, Coleman is averaging the most minutes of his career (37.8) and scoring 17.3 points per game. After last year's departure of Tyrone Hill to Cleveland, Coleman has provided a much-needed power forward presence inside to complement Dikembe Mutumbo. At just over nine per game, Coleman is among the top 15 league leaders in rebounds. Head coach Larry Brown has hinted that Coleman will get better as the season moves along, as he has been hindered by an early-season sprained ankle and tendonitis.

Young Point Guard Play

The rookie duo of Jamaal Tinsley and Tony Parker, along with second-year pro Speedy Claxton, has brought youthful leadership with their point guard play.

On Thanksgiving night, Tinsley made the Pacers thankful for drafting him No. 27. Tinsley set a franchise record 23 assists, en route to his first career triple-double including 19 points and 11 rebounds against Washington. He is fifth in the league in assists (8.8 per game) and has replaced Travis Best in the starting rotation.

The final first-round pick in this year's draft, 19-year-old Parker took over the point from Antonio Daniels and the Spurs have been winning ever since. Parker is among the top five rookies in scoring (11.7 points), assists (4.7), three-point shooting (40 percent) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.94).

With Allen Iverson injured for the start of the season, Claxton showcased his talents early, posting games of 20, 9, 22, 23 and 12 points, respectively. Claxton's minutes have decreased with the return of Iverson, but he has provided a reliable spark off the bench for the Sixers.

Bad

Fines for Long Shorts

Are there not larger problems in the NBA than lengthy shorts? In an attempt "to protect the integrity of the uniform," Stu Jackson, the NBA's chief disciplinarian, dished out $5,000 fines to nine players for having their short hems below the knees. Published reports name the guilty parties as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Nick Van Exel, Andrew DeClerq, Eric Piatkowski, Quintin Richardson, Jeff McInnis and Dana Barros.

Note to the NBA's fashion monitors: The futuristic colors and styles -- highlighted by growling spaceships (Rockets), purple dinosaurs (Raptors/Barneys) and teal attire adorned with pinstripes (Hornets) -- are a few of the problems with the uniforms, not the fit. Monsters are childish, pinstripes should be saved for baseball and teal is atrocious. Are they costumes or uniforms?

Utah Jazz

Their repetitive pick and roll offense isn't deceiving; and as much as the veterans hate to admit it, age and stamina are an issue. Karl Malone's stats are on par with last year's, in which he had his least productive season since 1986-87. Malone's frustrations erupted recently when he was involved in a heated exchange of words with New Jersey Nets head coach Byron Scott (which included two shoves while attempting to break up a first-half scuffle between Kenyon Martin and John Crotty).

The Jazz-styled game belongs in a museum or antique store, where it can be viewed and appreciated in similar fashion to a fossil. When will they begin to makes some obviously needed changes to seriously compete against the fast-paced style in the West?

Ugly

Chicago Bulls

Obviously, this isn't a surprise. The post-Elton Brand era began with Brad Miller handling duties inside the paint. Miller is one of the only highlights on a team where a lack of wins, players feuding with coaches, and injuries have plagued the Bulls. Using this year's draft, general manager Jerry Krause put together a sequel to his original rebuilding scheme. It's not working, and there's a chance that he and his fishing buddy/head coach Tim Floyd won't be either before the season's end.

Lamar Odom

For the second time in eight months, the NBA suspended Lamar Odom for violating the league's anti-drug policy. After stating last year, "It was kind of
immature. I'll never miss another game because of a suspension or anything like that again," Odom's promise didn't last long. In Odom's absence last season, the Clippers won only one game; this year they went 5-3.

"I chose to experiment with marijuana, that's why I'm here right now," said a tearful Odom of his second violation. Experiment? What was he doing the first time? A third violation could mean severe punishment and possible dismissal.

Extra Points

Whether it's the eight-second midcourt violation rule, the return of zone defenses, or just an increase in the tempo of play, scoring is up. So far this season, there are seven teams averaging at least 100 points per game -- Orlando, San Antonio, Minnesota, Sacramento, Indianapolis, L.A. Clippers and Milwaukee. Last year at this time, there were only three -- Sacramento, L.A. Lakers and Milwaukee.

As well, teams are combining to score 4.5 more total points per game this year compared to last (189.6 vs. 185.1). Additionally, teams have also combined to increase field goal attempts this season in comparison to last (162 vs. 158.4).

Tom Trush is a freelance writer for Write Way Solutions. You can contact him at writewaysolutions@yahoo.com.