NBA BASKETBALL
Around the NBA: The Amico Report
<December 28, 2001>

By Sam Amico

THE NEW JORDAN RULES

Today, I am going to make you sick.

That's because today, I am going to tell Michael Jordan what to do. You got it ... I am about to tell The Greatest Ever how to play the game.

Well, maybe not how to play basketball so much as how to practice. If there's one thing this longtime benchwarmer learned, it's how to make the most out of practice time. And right now, as good as he is, and as well as the Wizards played in December, it's evident to me that Jordan is very rusty -- that his game could still use some polish.

So, since we can all be sure MJ is sitting next to his locker and thinking, "I'd better wait to hear from Amico before I make my next move," we should get started.

My first bit of advice for Jordan: Forget the front office and coaching stuff. It's great that he is trying to help the young players develop, that he's making the future of the franchise a top priority. But he needs to scrap the expensive suits after games and start wearing sweats.

In other words, Jordan has to get out of the business mindset and ignore the fact that he'll someday own a stake in the team again. Basically, he should start acting like an NBA player, like one of the guys. Not like a general manager.

This leads us to the second bit of advice for Jordan: 500 jumpers a day.

I cringed when I heard Jordan say he hadn't touched a basketball "in five days." That was after he missed Washington's game against San Antonio with a sore knee in early December.

But tendinitis or not, Jordan should pull a Larry Bird and take 500 shots from around the perimeter every day. Former Purdue standout Rick Mount still does it, and he's 55. If Jordan is serious about finding his rhythm, a statement that has been much more in tune than his jumper lately, then he needs to start shooting away his free time.

That's especially true when you comnsider that Jordan rarely practices with the rest of the team, as Wizards coach Doug Collins doesn't want his star 38-year old to break down. I haven't attended practice, so I'm not sure what Jordan does. My guess is that he just stands on the sidelines and helps coach. That's nice for a little while, but MJ needs to step to a side basket and take those jumpers.

If the knee absolutely, positively cannot take shooting jumpers, then line up for 500 free throws. Jordan has always played through his slumps -- and goodness knows, it's always worked in the past. But now that he's nearing 40, he needs to go back to the basics. Especially when the subject is shooting.

Finally, Jordan should think back to the ballhandling drills Dean Smith taught him at North Carolina. Then he needs to use them, again, while the rest of the Wizards practice. Ballhandling is another aspect of the game Jordan can work on without worrying about bothering his knees, feet, whatever.

So there you have it. Simple ways for Jordan to improve his game from a guy who has never set foot on an NBA court. Then again, I am also a guy who shares Jordan's love of the game -- not to mention a guy who wants to see Jordan be great again. Or should I say, as great as I know he can be.

In order for that to happen, he needs to start acting like a hungry teenager who's about to attend his first Five-Star Camp or play in his first McDonald's All-American game.

Better yet, he needs to start practicing like a guy who never gets off the bench.

YET EVEN MORE WIZARDRY

Richard Hamilton's five-to-10 game absence will no doubt hurt the Wizards ... but you don't need me to tell you that this is a team on the rise.

As yours truly predicted long ago, the Wizards appear to be a team that will peak at the right time -- in May. And no matter what happens, just watching this latest Michael Jordan chapter unfold is well worth it.

And while on the subject of the Wizards, did you know that Wizards guard Hubert Davis is an accomplished cellist? The 31-year old is also the nephew of former NBA great Walter Davis. It's a good thing Hubert is versatile, as he'll be counted on heavily to fill in for Hamilton..

EAST BEAT

I've read a lot of columns recently that say the Orlando Magic are no longer the favorites in the East now that Grant Hill is out. Orlando is a nice team, and Tracy McGrady is great player, but I always thought the Magic's shot at the East title was long at best. There's McGrady ... and who else? Mike Miller is still developing, and everybody else is too inconsistent.

So, who is the Eastern Conference favorite? Probably Milwaukee at this point, although I'm still convinced the most meaningful playoff series will involve Philadelphia. Yes, I still believe that the 76ers have a shot to return to the Finals. And yes, I still think Allen Iverson is the Best Player O.T.S. (Other Than Shaq).

Don't worry, I already know it -- this particular thought is gonna get me in a whole lot of trouble with Boston Celtics fans.

BLAZER MANIA GONE WRONG

A number of you have asked if I read the story on the Portland Trail Blazers in the recent issue of Sports Illustrated. The answer is yes, and I just sat there and shook my head.

It reminds me of something Atlanta Hawks general manager Pete Babcock told me recently after I asked what he thought about modern day players.

"Oh, boy. There are a whole bunch of issues," Babcock said. "The first one that comes to mind is the players' general sense of entitlement."

Those of you who have read this newsletter since the summer know that I believe most NBA players are upright citizens, that many of them get a bad rap

But the Blazers have real problems. I mean, why on earth would you want to alienate the fans the way guys like Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen and especially, Bonzi Wells, were exposed of doing in the SI piece? Most of us just can't understand this type of behavior, and never will.

SPREE DOES WELL

More evidence that Latrell Sprewell is a changed person? On Christmas Day, he shook hands with old coach P.J. Carlesimo, the man whom Sprewell choked in 1997 when they were both with Golden State.

As I've stated numerous times in this very space, Sprewell has gone from being the NBA's biggest villain to one of it's most professional and respectable stars. Pay attention, Blazers.

NBDL UPDATE

I asked for some info from anyone who had seen an NBDL game, and man, did I get it.

This from reader Harry Aronowicz: "I saw an NBDL game and all I can say is that there are higher field-goal percentages in my high school games. In a nutshell, the NBDL consists of a plethora of missed shots, including layups, and the rebounds are timed horribly and so are the passes. The day I watched the NBDL was a dark day for basketball."

OK, then. Thanks, Harry. Hope to hear from someone who actually enjoyed the experience.

Also, here's something to think about from reader Daniel Tan:

"I was wondering ... why didn't the NBA set up the NBDL in Europe, just like the NFL did with NFL Europe? I think this is a missed opportunity for the NBA. Maybe the league doesn't need the overseas exposure like NFL, but the U.S. already has college and the restarted CBA. But in Europe we have a Mickey Mouse level of basketball competition. The level here is so low that even the NBDL would challenge for the top spot and attract basketball fans. And, of course, it's ideal as a portal for European players to the NBA."

Great idea, Daniel.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

You can talk about the Lakers' offensive mastery all you want, but the reason they're the world's best team has more to do with their defense.

Not only is L.A. holding opponents to an NBA-best .412 shooting percentage, but coach Phil Jackson usually convinces his guys to completely disrupt the other team's star.

Oddly enough, it's the type of defensive philosophy that would have given a young Michael Jordan reason to lick his chops and say, "Stop me? Yeah, right." Then Jordan would score 55 and the Bulls would win. But Jackson is at least this bright: He knows no current player is as good as Jordan was in his heyday.

In other coaching numbers, Tim Floyd's three-and-a-half season record of 49-190 with Chicago gave him a "winning" percentage of .205 -- the worst in NBA history. But now that Floyd has resigned, the worst coaching percentage belongs to Sidney Lowe, who was 63-181 through Dec. 25, giving him a percentage of .258.

But you can't blame the poor man, as Lowe has coached two teams: the modern day Grizzlies, and the pre-Kevin Garnett Timberwolves. Not exactly jobs that Phil Jackson would take.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FROM ROB BELL
Q: Why didn't the Washington Jordanairres try to sign free agents Anthony Mason or Jimmy Jackson while they were available? I really doubted that the Wizards would be able to make the playoffs this year, and I still do. But even a handful of veterans with no other home would have helped this squad immeasurably And what are the chances of Charles Barkley actually playing? Is this just a joke?

A: I don't think the Wizards had the interest in Mason or Jackson because they would have been too expensive, and perhaps more so, because each has a reputation for being the type of player who is more concerned with shot attempts than number of wins. As for Barkley ... even he doesn't seem to know if he's really coming back. He sometimes sounds serious when he talks about it; other times, he blows off the entire idea.

FROM WARREN McNEIL
Q: Do you know the NBA record for most free throws made by one team without a miss in a game?

A: Warren, I do not. And that gives us a chance to ask anyone who does know the answer to please forward it.

FROM NIC BILLMAN
Q: Do you think the 76ers are ever going to get out of this slump, and do you think they will make any trades or need to make any trades before the All-Star break? I love the Sixers, but they are killing me!

A: Nic, the Sixers will be just fine. No, they don't need to make any more trades. They just need to get healthy. How's that for an expert opinion? (Remember, Nic, these are free, so you get what you pay for).

SAM'S SLAMS

Look for Mike Fratello to become the frontrunner for coaching vacancies in Denver and Golden State. Mike Dunleavy's name may also come up, although he seems to be holding out hope that he'll land the Knicks gig should Don Chaney fail. Nobody seems to want the Chicago job. ... I take back everything negative I said about the New Jersey Nets' gray road uniforms. They have definitely grown on me, and I now like them as much as the blue ones. ... Also, not to pick on New Jersey, but the Nets are threatening to move (back to New York, which they called home during their ABA years). My question is this: Should a team that's lucky to draw 7,000 fans for home games really be threatening to move? ... Best wishes to Toronto Raptors assistant Stan Albeck, who is recovering from a stroke suffered on Christmas Day. Albeck knows the game well, and more importantly, is someone who makes you feel good about the state of the NBA. ... Anyone see Dallas' 126-123 overtime win at San Antonio on Dec. 26? Now that is how professional basketball is meant to be played. Kudos to both squads for helping me relive my youth.

FINAL THOUGHT

I hope all of you enjoyed the holiday season and wish you a great New Year. I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am that you take the time to read and send me your thoughts.

Time does not always allow me to reply, but I do read all of your e-mails. My goal is to make you feel as if I'm sitting on your living room couch, kicking back and talking basketball. That's why your responses and acknowledgements are so valuable to me. Thank you for offering them.

CONTACT ME

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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