By Sam Amico

COVERING THE NBA

After three nights of games -- and hundreds of e-mails -- I've got enough stuff to fill 10 of these things. So let's get started:

-- Watching SportsCenter often sucks my will to live. But I have to admit, ESPN's game coverage of the NBA has been outstanding. Sean Elliott has been very good as a color commentator, providing lots of insights without screaming or criticizing everyone and everything around him. It's almost as if you're relaxing in the same room with Elliott, sitting on the couch and chatting about hoops. I also thoroughly enjoy Mike Tirico's play-by-play and Kevin Frazier's work in the studio. None of those guys has been over-the-top obnoxious, which is usually a staple of ESPN broadcasting. Instead, everybody has displayed professionalism and coolness without being dull. Gee, what a concept.

-- Having said all of that, let's hope Tim Hardaway can grow into his role as ESPN studio analyst. Right now, he's not very good. And that's sugarcoating it.

-- I also don't understand why The Worldwide Leader decided to dig up play-by-play man Brent Musberger, who seemed to be fading peacefully from the broadcasting industry. Musberger often acts excited when you know he's not, and worse yet, he has a tendency to root for a team while on the air (ever heard him call a Northwestern football game?). At any rate, I'll admit that Musberger is a legend, and ESPN could have done worse (read: Kevin Harlan).

-- Finally, NBA fans should be happy with ESPN's cool in-game graphics and updates, neither of which distracts from the action on the floor. The NBA-ESPN marriage is a good one, particularly now that the league seems to be on mission to win back the die-hard fan. I can tell you already, it's working.

-- As for TNT, well, it's the same as always. In other words, having Charles Barkley on board almost enables you to overlook the bombardment of those annoying EA Sports ads. Also, you have to wonder if play-by-play man Kevin Harlan had ever seen a basketball game before landing his current gig. Harlan seems like a nice enough guy, but he often shouts when there's nothing to be excited about. "Hey, everyone! Chauncey Billups has just entered the game!" Don't laugh. It's not far from the truth.

SAN ANTONIO STUFF

-- I really, really like San Antonio rookie guard Emanual Ginobili. And I mean REALLY like him. Ginobili is extremely athletic, flashy yet fundamentally sound, and is a passionate defender. I went on a 20-minute rant about Ginobili while talking with my wife the other day, and she asked if I needed a "nice hot cup of tea" to calm me down. Hey, he's that good.

-- In fact, I like what's become of the entire Spurs backcourt. Second-year point guard Speedy Claxton was an excellent addition -- which we saw in the win over the Lakers. Starter Tony Parker was way off (to the tune of 0-of-10 from the floor), so Claxton stepped in and proved that he could start for a lot of teams. And, suffice it to say, Speedy is a little quicker than last year's backup, Terry Porter. Meanwhile, Steve Smith is a cagey starter and Steve Kerr still has a nice touch off the bench.

-- Let's hope everyone gives David Robinson a huge "thank you" when the Spurs visit each team's arena for the final time this season. You don't need me to tell you that Robinson is everything that's right about the NBA, the type of person who rarely made headlines, but only because he was always choosing to do and say the right thing. Not too shabby of a center, either.

-- My one encounter with Robinson came in 1993 at the old Richfield Coliseum. It was about an hour before a game between San Antonio and Cleveland, and I was rushing from the parking lot to the building to make sure I didn't miss out on my God-given right as a reporter, the free media dinner. I lowered my shoulder to the door to make a grand entrance -- except the door wasn't there. Instead, Robinson stood behind it, holding it open for me and putting out his hand to keep my stumble from turning into a fall. Robinson was wearing his warmups and on his way out of the locker room, stopping for the sole purpose of being polite. "Uh, thanks," I said, looking up. "You're welcome, sir," he replied. Not much of a story, but it proved to me that Robinson was everything I had always considered him to be -- a true gentleman. And remember, this was when Robinson was in his prime as a player and at the peak of his popularity around the league.

-- It appears that Robinson is healthier and hungrier than last season. So don't be surprised if he goes out with a bang. It sure doesn't hurt having Tim Duncan and a much-improved backcourt around him.

MORE OPENING WEEK THOUGHTS

-- It was only one game, but you can't help but wonder of Yao Ming is going to be a bust. He looked timid and lost, and didn't even come close to using his size as an advantage. At the same time, it took Kevin Garnett a season to get rolling, so let's cut Yao a little slack.

-- Here's something else to consider: When was the last time someone taller than 7-foot-4 made an impact in the NBA?

-- I think that players such as Shawn Bradley, Manute Bol, and Gheorge Muresan don't succeed because they're too close to the basket. Seriously. I remember playing on 8-foot rims as a kid and not being able to get a rebound because the ball would bounce off the hoop and immediately fly at my face. I had no time to get good position, as the ball was already at eye level.

-- Or how about these words from ESPN analyst Bill Walton: "Basketball isn't a game of size and strength. It's a game of skill-level and positioning." Young players should remember that. In fact, I promise to print it again.

-- Still, I like Houston, and even though I picked Utah to finish third in the Midwest Division, I could easily see the Rockets landing that spot. Steve Francis has to stay healthy, though, and not try to do everything himself.

-- Lee Nailon was an underrated pickup for New York. He exceeded expectations last season while filling in for Jamal Mashburn with the Hornets, but for some reason, Nailon was no longer wanted. The acquisition of Nailon also makes you wonder if the Knicks are really about to trade Latrell Sprewell to Portland for Dale Davis and Ruben Patterson, as originally reported by ESPN's David Aldridge.

-- I may be a native of little Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, but I love New York City point guards more than just about anyone. And that is why I'm thrilled Smush Parker has found a job in Cleveland. As I told anyone who would listen (which is pretty much limited to my cat), Parker should have been drafted in the first round. Also, how about Rod Strickland signing with the Minnesota? At the very least, Strickland's arrival sure woke up Troy Hudson, who was spectacular in the Timberwolves' season-opener.

-- Every time the Memphis play-by-play guy said "Gordon Giricek" I responded with "God bless you." Then I realized the announcer was talking about the Grizzlies' rookie, who scored 29 points in an opening night loss to Dallas. Of course, I didn't even mention Giricek in my Grizzlies' preview -- which is just another reason why this newsletter will always be free.

-- Portland's Damon Stoudemire seems like a new man. For all the talk about Stoudemire being unhappy with the arrival of Jeff McInnis and Antonio Daniels, the Blazers' backcourt appears to be a happy bunch. I've already written this, but if I'm in the West, I'm really worried that the Blazers have gotten their act together.

-- The Lakers' opening night loss was their first such loss since 1991. They didn't have Shaq or Rick Fox in the lineup on that night, either.

-- The Cavaliers did the right thing by announcing they'll have new uniforms next season. Houston Rockets, please tell me you're next.

-- Cleveland forward Tyrone Hill told this to host Mike Snyder on CavsLine: "I still think we can make the playoffs. On paper, we're better than Detroit." Hill quickly added that, "On paper isn't what matters, of course. But we could be better than people think."

-- Some of you were quick to point out that I referred to Blazers forward Rasheed Wallace as "Rasheed Marshall" last week. Can you tell I follow the West Virginia University football program (Rasheed Marshall is the Mountaineers' quarterback)? Please don't hold it against me.

-- Well, say this much for Charles Barkley's new show, "Listen Up!" -- it's only slightly worse than "The Magic Hour."

PISTON PRIDE

Detroit fans are extremely angry with me for picking the Pistons to finish sixth in the Central. "You don't know anything about basketball, and should be arrested for impersonating someone who does," wrote reader Brad Steinman.

And when it comes to e-mails from Detroit fans, that about covers the ones I should print.

But understand that I don't think the Pistons will be bad -- I just think the rest of the East has improved. No matter, I get the feeling Detroit fans won't stop until I've been tarred and feathered.

Speaking of feathers, Atlanta Hawks fans are thrilled I picked their team to finish fourth. "It's about time somebody said we won't embarrass ourselves," wrote Ty Murphy. Just the opposite, Ty. I think the Hawks will be in the playoffs.

MORE ON WEIGHTLIFTING

Some of you took issue with Philadelphia coach Larry Brown's comments on lifting weights, comments that I pretty much agreed with.

Brown said that he attributes many of today's injuries to the players' newfound fondness for pumping iron during the offseason.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't think players should stop lifting weights or watching their diets. But a lot of times, these guys are so busy lifting that they forget to play basketball.

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are three of the greatest ever, and while they realized the value of getting stronger, they also knew that working out shouldn't take the place of working on ballhandling and shooting.

Kobe Bryant looks much stronger than last season, but will the extra weight slow him down over time? As Sean Elliott asked on ESPN, "Why mess with what already works? There's no reason that Kobe needed to get stronger. None at all."

Weightlifting is a good thing, especially for guys in the low post. But when you're a basketball player, the best way you can possibly spend your offseason is to play basketball.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

From Devin Nesterland

Q: If the NBA truly values its "Read to Achieve" program, how come the Orlando Magic use a star in place of the "A" when spelling the word "Magic" on their uniforms?

A: Dear Devin, you are truly demented. I like it.

From Don Ferguson

Q: You've referred to Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett as two of the top five players in the NBA. Who are the other three?

A: Dear Don, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and either Tracy McGrady, Gary Payton, or Dirk Nowitzki. How's that for an expert opinion?

From Mark Lazerus

Q: The NHL has improved its game significantly just by enforcing the rules -- cracking down on obstruction and other "garage-league" shenanigans in the neutral zone. The skill players now have room to maneuver and create end-to-end scoring chances at full speed. Are there any similar changes, or crackdowns, you'd like to see the NBA do to create more exciting, end-to-end 1980s-style basketball? Short of eliminating the entire Eastern Conference, that is.

A: Dear Mark, you made a good point by suggesting that the NBA get rid of a few timeouts "so the final two minutes don't take a week and a half." I say amen to that, and I'm someone who doesn't mind that the final two minutes take a week and a half. But the biggest reason there isn't much end-to-end 1980s-style basketball is that too many kids who lack the fundamentals are coming into the league. They don't have the shooting, passing or ballhandling skills to run up and down the floor without turning every game into a turnover-infested mess. Today's coaches are forced to slow the tempo because of what they have to work with. So the only rule I would change is to make anyone younger than 21 play in the NBDL before joining the big leagues.

FINAL THOUGHT

That's it until next week. Thanks so much for reading, keep those e-mails coming, and enjoy the start of the season.

CONTACT ME

E-mail questions and comments to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. I will try to answer questions in the newsletter, but you must include your full name.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!