NBA BASKETBALL
Around the NBA: The Amico Report
<January 4, 2002>

By Sam Amico

BIG DEAL IN DALLAS

When you see Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash strut onto the court in unison, it doesn't take long before you start thinking, "These guys are really good."

When you see Don Nelson shouting instructions from the sidelines and a rejuvenated Tim Hardaway coming off the bench, you start to realize maybe it's time to start taking this team seriously.

In fact, it may even be time to start calling the Dallas Mavericks the NBA's second-best team.

At least, that's what comes to my mind when I see the Mavericks go on a 10-game winning streak (and counting), or when I hear how they are 17-0 when scoring more than 100 points (through Jan. 3). I would even risk saying that when the Los Angeles Lakers are without Shaquille O'Neal, the Mavericks are your 2001-02 NBA favorites.

Let's face it, Nowitzki is everything you can hope for in a modern-day basketball player. He is extremely tall, agile, and selfless. It sure doesn't hurt that Nowitzki can really shoot. Finley is one of the game's great leapers, not to mention a guy who loves to play defense. And Nash, well, I have no idea why he's so good. I guess you'd have to say that Nash is simply a winner in the truest sense of the word.

Prior to the season I never would have said this, but now I will do so without hesitation: I would take Dallas' Big Three over Milwaukee's (Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and Ray Allen) in a heartbeat. And Milwaukee's Big Three is very good, as the Bucks are probably worthy of a trip to the Finals themselves.

But I also like the Mavericks because of owner Mark Cuban. There, I said it. I like Mark Cuban. I don't always agree with him -- heck, sometimes I feel like kicking in the television when Cuban badmouths Shaq or Michael Jordan, as he so often does. But Cuban should also be respected for being such a straight-shooter in these times of political correctness. And like it or not, the man knows how to build a winner.

Besides all of this, the Mavericks have arguably the league's best bench. Hardaway seems to have rediscovered himself, backing up Nash, or at times, joining him to form a mini-but-quick backcourt. Eduardo Najera is developing into a real force in his second season, and could probably start for half of the league.

Also, Danny Manning is great at what he does -- help the team to not lose a step during the 10-20 minutes the old pro is in the game. And let's not forget Juwan Howard, who is still trying to fit in but who also still has all-star potential. Finally, there's big men such as Evan Eschmeyer, Shawn Bradley and Wang Zhizhi. Each is inconsistent, but the Mavericks only need them to avoid being bad.

The real question regarding the Mavericks is whether or not they can maintain this pace in May, when the NBA season matters most. In other words, can they get past the playoff-savvy Spurs and the World Champion Lakers? Regardless of the answers, the ride should be a fun one for Dallas fans.

JORDAN JAM-LESS

Michael Jordan combined to score a whopping 96 points in the Washington Wizards' wins over Charlotte and New Jersey ... without dunking once. That, my friends, is greatness.

Think about it. How often did Jordan do that in his prime? The answer is never. But today, Jordan is silencing the many skeptics who once said he was little more than a showman, that he wasn't a great fundamental and/or team player.

Now, a lot of folks around the NBA have to be saying, "Gulp. Maybe he really will get his legs back, and maybe we shouldn't have said all those nasty things about him. Maybe all he really needed was some time."

One side note about Jordan vs. New Jersey: The Nets have lost 23 straight road games to a team Jordan played for (through Jan. 3).

JORDAN VS. BULLS

It will be even more interesting to watch Michael Jordan face the Chicago Bulls now that Bill Cartwright is coaching them.

Those of you who have read Sam Smith's classic, "The Jordan Rules," know that Jordan and Cartwright didn't get along as teammates in Chicago. According to the book, Jordan often picked on Cartwright, giving him a few less-than-flattering nicknames (namely "Dollar Bill," to describe how much Jordan felt Cartwright was worth).

Actually, Jordan's lashing out at Cartwright probably had more to do with the Bulls' trading of Charles Oakley, who at the time acted as Jordan's bodyguard on the court. The Bulls received Cartwright in return, and Jordan, ever the competitor, reportedly took it out on the big fella.

All of this is assuming you believe everything in Smith's book is true. Smith seemingly set out to dig up dirt on Jordan -- but couldn't really find any. So, in my opinion, he tried to make Jordan's desire to win look like a flaw.

VAN GUNDY TO BE VAN GOLDEN?

Various newspapers and Web sites have recently reported that ex-New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy is extremely interested in the Golden State Warriors job.

That makes sense, as the Warriors are a team on the rise. In fact, by next season, the young team may be ready to make a 1999 Knicks-like run to the NBA Finals. Yes, I really believe that. With the right coaching, the Warriors have the talent to obtain the No. 8 playoff seed, peak at the right time, and sneak past everyone into the Finals .... just like the '99 Knicks.

At the same time, I think interim coach Brian Winters should at have a chance to finish out the season. With talent such as Antawn Jamison, Danny Fortson and rookies Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy, all the Warriors need is a little time to mesh under one boss.

PACERS POWER

Is it just me, or has Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal become the second-best center in the NBA? (One thing's for sure -- he's definitely the second-best center with the last name of O'Neal).

But seriously. O'Neal is finally going to the basket with some aggressiveness, and seems to simply will the ball through the rim when guarded closely. He also seems to be more confident taking 10-15 foot jumpers when the power game is closed off. Mostly, O'Neal has stopped acting like playing defense is a felony and will land him 10-15 months in prison.

You may argue that O'Neal isn't the second-best center in the league, but you have to agree with this -- he is one of the biggest reasons Indiana should be back in the playoffs.

AROUND THE MINORS

-- Charles Barkley is going to start practicing with the Phoenix entry of the new American Basketball Association. The team is coached by former UNLV coach Bill Bayno, a good friend of Barkley's.

Charles is up to 315 pounds and says he merely wants to help teach Bayno's players while getting back into shape. Barkley said on the ABA Web site that he will not play for the team because "they cannot afford me."

In other ABA news, Joe Crispin scored 44 points in his first game for the Southern California team last week. You may remember Crispin as the little guard who led Penn State on an unlikely NCAA Tournament run last season. Crispin went undrafted but played briefly for the Los Angeles Lakers. No less than Phil Jackson said that Crispin "belongs in the NBA, and I have little doubt that he will eventually find a place." Crispin's team is coached by former NBA little man Scott Brooks.

-- Mike James became the first CBA player called up by the NBA this season (by the Miami Heat). This can't be real thrilling for the NBA, which created the NBDL with the idea that the CBA would no longer be needed.

Besides James, top players in the CBA include former Arizona star Miles Simon and Leon Smith. Each should be in the NBA in no time.

FREE INFO ON FREE THROWS

Last week, Warren McNeil wrote to ask what was the record for free throws made without a miss by an NBA team. I wrote that I had no idea (now there's a shock).

Anyway, Cleveland Cavaliers senior director of communications Bob Price came to the rescue. Price pointed out that the most free throws made, none missed, in an NBA game can be found on page 230 of the NBA guide. The answer (drum roll please) ... 39, by Utah, in a game at Portland on Dec. 7, 1982.

YOUR E-MAILS

FROM DAN GOLDBERG
How exactly did they come up with the concept of the NBDL? Did they pick a couple of guys who know nothing about basketball, instruct them to pick some bad team names and terrible colors, and then recruit inept players?

My questions to the big brains in the NBA office is: What is the purpose of the NBDL, and what is keeping the NBA from establishing a true minor league system? It should be the perfect place to season young kids (Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, DeSagana Diop, and so on) and get players on the NBA's injured list with phantom "injuries" some playing time. And yet, this league is not allowed to put NBA talent on its rosters.

The NHL has minors; so does major league baseball. And their systems do what a "developmental league" is supposed to do -- give players that might actually make it to the NBA a chance to play and hone their skills.

(Dan, you are not alone in this frustration. Pro basketball fans have been asking these same questions for years, with no real answers in sight. - S.A.)

FROM JOHN FIKE
Can you give us a quarter of the season rookie of the year breakdown/handicap? I'm particularly interested in whether you've had a chance to check out Golden State's Jason Richardson? He had a decent start, and has been getting off with the coaching change and with more minutes. Check out the two follow-up jams he had against the Lakers recently for proof. Richardson has been posting well-rounded numbers, with assists, rebounds, steals and points, but he is also making his impact with crowd -- and team -- inspiring steals and DUNKS!

(John, yes, I've seen Richardson play -- and yes, he must be considered a favorite for rookie of the year. In fact, you gave all the reasons why. My other top candidates: Pau Gasol, Jamal Tinsley, and Shane Battier. I would say Richardson has the early lead, with Battier and Gasol tied for second. Tinsley, who was off to an incredible start, is slowing down a little - S.A.)

FROM GREMER TIU
I was wondering what the New York Knicks should do to improve? I mean, is there any way to trade Allan Houston? Don't get me wrong, I am a loyal and faithful Knicks fan ... but come on, $100 million for this guy? Not even Kobe Bryant makes that kind of money. And please, don't trade Latrell Sprewell. So the question is, should the Knicks start trading or just wait until the draft to get a quality draft pick?

(Gremer, with the way the draft had gone lately, I say start trading. The Knicks tied their own hands by giving Houston his fat contract, and they won't be able to move him -- as much as everyone would like them to. The Knicks need to hold out for a GOOD trade. That's something general manager Scott Layden has not done in a while. - S.A.)

AR UPDATE

A number of you have written to ask about the Vonteego Watch, the weekly update regarding Philadelphia 76ers guard Vonteego Cummings that wasn't included last week. Well, to be completely honest, it sort of ran its course. But you are always welcome to write in and provide updates about Vonteego on your own.

You may also notice that the "Question & Answer" segment has been replaced with "Your E-mails." Some readers were hesitant to write because they didn't have a question; they just wanted to comment on the NBA. This provides the opportunity to do that, rather than always having to ask for my not-so-expert opinion.

Finally, yes, there will be a Web site. It obviously is taking longer than originally planned, mostly because I have decided to do it myself. I'll have an announcement about the online version shortly.

AR ARCHIVES

Finally, many new readers have asked if there is any way to receive archived versions of The Amico Report. The answer is not really. At least, not until the Web site is up and running.

However, because of the high demand, I will be sending out a special newsletter within the next few days that contains bits and pieces from previous Amico Reports dating back to last summer. So, check your inboxes within the next few days and see just how wrong all my predictions have been.

SAM'S SLAMS

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Chauncey Billups has looked good while filling in for the injured Terrell Brandon. Is this the season Billups finally lives up to expectations? ... Jan. 2, 2002 was the first day I had seen an eight-second violation, a new rule implemented by the NBA before the season. The infraction was committed by Golden State in the Warriors' game at Cleveland. ... Clarence Weatherspoon is expected to return to the Knicks' lineup very soon. Don't laugh. He could really help them. ... The Chicago Tribune recently reported that Pittsburgh is now among the cities being seriously considered for a possible move by Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn. Other possibilities include New Orleans, Louisville, St. Louis, and Norfolk, Va.

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.

SIGN UP A FRIEND

If you have a friend who is interested in pro basketball, why not sign them up for The Amico Report? It's free, and it always will be. Just send their name and e-mail address to amicoreport@hotmail.com.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!