NBA BASKETBALL
All-Star Analysis - in the Amico Report
<February 1, 2002>

By Sam Amico

MISSED PISTON

Jerry Stackhouse should have been selected to the All-Star team.

There was a time when I never would have said that. There was a time when I thought the Detroit Pistons guard could have been alone in a gymnasium full of basketballs, yet still complain that he didn't get enough shots. Then he would take a swing at the first person who walked through the door.

I probably would have said those things as recently as last season. But Stackhouse has changed. He seems to have grown up, and winning has become a top priority. He was largely responsible for the Pistons' remarkable start, being the guy who not only made the biggest baskets, but also the defensive stands and well-timed passes.

The thing that's impressed me most about Stackhouse this season? His ability to keep playing hard when it looked like everything would head south for the Pistons. Rather than sulk and point fingers at new coach Rick Carlisle, Stackhouse continued to hustle. It was almost as if he said, "Follow my lead, guys. We'll get this thing straightened out."

That's a big difference from a year ago, when Stackhouse would have simply demanded the ball and told his teammates to take a hike.

But while the Pistons may not make the playoffs, the main reason they even have a chance is Stackhouse.

Who should Stackhouse replace in the Eastern Conference lineup, you ask? The answer is one of two guys -- Miami's Alonzo Mourning or Atlanta's Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

This isn't meant to be insensitive to the kidney ailment that kept Mourning out all of last season. And he truly has had an inspiring season. But up until about three weeks ago, it looked as if the Heat would challenge for the all-time worst record.

As for Abdur-Rahim ... yes, he's very, very good. Yes, the Hawks have been set back by injuries to Toni Kukoc and Theo Ratliff. And yes, Abdur-Rahim has had to adjust to life with a new team. But the Hawks were just 14-30 through January. And when it comes to being an All-Star, winning ought to count for something.

After all, winning in an unlikely situation is exactly what Jerry Stackhouse has done.

WEIGHING IN ON WALLY

Some folks have said that Minnesota guard Wally Szczerbiak shouldn't have been named to the Western Conference team.

Don't listen. These are the new generation of fans, kids who think basketball should only be played on asphalt playgrounds and that acrobatic dunks should be the only means of scoring.

The truth? As great as Kevin Garnett is, the Timberwolves weren't going anywhere with just him. They needed someone else. Two years ago, they asked Joe Smith to be that guy. He didn't do it, despite being given countless chances by the team. Terrell Brandon and others failed in attempts at filling the role last season.

So the Wolves turned to Wally. And guess what? He's become Garnett's sidekick. Just like Michael Jordan needed Scottie Pippen, Garnett needs Szczerbiak.

The team was solid with Garnett alone. It's gone to the next level thanks to Szczerbiak. So don't question his All-Star status.

DESERVEDLY MISSING

As usual, there are plenty of guys whose absence from the All-Star team have caused some fuss.

Some of the players even complained publicly. But besides Jerry Stackhouse, I didn't see any glaring omissions. Among the list of players who some felt should have been included:

-- New Jersey forward Kenyon Martin. Still a year away. Needs to concern himself more with winning and less with attempting to remove the head of the opposition.

-- Cleveland guard Andre Miller. Very good, but still too limited in my book. Miller will never be great until he develops a consistent jump shot.

-- L.A. Clippers forward Elton Brand. This one hurts to talk about, because Brand really is an All-Star. But he's the least-best All-Star of all the great forwards in the West. Still, my guess is he would rather be a non-All-Star with the Clips than an All-Star with the Bulls.

-- Chicago forward Ron Artest. No doubt, Artest is an absolute joy to watch, as he has an unparalleled passion for the game -- especially when it comes to shutting down the other team's top scorer. But Artest isn't nearly as good as he thinks he is, and he's hardly considered a consistent threat on offense.

-- Charlotte guard Baron Davis. Another one who I could accept making the team, just like Brand. But for Davis, there have simply been too many of those 2-for-15 shooting nights (like he had when the Hornets played in San Antonio in late January).

-- Denver center/forward Raef LaFrentz, Milwaukee guard Sam Cassell, New York forward Latrell Sprewell, Indiana guard Reggie Miller, Denver guard Nick Van Exel. I love Sprewell and Cassell, but no one on that list is having an All-Star season. Unfortunately for all of those guys, playing well more often than not doesn't really count. You gotta do it every night.

LAKER LOWDOWN

Friends and foes of the Los Angeles Lakers started whispering after the Lakers lost three of four in late January. Well, they can stop now.

It doesn't take an expert to figure out the Lakers are merely coasting. And great teams have a tendency to do just that, as everyone from Bill Russell's Boston Celtics to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls always seemed to put it in cruise control at this point of the season.

While the current Lakers may not be as dominating as those teams were, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal are definitely smart enough to know that championships aren't won in February.

LONG FOR SEATTLE

The Seattle SuperSonics aren't overly concerned that center Calvin Booth is out with an injury. That's because of the play of someone named Art Long, who's filling in for Booth.

Never heard of Long? Don't worry. He hasn't played in college for seven years (he left the University of Cincinnati in 1995), and he's been toiling overseas and in pro basketball's bush leagues since then.

But even though he's an undersized NBA center at 6-foot-9, Long has held his own in the middle and played a big role in the Sonics' success during their recent trip East.

Basically, it appears that Long is this year's Marc Jackson (the Golden State center who shocked the league with great play last season). Mostly, Long is just another reason to like this year's bunch of overachievers in Seattle.

GRIZZLIES, PART XIV

I recently read that Stephen King is going to write five more books then quit, simply because he doesn't want to start repeating himself. Well, you never have to worry about me making that claim, and that is why I'm going to write about the Memphis Grizzlies AGAIN this week.

Anyway, it seems to me the Grizzlies play as well against top opponents without Jason Williams as they do with him. I know, I know. I'm always picking on Williams. And I realize he has had some spectacular performances this season.

But the young Grizzlies' problems seem to begin and end with turnovers and questionable decisions in the fourth quarter, particularly in the final two or three minutes. That's when having a steady-handed (and headed) point guard comes into play.

Williams or no, I still say Memphis is in the playoffs soon -- perhaps as early as next season with a little luck.

ABA NAMES

Here are some names you may recognize in the American Basketball Association (player, team, points per game):

Derrick Dial, California, 26.2 ppg; Teddy DuPay, Phoenix, 17.3 ppg; Paul McPherson, Phoenix, 16.7 ppg; Doug Overton, Kansas City, 15.3 ppg; Reggie Slater, Kansas City, 12.0 ppg; Richie Frahm, Phoenix, 12.0 ppg; Dickey Simpkins, Kentucky, 11.4 ppg; Eddie Gill, Kansas City, 10.5 ppg; Richie Parker, Chicago, 9.0 ppg.

YOUR E-MAILS

FROM LEO JUMAK
Q: I am e-mailing from Kazakhstan, but even from as far way as Central Asia I have followed the Boston Celtics since the days of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. I think Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker are two years away from leading the Celtics to great things again. Any thoughts?

A: Leo, it would be hard to disagree with you -- although I think the Celtics still need another guy to go along with Pierce and Walker. Especially if they are thinking about a title. That player may already be on the roster (Joe Johnson, Kedrick Brown), but it wouldn't hurt to trade for a point guard who's better than Kenny Anderson.

FROM ENRIQUE ARMINANA
Q: I think the center spot is the hardest to fill in today's NBA, and I think the Denver Nuggets have a good one in Raef LaFrentz. Don't you think if the Nuggets can get two good players in the free-agent market, they could make the playoffs next season? With LaFrentz and Antonio McDyess in the lineup, I sure do.

A: Enrique, your e-mail comes from Madrid, Spain, and I'm sure the Nuggets are glad to know they have fans throughout the world (especially when you consider the sparse amount they have Denver). Anyway, yes, with a couple of acquisitions, I think the Nuggets could make a run at the playoffs next season. In fact, had McDyess been healthy ... and Nick Van Exel been happy ... you have to wonder what could have happened this season. The question is, how easy will it be for the Nuggets to lure free agents to Denver? Or more importantly, what will they get in return should they finally decide to grant Van Exel his wish and trade him?

SAM'S SLAMS

Phoenix Suns guard Joe Crispin recently scored 13 points, taking eight shots in nine minutes. That's right, Crispin launched almost a shot per minute. What other undrafted rookie has ever been able to make that claim? ... If Orlando guard Troy Hudson came off the bench for the Lakers, people would actually know who he is. Hudson is clearly one of the league's most underappreciated hustlers. Not only that, but he can really shoot. ... Had Miami guard Eddie Jones played all season like he did in January, he would be a legitimate candidate for MVP. Honest. The guy was awesome at the start of 2002. ... Bryce Drew was Charlotte's leading scorer for a game? And the Hornets still won in San Antonio? I still can't believe it. ... Lakers forward Mark Madsen had this line Jan. 29 vs. Atlanta: 0 points, 2 shots attempted, 10 rebounds. How does a man get 10 rebounds and take just two shots? ... Former troubled high school standout Leon Smith has played well for Atlanta and signed a second 10-day contract. Good for him. ... The Philadelphia 76ers are starting to look a lot like last season. And you all started to doubt my continuous claims that Allen Iverson is clearly the best player in the league not named Shaquille O'Neal. ... New England Patriots by six in the Super Bowl (Keep in mind that's coming from a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan, so what do I really know about football?).

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