By Sam Amico

LOOKING BACK AT THE TRADE

Jason Kidd is a native of Northern California, a place where style and smiles are the norm on the basketball court. Stephon Marbury is from Brooklyn, and his game fittingly consists of trash talk and snarls.

Kidd prefers to pass first, second and third, making his teammates priority No. 1. Marbury isn't ashamed to say his teammates need to accommodate him. Kidd is a point guard in the truest sense; Marbury in title only.

Kidd values defense, and he plays it as it is described in an encyclopedia -- bend your knees, shuffle your feet, keep your hands moving. Marbury favors gambling for steals, bumping you, or getting inside your head -- and it all works.

Kidd has been with three teams in eight seasons; Marbury three in six.

Since Kidd and Marbury are all-stars at the same position and were traded for each other last summer, their names will forever be linked. Kidd went to New Jersey, Marbury to Phoenix, the East Coast guy heading West, the West Coast guy being sent East.

With Kidd on the court, the Nets have been this season's surprise, compiling the best record in the conference after years of hopelessness. The Suns, well, they kinda got worse.

Kidd has no time for excuses, never letting injuries or inexperience stand in the way of the ultimate goal. Marbury has yelled at every teammate from Keith Van Horn to Penny Hardaway, and hasn't visited the playoffs since 1997-98 (with Minnesota).

One reader, Rashan Marshall, had this to say in a recent e-mail: "Now that the season is 80 percent over, we can all be sure of one thing. Kidd is a winner; Marbury is a whiner."

There is definitely some truth to that. Especially when you consider Marbury has never really seemed happy. And when he's around, bad things have tended to happen -- his clubs miss the playoffs, his teammates sulk, his coaches get fired.

Meanwhile, Kidd is simply a joy to watch and follow. As one person closely associated with the Nets said, "We're playing like a college team. We're just having so much fun, and as an added bonus, we're winning. Things definitely are a lot better around here now."

That's all swell. Really. But if you ask me, this deal was a draw.

Kidd isn't as awesome as a lot of people make him out to be, and Marbury isn't nearly as horrible. In fact, when it comes to Marbury, I think most critics are missing the mark.

No question, he needs to grow up a little bit, as nobody but Shaquille O'Neal is going to carry a team by himself in today's NBA. But remember, Marbury just turned 25, and he is clearly maturing with each passing month.

Also, Marbury did not have a healthy Van Horn for most of last season while with the Nets -- or Kerry Kittles or Todd MacCulloch, for that matter. And Kenyon Martin was just a rookie, a young man finding his way through the league. Today, Martin has become a real pro, and watch out.

Other things about Marbury I bet you didn't know: 1) Last year, he was the only player to be ranked in the top 10 in points and assists; 2) His shooting percentage increased in each of his first five seasons; 3) He recently founded the Assists for America program in which he donates $100 for every home assist to a Sept. 11 relief fund.

That's not say Kidd isn't a true candidate for MVP, as he's taking the Nets on a ride that the organization and its supporters will never forget. Like Marbury, Kidd is also active in charities, having started the Jason Kidd Foundation for needy children.

But with the regular season nearing an end, I do not hesitate when I say there is only one obvious difference between Jason Kidd and Stephon Marbury:

Kidd will lead the Nets to a great season now. Marbury will do the same with the Suns later.

CAST YOUR VOTE

What do you think was the worst NBA trade of all time? It doesn't have to be something that shocked the world, just a deal made by your favorite team that went sour. E-mail your votes and thoughts to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. As usual, I'll publish the results.

MARCH'S REAL MADNESS

I am no fool, and that is why I know that for the next three weeks, you won't need me. You won't need the NBA, and you sure as heck won't want my take on it (you'll get it anyway).

This is all because for the next three weeks, most true basketball fans will be following the NCAA Tournament. The NBA will suddenly become The Forgotten League.

But remember this as you watch Duke make another run to the Sweet Sixteen: March is also a very important month in the NBA. It's when some teams will make a final playoff push, and when others collapse. It's also significant for the teams that know they're already in the playoffs and are aiming for a higher seed.

So while studying the NCAA bracket for your office pool, be sure to keep one eye on the following NBA teams, many of which will probably look back later and view March as their most crucial month:

San Antonio, Utah, Washington, Phoenix, Minnesota, Seattle, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Detroit, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Miami, Toronto, Boston.

Golly, I just realized something. That's about half the league.

WIZARD REALITY

My wife Carley knows that I'm a big supporter of the Washington Wizards, but she went ahead and expressed the following sentiments anyway.

"It doesn't seem like the Wizards are becoming better basketball players because of Michael Jordan. They're simply learning how to become Michael Jordan's teammate, and how to live with all the attention that comes with it. They haven't been transformed into winners like he had hoped. Once he retires for good, they'll just go back to their losing ways."

After seeing what happened to the Chicago Bulls after Jordan's first retirement in the mid-1990s, I'm having a hard time arguing with her point. I don't like it, but I can't argue with it.

RAGE AGAINST THE KNICKS

I have received close to 100 e-mails bashing the New York Knicks for giving interim coach Don Chaney a contract extension.

Steven Kaye, a longtime Knicks fan from Queens, wrote: "The next time (Knicks G.M.) Scott Layden makes a decision, can somebody please warn me? That way I can be the first to give up and root for somebody else."

True, Chaney has lost everywhere he's been -- Houston, Detroit, L.A. Clippers -- and that includes a dismal 48-116 record as head coach of the Pistons.

But the man deserves a chance. Hey, who else is going to want the Knicks job? Peter Vecsey?

Plus, Chaney needs his team's respect for the remainder of the season. Without management's support, there was no reason to listen to Chaney. Now that there is, the Knicks just might be a little more motivated.

Finally, don't forget that Chaney's extension was for only one year. In other words, if the Knicks stink next season, it won't be that hard for the organization to eat his contract.

My feeling on Chaney? How can you not like the only guy to have been a teammate of Bill Russell AND Larry Bird?

HEATING UP

You can't help but pull for the Miami Heat. After a 5-23 start, the Heat are bound for the playoffs. Heck, it wouldn't be surprising to see them nab the seventh, or even sixth, seed.

The biggest reason for the turnaround has been the play of Eddie Jones. It's become apparent that the league's most underrated shooting guard is playing with a lot more confidence -- or more accurately, has finally gotten comfortable without an experienced point guard to get him the ball.

And, of course, there's been the rapid rise of center Alonzo Mourning. If the NBA were to give a Most Inspirational Award, it would have to go to Mourning, who is scoring 15.5 points per game on 52 percent shooting after sitting out last season with kidney disease.

Perhaps the most gratifying thing for the Heaters? At the start of the season, ex-Miami point guard Tim Hardaway ripped coach Pat Riley, saying Riley had lost touch with the modern day player. Well, Riley's still the coach in Miami, and Hardaway is now playing for a Denver team that will be lucky to win 25 games.

IRON MEN

Ever since A.C. Green retired, I've wondered which active NBA player has played in the most consecutive games. Well, a graphic in a recent edition of USA Today answered my question.

Knicks forward Shandon Anderson is your current leader, with 396 consecutive games played as of March 12. Utah's John Stockton was next at 340, followed by the Lakers' Lindsey Hunter (268) and Rick Fox (231). Charlotte point guard Baron Davis rounded out the top five with 226.

My fear? Don Chaney is going to not play Anderson before the season ends.

NBDL STUFF

National Basketball Developmental League scoring leaders through March 11:

Gabe Muoneke, Columbus, 17.0 ppg; Terrell McIntyre, Fayetteville, 15.3; John Strickland, Mobile, 15.2; Artie Griffin, Roanoke, 14.8; Greg Stempien, Fayetteville, 14.7.

Interesting how the league's leading scorer is averaging less than 20 points per game, isn't it?

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FROM SANDY TERRELL
Q: You rarely write about the Orlando Magic, and I was wondering if you had something against them? Do you not think they are a sleeper in the East? And if you were starting a team and had the option, who would you take, Tracy McGrady or Vince Carter?

A: Sandy, no, I do not have anything against the Magic. In fact, I mention every team in at least every other newsletter. The Magic's problem is they can't seem to stay healthy. If they could do that, I would consider them much more than "a sleeper" (especially if Grant Hill were to ever suit up for more than 10 games). Regardless, Orlando's bench is much better than I thought it would be, and a playoff run is definitely possible.

As for McGrady, I consider him to be a winner through and through, and I predict he'll own at least one championship ring before he retires. To answer your final question: McGrady, in a heartbeat.

FROM PAUL BANKS
Q: Right before the All-Star break, you wrote that Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson should be the NBA's Most Valuable Player. Do you still feel that way? After all, the Lakers are a .500 team without Shaquille O'Neal.

A: Paul, the Sixers are .000 team without Iverson. But the more I watch Shaq, the more I agree with you. Not only is he playing in intense pain with a bad toe, but he has developed a number of low post moves since last season, including a soft baby hook in the key -- pretty impressive for a man who could average 40 points on dunks alone.

It's also impressive for someone who would be the league's best center even if he DIDN'T work on his game. Shaq has everything he wants -- except another title. The fact that he's still hungry -- and that the Lakers will win it again because he's just as dedicated as ever -- gives Shaq the MVP edge over Iverson.

But Iverson is still my favorite player.

SAM'S SLAMS

I realize the All-Star Game was a month ago, but I still can't help but think, "Please, NBA marketing gurus, bring back the uniforms that read East and West on the front." They're just so much cooler than watching the all-stars play in their regular uniforms, which we see every day. ... Detroit's Corliss Williamson is my pick for Sixth Man of the Year. He also would captain my all-underrated team. ... I really think the Indiana Pacers will become the East's most dangerous team once they start clicking. But what is going to become of Ron Mercer? He doesn't seem like a good fit. ... Avid reader and die-hard Milwaukee fan Chris Dugan pointed out that in a recent home loss to Sacramento, the Bucks' big three of Sam Cassell, Ray Allen, and Glenn Robinson went 0-of-0 from the free-throw line. Nice. ... Another good draft pick and a full year of Steve Francis, and the Houston Rockets will be right back in the playoffs next season. ... Magic Johnson told the New York Post he would be interested in the Knicks' GM position, should it become available. Of course, about the only person the Post hasn't named as a possible GM is Spike Lee. ... Remember when forward Roshown McLeod was considered an up-and-comer with the Atlanta Hawks? Now he's a benchwarmer for the Celtics, and word is, he'll be released after the season. ... Seven-foot-five Chinese center Yao Ming has announced that he will enter the NBA draft. Anyone else expecting to see the second coming of Shawn Bradley?

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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