By Sam Amico

YOUR WORST THOUGHTS

In the previous newsletter I asked for your votes on the worst NBA trade of all time. The clear winner was the Cleveland Cavaliers for the deal in which they shipped Ron Harper to the Los Angeles Clippers for the rights to Danny Ferry (1989).

As Brian Spaeth wrote, "Clevelanders unite! This was the worst trade ever."

Shawn Heimberger explained it this way: "Ferry turned out to be nothing but a nice role player, and the Cavaliers never again had the type of explosive guard (that Harper was) to make Michael Jordan work on the defensive end in all those Eastern Conference playoff battles."

Here are more of your votes:

* "Seattle's draft-day deal in 1987 that sent the rights to Scottie Pippen to Chicago for the rights to Olden Polynice is the winner, hands down." - Richard Stevens.

* "Houston traded Elvin Hayes, in his prime, to the Baltimore Bullets for Jack Marin in 1972. Marin lasted just one year with the Rockets." - Steve Wilde.

* "How about the Indiana Pacers trading a first-round draft pick to Portland for Tom Owens? Owens played one season for the Pacers, averaging 10 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, that first-round selection turned out to be the second pick in the 1984 draft, which could have been used to select Michael Jordan -- who was chosen with the third pick by Chicago. (The Trail Blazers selected center Sam Bowie at No. 2)." - Tim Edwards.

* "In 1968, Philadelphia traded Wilt Chamberlain to the L.A. Lakers for Archie Clark, Darrel Imhoff and Jerry Chambers. Clark was a good guard, but Philly posted the worst record of all time (9-73) soon thereafter. Also, in 1979, Boston received Robert Parish and the draft pick that became Kevin McHale from Golden State for the draft pick that became Joe Barry Carroll. That deal was made by Warriors GM Scotty Stirling, who later went on to screw up my New York Knicks." - Clive Watson.

* "The Knicks once traded a No. 1 pick for Jawaan Oldham. The pick turned out to be Scottie Pippen. Great move by GM Scotty Stirling (never trust a man older than 50 who still prefers to be called 'Scotty')." - Barry Benjamin.

* "The Cavaliers have made some bad ones, but the one that sticks with me was the draft day swap with the Bulls for Keith Lee in 1985. Lee was too slow and Oakley is still playing." - Joe Herman.

* "Charlotte trading the rights to Kobe Bryant to the Lakers ranks up there as the worst deal. The Hornets received Vlade Divac in return, and he has since bolted for Sacramento." - Craig Rudnick.

* "How about the deal in which the San Antonio Spurs sent Dennis Rodman to Chicago for Will Perdue? It pretty much set the table for the Bulls' next three titles, while Will was ... well, Will." - Larry Hui.

Great work, guys. I'm sure these e-mails will create even more debate, so keep the memorable trade talk coming.

My picks? Phoenix, which sent Dennis Johnson to Boston for Rick Robey in 1983; Utah, which traded the rights to Dominique Wilkins to Atlanta for John Drew in 1982; and the New York Nets, who in 1976 dealt no less than Julius Erving to Philadelphia for ... (drumroll please) ... cash.

Finally, reader Chris Dugan pointed out a few lopsided trades involving ABA teams.

Shame on the Baltimore Claws, who shipped Dan Issel to the Denver Nuggets for Dave Robisch in 1975. Dugan also added another trade involving Dr. J. "Before the Nets sold Erving to Philadelphia, they received him from the Virginia Squires, along with center Willie Sojourner." Dugan said. "In return, the Squires got George Carter, Kermit Washington, and cash."

As far as anyone can tell, cash has never scored a basket.

MORE RESPONSES

David Johle responding to my comments about the Jason Kidd-Stephon Marbury trade:

"Great point guards are ones who pass first, have great court vision and make their teammates better. When you talk about great point guards during the last five years, you think about John Stockton, Gary Payton, and Kidd. Marbury is not in the conversation."

Joe Ptak on my comments about the possibility of Yao Ming becoming the next Shawn Bradley:

"If Ming has foot problems, you can expect the Cavaliers to take him in the first round, and then they would truly become the World's Team (Zydrunas Ilgauskas is from Europe, DeSagana Diop is from Africa, and Ming is from Asia)."

MORE ON MING

Some of you may know that I write an NBA column for a magazine in Taiwan called Roundball City. One thing I've learned about fans in Asia is they are extremely passionate about the NBA -- and they don't share the bitter feelings many Americans have toward professional athletes.

Anyway, my editor at Roundball City's name is Chris Wang, and he sent me the following e-mail:

"Sam, you are the best writer in the history of mankind." - Chris.

OK, I made that part up. Here is what Chris really had to say:

"I read your comments about Yao Ming in the previous Amico Report, and I wonder what your readers think of him and his chances in the NBA. The opinions from various experts that I've heard seem to be quite different. You have Bill Walton praising Ming like he is the next basketball god. And you have many others saying he's the next Shawn Bradley, at best.

"But NBA fans in Asia are very interested in what fans in the United States think about Ming, as well as others from China such as the Dallas' Zhi Zhi Wang and Denver's Menk Bateer. Perhaps you could ask your readers to give their opinions, and we'll print their thoughts over here."

So ... this is your chance to have your thoughts expressed worldwide. Send all opinions on Ming, Wang or Menk to me at amicoreport@hotmail.com. I'll print them in the newsletter, and Chris will run them in the next edition of Roundball City.

BLAZING HOT

As I write this, there is not a team in the NBA that impresses me more than the Portland Trail Blazers.

I'll be honest, I thought the Blazers would become nothing more than pro basketball's version of a train wreck. I figured Scottie Pippen was washed up, and that there was no way guys like Bonzi Wells, Derek Anderson and Ruben Patterson could co-exist.

Most of all, I was certain first-year coach Maurice Cheeks would quit before the season ends, swearing off coaching forever.

But Cheeks has convinced the Blazers to play together, and to understand that, hey, winning is actually more fun than getting to shoot every time you touch the ball. Heck, even Shawn Kemp got in on the act, recording back-to-back double-doubles in late March.

Most amazingly, Cheeks has not changed his demeanor one bit. He still gets things done quietly, and with little fuss.

No doubt, the Lakers are still the team to beat. But after LA, I take an unselfish Blazers team over anyone -- Kings, Mavericks, Spurs, and Nets included. And as hot as the Blazers have been lately, you can bet even the Lakers have taken notice. Of course, this all hinges on the Blazers' ability to keep sharing the ball.

SURGING SPURS

Another team that I counted out way too soon? San Antonio. It was stupid on my part, especially when you consider Tim Duncan and David Robinson clearly realize that being at the top of your game in December doesn't mean a whole lot (are you listening, Minnesota Timberwolves?).

I've always liked the addition of Steve Smith -- in fact, I'm the only person I know who thinks the Spurs came out on top in the Smith-Derek Anderson deal. And I think the improved play of Charles Smith and development of rookie Tony Parker could carry the Spurs far in the playoffs.

But as coach Gregg Popovich will be the first to tell you, the Spurs must be more aggressive if they are to have serious hopes of winning another championship.

CHASE FOR NUMBER EIGHT

The late-season race I'll be watching most closely is the one involving the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

All four still have a shot at making the playoffs, although only one of them probably will. And since Michael Jordan is coming back ... well, that makes it that much more intriguing.

I thoroughly enjoy watching the energetic Hornets and rejuvenated Heat, but I said the Wizards would make the playoffs at the start of the season, and I'm sticking with that prediction. And if Jordan comes back and stays healthy, the Wizards will win at least one series.

Meanwhile, should the Raptors continue their current slide, we could see the end of Lenny Wilkens' coaching career. I don't say that to be insensitive, as Wilkens is my all-time favorite coach. But I can't imagine anyone else giving him a shot after what's happened in Toronto.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FROM CAMERON RIDGER
Q: Considering the lack of interest for the Grizzlies in Memphis, and the Hornets' pending move to New Orleans, don't you think now would be a good time for the NBA to contract?

A: Cameron, absolutely. Even though I don't necessarily agree that people in Memphis are ignoring the Grizzlies, I do think the league has too many teams -- and too many players who belong in the CBA. But every other major sports league has become saturated through expansion, so why not the NBA?

Worse yet, NBA commissioner David Stern recently discussed the possibility of placing a team in Europe. Let's fix what we have here first, Mr. Commissioner. Please.

FROM TRACY MOORE
Q: College basketball sure has changed. For the past 20 years I've watched the NCAA Tournament for one reason -- to look for NBA prospects. But this season, I haven't seen one college player who I would build a team around. Are there any?

A: Tracy, no -- and you're watching the wrong tournament. The NCAA tourney used to be a great place to find NBA prospects, no question. But today, if you want to see the players who NBA scouts and general managers are watching, you need to attend the pre-draft camps during the spring and summer.

Actually, you may be better off going to all the high school All-American games, where NBA types will be trying to get the scoop on The Next Kobe Bryant.

It's kind of a shame, because the old system seemed to work fine. In fact, there was a time when scouts and GMs refused to draft anyone who hadn't played at least two to three years of college ball. And the funny thing is, the NBA was a much better league back then.

Having said all of that, here are some college players who I will be keeping an eye on during the NBA draft in June:

Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky); Rasual Butler (LaSalle); Marvin O'Connor (St. Joe's); Tamar Slay (Marshall); Luke Recker (Iowa); Steve Logan (Cincinnati); Dan Dickau (Gonzaga); and perhaps my favorite player in college basketball this season, Preston Shumpert of Syracuse. Unfortunately, Shumpert reminds me a lot of Lawrence Moten, another Orangeman who never really found a role in the NBA.

Keep in mind these are just my personal favorites.

CBA STUFF

Names you may know in the CBA: James Collins, Rapid City, 19.8 ppg.; Jeff Sanders, Rockford, 19.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg; James Head, Flint, 17.8 ppg, 3.3 apg; Tim Winn, Saskatchewan, 7.0 apg, 2.4 spg. The CBA playoffs begin March 26. Check out www.cbahoopsonline.com for more info.

SAM'S SLAMS

As irritating as Nick Van Exel was in Denver, at least he never threw a television. After seeing Tim Hardaway do just that in a recent game, the Nuggets must be asking themselves, "What have we gotten ourselves into now?" ... Does anyone have any idea what's become of J.R. Rider? I sure don't. ... What amazes me most is that some folks actually thought Vince Carter would be something more than another Dominique Wilkins. Don't get me wrong, I loved Dominique. But he's no Jordan, and neither is Vince. ... Orlando forward Pat Garrity has always been solid, but you can no longer allow the man to have an open look. He just doesn't miss. ... I'm being serious here, but I like the addition of Greg Anthony to the Milwaukee Bucks. Especially when you start talking playoffs, as Anthony is a veteran off the bench and one of the league's most underrated defenders. ... It's been a great run for Phoenix forward Tom Gugliotta, but I think it's safe to say that after his latest injury (a stress fracture in his right foot), his career is finished.

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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