By Sam Amico

GETTING BETTER

If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to sell tickets, then Darius Miles might just be their guy.

If the Los Angeles Clippers want to make a real push for the playoffs -- and maybe do something once they get there -- then trading for Andre Miller was a smart move.

That's not say that this trade was even, as the Clippers clearly were winners in the deal that sent Miles and Harold Jamison to Cleveland for Miller and Bryant Stith.

At least, they are for now.

And if I'm an NBA front office-type, all I care about is the present. As Cavs assistant coach Ron Ekker implied in Sports Illustrated, nobody can predict the future, so you had better win today.

Today, the Clippers have a heck of a young and talented lineup that features Miller, shooting guard Quentin Richardson, forwards Lamar Odom and Elton Brand, and center Michael Olowokandi, assuming the restricted free-agent re-signs with the team.

With guards Keyon Dooling and Eric Piatkowski, and swingman Corey Magette, coming off the bench -- and maybe small contributions from rookie big men Melvin Ely and Chris Wilcox -- the Clippers have to love their chances of very big things entering the season.

I sure do.

A lot of people say that the Clippers can't keep Wilcox AND Ely, as both are power forwards and both will be glued to the bench as long as Brand is around. I say hogwash. I say keep both of them. I say stick Ely or Wilcox at center from time to time, and just allow them to develop while the team improves.

That sounds like the best theory on how to build for the future -- win now, win later. And that appears to be what the Clippers are thinking.

Of course, much of this depends on owner Donald Sterling, who doesn't exactly have a reputation for free spending. With Sterling running the ship, being a Clippers fan has been like walking to the edge of the swimming pool while blindfolded, then diving in and praying that it isn't empty.

But Clippers fans should enjoy the offseason accomplishments of Sterling, general manager Elgin Baylor, and coach Alvin Gentry. They should enjoy watching Miller enter his prime, and perhaps become the best point guard in franchise history.

Mostly, Clippers fans should have a good time watching the team make a real push for the playoffs and beyond.

AS FOR THE CAVALIERS ...

Let me begin by saying that Darius Miles reminds me a lot of a young Julius Erving (yes, I'm old enough to have seen a young Dr. J).

Anyway, I think Miles will be great for the Cavs, as now is his time to become everything the Clippers hoped for when they made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2000 draft. Miles was just one of many young stars in Los Angeles -- and many of those stars had a very similar style.

But in Cleveland, Miles will be THE guy. Yes, Ricky Davis developed into an exciting and talented swingman at the end of last season, and yes, rookie guard Dajuan Wagner displayed a remarkable mid-range game at the Rocky Mountain Revue this summer ... but Miles should be the star.

That's what the Cavs were thinking, and the reason they refused to trade Miller to the Clippers unless they somehow got Miles in return.

So give Cleveland GM Jim Paxson applause on this one. Not only did he trade for a young man who will excite the crowd with slashes to the basket and acrobatic dunks, but he also got one who is destined to be an all-star.

This isn't to say the Cavs are Finals-bound. Far from it, as the only true point guard on the roster is Bimbo Coles. I've always liked Bimbo, but he's 33 and his knees are about as sturdy as grape jelly.

And don't try to convince me that Wagner can play the point. He might be able to in an emergency, but this kid needs to be shooting -- and shooting a lot. He needs someone else to set him up, because he cannot handle the ball regularly at this level.

Of course, I have a feeling the Cavs aren't done yet. They still may try to land a veteran point, a calming influence on the court to keep Wagner, Davis and Miles from getting too crazy.

Cavs fans are really going to miss Miller. He's a top 10 player at his position and an upstanding citizen.

But for whatever reason, the Cavs weren't going anywhere with Miller, and they had to bring in a top notch guy to start filling the seats and building a new identity.

So holding out for player like Miles was the right thing to do.

VOTE FOR THE CAVS' UNIFORMS

Before we get to your thoughts on the Cavs-Clippers trade, I have to tell you about the Cavaliers' wonderful idea.

The Cavs are allowing fans to vote for their new color scheme. They are planning to change their uniforms -- and possibly, their logo -- in time for the 2003-04 season. You can vote at http://www.nba.com/cavs.

I already placed my vote! Although you should hold the e-mails, because I'm maintaining my right to a secret ballot.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON MILLER FOR MILES

Here is what readers had to say about the Cavs-Clippers deal:

From Stu Howard

"As a lifelong Clippers/Buffalo Braves fan, I just wanted to say that this may have been the best trade in franchise history. Andre Miller is just so extremely underrated. While Darius Miles was an exciting player to watch, I'll gladly trade seeing his dunks on SportsCenter -- rather than live -- for the 10-15 more wins Miller will provide."

From Davis Carter

"I'm a Clippers fan and I am very happy with the trade. But I am writing to tell Cleveland fans that Miles is a better outside shooter than a lot of people think. During the second half of last season, he began to develop a consistent 10-12 foot jump shot, which is allowing him to make easier drives to the basket. The Cavs may only win nine games next season, but their fans will love Miles for years to come."

From Sunil Kachoria

"I see the Cavs getting worse and worse by the week. There are just so many questions.. Namely, who will distribute the ball? And what is the difference between Ricky Davis and Darius Miles? In fact, Davis is probably better than Miles at this stage of their careers (and Davis is only 22!). I'm a Cavs fan, and next year's motto should be No Backcourt, No Frontcourt, No Hope."

From Shawn Heimberger

"This is the new winner of worst trade ever for the Cavaliers. To trade a player of Andre Miller's caliber for a player who has only proven that he can dunk and do shoe commercials is horrible. I MIGHT have made this trade if Melvin Ely or Chris Wilcox replaced Harold Jamison. As it stands, this accomplishes one thing for the Cavs -- even fewer fans will care about them. This might be my last straw as a fan."

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

From DerMarr Truax

Q: Does the trade of Darius Miles mean he and Quentin Richardson will stop doing that stupid pound-on-their-forehead thing after they score a basket or make a decent play?

A: Dear DerMarr, golly, I hope not.

From Brian Ferguson

Q: I don't know when you prepared your last report, but Omar Cook has been cut by the Celtics.

A: Dear Brian, thanks a lot for ruining my day.

From Kielen King

Q: Can you fill me in on where former Trail Blazers guard J.R. Rider is right now?

A: Dear Kielen, I'm not sure I want to know. Actually, I have no idea, although I've heard rumors that he may sign with Dallas if Nick Van Exel is traded.

From Nick Mockford

Q: I'm a Seattle SuperSonics fan and I think Desmond Mason is destined for stardom. I love Rashard Lewis, but Mason is the one who plays defense and is as tough as nails -- and his offensive game ain't too shabby, either. I felt he was a steal at No. 17 when he came out of college. What do you think?

A: Dear Nick, I couldn't agree more. I too think Mason is on his way to becoming an all-star. He's an extremely hard worker with loads of talent, and you're right, he should have been a lottery pick. Best of all, Mason is very involved in the community and places a lot of value on being a good person.

From Pete Dantley

Q: At last, I can truly root for the Celtics again! No more Kenny Anderson -- I mean, let's be honest, he was no Tiny Archibald or JoJo White. As for the current point guard situation, either Brevin Knight or Howard Eisley are capable and reasonably obtainable.

A: Dear Pete, good to hear Celtic Pride is alive and well -- even if somebody did have to slap it and yell, "BREATHE!" Anyway, I like the idea of landing Brevin Knight. He would be a good fit, and probably isn't going to get much of a chance in Memphis.

ON A ROCKETS ROOKIE

Massimo Consonni of Italy sent in this e-mail to refute my comments about Houston rookie Bostjan Nachbar, who I said will become a nice NBA player:

"I've seen Nachbar play quite a few times, and I can tell you he is not fast enough to play in the NBA. While he is 6-foot-9 and can really shoot, he does not have a quick release. He also doesn't have any power in his upper body, so he can't play close to the basket.

"I think Houston is planning to be an up-tempo team -- and that style definitely does not suit Nachbar.

"Finally, I should add that Nachbar is a great worker, so he will practice hard and improve as much as he can."

Thanks, Massimo.

SAM'S SLAMS

Utah guard DeShawn Stevenson has hired Memphis assistant John Welch to be his offseason shooting coach. Stevenson is reportedly taking between 1,000 and 2,000 jump shots a day. ... Speaking of shooting guards, don't you just love Washington's backcourt? Richard Hamilton. Larry Hughes, Juan Dixon, Hubert Davis, and probably Michael Jordan. Sounds good and very deep to me. ... If I didn't get to your e-mail, stay tuned. I may do it next week... Thanks for reading, and please, keep those e-mails coming.

GET READY FOR MY MAGAZINE!

You read that right, as I will be publishing the Amico Report 2002-03 Pro Basketball Preview this October.

The 40-page printer-friendly magazine will come directly to your e-mail inbox in PDF format -- and consist of NBA team-by-team previews, photos, trivia, draft information, a special report on the minor leagues, and my analysis of the upcoming season. There will also be a page on which readers will give their own thoughts and predictions.

The magazine is only $3.50 and will be delivered to you two weeks before the season begins. How's that for a bargain?

Ordering information coming soon!

BUY MY BOOK ON AMAZON.COM

My book, "A Basketball Summer," is now available on the Amazon.com Web site. It's also available at your local Barnes & Noble bookstore (or at www.barnesandnoble.com). To find it on either site, simply perform a search for my name. As I've explained probably way too much, the book is about how NBA general managers spend their offseason, and is told mostly in the words of the GMs themselves.

SIGN UP A FRIEND

To sign up yourself or someone you know for the Amico Report, just send an e-mail address to amicoreport@hotmail.com. Why not? The Amico Report is free, and it always will be. Not bad for something that arrives in your inbox each week of the year -- even during the offseason. So sign up a friend today!

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!