---

The NBA Through Travis Colored Glasses

- Danny Fortson appears to be struggling to get along with his teammates again after one of them anonymously criticized him through the media. Is it just me, or does something like this seem to occur wherever Fortson goes? And the really unfortunate thing is that I think Fortson can be a productive player in this league both defensively and on the boards -- if only he'd stop sabotaging things with his gargantuan mouth.

- Grant Hill is hurt and will have surgery, keeping him out 3-6 weeks. At least it's not an ankle. If there's ever been a guy who's worked harder to overcome injuries for a chance to continue his career than Hill, I'd like to meet him.

- I'm glad to see that the NBA is considering implementing a unitary standard for player physicals. While I don't believe that the league can prevent every potential catastrophe, if they save but one life, the altered standards are worth the time and energy.

- After writing an article last month in which I questioned Michael Jordan's unchallenged status as the greatest NBA player of all time, a certain website indicated that I committed the "greatest sin known to basketball." I'm sure this take will draw similar criticism. That said, I think it's amusing how Michael Jordan said he felt "used" by the Washington Wizards. I always felt that Jordan was the one using the Wizards to milk just a little more time in the spotlight for himself.

- Latrell Sprewell still hasn't been signed. I bet that three year $21 million dollar contract the Wolves offered him last year isn't looking so bad now. I was no math major, but I believe that $21 million could buy a lot more food for Spree's family than the NBA veteran's minimum.

- I know I have said in this very space that I love anything NBA -- even the preseason. While that's true, I believe only so much stock can be put into preseason performances. But I am also not one of those people who believe that the preseason is 100% useless and nothing of substance can be deduced from the games. Bottom line, wins and losses do not mean squat in the preseason. However, the general flow of a players or team's performance on the court are worth evaluating.

- On that note, I have been impressed with the performance of New Jersey's Richard Jefferson. He looks to be healthy again, and a Jefferson, Vince Carter, and Jason Kidd combo is sure to instill some fear in the souls of opposing coaching staffs.

- I have been less than impressed by the Minnesota Timberwolves thus far. I think that it is going to a long year in the Land of a Thousand Lakes. While Kevin Garnett may be the best all around player in the game today, he still has little help around him. Sure, rookie Rashad McCants has looked decent, but I believe he will have little significant impact once the real games get rolling. I also have to concur with Sam Cassell when he said, "If they think Marko Jaric is a replacement for me, they're out of their minds. Six Years? $40 million? Yeah, Right. Yeah, Right."

Onto some e-mail:

Travis: Thanks for the articles at InsideHoops.com. I enjoy reading them.

I've got two questions really and because I'm a Knick fan and live in Brooklyn, I'll ask that one first. Maybe you can take this up in one of your columns instead of answering me directly.

The Knicks appear to me to be a mystery. I have no idea what they are doing. So the question is: what are they doing? I mean, I do not sense any degree of optimism and it appears the only story is: Can Larry B stick it out for two big years and shape this team before he splits the scene.

And my biggest question is with Kevin Garnett, maybe my favorite player. Don't you think that after spending all that time under one franchise, and with one that has been unable to surround him with winning talent, that maybe he might decide to move out? I mean after a while you deserve to look back at the history and make an evaluation, and maybe even change the situation and try another franchise. I don't know, am I wrong?

Thanks much. - Doug in Brooklyn

Hello Doug. As far as the Knicks are concerned, I'm not quite sure what to think. They certainly have some potential on their roster, but I'm sure the last thing a hardcore Knick fan like yourself wants to hear is about more potential. With Quentin Richardson, Eddy Curry, David Lee, Jerome James, Channing Frye, Nate Robinson, and of course Larry Brown joining the fold, the Knicks are a much different club than they were just a season ago. Whether for better or worse, I just don't know. I believe that New York will make the playoffs this year as maybe a seven or eight seed. Although, I'm not sure that is a huge accomplishment in the Eastern Conference.

I'll also be watching closely the dynamic between Stephon Marbury and coach Brown. Brown in the past has fallen in love with players like Robinson who have a lot of heart and tenacity. I just think that if Marbury struggles early, and Robinson gets increasingly more playing time, a rift could develop between Marbury and Brown. Not that Brown has been prone to rifts before with star players in the past (i.e. Iverson, Allen).

As far as Kevin Garnett is concerned, I could not agree with you more. I wrote an article for another website last month about this very topic. I believe that Garnett will get fed up, and I believe it will happen soon -- perhaps as soon as this year. Now of course, Minnesota would have to trade Garnett for him to be able to leave Minnesota, and I believe the organization would be highly reluctant to do that for fear of a severe backlash in the community. That said, as we have seen in the past, if a player makes enough noise he'll almost always get what he wants. And let's hope that KG gets what he wants soon, because it would be a crying shame to see his career wasted away by an organization that doesn't appear to be committed to winning anytime soon.

And another e-mail:

Hi Travis,

Greetings from Bruneim a sultanate in the midst of Borneo adjacent to East Malaysia and an hour and a half by plane to Singapore. I enjoyed reading your pieces in the insidehoops.com. May I have your views on the following:

- (1) If you are the Cavs coach, would you prefer Larry Hughes to run the point rather than 2?

(2) With Ferry's vast European experience with the Spurs, do you think Luis Scola of Argentina and Tau Ceramica although one dimensional PF would be a wise addition to Cavs?

(3) Adding toughness to the Cavs as Mike Brown's quest, would it be wise to acquire from the Bulls, Andres Nocioni as back-up SG/SF coming off the bench?

(4) Juan Carlos Navarro whom the Wizards drafted last time, is an explosive scorer that can handle the point and SG, could be the missing piece in the Cavs backcourt, what is your view?

(5) In the coming draft next year, there are some very intriguing tall young European for the PG or combo guard, and tall. The scout Spurs on prodding of Manu will surely go for the likes of:-Juan Pablo Figueroa (Argentina), Marco Belinelli (Italy). Any idea how this two young fellas will develop in the NBA team?

(6). Which post is best suited for Anderson Varejao, the 4 or 5? As starter or back-up? Have a nice day! Rgds: Jaime

Hello Jaime. Wow, what a plethora of NBA questions! I'm guessing you must be a Cavs fan. Well, here goes: Personally, I would probably prefer to start Hughes at the two spot. However, I think he'll see some time at the point as Mike Brown experiments with different lineups . . . It's hard to say whether Luis Scola or Tau Ceramica would help the Cavs. My gut tells me that Scola might get some time on the Cavs roster as it is currently constructed, but I don't think there would a lot of playing time to go around . . . As for Nocioni, I love him. I think that he's a pest on the defensive end, and his offensive game is underrated. However, I think that the Bulls would be reluctant to give him up . . . Juan Carlos Navarro in my humble opinion is still pretty raw. I don't think he could make an immediate impact in the Cavs backcourt. Don't get me wrong, I think Navarro has a chance to be a pretty good NBA player, just not this season . . . Juan Pablo Figueroa reminds me of former Utah Jazz guard Raul Lopez, with a bit more athletic ability. It's hard to predict how he would fare in the NBA, but I don't envision him being a top flight NBA draft pick. Someone may give him a shot as a free agent at some point though . . .Marco Belinelli needs to add some upper body strength to really have a shot at making it to the NBA. That said, I love his shooting ability, unselfishness, and his ball handling ability, especially for someone his size.

Well, that's it for this week. Thanks for reading, and in the words of the incomparable Jay-Z: I've got 99 problems, but this NBA column ain't one.

Have a take about what you just read. Contact Travis at travismheath@msn.com. Travis Heath is a doctoral candidate in psychology, and a freelance writer. Travis currently resides outside of Denver, Colorado, but he has spent time in Washington, Nebraska, and Both Northern and Southern California. He is also a self-admitted sports addict, with his primary vice being the NBA.

Bookmark www.insidehoops.com and read daily.