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The NBA Through Travis Colored Glasses

- Is it crazy that I actually enjoy watching preseason NBA basketball? Crazy or not, I have a few takes already on what I've seen.

- The Golden State Warriors are going to be a lot of fun to watch this year. I don't know if they will qualify for the postseason or not, but they will certainly be as competitive as they have been in nearly a decade. Baron Davis looks to be in pretty darned good shape, and if he can stay healthy -- which is of course a big if -- the Warriors might finally be a viable threat.

- I was not a big fan of the Sacramento Kings picking up guard Bonzi Wells, and I thought the team did little to help themselves in the offseason. That was of course until they picked up Shareef Abdur-Rahim, after his proposed contract with the New Jersey Nets fell through. Abdur-Rahim is a crafty veteran who knows how to score both inside and out. He's just the kind of veteran who can help the Kings. That said, I still don't believe that this team will make it any further than the second round of the playoffs. - In the Big Apple, I love mighty-mite Nate Robinson. He hit two clutch free throws against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night to tie up the game late in the fourth quarter. He reminds me of a stronger version of Denver's Earl Boykins. New York Knicks fans will quickly fall in love with Robinson's heart, and his willingness to mix it up with the big fellas.

- This week, reader Jason Thompson e-mailed me this question: I thought since you have that psychology degree, I could lay down on the couch and ask you what I can do to get through this Laker season without hanging myself, from losing players to injury and not having anyone to lead this team. Do you think Smush Parker will help at all. Will any of these players listen to legends Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Craig Hodges the greatest 3 point shooter ever. As usual you are right on about the Lakers. Can you ease my pain somehow? Keep up the great writing. - Jason Thompson

Hello Jason. Well let me first say, please don't hang yourself. Also, I'm not sure that being a psychologist in any way helps me predict the future. That said, I think that it will be a rough year for the Lakers. I've watched the team play in the preseason, and they seem to be picking up the triangle offense pretty slowly. However, I think the newcomers to the Lakers are experiencing the same learning curve that most players do when confronted with learning the complexities of the triangle for the first time. One positive I have seen with regard to this preseason is the defensive schemes the Lakers have been using. Phil Jackson has utilized a full court trap with some success in the first few games, and anyone who watched the Lakers last year knows that they were atrocious defensively. As far as Smush Parker is concerned, I think he will bring the team a little bit of energy, but he's really nothing to get too amped up about. And time will tell whether or not the players will listen to the "legends" on the coaching staff, but a guy like Kwame Brown sure didn't listen to Michael Jordan -- and Jordan was a half decent player. One thing that should ease your pain my friend, is that these are the Los Angeles Lakers, and they have had a track record of winning like few other franchises in NBA history -- but unfortunately that probably won't make you feel better this season.

- I was also shocked this week how many responses I got to my Los Angeles Clippers season preview. It seems as though many people, are at the very least, intrigued by the Clips this year.

Jonathan Pearl wrote:

Travis: I read your Clipper preview with interest. The Clippers did make it to the playoffs once since the Larry Brown days. Bill Fitch coached them that season. Under Brown, they were eliminated by Utah in a game that saw the Jazz receive the benefit some of the most blatant 4th quarter home court officiating ever. The next year, Houston knocked them out of the opening round when Vernon Maxwell heaved in a buzzer-beating three from well behind the line.

Larry Brown improved the Clippers immediately, but also saddled them with overweight drug abusers Stanley Roberts and John "Hot Plate" Williams, both of whom he regarded as worthwhile projects. When questioned about these two slugs on a talk radio show at the time, Brown practically burst into tears and cried out, "If you only realized the potential that's there."

It's not hip 2 clip (sorry, Olden Polynice) - Jonathan Pearl

Hello Jonathan. There's no question that Larry Brown provided the Clippers with only a temporary flirtation with success, and he did set the franchise back in many ways. Also, I remember that Vernon Maxwell shot -- crazy stuff! Well, thanks for reading, and feel free to respond in the future -- and it's not too hip to Clip, indeed!

Reader Joe Lauer, had this to say:

"Brand, while clearly not a superstar, is as consistent a power forward as there is in the league today." So Travis, who says? Who gets to say? The media? Coaches? The Superstar Selection Committee?

Actually in the NBA when your stats after six years in the league are a very consistent 19.5 Points and 10.4 Rebounds you are certainly not a journeyman, just another consistent 19 and 10 player through six seasons. So with his numbers you're saying that he's actually just...a good player. Let's see, could it be that he plays for the ever popular Clippers? And Rodney Dangerfield thought he didn't get any respect.

Of course reading the internet I've noticed that NBA writers very often have a hard time really knowing, getting, inside the head, so to speak, of every team they may be assigned to write about. After all it's hard to be up to date with the reality of each and every team. And really what's easier then trashing the Clippers.

You know, when you're a solid, consistent first rank player, good and honorable citizen, no scandals, playing for a team who's only record of consistency is their presence in the draft lottery and who never have a first half hot enough to get a player on the All-Star team, who is there to call you a Super Star.

Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Allen Iverson, Amare Stoudemire, Gilbert Arenas, Stephon Marbury, Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady, Elton Brand, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash... So an NBA Super Star in 2005-6 is what? And Elton is just another "consistent" player?

Respectfully - Joe

Hello Joe. I think you're right in the sense that my contention that Brand is not a superstar is nothing more than my humble opinion, and you can definitely take it with nothing more than a grain of salt. I also agree that Brand seems like a good guy, too. However, I have a hard time calling a guy who has never played in an NBA playoff game in six seasons a superstar, PERIOD! Look, I'm not saying he's horrible or even average, but I just don't think he's an elite player.

- Moving on to teams and players not located in Southern California: Many are predicting that the loss of Amare Stoudemire will cost the Phoenix Suns dearly this year. I will concur that Microfracture surgery is not something to be taken lightly, and as someone who loves the NBA game, I hope Stoudamire comes back full strength. Also, remember that recovery time is always on a continuum. That is to say, when you hear he'll be out for four months, that's on the low end of the continuum. It's also possible he'll be gone for the whole season. And while he's gone, I expect the Suns to struggle. But not all hope is lost, Suns fans. Remember a couple of years back when the Sacramento Kings lost forward Chris Webber to a similar injury, and doom and gloom was predicted for the team? All the Kings did that year was compile the best regular season record in the league. Wishful thinking, but it can happen.

- On to Beantown, it's mildly amusing to hear Boston GM Danny Ainge denying all of those Paul Pierce trade rumors. He seems to be insinuating that people in the media are doing nothing more than sitting around and fabricating rumors. What he fails to realize apparently, is the fact that executives and front office personnel from around the league are the one's providing the information with regard to the Celtics shopping Pierce, and that writers aren't simply concocting rumors out of thin air. I wonder what Danny will say when Pierce is eventually moved?

- Finally, I'm sure I speak for everyone in the NBA universe, when I give my heartfelt condolences to the family of Hawks center Jason Collier who passed away this weekend. Collier was just 28 years old.

That's all for now NBA lovers. Thanks for reading, and remember -- NBA basketball been berry berry good to me!

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. He 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.

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