Dribble

By Tony Williams

Monday, April 21^st, 2008

·      Please don’t refresh your page. And, no, it’s not a mirage. As you may or may not care “DRIBBLE” is back and better than ever. It’s been so long since I graced these pages you have to figure I have so much basketball-related angst to get off my chest and get you through your day. And to the first reader who actually gets through this 4,000-word masterpiece The Basketball Beat will give you…a pat on the back. Seriously, this edition is so long you’ll need to print this out and read at your own leisure. Be it at home, the office, the park, or the john, be my guess…Just thanks in advance for your readership.

·      My first dilemma in re-starting this is whether to hit you with Laker, NBA, NCAA, prep, or personal news. Considering I don’t want to lose my 17 faithful readers and the fact there are as many Laker haters as there are Laker lovers, I’ll save the Purple and Gold news ‘til the end. Hopefully by then you’ll be in a stupor and not realize you’ve just read 1,200 words on all things Kobe. So, let’s jump into other NBA news first…

·      How about the NBA’s slogan, “Where [fill in the blank] Happens”? Do local Seattle telecasts say, “Where SCREWING A 41-YEAR FAN BASE Happens”? Or how about those NBA Cares spots? It should be: The NBA Cares…except in Seattle! I’m just sick thinking about those poor souls. Of course on the surface they’re “just” losing a sports team. But dig deeper and there are so many layers: First, billionaires holding hardworking tax payers hostage – again – is unjust. And this after these same taxpayers agreed to renovate the Key Arena only 12 years ago. What, did the arena corrode so fast that the Seattle residents need to dig even deeper in their pockets? What’s really at root is that David “The Don” Stern was feeling left out because his pro football and pro baseball counterparts got new public-funded stadiums over the last seven years. So, of course he had his hand out. And even though the league almost unanimously voted for the move to Oklahoma City, I applaud Mark Cuban for being one of the lone dissenters; and don’t forget the famed Seattle-Portland Interstate-5 rival that will end. And this as the Blazers are about to be a league powerhouse again and Seattle is set to build around hopeful Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant; and don’t forget about all the jobs that will be lost. Ticket takers, vendors, parking attendants, gift store owners, secretaries who may not or can’t move, and even some announcers and writers who will be affected by this. Sure, the players can adjust but what about the “little people”?  

·       I haven’t felt this bad for a fan base since the Browns were taken from Cleveland back in 1995…and I’m not even a fan of those teams. It’s borderline tragic because this could’ve been avoided. Reading numerous Sonics blogs and having my ear to the ground thanks to an inside source within the Sonics organization, I’ve become quite passionate about this. Because it’s not just about sports. It’s about people – a community – having emotional ties with this team. Some readers who’ve blogged have said the Sonics were one of the only things that actually brought their families together. Or how about the scores of kids way back when who wanted to be Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma, “Downtown” Freddie Brown, Paul Silas, Gus Williams, Head Coach Lenny Wilkens, or any members of their only championship team from 1979. Or how about when the Sonics became cool again to follow? This after a few down seasons – but they still had home sellouts, nonetheless. The Sonic faithful were once again invigorated as they put their backing into a team led by cats dubbed The Glove and The Reign Man. Sure, their fan base isn’t as publicized as the Red Sox Nation or Steeler Nation but know the Sonics base is fervent and rabid. My Sonic source is almost resigned to the move. Thankfully for him he’s more than secure financially not to move, so he’s just counting down the days. But as a 33-year resident of Seattle who’s played ball there, grew up there, and still helps mentor prep ballers in the Seattle area, I could see the hurt and despair in his eyes when we bumped paths recently. He personally isn’t going with them and he feels for the announce team that will probably be left behind but it’s like he’s apathetic about the whole process. It’s a shame and this sports travesty will definitely tarnish the legacy of Stern. And he should be held over the fire for this because HE ALONE could’ve stopped this. Rather than throw up his hands like Bud Selig when they stopped the ’02 All-Star Game early, the most powerful commissioner in all of sports should’ve stopped this! There were so many alternatives – like making the Grizzlies or Hornets move -- it insults our intelligence that such a brilliant man like Stern had the “What Can I Do?” Face going. Seriously, the Grizz stink. They just sent their franchise player to my Lakers [thanks, Jerry West, by the way]. And they NEVER sell out unless Kobe, LeBron, or Kevin Garnett is in town. Logically you could move the Hornets since Post-Katrina N’awlins is still in bad shape. Far more destitute than well-off, there’s no way those good people can support 41 home dates – no matter how good the Hornets have gotten. Supporting the Saints is one thing. There’s only eight home dates and the Saints are as much a property of the entire Gulfport as they are the city of N’awlins, so they’ll have no problem gaining revenue. To ask poor folks to sell out a 19,000-seat venue 41 times is asking a lot. Besides, these Hornets already have a fan base in Oklahoma City from the Katrina disaster, so it’s like they’d be going back to its second home. Not knocking OK City because they showed they can support an NBA team. I’m killing Stern and his boys instead because the Hornets moving makes the most sense. Sure, he and new potential owner Clay Bennett are friends, so he’s looking out for an old buddy. And I actually have no real issue with Bennett – other than the fact he LIED to the Seattle public when he said he’d try to keep the Sonics in Seattle…for a price. I don’t even blame former owner Howard Schultz for selling to Bennett even if he secretly knew Bennett had no intentions of keeping them there. Schultz, the Starbucks magnate, can sell his team to the highest bidder. It’s his prerogative. And Bennett can move his new toy back to Oklahoma City and be the hometown hero. That, too, is understandable. But Stern’s lethargy is awful. Not even Vince McMahon jobbing Brett Hart in the “Montreal Screw Job” was as dirty as what Stern is doing to Seattleites. The NBA: Where NO VASELINE Happens!

·         OK, please allow me to catch my breath. We’re already at the 1,300-word count and I haven’t even tapped into the playoff coverage…       

·         But first how ‘bout some light talk before we jump in?

·         Since last installment the sports world lost some great athletes and icons: Brett Favre, Warren Sapp, Steve McNair, and, yes, Ric Flair. No, really. It could be argued that this is the biggest collection of stars lost in one calendar year since we lost Michael Jordan [the second time], John Elway, and Wayne Gretzky. OK, maybe the most recent retirees aren’t on MJ, Elway, and Gretzky’s level but you get my point.

·      Quick aside about “Air” McNair: When Elway retired McNair and Favre took the mantle as my favorite NFLers. And with good reason. Favre because, well, everyone loves Favre. Even Bears fans appreciated him. But for McNair it was a little bit more personal. Back at my first college stop, Grambling State University in Louisiana, I was an aspiring walk-on QB hoping to don the Black and Gold. It was Homecoming, 1992, and McNair’s Alcorn State was in town. The day of the big game Assistant Coach Eddie Robinson, Jr. held walk-on tryouts. Now, it’s about 6 a.m. and we’re on the practice field next to the stadium. Peering over to the main field, who do I see practicing his “drops” [quarterback drop backs] but Mr. McNair. The same guy who was on many Heisman short lists as a dark horse candidate from a tiny Division I-AA black school. The same guy who had the biggest game of the year in about six hours. The same guy who really didn’t need to be out there. But he was and he walked over there to wish all the hopefuls best of luck. Classy move from a classy guy, who didn’t have to wish scrubs luck, especially guys who were trying out for a rival team. So, best of luck in your endeavors, Steve. You’ll always be one of my favorite football players.

·      While I was gone, I dropped on my son Jake’s Fave Five list. At last issue, I was only behind his mom and Elmo. Now? The order is more like his mom, Spider-Man, Spongebob, and PediaSure. Hey, at least I surpassed Elmo, so I have that going for me, I guess.

·         What else has happened since last edition? Oh yeah, I’ve turned into a reality show junkie. Ugh! I don’t know how it happened, either. Maybe when the writers’ strike put all the well-written shows on pause. Or maybe when both my home and laptop PCs crashed and work screeched to a halt. I mean, it’s kinda hard being an Internet writer without computer access. I think the lack of a computer was my downfall, as I suddenly had too much time on my hand. I discovered, Rock of Love with Brett Michaels, Battle of the Bods, Gone Country, Pros vs. Joes, Moment of Truth, anything that Toccara Jones was in, and My Big Redneck Wedding. No, really. They were all just fascinatingly mindless television…and I loved it! Alas, I actually think my IQ dropped a few points during this stretch but that’s the price you pay when you dummify yourself.  

·         Final pop-culture tangent then I promise back to hoops: Fellas who are taken, engaged, married, or whatever. It’s NOT a great idea to watch Battle of the Bods or Moment of Truth with your significant other. Trust me. Even if you’re the nicest, most innocent guy in the world, watching it with your lady will actually make you feel as if you’re the one on the hot seat. I have spoken. Take it as gospel! You’re welcome.

·         OK, allow me to channel my inner Kevin Harlan: BUCKLE UP, THE PLAYOFFS ARE HERE!!!! Doesn’t matter if the breaks in between games last about a week. These playoffs have the all the makings of surpassing even the great 2006 Playoffs when it seemed every game came down to the wire. Remember, that was the playoffs when we had four Game 7s; the coming out of Dwyane Wade – even if that Finals performance was ref-aided; the CLIPPERS actually pushing the Suns to seven; Dallas and San Antonio going seven, with Dirk making The Leap in that he became the biggest mismatch in the League that year [it was Dirk who put the Mavs on his back in and closed out the Spurs in OT, in San Antonio]; Kobe being screwed out of the MVP despite carrying a mishmash group of spare part Lakers to a 3-1 lead over the Suns in the first round [sure, LAL choked away that series but, c’mon, The Kobester made Kwame Brown look good in that series!]; The first of three-straight meetings between LeBron and Gilbert Arenas in the postseason, where each took turns nailing HUGE shots. So with that backdrop, I contest that these playoffs could even surpass ’06!

·         Let’s jump into the juicy storylines of the ’08 Playoffs and break it down: Out West probable MVP Chris Paul is going to destroy Jason Kidd. Now, I’m a big Kidd fan but people seem to romanticize that the Mavs got the same J-Kidd who was once the best point guard in the L. No. If you actually watch the NBA, you’ll notice that Kidd can’t guard an older head like Steve Nash anymore, let alone these youngins. And I think Dirk is still shell-shocked from falling apart in Oakland last year. Hence the way David West tried to punk Diggler in Game 1 by putting hands to his face...and it was only the first game of the playoffs! Most teams wait a couple of games before they try to punk Nowitzki. Seriously, imagine some cat doing that to Magic, Michael, or Larry? Guys know who they can mess with and not mess with. And West was sending a message to the Mavs that “if I can f’ with your leader – without repercussion – you’re done!” And just the fact that a lot of “experts” are picking the Mavs as the chic upset pick, I’m going the other way: Hornets in 6.

·         Next, I’ll take the Suns over the Spurs. I know the Spurs took Game 1 but I feel the Suns are better, healthier, and a little hungrier because they made that Win Now Shaq trade. Plus, I think Big Shot Rob was last seen on the side of a milk carton. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan will do their thing of course and Kurt Thomas was a solid midseason addition but the Spurs just look beat up. That’s what happens when you play 100+ games a year for the last four years. You wear down. Mike Finley doesn’t have the same spring in his step since earning his first ring last season. Brent Barry is just now making it back from injury. Bruce Bowen suddenly has trouble covering athletic wingmen. And there’s no real backup to Parker. As for the Suns they, too, have logged a lot of games these last few years. But they’re hungry, have more scoring options, and now have a legit half-court offense in O’Neal. Plus, Amare Stoudemire is finally playing his natural four spot again, which means neither Duncan nor Thomas gets a break down low. And this year’s Mike Finley – former superstar turned role player aching for his first ring – is Grant Hill. And don’t forget referee Tim Donaghy’s mess last year. The Suns are still seething about him allegedly fixing a game versus the Spurs last season and they believe they got screwed out of their trophy. Suns in 7.      

·         Has a team ever had a more historical season and then faded back into obscurity during that same season faster than the Rockets? Seriously, for like two months, when they were winning 22 straight, they were the toast of the L. That ended, as well as their short stay at the top of the Western Conference, and any momentum from their streak. Now, they’re in a dogfight with the Jazz and even though they have homecourt advantage in the first round they aren’t even favored in this series. There’s no one to stop Deron Williams or Carlos Boozer and the Rick Adelman-Jerry Sloan matchup is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Adelman is known to have teams fold in the playoffs, despite having more talent [his Kings teams], while Sloan is arguably the best coach in the L and has a penchant for getting the most out of his players. So, do the math: T-Mac, who’s yet to get out of the first round, + Adelman divided by arguably best young point guard in Williams + an all-timer coach = Jazz in 5.

·         Finally, I bring you to the Lakers. Denver plays D like they’re allergic to it. Kobe has “that look” in his eye. Pau Gasol, who was shanghaied from Memphis, is playing like Bill Walton in his prime. Lamar Odom has turned into the best third option in the League. And when a team has the very clutch Derek Fisher as its least deadly starter this has all the makings of a blowout. Yeah, I know Denver has Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson – two of my faves, by the way. But outside of Marcus Camby who’s really making the Lakers work on the offensive end? Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Nugs are first in the L in blocks and steals. It’s misleading. Camby is an eraser, sure, and Kenyon Martin gets the occasional block but they get so many rejections because when the frontcourt gambles and misses a steal opportunity, the bigs are left with a block attempt. The guards, specifically Iverson, take so many chances jumping the passing lanes that it’s the main reason why the Nugs lead in steals. Since the Gasol trade Kobe has that look like, “hey, we actually have a shot at this thing” and is playing accordingly. I haven’t seen this all-around greatness from Kobe since LA’s last ‘chip team in ’02. And I didn’t even mention Andrew Bynum, who’s been ruled out of this series. The Lakers’ plan is to rub out Denver as quickly as possible, rest any bumps and bruises, and slowly acclimate Bynum back into flow through full-team practices. I still say LA has a great shot presently constituted, sans Bynum. But if they get him back fully healthy for Round 2, they’ll be the hands-down favorite out West. Lakers in 5.                 

·         On to the East. But before we start…I HATE THE CELTICS!!! Ah, I feel better.

·         Yes, it sickens me that the Kelly Green is the best team in the L – for now. And, yes, it hurts that I can no longer root for KG or former University of Kentucky star Rajon Rondo. That being said, what they’ve done this year is impressive. 20-5 versus the Western Conference. The biggest single-season turnaround in league history. Possible MVP candidacy for KG. Possible Coach of the Year for Doc Rivers – who was thisclose to being exiled last season. Ditto for GM Danny Ainge, who may win Executive of the Year. And a possible Most Improved Player award for Rondo. Notice I have yet to even mention the Hawks, the C’s first round opponent. And for good reason. The only upset I see in this matchup is if Boston doesn’t sweep. Celtics in 4.  

·         I know it’ll sound like I’m lying but I seriously had the Sixers taking Game 1 versus the Pistons. And the main reason is because Detroit has a nagging habit of not taking teams seriously until they’ve been punched in the mouth. Well, the Sixers bloodied them, Sunday, so my guess is that Detroit refocuses and takes care of business. Speaking of focus, how about Rasheed Wallace clowning around the Sixers huddle during a critical timeout late in the fourth quarter, only to blow the bunny layup in the clutch. Focus, ‘Sheed, focus! I think Philly got their attention and we’ll see a more business-like Detroit team but truth be told, they get bored sometimes. It’s an indictment on head coach Flip Saunders as much as it is on the players themselves. Philly is playing with house money and are too naïve to realize the magnitude of the sitchie, which makes them dangerous. Plus, their length, veteran leadership at the point guard [Andre Miller], and athletic ability match up well with Detroit. But in the end the Pistons will advance, bloodied but victorious. Pistons in 5.

·         The Wiz-Cavs battle may be the most entertaining first round series. Hey, anytime Jay-Z and Soldier Boy indirectly get involved, followed by Soldier Boy getting offended by a LeBron slight [“Comparing me to DeShawn Stevenson is like comparing Jay-Z to Soldier Boy,” said James after Stevenson called him overrated], and then Soldier Boy personally challenging The King and Jigga in a two-on-two contest, that’s priceless. You just can’t make this stuff up. It should be noted, however, that the guy who started all this [Stevenson] is known as Nutso II, so take his words with a grain of salt. Toss in the return of Arenas off the bench and you have a series that’s going to be unreal. Last year’s Cavs playoff sweep of the Wiz was tainted because both Caron Butler and Arenas were out. Now, both teams are at full strength. And Cavs GM Danny Ferry made a trade deadline move that he hopes appeased LeBron enough to stay in Cleveland and not want to bolt to New York in 2010 – and, oh yeah, hopefully made them stronger. Plus, Arenas is blogging about this whole experience on NBA.com. Star power. Animosity. Future inductees into my All-Crazy Hall of Fame. What else do you want? Oh yeah, a prediction. Cavs in 6.

·         We go from a guy who rapped about Superman to a guy who may think he really is Superman! Dwight Howard is a beast!!! No getting around it. He’s Shaq mixed with Moses Malone. There is no answer for him…and he’s only 22! Add in the fact that the Magic have snipers all around Howard [they had an NBA record 9 threes in the first quarter, Sunday] and the Raptors will need to bring it’s A+ game. Thing is, I don’t trust them because neither Chris Bosh nor Rasho Nesterovic can check Howard. And even though I’m a huge T.J. Ford fan, their best point guard [Jose Calderon] isn’t even starting. They have no playoff experience. And their toughest Raptor happens to be head coach Sam Mitchell. Not sold on the dinos. Sorry, T-Dot fans. And I’m only giving Toronto two wins because Orlando isn’t savvy or cutthroat enough yet to end it quickly. Magic in 6.          

·         With the playoffs capped off, let’s quickly delve into some news and notes…

·         Kobe allegedly jumping an Aston Martin! When I first saw this I nearly choked. Then I dropped a few F-Bombs, and started to blog what an idiot he was to risk his health during a playoff run. Thankfully, Kobe allowed that the commercial was CGIed and not the real thing…but he did acknowledge that he could do it if he wanted. Yeah, great, KB. Just, um, don’t, thanks!

·      June’s NBA Draft is going to be so top-heavy with an influx of freshmen declaring. Michael Beasley. Derrick Rose. O.J. Mayo. Kevin Love. It’s insane. Funny how Miami sold its soul to Riley, um, the Devil a few years ago when they won that ‘chip, yet with one lucky ping-pong bounce they can make a power move in the East again if they land one of the aforementioned freshies. Add say a Beasley or Rose to Wade and Shawn Marion and you have a nice up-tempo nucleus on which to build. Unfortunately, even if the Knicks landed two of those super frosh they’d still be a train wreck. Although, they did make the obvious move in canning Isiah Thomas as head coach and can rectify the Thomas Error, um, Era by hiring former Knick great, Mark “Action” Jackson. Believe it or not he’s my second favorite point guard of all time, behind Magic of course. I just want to see Jackson hired so he can scream at his ballers, “You’re better than that!” after every gaffe. Or at the very least see him bring back the Jackson Shimmy-Shake after rare Knick highlights.

·      Finally, in pertaining to the Knicks, I need to address my covering them. For those of you that didn’t know I had the pleasure of briefly working the Knicks beat for Metro New York during the pre-season. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as both Metro and I had envisioned but it was a rush – and honor -- to cover such a mess. Maybe our paths will cross again. Or maybe I’ll get another crack at a pro beat for another publication. Either way the small time I was at Metro was worth it. I made great contacts and actually got to know better my two favorite Knicks, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson. We have common friends and associates and those two class acts always made time for a burgeoning basketball reporter. So, thanks to Jamal and Nate and thanks to Metro, specifically former editor Mark Sandora.

·      Until next time, peeps – and it won’t be another six months, promise…Out!

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