NBA ESPN Insider Jan 31st Chris Paul, etc. [Archive]

Caleb Cattivera

02/01/06, 12:26 AM

NBA Insider...Jan 31: Who passed on Chris Paul?; Marvin Williams; Chatwraps; Intel

Which teams blew it by passing on Paul?
By Chad Ford

Hindsight is always 20-20 after the NBA draft. That said, the more this season progresses, the harder it is to figure out what NBA GMs were thinking when they passed on Wake Forest sophomore point guard Chris Paul in last year's draft.

By March of his freshman year, NBA scouts were already calling him the best college point-guard prospect since Jason Kidd. He had a stellar sophomore season and looked great in workouts, but somehow a number of teams passed up the chance to draft him or to trade for the opportunity to take him.

Paul ended up going No. 4 to the Hornets, but as many as seven other teams had a shot at him before the draft. Most of them have to be kicking themselves now, as Paul has led the Hornets out of the cellar in the West and could be an All-Star in his rookie season. And he's only 20.

Looking back to last June, let's ask the question GMs don't want their fans to ask: Who could have had Paul, and why didn't they take him?

The breakdown:

Milwaukee Bucks
How they could have picked Paul: Held the No. 1 pick in the draft

The skinny: It looks as though the Bucks never seriously considered Paul. They quickly narrowed their list down to two players: Utah big man Andrew Bogut and North Carolina forward Marvin Williams. Both Bogut and Williams filled needs, while Paul happened to play the same position as two promising young players for the Bucks: T.J. Ford and Mo Williams.

The verdict: While it looks as if neither Ford nor Williams will be as good as Paul, passing on Paul wasn't a major mistake, given the other holes the Bucks had to fill. Bogut appears to be a solid big man, a rare commodity in the draft. You can't really say the Bucks blew it.

Atlanta Hawks
How: Held the No. 2 pick in the draft

The skinny: Amazingly, when draft day rolled around, it looked like the Hawks weren't seriously considering Paul with the No. 2 pick. Sources close to the Hawks told Insider around draft time they were deciding between Marvin Williams and Illinois point guard Deron Williams. That's odd, because of all the players in the draft, Paul best fit the Hawks' biggest hole. The team desperately needed (and still needs) a floor leader who can push the ball up the floor.

The verdict: With a track record that now includes letting Chris Paul slip through his fingers, it's hard to see how Atlanta GM Billy Knight will keep his job much longer. Marvin Williams might turn out to be the best player in the draft someday, but King probably won't be around to take the credit. Williams' skills duplicate almost all the strengths of the other players on the roster. Don't forget, if Knight had decided to draft for need, chances are he would've drafted Deron Williams over Paul. Had the team drafted Paul and added Joe Johnson, it would have one of the best backcourts in the NBA and a much better record than it does now.

Portland Trail Blazers
How: Originally held the No. 3 pick in the draft

The skinny: The Blazers did consider drafting Paul with the No. 3 pick, but ultimately decided they had their point guard of the future in Sebastian Telfair. They eventually traded the pick to the Jazz for the No. 6 and No. 27 picks in the draft. They used the No. 6 pick on high school phenom Martell Webster. GM John Nash said after the draft that had the Blazers kept the pick, they still would've drafted Webster at No. 3.

The verdict: Like Knight in Atlanta, Nash has blundered in Portland and might lose his job by summer over errors like passing on Paul. Nash said in an interview after the draft that he believed Telfair was "ahead of the curve" in comparing him to Paul. That clearly hasn't been the case. There isn't an NBA scout I've talked to who thinks Telfair is in the same league as Paul as a point guard or as a prospect. The Blazers missed badly on this one. Their love affair with high school stars, Telfair and Webster included, has left them in the NBA cellar.

Utah Jazz
How: Acquired the No. 3 pick in the draft from the Blazers

The skinny: The Jazz struggled with the decision between Paul and Deron Williams up until the day of the draft, but ultimately decided Williams was a better fit in their system. He was bigger, scouts saw him as a better shooter and defender, and he seemed a little more comfortable in the half-court game. Paul's style of play -- he gets the ball up and down the court quickly -- and his occasional defensive lapses didn't seem as good a fit in head coach Jerry Sloan's system.

The verdict: The jury's still out. A lot of scouts loved Williams and agreed with Utah's assessment that he was a better fit in their system. Williams is having an inconsistent rookie season, but there's nothing to suggest that he won't become a great player with more time. Still, you have to wonder whether the Jazz overthought this. I have a hard time believing, after watching them both play this year, that Williams will overtake Paul as the best point guard to come out of this draft.

Charlotte Bobcats
How: Could have acquired the No. 2 or No. 3 pick in the draft via trade for the No. 5 and No. 13 picks

The skinny: The Bobcats got unlucky on lottery night, slipping from the prospective No. 2 pick to the No. 5 pick because of some bounces of the ping-pong balls. GM Bernie Bickerstaff had his eye on two franchise-type players all year -- Marvin Williams and Paul. Either would've fit a need, complemented Emeka Okafor and been wildly popular with Charlotte's fans because of their local ties. Both the Hawks and the Blazers were willing to deal their pick to Charlotte, but Bickerstaff felt that, as an expansion team, the Bobcats could not afford to give up two lottery picks for one player.

The verdict: Bickerstaff made his first major blunder for the Bobcats. The two players the Bobcats got, Raymond Felton and Sean May, were also North Carolina favorites, but neither has the star potential or local popularity of Paul. This is an example of when being conservative doesn't pay off. An expansion team needs star players to build around, and Paul would've been the cornerstone. Felton and May? They both have talent, but the chance that either becomes an NBA All-Star is slim.

Toronto Raptors
How: Could have acquired the No. 3 or No. 4 pick in the draft via trade for the No. 7 and No. 15 picks

The skinny: The Raptors, like the Bobcats, overvalued the multiple picks they were getting in the draft. They had a star power forward, Chris Bosh, to build around and desperately needed to add a point guard and center to complete the puzzle.

The verdict: We saw it on Thursday when the Raptors fired GM Rob Babcock. Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham weren't bad picks. But Villanueva plays the same position as Bosh. The Raptors' point-guard troubles have been temporarily solved by the stellar play of Mike James, but he's an unrestricted free agent this summer and will likely bolt Toronto (or be traded first). Had the Raptors added Paul, it might have been enough to save Babcock's job and convince Bosh that the team is heading in the right direction. Even more important, it would've made them better. Paul would've had the same impact in Toronto that he's having for New Orleans/Oklahoma City. Babcock's blunder may have been the biggest of them all -- Paul could've saved his job and given Raptors fans a reason to care again.

Boston Celtics
How: There was talk around draft time of a trade that would've sent Paul Pierce to Portland for the No. 3 pick in the draft and the nonguaranteed contract of Nick Van Exel.

The skinny: Danny Ainge labeled the rumor of the trade "ludicrous." However, sources from both teams have said it was considered. The Blazers would've done it in a heartbeat, because they had coveted Pierce for some time and felt they already had their point guard of the future in Telfair.

The verdict: The Celtics should've pulled the trigger. The team is clearly rebuilding. While Delonte West has played well for Boston this year at the point, he's no Chris Paul. West would be a stellar sixth man. Paul and Al Jefferson would have given the Celtics a very young inside-outside combo that would've been awesome down the road. As it stands, the Celtics are running to stand still. Eventually players such as Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins and West are going to be good. But by the time they get there, will players such as Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak (who are both 2http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif still be good enough to help them win a championship? A deal like this could've set the clock back a bit, shored up their talent base and given the Celtics some cap flexibility in the free-agent market.

Hawks are banking on Williams' potential
By John Hollinger

Marvin Williams or Chris Paul?

That question, unfortunately, is likely to hang over Williams and the Hawks for much of the rookie forward's career. While Atlanta has struggled to get consistent point guard play, Paul unexpectedly has the Hornets in playoff contention and could snag an All-Star berth. As Chad Ford notes in his Tuesday column, Atlanta was one of the teams that passed on Paul in the 2005 draft. Meanwhile, Williams is averaging a modest 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game off the bench for Atlanta.

But hold the comparisons right there.

"You can't compare," said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. "Because Chris is a point guard and Marvin is a 3, sometimes he plays 4. They're totally different games. Chris has played a lot more minutes than Marvin has played, so therefore his numbers are a lot better than what Marvin's are. Eventually Marvin's numbers will go the other way."

Indeed, one problem for Williams has been getting playing time in Atlanta's crowded forward rotation. The Hawks would like to play Williams at small forward, but with Al Harrington, Josh Smith and Josh Childress also on the roster, that's sometimes easier said than done.

"It's tough," said Woodson. "You can't play everybody 40 minutes. ... He's probably frustrated because he probably hasn't played the minutes he expected to play or would want to play. But for the minutes he's played, he's played well for our ballclub."

More than playing time, what separates Williams and Paul is the difference in experience. Just 18 months ago, Williams was dominating inferior competition in the sleepy Puget Sound port of Bremerton, Wash. Williams is 13 months younger than Paul -- he won't turn 20 until June -- and has seen much less high-level game action. Paul had two seasons at Wake Forest to run the show, while Williams came off the bench in his only season at North Carolina.

Additionally, the 6-9 Williams has yet to fill out physically, making his adjustment to the man's world of the NBA that much tougher. That's one reason he didn't turn pro directly out of high school, even though he could have been a lottery pick.

"It's a different game," said Williams. "It's definitely an adjustment. [The year of college] was huge. I mean, huge. ... I had the opportunity to go to the NBA out of high school and I turned it down. A lot of my classmates did [come out], like Josh Smith. I just didn't feel mentally ready for that jump coming out of high school."

"He just hasn't had a lot of opportunities to play basketball," said Woodson. "You figure just high school and then a year of college basketball, and now he's playing in the pros. But he has all the qualities of being a nice 3 and a 4 because I think he's going to get bigger [physically]."

While he might be short on experience, the talent is there. The scouts I talk to still are in love with Williams' potential, and in recent games his performance has improved considerably. After shooting 37.3 percent from the field in November, he upped the mark to 49.0 percent in January, while averaging a more respectable 8.5 points and 4.8 boards. And with his gorgeous jumper, it's only a matter of time before he becomes a devastating 3-point threat. Right now he's shooting that shot from a few feet inside the 3-point line, but once he starts getting an extra point on those shots it will be a much more effective weapon.

"We're very pleased with Marvin's progress as a player because he can't help but get better," said Woodson. "I think the upside for him is going to be good because he does a little bit of everything. He defends, he rebounds, he can make a shot, he runs the floor well. There are a lot of good qualities in his basketball game. But he still has a lot of things he's got to learn before he gets to that upper tier."

To sum it up, then: When you include Williams' steeper learning curve, it's not that surprising that he's so much further behind Paul as a rookie. Perhaps the Hawks wonder what might have been if they had taken Paul, but they realize they hardly blew it by taking Williams. Yes, Paul might be making an immediate trip to the All-Star Game, but few basketball people would be surprised if Williams is joining him in a few years. And if it works out that way, the Hawks needn't lament passing on Paul.

NBA Rumor Central: Bulls Not Close To Any Deals

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Chicago

Bulls Not Close To Any Deals
Jan 31 - Despite rumors and newspaper stories suggesting otherwise, Bulls GM John Paxson is not close to making any deals that include a "big-name" player, reports the Arlington Heights Daily Herald.
"(The rumors) seem to take on a life of their own, that we should go out and get a guy," Paxson told the newspaper. "We would love to have a guy that can score 25 points a night, but those guys are hard to come by and teams don't give up on them."

"I feel silly saying it, but we'll do a deal if it feels right," Paxson told the Chicago Sun-Times. "We still have over three weeks to the trade deadline and a lot of teams don't do much until the trade deadline gets closer."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Boston

Celtics Stand At 11
Jan 31 - The Boston Herald reports there remains nothing new on the player acquisition front, according to Doc Rivers, who has just 11 active players on the roster. "I think we will end up adding someone; I just don't know if there's any rush," he told the newspaper. "I think Danny Ainge and his staff are all looking around right now."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Miami

Heat May Add Point Guard
Jan 31 - Heat coach Pat Riley, isn't sure Gerald Fitch is the answer as a starter and he's debating whether Miami needs to look for another point guard, reports the Palm Beach Post.
"We have to wait and see on that," Riley told the newspaper. "It depends on how long Jason Williams is going to be out. ... We like (Fitch) as a young player. He's a third point guard. That's basically what we brought him in for, to develop him."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Dallas

Mavs Won't Mess With Success
Jan 31 - The Mavericks in the past have been on every other NBA team's must-call list when it came time to make deals, however this year is different, reports the Dallas Morning News.
"On an NBA front, it's been consistently calm and quiet," Donnie Nelson told the newspaper Monday. "We're always prepared. But you just don't mess with success."

ESPN.com's Intelligence Report: Jan. 31

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlanta Hawks
Hawks' Failures Point To Woodson
Mike Woodson is 25-100 after a season and a half. He was the fastest to 100 defeats in Hawks coaching history, breathing or otherwise. The team let that plateau pass without a commemorative cyanide capsule giveaway. Now, this isn't all Woodson's fault. The Hawks are missing parts. They have been molded by the thumbs of Billy Knight. But when a team continually fizzles down the stretch of games, there's a problem. When a team looks as lost after a timeout as before it, there's a problem. When a team is getting punked by Boris Diaw, there's a problem. The problem is Woodson. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Boston Celtics
'Nothing But Good Vibes' For Wally
Now he is No. 55 for the Celtics, a number he said was part tribute to former Timberwolves teammate Marko Jaric and partly because the two digits added together equal the No. 10 he wore with Minnesota. "Nothing but good vibes around here," Wally Szczerbiak said before the game. Szczerbiak said he still values his relationships with the Wolves, including with Kevin Garnett. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Target Center Reunion Arena
Between team shootarounds yesterday morning at the Target Center, Ricky Davis took time for a brief reunion with his former Celtics teammates. Leaving was particularly difficult for the shooting guard, who rehabilitated his image with the Celtics and thought he had found a long-term home in Boston. He moved his family to the area and recently purchased a house in the suburbs. ''It's tough when you do all that stuff and you've got to up and go," said Davis, who was part of last Thursday's seven-player deal with the Timberwolves. -- Boston Globe

Ex-C's Like New Home
There was a quadraphonic chorus of joy about being Timberwolves yesterday, but the four players dealt to Minnesota by the Celtics last Thursday were coming to that conclusion from different starting points. Ricky Davis is happy the C's at least traded him to a place he wanted to go. Mark Blount was treating Boston like that Las Vegas commercial as he got down to work with Kevin McHale. Marcus Banks felt he was "held back" by his Celtics coaches. And Justin Reed is hoping the promise of playing time he's getting now is real. -- Boston Herald

Charlotte Bobcats
Okafor Out 5 to 7 More Weeks
Charlotte Bobcats power forward Emeka Okafor will miss five to seven more weeks with a sprained right ankle, meaning he's out until after the mid-February All-Star break. Okafor has missed 19 of the past 20 games with the injury, suffered Dec. 19 against Sacramento. He came back for one game -- Jan. 10 against Houston -- and re-injured himself during overtime of that game. -- Charlotte Observer

Chicago Bulls
Skiles: Trip Not Make-Or-Break
With his team holding a 20-23 record as it left town, coach Scott Skiles doesn't believe the road trip will be a deciding factor in whether the Bulls can make the playoffs for a second straight season. ''There are a lot of games left after this trip,'' he said. ''We're playing pretty good right now. We'd like to keep it going; we'd like to keep playing well. There are teams on this trip where we can play well and still not win. -- Chicago Sun-Times

Cleveland Cavaliers
Skills Contest Draws James
The campaign to showcase the rest of his skills is about to continue. LeBron James has committed to taking part in the Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 18 in Houston's Toyota Center. For the third consecutive year, James passed on an invitation to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest, but he'll be part of the evening's most star-studded event. -- Akron Beacon-Journal

LeBron Keeps Crowd Hopping
LeBron James is barely 21. Already, he's a one-name athlete, his last name both common and unnecessary. Smooth, strong and durable, he will be an NBA superstar for at least the next 10 years. I like him better as a player than the Bobcats' other big-name visitor this week -- Kobe Bryant, on Friday night -- because LeBron is a full-course buffet. Kobe is one dessert after another. -- Charlotte Observer

Detroit Pistons
U.S.A. Basketball Wants Billups
It appears, barring any unforeseen snag, Chauncey Billups will have a spot on the U.S. men's basketball team -- if he wants one. "We want him to play," said Jerry Colangelo, who is in charge of assembling the team that will play in the World Championships this summer, potentially another qualifying tournament in the summer of 2007 and in the Olympics in 2008. Colangelo said he planned to speak to Billups today. -- Detroit News

Rip Thrilled With Flip's Offensive Scheme
If he didn't know better, Richard Hamilton could swear he's wearing his old Connecticut Huskies uniform. He hasn't felt this much freedom since UConn coach Jim Calhoun centered his offense around Hamilton and won an NCAA title in 1999. Flip Saunders' motion attack has made Hamilton even tougher to guard. Hamilton is averaging career highs in points (21.6) and shooting percentage (50.6). "It's a great offense, it's a fun offense," said Hamilton. -- Oakland Press

Saunders Likes Team's Flexibility
If anything, the talent, versatility and IQ of his players have made life as a coach more demanding. It's like teaching an honors class vs. a remedial class. The challenges are different, but equally demanding. "What I've learned is I have the ability to do a lot of things," Flip Saunders said. -- Detroit Free Press

Hammond Won't Head To Raptors
The Raptors might pitch, but John Hammond isn't going to catch. The Raptors were interested in Hammond before they hired Rob Babcock, or at least pretended to be. They told him he was a leading candidate, then interviewed a series of candidates with far fewer credentials than Hammond. It was an insulting thing to do to a guy who had helped build the 2004 Pistons championship team. But that's not the only reason Hammond politely will decline any overtures from the Raptors. First, he's extremely happy and secure. Second, the Raptors are always going to be the "B" franchise to the Maple Leafs in Toronto. -- Detroit News

McDyess Gives Pistons Big Lift Off Bench
The play of reserve Antonio McDyess has been a major factor in the Detroit Pistons' spectacular start this season. The Pistons have won 37 of 42 games, and appear poised to return to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive season. While his statistics aren't nearly as gaudy as some of the NBA's other top reserves, McDyess certainly warrants consideration for the league's Sixth Man of the Year award. -- Booth Newspapers

Indiana Pacers
Stojakovic Ready For Fresh Start
Peja Stojakovic's seven-plus seasons in Sacramento weren't nearly as turbulent as Ron Artest's four years in Indianapolis, but the subjects of last week's swap share common ground. Moving to new territory has pleased them both. That's why Stojakovic was smiling Monday as his mantra of the past few days kept spilling off his tongue. "Fresh start. Fresh start." -- Indianapolis Star

Miami Heat
Riley May Bring In PG Help
Heat coach Pat Riley, however, isn't sure Gerald Fitch is the answer and he's debating whether Miami needs to look for another point guard. "We have to wait and see on that," Riley said. "It depends on how long Jason's going to be out. If he hadn't cut his finger, he'd be playing. But we like (Fitch) as a young player. He's a third point guard. ... The problem is the Heat doesn't have a while. It has assembled a veteran group to win a title, and if Jason Williams isn't around the Heat has a big hole to fill. -- Palm Beach Post

Shaq Joins Elite Group
Sunday's game in Houston was Shaquille O'Neal's 100th in his two seasons in the Heat. That allowed the center to move into an elite group of five who have played in at least 100 games with three or more teams and averaged at least 20 points with each. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, O'Neal, who also accomplished the feat with the Magic and Lakers, joins Bernard King (Nets, Warriors, Knicks, Bullets), World B. Free (Clippers, Warriors, Cavaliers), Moses Malone (Rockets, 76ers, Bullets) and Stephon Marbury (Nets, Suns, Knicks). -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks
Bogut Signed To FedEx Campaign
Andrew Bogut, who is from Australia, will appear in ads and other marketing efforts as part of the "Go Around the World with FedEx" campaign. The campaign is intended to link FedEx's global shipping business and international routes with the NBA's popularity overseas and the league's increasing number of international players. Other NBA players in the FedEx campaign are Steve Nash of Canada, Tony Parker of France, Peja Stojakovic of Serbia and Montenegro, and Pau Gasol of Spain. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

New Jersey Nets
Nets Feel A Sense Of Urgency
The past is for the history books. At least, that's what Vince Carter was saying at practice yesterday, trying to forget a dismal trip out West in which the Nets lost four straight. There is a sense of urgency, and with good reason. While six of their next seven games are at home, where the Nets (22-20) have won eight straight, the three best teams in the East await this week. Tonight, the seemingly unstoppable Pistons (37-5) are in town and the Nets head to Cleveland tomorrow before returning to East Rutherford to take on Miami Saturday. If there was ever a time to find out what the team is made of, this is the week. -- Newark Star-Ledger

New York Knicks
For One Night, Isiah Won't Have To Feel Heat
Only one player in the NBA right now can knock Isiah Thomas off the back pages and, fortunately for the embattled Knicks' president, he's in town tonight. Kobe Bryant also knows something about the front pages that Isiah has seen his picture on lately, having had to endure a messy scandal of his own. But while Thomas is merely trying to survive these days amid charges that he sexually harrassed former Knicks senior VP Anucha Browne Sanders, Bryant will step on the Garden floor as something of a freshly minted legend. -- New York Daily News

Back Pain Keeps Davis On Bench
Twelve days after going into the stands in Chicago and being suspended for five games, Antonio Davis rejoined the Knicks yesterday. He said he stayed in shape by running on a treadmill and shooting baskets while spending time at home in Chicago, but he didn't dress against the Hawks last night because of back pain. -- Newsday

Three Knicks To Participate In All-Star Events
In a bit of irony, Quentin Richardson was selected yesterday to defend his 3-point shooting title on All-Star Saturday in Houston on Feb. 18. Richardson hasn't been able to hit the side of a barn this season, shooting 34.6 percent overall, 32 percent from 3-point land. ... Rookie Nate Robinson, at 5-9, will be selected today for the slam-dunk competition. He and Channing Frye are expected to play in the Rookie-Sophomore game. -- New York Post

Orlando Magic
Roster List Protest Brings Rules Change
The NBA told The Sentinel on Monday that it is changing the way teams submit the list of active/inactive players -- thanks to an issue brought up Friday night in New York by the Magic. ... The NBA agreed it was a "clerical" error by the Knicks, league spokesman Tim Frank said Monday. But now, game referees will supervise the active/inactive lists before the game, said Frank. "Officials will be asked to verify the accuracy prior to the game," Frank said. If the situation arises again, Frank said, officials will "disqualify the player immediately." -- Orlando Sentinel

Mobley, Francis Are Victims Of Same Steal
Well, it's never boring in Steve-O's world. After recording a triple-double Sunday night in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Orlando, Magic guard Steve Francis learned that some of his personal belongings had been stolen. The catch was that when the thieves -- or thief -- broke into former Magic teammate Cuttino Mobley's home in swanky Bel Air, Calif., they also took some of Francis' things. "Cuttino had some of my jewelry, and they got that," Francis said Monday. -- Orlando Sentinel

Injured Ankle Keeps Nelson Out Of Action
Jameer Nelson's attempted comeback from a right foot sprain hit a snag Monday when he was unable to complete practice, putting his imminent return in doubt. Nelson had his shoe off and his foot propped up as he met with Orlando Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith and head coach Brian Hill following Monday's session. Hill said he gives the guard no better than 50-50 odds of playing Wednesday. -- Florida Today

Philadelphia 76ers
Williams Finally Gets A Look
In Saturday night's 91-76 victory against New York, Louis Williams had two points and an assist in four minutes. During Sunday night's 89-81 road win over Orlando, he added four points on 2-for-2 shooting and a rebound in a career-high 10 minutes. Williams didn't have a turnover in 14 minutes over both games. "It was fun for a young guy," said Williams after the Magic game. "I'm just excited and very happy for myself to be able to be in a position to help our team win games. -- Bucks County Courier Times

Toronto Raptors
Peddie Rumors 'Greatly Exaggerated'
Richard Peddie is still in charge. "I love the quote, 'Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated,' " the CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. was saying yesterday. "I've been written off as fired at least four times in my career." That said, this has not been a great week for Peddie. Dispiriting seasons by the Maple Leafs and Raptors have left Peddie open to critics who say he is a business guy who has no business meddling in the day-to-day affairs of the Leafs and Raps. -- Toronto Sun

Kelly To Assume Larger Role
In the 12-year history of the Toronto Raptors, Jim Kelly has been a constant in the team's scouting department, although his role was diminished considerably when Rob Babcock became general manager in 2004. But now that Babcock's been fired, Kelly has been asked by interim GM Wayne Embry to assume a leadership role once again in the Raptors' scouting department. -- Toronto Globe & Mail

Raps Might Have A Pape Star
Now, before anyone lionizes Pape Sow and nominates him for the hall of fame, it must be pointed out he's very much a work in progress and too short to be a centre for too long in the NBA. But if he keeps showing the kind of hustle and determination he has over the last half-dozen games, he'll have earned himself a spot in the regular rotation, even when Rafael Araujo returns. -- Toronto Star

Another Bad Rap For Raps
As far as reputations go, the Raptors certainly have their share of bad ones. So the last thing this team needs is another reputation, especially the reputation of being a bunch of whiners. That, unfortunately, may soon be their new reality. ... The Raptors play five first- and second-year players on a regular basis, and the consensus is because many of the players are so young, the officials are not giving this team any so-called reputation fouls. -- Toronto Sun

Washington Wizards
Wizards Remain Under Construction
Following yesterday's practice and film session in preparation for tonight's game against the slumping Indiana Pacers, guard Gilbert Arenas handed out a first-semester grade. "First half of the season?" Arenas asked. "Honestly? I'd give us a D-plus. I'd give us D-plus because we're much better than we've played. We started off at a high level and then we dropped off for who knows why. We have 20 wins, that's not horrible, but we can play better than we've been playing. Even now." This would be the time to prove it. -- Washington Post

All-Star Voting Can Be Unkind
Despite having another monstrous season, Gilbert Arenas firmly believes fans are basically coerced into voting for certain players through the power of television. "If you really look at it, it's like the fans are brainwashed to vote for certain guys," he said. "They see a guy enough on TV so that when they look at the ballot they just vote for the guy." -- Washington Times

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dallas Mavericks
Nellie Gets Film Test On Small Screen
Don Nelson spent three days in Tinseltown last week, shooting the pilot for a new TV show. George Clooney, he ain't. But George Clooney, he now knows. Clooney is the show's producer. Nellie gets to play himself. "I've been acting like a coach forever. I guess Hollywood must have noticed," he joked. Being a TV "star," doesn't interfere with Nelson's local job. He is now listed as a Mavericks' "consultant." But what's there to consult at the moment? His goal is stay out of Avery's way. Might screw something up otherwise. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mavs Have Little Desire To Wheel And Deal
The trade deadline is Feb. 23. The Mavericks in the past have been on every other NBA team's must-call list when it came time to make deals. They have always listened to proposals. This year, other teams realize the Mavericks have no reason to listen unless something so obvious falls in their lap that they have no other choice. So there has been less communication than in the past. -- Dallas Morning News

Denver Nuggets
Hodge Could Be Austin Bound
Kiki Vandeweghe anticipates rookie guard Julius Hodge soon will be sent to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League, although not before the ongoing trip concludes Wednesday at Utah. The key for letting Hodge go is swingman Bryon Russell, out since undergoing right knee surgery in November, has resumed practice. -- Rocky Mountain News

Golden State Warriors
Elie Confirms Report
Mario Elie confirmed a New York Daily News report that Warriors vice president Chris Mullin had asked him to watch over Ron Artest in case a deal for the former Pacer was made. "I have a good relationship with Ron," said Elie, who is a native New Yorker like Mullin and Artest. "It would have been nice, but it didn't happen, so you got to move on. He's not here, so I don't lose any sleep over it." -- San Francisco Chronicle

Houston Rockets
Hayes Moves Up Ladder
Yao Ming's return was not the only change in the Rockets' rotation. Rookie forward Chuck Hayes, who signed on Jan. 18, moved ahead of Stromile Swift as the first forward or center off the bench. ... "Chuck is our first big guy off the bench," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "After that, it will depend on matchups. To me, Chuck has earned what he's gotten. Whether he can sustain it -- really, playing time up front is there to be had." -- Houston Chronicle

Los Angeles Clippers
Burglary Leaves Mobley Soul-Searching
Family and friends have often cautioned swingman Cuttino Mobley about being too trusting, and Mobley wondered Monday whether someone he trusted burglarized his home. ... "My mom let me have it this morning about that, about being good to people and people are not good to you," Mobley said. "I don't know any other way to be. I am who I am, so if I'm punished because of that, then that's just what it is. I'm not going to stop being who I am because everybody else is mean, evil or whatever.-- Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers
For A Day, Kobe King Of New York
Here in New York City, where Lamar Odom and Smush Parker honed their skills to the point they have become playground legends, it is still more about the stars than two homeboys returning to their 'hood. And there is no star burning brighter in the NBA -- and perhaps all of sports -- than Kobe Bryant's. -- Riverside Press-Enterprise

Lakers A Study In Contradiction
Kobe Bryant, whose career high at the Garden is 46, quickly acknowledged the flipside of Lakers logic this season: "Whatever it takes to win the game, if the rhythm of the game dictates me scoring 40 or 50 points, that's what I'm going to do." It is a paradox for the Lakers -- they cannot seem to win without Bryant scoring an incredible amount of points. And even then, they do not always win. As the Pistons on Sunday so efficiently showed one man is not a team. -- New York Times

Kobe Night At Garden
The Knicks once gave up 100 points to Wilt. Nearly 44 years later it's time to give it up to another four-letter superstar. The Super Bowl is Sunday, but every time Kobe Bryant takes the floor he becomes Superman. His Raptorvating 81-point performance against Toronto two Sundays ago has made the NBA fun again. This is not LeBron's League. The NBA is Kobe Krazy. Forget double-doubles, triple digits is where infamy lives. -- New York Post

Kobe Makes Points
Fading from public memory, increasingly, is the Laker star's 2003 arrest on a felony sexual assault charge. Now, whenever Kobe Bryant enters an enemy arena -- he and the Lakers visit the Garden tonight to face the Knicks -- talk is of his 81-point game Jan. 22 against Toronto, and the outstanding season he is having. Bryant himself said Sunday that public perception of him appears to be changing. "I think what's consistent is the message of being able to bounce back, to come back from adversity," he said. -- New York Daily News

All About Kobe, Like It Or Not
It was only nine days ago that Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the inept Raptors, and nothing much has changed since then; the Lakers still are almost maniacally dependent on Bryant to generate offense. Without him, they're nothing, which Phil Jackson isn't particularly happy to admit but is willing to acknowledge nonetheless. "As a coach," he said, "you can't endorse it, but you've also got to use it." -- Newsday

Odom Remains Enigmatic Force
The Lakers note that Lamar Odom is the NBA's only player averaging at least 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists, numbers that leave little doubt about his versatility. Only Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and Memphis' Pau Gasol are filling up the box score like Odom. Yet Odom has shown he is as likely to approach a triple-double as he is to disappear on a given night. He went 1 for 8 and 1 for 7 in two games this month. He has scored fewer than 10 points in a third of the Lakers' games this season. -- Los Angeles Daily News

Diaper Dandy To Cagey Veteran
Smush Parker, 24, has experienced days both chic and humble. While in high school, he appeared on a billboard that stretched six stories high in the heart of SoHo; he was modeling for Nautica apparel. As an NBA rookie, he got in trouble after asking then-Cleveland Cavalier coach John Lucas if he could skip part of practice to see a realtor. "If he misses practice," Lucas said at the time, "he might not need a realtor." A few years wiser, Parker seems to have corralled the celebrity that comes with being an NBA player. -- Los Angeles Times

Memphis Grizzlies
Jackson Benched, Atkins Starts
Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello shook up the roster in an attempt to help steer the team out of its losing ways. He changed point guards, moving Bobby Jackson back to the bench and elevating the recently acquired Chucky Atkins to the starting spot. & Fratello told Jackson that he preferred to use his energy and point production off the bench. The switch is designed to relieve Jackson of running offensive sets and allow him to run off screens and shoot more. -- Memphis Commercial-Appeal

Minnesota Timberwolves
Banks Makes Impressive Debut
Marcus Banks, who was buried on the Celtics bench, showed no signs of rust from inactivity. He shot 6-for-8 from the field, 7-for-9 from the free-throw line and dished out six assists with only one turnover. ... Afterward, Banks' teammates gushed about his performance and his ability to create opportunities with his quickness and strength (he's stout at 6-0, 200 pounds). "I didn't know he was this explosive and strong off the ground," forward Kevin Garnett said. "He's going to bring a new dimension to the point guard spot." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune

New Arrivals Take Burden Off KG
Kevin Garnett spoke in a subdued tone Monday night, but it was obvious he likes the early results from the megatrade with the Boston Celtics. "I don't like it, I love it," he said after the Timberwolves' 110-85 victory over Boston. "The fact that we all play with energy. We haven't even had a real practice." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune

Casey: Banks Key To The Trade
One thing he (Dwane Casey) doesn't want, however, is for young Marcus Banks to wind up on the fast track out of town. Banks, a point guard, was a less-heralded component of the trade. His name was in a ton of trade rumors before he wound up in Minnesota. The speculation hasn't subsided since he arrived a couple of days ago. "A lot of friends around the league are calling," Casey said after the lopsided win over Boston. "They want him." So does Casey. "I'm sure his name will come up," Casey said. "He has great value around the league. But I like him. He was the key to the trade, I think." -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

New Orleans Hornets
Shinn Refuses To Sign New Lease Agreement
On Monday, Hornets owner George Shinn said that the state asked him to sign an unconditional guarantee during negotiations during the weekend to return, which is in addition to the team's current lease agreement that has no escape clause until 2012, when the Hornets can pay a $10 million exit fee. "They were asking for an unconditional guarantee, and no matter what happens I have to come back," Shinn said. "I would not agree to that, although my plans and intentions is that I was coming back the following year (2007-0http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/glasses.gif . I can't forecast any acts of God or any other thing, so how can I guarantee something that I can't? I'm not God, I can't do that. -- New Orleans Times-Picayune

OKC Will Get 35 Games Next Year
The Ford Center will host 35 Hornets home games next season, according to multiple sources who said the NBA is expected to announce today the franchise's 2006-07 plans. The deal is similar to the agreement reached between the NBA and Oklahoma City after the Hornets were displaced from New Orleans by flooding from Hurricane Katrina. -- The Oklahoman

Phoenix Suns
Nash On Short List For MVP
As a rule, I loathe talk about MVP candidates this early in the schedule (only a partial score is more meaningless), but if compelled to make a choice I'm wedged between Steve Nash and Chauncey Billups; Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki are tied for third. Nash is good so far he hasn't once felt the urge to beseech Jerry Colangelo for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. Only a senile high-school coach would make a production out of his league-leading 4.5 turnovers. -- New York Post

Suns Still Revolving Around MVP Nash
The most valuable player in the NBA does not require, nor is he asking for, validation. Steve Nash knows he can play. He didn't need a trophy to prove it last season, and he doesn't need one now. ... Nash remains the conductor, following up his MVP season with an even better one. With Phoenix now primarily a perimeter team, defenses have loaded up on Nash all season, double-teaming him more, trying in vain to get the ball out of his hands. But Nash hasn't been bothered in the least. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Suns Eye Repeats In Skills Contests
The Suns are back to turn All-Star weekend's playground into their own traveling trophy case again. On the eve of the Feb. 18 All-Star Game, Suns guard Steve Nash will defend his PlayStation Skills Challenge title and a Phoenix contingent, likely including Shawn Marion and Dan Majerle who again will try to repeat as the RadioShack Shooting Stars champion. -- Arizona Republic

Alley-Oop Is A Weapon For The Suns
Before coming to Phoenix in July, Suns guard Raja Bell spent two seasons playing for the Jazz. In Utah, an alley-oop was as common as a solar eclipse. According to Bell, coach Jerry Sloan figured if you could throw a lob, you may as well throw a simple chest pass and eliminate the risk. Under Mike D'Antoni, the Suns take a different approach. With passers such as Diaw and Steve Nash and a finisher such as Marion, the lob isn't so much a highlight as it is a weapon, not unlike a pick-and-roll or transition three-pointer. -- Arizona Republic

Portland Trail Blazers
McMillan's Night Turns More Special
Nate McMillan's players share Aaron Crotty's warm feelings for McMillan, and they were quick to congratulate him after the win, starting with Ruben Patterson, himself a former Seattle player, who gave his coach a hug. Other players followed with pats, handshakes and high-fives. "That's special," McMillan said. "That means a lot to me and the staff." -- The Oregonian

McMillan Gets Mostly Warm Welcome
About two minutes before the Seattle SuperSonics began their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, a video montage of Nate McMillan's career began to play on the overhead screen at KeyArena. Thirty seconds later, the real thing emerged from the tunnel from the Blazers' locker room, and a lengthy standing ovation ensued as Sonics fans welcomed back the man who had such a large role in the organization for nearly two decades. -- Tacoma News Tribune

Sacramento Kings
Artest Embraces Fresh Start
In a wide-ranging news conference Monday afternoon at the Kings' practice facility, Ron Artest, the mercurial forward with the soft tones, easy smile, outlandish game and controversial past said Kings fans can expect to see plenty more of what he's already provided his new club: Hustle and tenacity. Artest, 26, said he will remain "true to myself" but he will concentrate solely on hoops this season. And he said he'll be careful of what he says in public. -- Sacramento Bee

With Artest, Familiarity Will Breed Enchantment
The more Kings fans see Ron Artest play, the more they'll become enthralled with his skills and abilities. Yet what will touch them more intimately is his mentality and how it oozes through his pores and emerges in his actions. He's a 6-foot-7 perimeter bully (and that's a good thing) who does what few of his teammates either want to do or are incapable of doing: Artest challenges opponents for space on every foot of the basketball court. -- Sacramento Bee

Artest Is A Split Decision
Ron Artest is two people. Because the man known as Ron-Ron is a split decision. One Ron engages in all sorts of crazy activity, even ignites a brawl that leads to the most severe penalty ever assessed by NBA Commissioner David Stern, while the other Ron is so well-liked, is regarded as such a genuinely kind and compassionate human being, that in the aftermath of last week's Artest-Peja Stojakovic trade, members of the Pacers' organization continue to experience conflicting and powerful sentiments. According to team president Larry Bird, their immense relief is tempered by a tremendous sense of loss, perhaps even a sense of failure. -- Sacramento Bee

One Man Won't Turn This Team Around
Two lousy losses, actually. Two clunkers on the road. A defeat by sub-mediocre Boston and even more sub-mediocre Toronto. Ghastly and Ghastlier. They were two games in which Artest played, and he played pretty well. He gave the Kings more minutes than they had a right to expect and more leadership than they've probably had all year. Net result? Oh and two, which ought to kill once and for all the notion that Artest yanking on a purple jersey is some sort of magic pill. -- Sacramento Bee

San Antonio Spurs
Parker Goes Hollywood
Tony Parker was back on the court Monday, one day after walking the red carpet with his girlfriend, Eva Longoria, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. Parker didn't accompany the team to Salt Lake City, instead chartering a jet to take him to Los Angeles. He flew to Utah after the show, arriving at the hotel around 11:30 p.m. Sunday. ... "I could buy any gift for her and it would never compare to what happened yesterday," Parker said. "She cried and was so happy I was there to support her." -- San Antonio Express-News

Seattle SuperSonics
Demopoulos Doesn't Look Back
Dean Demopoulos has no regrets about leaving Seattle, even though he might have been the Sonics' coach now instead of Bob Hill. "I never go that route," Demopoulos said. "I don't look back on those types of things. ... Besides, there was never any guarantee of that." -- Seattle Times

Brunson Seeks Second Opinion
Guard Rick Brunson returned to Philadelphia for a second opinion on his injured left foot. Brunson partially tore his plantar fascia after waiting six weeks for his previous tear to heal. Sonics coach Bob Hill said Brunson would have to prove he's healthy and get back into playing shape. -- Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Utah Jazz
Miller Coaxes Malone With Jersey
No, Larry Miller didn't propose a 10-day contract for Karl Malone, didn't try to cajole the Mailman into an emergency intervention to help get his injury-prone team through its recent slump. Miller doesn't think quite so small. "We talked about a five-year contract," Miller said with a laugh on Monday, shortly after formally announcing the Jazz's intention to retire Malone's No. 32 jersey on March 23. "I said, 'I think you're probably better on your worst day than most guys are on their better days.'" -- Salt Lake Tribune

Miller Apologizes For Challenging 'Tag
The Jazz owner, who took part in a screaming match last Wednesday involving Ostertag, coach Jerry Sloan "and 12-15 [other] guys" in the coach's office, pulled the veteran center aside after pregame warmups Monday and offered his apology for verbally challenging Ostertag. "I said 'I don't want that kind of relationship with you,' " Miller explained. "We don't need that from a team standpoint, we don't need that on a personal basis with each other. We just [need to] make amends and move on." -- Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz Need To Show More Fight
There is nothing to fear but fear itself. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. It's not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, but the size of the fight in the dog. If you want to be the best, you need to face the best. Have we left out any underdog axioms? Having passed the midway point in the season with a 21-24 record, there may be no better time for the Jazz to employ against-all-odds adages than now. That's because this week they're playing some of the league's elite. -- Deseret Morning News

Smith Trades Diamonds for Blue Chips
During the last three years, Joe Smith scouted players, secured visas and arranged college scholarships in the United States for eight African players, mostly Nigerians. He plans to bring in 18 more players over the next two years. In exchange, Smith expects those players to repay him with 20 to 25 percent of their earnings if they make the NBA. "This is a business plan that is going to make millions," Smith said. -- Washington Post

Chat with John Hollinger

Welcome to The Show! On Monday, NBA columnist John Hollinger will stop by to chat about the season.
Send your questions now and join John in The Show on Monday at 3 ET.

Hollinger archives: Columns | Chats

John Hollinger: Hey everyone. Artest is finally traded, and we get another blockbuster to boot. Let's talk about it ...

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Chad: Minneapolis, MN: John, With the recent Wally/Ricky trade. The Wolves aquired Marcus Banks in the deal. The question I have is that this leaves the Wolves with 4 point guards, Jaric, Hudson, Banks, and Carter. Do you see them making another trade before the deadline involving one of their PG's?

John Hollinger: That's the word on the street. Supposedly the T'wolves are dangling Banks in front of the Sonics, who could use a true point guard (yes, I realize that Banks stretches the defintition here a bit, but he's better than what they've got), and trying to get Flip Murray in return. Altternatively, T'wolves could use Jaric on the wings more often, and play Hudson and Banks at the point. That would bounce McCants from the rotation if they went that way.

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Eric (Washington, DC): Are the Celtics done dealing? Seems like the Kandi Man cap relief won't mean much to the C's in the big picture. What can they get for his expiring contract and one of their extra #1's? Or maybe even Gerald Green?

John Hollinger: I doubt Kandi's contract will get you much. Remember, he can only be traded in a one-for-one deal between now and the deadline.

As for the Celtics, I've wondered since the moment I heard about this deal if it meant Pierce would be traded. The way Boston is set up right now they're forced to use Pierce as their stopper on the wings against the Wades, Hamiltons and Jameses of the world, and I don't think that will fly. That has me wondering if a Pierce trade is the next move on Danny's agenda.

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johnny, evanston, ill: So, didn't I just watch LeBron James put his hat in the MVP ring yesterday?

John Hollinger: His hat his been in the ring since Day 1. Yesterday just nudged it a little closer to the center. That said, if the Pistons win 72 there's no way Billups can avoid winning it.

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James (Wilton CT): John I know there's no D in Szczerbiak (even though there's pretty much every other letter under the sun) however don't you think that his ability to protect the ball better than ricky will offset his defensive short comings??

John Hollinger: Not sure what you mean by protect the ball. Yes, he turns it over less than Ricky, but he's actually a terrible dribbler. He just catches and shoots so frequently that it doesn't come up often. If I'm a Boston fan, though, my big worry is that I bought Szczerbiak's stock at its absolute peak. Wally has played better this year, but over the last two years of Davis's contract I'd put my money on Ricky.

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Simon, New York: What's the deal with the Nets and a PF? Im sick to death of Collins and his no talent, well, you know where im going with this...

John Hollinger: Collins is better than his numbers -- despite a lack of blocks and steals he's one of the best defensive players in basketball. "Textbook" is how a scout described him to me. That said, Jersey does need more points from somewhere to offset the miniscule production from Collins, which is why the oft-rumored deal for Wilcox would be a shot in the arm for them.

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Jon (NYC): John, great work as always. Someone must send a memo to Bill Simmons correcting his notion that the Celtics' recent trade is a fantastic move for the franchise. Care to step up to the plate?

John Hollinger: Look, this wasn't some crazy Isiah Thomas/Pete Babcock trade. Realistically, they exchanged six of one for half dozen of another. But if we're going to split hairs, I like it a little better for Minnesota because I understand how Blount and Davis fit there a lot better than I understand how Wally fits in Boston. So I give a slight edge to the T'wolves. Obviously, Simmons disagrees with me, but the difference are small enought that it's hard for me to get too worked up about it.

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Matt, MPLS: I saw some decent low post moves by Blount on Saturday night. Didn't I? Or was I mistaken because I was watching Kandi throw up one-handed crap for the last two plus years?

John Hollinger: Yes, Blount made a couple nice moves around the basket in the San Antonio game, but his bread and butter is a jumper from the foul line. The post points are gravy.

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Robbie,CA: With the addition of Ron Artest and if they resign Bonzi Wells in the offseason will the Kings be a title contender next year?

John Hollinger: I greatly doubt they'll re-sign Bonzi Wells. If you look at their luxury tax situation they're probably only going to have a few million to play with even with Bonzi off the books, and besides their two best young players both play Bonzi's spot. That said, even with Bonzi I don't see title contention, but if they keep this group and Artest's head stays attached I do think they'll be a playoff team.

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Ed (Atlanta): It seems Bob Hill has the Sonics coming around. Ridnour looks great, the centers are developing, and they're actually winning some games against good teams. Do you agree? Have we heard the end of all the Robert Swift jokes?

John Hollinger: I love what I've seen from Swift. As for Hill ... not so much. Seattle's main weakness under Weiss was that they didn't play any defense. Under Hill, they still don't play any defense -- in fact in the past few games they've gotten worse. Until he gets even a modicum of effort from the players on D, I don't see Seattle going anywhere but the lottery.

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Ryan (Cleveland, Ohio): John, with Larry Hughes coming back in the upcoming weeks, what are the chances of my Cavs regrouping offensively and defensively for a strong run to the Eastern Conference Finals?

John Hollinger: Cleveland has a chance to be the second-best team in the East by the end of the season. Z has played very well of late, Varejao really helps the bench and Pavlovic is coming around nicely. Unfortunately, they'll have to play Detroit in the second round, so conference finals are highly unlikely unless somebody does a Tonya Harding on the Pistons' starting five.

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Nikki (MPLS, MN): John- Flip Murray for Marcus Banks? It sounds like Casey is hurting for some familiar faces in his first year. Aren't there any other PGs to consider before the trade deadline for the Wolves?

John Hollinger: Actually, I think Flip would be a great fit with that team, because he can be paired with Jaric in the backcourt -- so Flip can play the 2 on offense but the 1 on defense, while Jaric does vice versa.

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Chris (Denver): John, now that the Artest trade domino has fallen, do you see Denver getting anything done before the trading deadline? Thanks!

John Hollinger: I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop in Denver ever since the Artest trade went down. Clearly they have assets to work with (Watson, Nene, Lenard, perhaps Hodge or Kleiza), so it's probably just a question of 'when' more than 'if.'

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Nikki (MPLS, MN): John- Isn't kicking out some dude like Chris Andersen for (most likely) using marijuana a little extreme? Especially since drugs that actually increase performance (as opposed to hindering performance) are given some leway?

John Hollinger: It wasn't marijuana, it was one of the more heavily penalized drugs as defined by the collective bargaining agreement (cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine), which is why he was banned immediately (Incidentally, no word yet on which it was, and due to confidentiality rules we may never know). I don't understand the distinction in penalties here -- last I checked marijuana and steroids were just as illegal as those other drugs, so the sanction should be the same.

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John (Toronto): With Babcock gone now, who do you expect to go by 3:00 PM EST on Feb 23rd? Rose, Mike James, Eric Williams, a draft pick?

John Hollinger: Unfortunately for Raptors fans, I can't say "Richard Peddie." But I have to think one reason they dumped Babcock now is because he was so terrified to trade Donyell Marshall last year. The Raps know they need to get some assets in return for Williams and James at the very least. Rose is more iffy -- Toronto could keep him if they don't like what's out there in terms of trades.

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Yorkis (Philly): John, I think that the 3 worst coaches in the NBA are Sam Mitchell, Mike Montgomery, and Dwayne Casey. Do you feel there is any reason for any of these guys to keep his job?

John Hollinger: Mitchell and Montgomery have both had their issues, but Casey definitely does not deserve that comment. T'wolves are one of the best defensive teams in the league this year despite having an open sore at center, which is a tremendous accomplishment.

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Rashad(Huntsville, AL): Now that Jermaine O'Neal is injured I'm hearing Rasheed Wallace might be his replacement. Is it possible the pistons might get 4 All-Stars now? How many do you think they will get?

John Hollinger: I said they'd get two when I wrote my column a few weeks ago, but now it's looking like they might get 4. I think Hamilton may have surpassed Kidd in coaches' minds with the Nets' recent slump (though he still has Redd to contend with), and as you point out, the injury to O'Neal leaves an opening for either 'Sheed or Ilgauskas. I'd still put the over/under at 3, but 4 certainly looks possible.

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Josh (Chicago): Are the Pistons the best TEAM ever? And don't tell me the 72 win Bulls, I'm talknig about complete starting 5 here, without the best player of all time in the mix.

John Hollinger: If you're saying what I think you're saying, then the answer may be yes. No egos, no agendas, just a completely seamless unit where everybody's reading from the same script. They're just a joy to watch this year.

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James (Indianapolis, IN): Do the Pacers still have the players necessary to contend for a title or will they trade J. O'neal and begin to rebuild?

John Hollinger: You have to wonder now. Last year they could write it off to Artest being wacky, but Tinsley and O'Neal can't stay healthy and the team as a whole looked shockingly unmotivated the past few games. Maybe I'm just overreacting to that mail-in job against the Hawks last week, because on paper a healthy Pacers team should be as good as anyone. But they haven't hit on all cylinders in nearly two years.

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Matt, MPLS: In my personal opinion, the Wolves play their best team basketball with Anthony Carter on the floor. Mostly because he is the only PG we have that can actually make a decent pass. But he doesn't play a whole ton, which I assume is because he isn't a great shooter. Will we see more of Carter now that there is a little more scoring ability on the court with Davis and Blount? Thanks.

John Hollinger: "Not a great shooter" is actually quite an understatement -- he may be the worst-shooting point guard of the past decade. With Banks in the picture, Carter's minutes could diminish even further. Not that he's been any worse than the T'wolves' other bench players ...

Nate, Albany: Has Tyson Chandler turned the corner? And would the Celtics take Gordon, the bulls #1 pick and Tim thomas for Pierce?

John Hollinger: That Gordon deal was the work of an extremely optimistic Chicago columnist. Can you imagine how many points Boston would give up with Gordon and Wally on the wings?

As for Chandler, I sure hope he's turned the corner. I expected big things from him after the way he played last year, and based on that $60 million they shelled out so did the Bulls. If he's really back I like their odds of eking out a playoff spot.

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Rogi (Boston): How about a Jazz question? Will Carlos Boozer get traded this year? What can the Jazz get for him?

John Hollinger: It seems unlikely. Boozer would have to get back on the court and prove he's healthy before anybody will sign off on trading for that contract. It might be better for Utah to hope he finished the year strong and then try to deal him over the summer.

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Wes (Grapevine, TX): Any chance of someone besides Flip Saunders winning coach of the year?

John Hollinger: If the Pistons win 70, then nobody else has a chance. If they fall short, then guys like D'Antoni and Phil Jackson are very much in the picture.

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Jon (Indianapolis, IN): Mateen Cleeves is the worst shooting PG of the past decade.

John Hollinger: Nice try, but Carter is even worse. Mateen shoots 29.3% on 3s for his career and 72.7% from the line. Carter shoots 67.6% from the line and .... (drumroll please) ... 10.9% on threes. No, that's not a typo. It's no contest.

John Hollinger: And on that happy note, I have to head out to watch the Knicks-Hawks game tonight, which is kind of like the team equivalent of watching a Mateen Cleaves-Anthony Carter 3-point Shootout. I'll be back next Monday at 3 to discuss some more ...

Chat with Marc Stein

Welcome to The Show! On Tuesday, ESPN.com senior NBA writer Marc Stein will drop by to talk about the NBA season!
Send your questions now and join Marc in The Show, Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET!

Stein Archive: Chats | Columns

Marc Stein: Hello, all. Welcome back. Let's get right to the questions as we all celebrate the fact that no one has to ask where Artest is headed.

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Drew, NY: When everyone mentions MVP's there is always this off-the-top of the head list of Billups, Nash, Dirk, AI, Kobe...Lebron is mentioned some of the time. But with what he has been doing lately by taking a team without Hughes (his #2) and putting it on his back has been incredible. I know he gets a lot of attention already, but how can he not be in the top 3 or 4 names mentioned for MVP? 31 / 7 / 6 / 1.7 / 50% from the floor. Are you kidding me? Monster numbers from a team player.

Marc Stein: LeBron is ahead of AI on my ballot, but the Cavs haven't won enough overall. If they end up winning 50-plus, LeBron will be in the discussion. But Kobe has been that little bit sicker individually and the other three (Nash, Dirk and Billups) are driving the top teams. I also wonder whether Duncan, by season's end, will force his way into the conversation as usual. Parker has been the best Spur so far, but it's hard to put him in the top five because he gets to play with Duncan. But I've heard numerous folks mention that TD looked really good against KG on Saturday night. If that was an indication that his mobility is coming back, that'll be another guy who could bump LeBron down the list a bit.

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Brian (Memphis): People that follow the NBA know that Pau Gasol deserves a spot on the All Star team. Whether there is a spot for him is another question. Do you think he makes the squad this year?

Marc Stein: I thought Pau was going to have trouble even before the Grizz started sliding. If the Grizz don't halt the slide, I think he'll miss out again. There is no question he has taken a step forward, but there are so many forwards in the West that Pau's unflashy game gets overlooked.

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Sharad, Princeton NJ: Hey Marc, PLEASE tell me Okur will make the All-star team, 19 and 10 from a Center, seriously, what more do you guys want?

Marc Stein: No chance. Far better chance that Dirk or Gasol will be picked as a reserve center to make more room for all the forwards. I'd expect the coaches to vote for Kirilenko before Okur.

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Eric (Dallas, TX): Why is no one giving the Mavericks their props? I feel like most Seatle Seahawk fans: our team doesn't receive ANY respect! When, noticed I said "when" and not "if" we win the Western Conference, people, especially Charles Barkley, will be jumping on the Dallas Mavericks bandwagon just as they jumped on the Dallas Cowboys bandwagon 14 years ago.

Marc Stein: Why would you send me a question like this when I just led the Power Rankings with praise for how well the Mavs have been playing? I have them ahead of the Spurs in the rankings. I can't give them bigger props than that.

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Noah (Indiana): Will the Clippers resign Cassell at the end of the year, or try to get something out of him in a sign-and-trade?

Marc Stein: The Clips told Cassell before the season that they'd bring him back if things went well. I'd say things are going reasonably well and he's the most influential member of that team personality-wise. I expect him to be back . . . although the cynic would say that it's better to keep signing him to one-year deals because he plays with such a chip when he's in a contract year.

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John (Detroit): Is there any truth the rumors lately that Joe D is finally looking to move Darko? The Pistons' bench isn't as bad as some make it out to be, but another piece would certainly help.

Marc Stein: Yes and no. Joe has to listen to Darko offers because it's hard to see how the Pistons are going to be able to pay all five starters at least $10 million a year and then re-sign Darko, too. They've got to take care of Ben and Chauncey first, so you're obligated to see if there's a Darko offer that makes sense. But nothing presented so far has tempted Detroit. From what I've been told, Detroit wants to keep Darko as long as it can to A) give him every last chance to become the player he was projected to be and B) because the Pistons still believe he will be a productive NBA player and might wish someday (even though we're probably talking three or four years from now) that they still had Darko and Okur.

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Reggie (Orlando): Marcus Banks and Mark Blount had nice games last night. Was this simply a *revenge*-type scenario against the Celtics or can these guys help get the Wolves into the playoffs?

Marc Stein: I'm more apt to believe in Blount. KG minimizes his weaknesses and Blount, if nothing else, can score. That's why Minnesota wanted him so bad. Kandi (and Rasho before him) didn't score enough.

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Greg (Denver, CO): OK, no one really believes that Philly is better off without Iverson, but the last two games have shown improved teamwork on offense and simply better defense in general. Would the Sixers consider trading AI now and rebuilding knowing that it might be the best way for guys like Iguodala, Salmons and Dalembert to grow? The current formula simply isn't working.

Marc Stein: If the Sixers ever got to the point of moving AI, I just can't see it happening at midseason. It would be a monumental change in philosophy and a controversial (to put it mildly) sell to the people of Philadelphia. to go that route . . . and don't forget that finding a taker isn't exactly a snap because of AI's age and contract. I've always believed Atlanta should do whatever it could to get Iverson because he's the kind of Vick-esque personality (bigger, actually) who could sell out Philips Arena. But, please, let's get real. Two good games -- no matter how good Philly's defense was in those two games -- are not going to convince the Sixers to turn around and say: "Yup, it's time to move a guy who's probably more popular than Dr. J ever was and who's still producing at a monster level."

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Jayme, NH: Hey Marc, do you see Theo Ratliff Getting Dealt before the Trade Deadline?

Marc Stein: Blazers have had opportunities to move him to New York. But now that the Knicks' season is essentially over -- if it ever got started -- I'm not sure New York will resuscitate its interest. Unless the Knicks are sure Theo could mesh well will their kids, and unless the Knicks are sure they've got kids they can build around, do you burn an expiring contract to get him?

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Christian (Culver City, CA): Will the Lakers be aquire someone before the trade deadline looms? Phil Jackson has mentioned before that the Lakers are one player away from contending with the elite teams of the west.

Marc Stein: Phil was talking about Artest and he was overstating it. They're more than one player away.

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Anthony (Chicago): Marc, as a journalist do you have any thoughts on the Oprah/Frye matter?

Marc Stein: When was Channing on Oprah? I thought Tony Parker would be on first.

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kj (kent, oh): hey marc, are you willing to admit live on this forum that you have a bias against LBJ? you say he hasn't done it in the post-season, yet the MVP is a regular season award! and kobe has been "sicker" individually? ok. but LBJ's team has BETTER record. and then LBJ dominates the floor against nash and phoenix. what more does he have to do THIS year??

Marc Stein: What I have a bias against is turning one game into anything more than one game. We've gone over this a zillion times, but team success will always be the biggest factor on my MVP ballot. The Cavs, until this recent win streak, were sliding toward .500. Even without Hughes, I expect more. Nash has the Suns on a better-than-50 pace without Amare. Billups is the spark and conscious for a team that will post one of the best records of all-time. Nowitzki is the only every-night lock on a team that might pip San Antonio for the top seed in the West. Kobe moves into the discussion IF the Lakers get close to 50 wins because the rest of his team is so weak . . . but he won't be a candidate if the Lakers win 45 or less. For LeBron to go higher than No. 5, Cavs probably have to win 55-http://mywebpages.comcast.net/alexgray23/NikeTalk/censored.gif games. On this ballot.

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Greg (Atlanta, GA): Marc - big win for the Hawks last night over the Knicks. What do you see them doing with Al Harrington or any other possible moves before the deadline? Seems like if they are going to let him go, they need a PG or big man in return. What do you think? Also, Tony Delk is supposidly healthy and has been inactive all year. What are they going to do with him?

Marc Stein: They want picks. Multiple firsts. They also think they can get more for Harrington in the summer. But it's not inconceivable that Atlanta will get a good offer in the next 20-plus days. They've told Al they want to re-sign him but I agree that it's more likely he gets moved. It's simply more likely in July than now.

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Ammer, Toronto: Who do you think will be the next GM for the Raptors and will Sam Mitchell still be coaching this team next season?

Marc Stein: I don't know if they have the money -- or the situation -- to tempt Kiki, but that would be a dream scenario for the Raps. Sam might start next season but, naturally, a new GM would be expected to bring in their own coach.

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Ben (NYC): Let's settle it. What would be more revered and celebrated if both were to happen: if Kobe scored 101 this year, or if the Pistons won 73?

Marc Stein: I know where you're going with this one. I'd love to say Detroit winning 73. But I'm guessing I would be proven incorrect. Sad but true. Individual glory tends to grab most of the glory in the modern world. Good one.

Marc Stein: Good question to end on, too. We'll do it again next week. Thanks as always for all the good questions.