With 29 teams failing to win a championship every year, it's a sure bet some fraction of them will decide the team needs to go a different direction.

Coaches are easier to change than players. It's like changing oil as opposed to changing your engine in a vehicle. The price difference is almost the same, too.

Already several teams have revamped their coaching staffs in hopes of getting different results out of the same players. In other cases, the arrival of the new coach might mean the departure of players who don't fit the incoming philosophy.

Which ones will succeed and which ones will flop? Here's a not-so-educated guess:

Mike D'Antoni - New York Knicks: DEPENDS. Why? Look at the roster. It's like those Honda Ridgeline commericials that pair total opposites: fancy restaurants and Chuck Norris, lumberjacks and outer space; you get the idea.

If Donnie Walsh is willing to spend $6 million a year on this coach after eating Isaiah Thomas' contract, you can bet your knickerbockers he's not afraid to blow up this roster...no matter the cost.

Walsh has shown he's intent on making his own mark in his new position with the Knicks. He'll waste no time trying to revamp a roster that suits D'Antoni. The key word there is try. Who will be willing to eat super-sized contracts with the names Marbury, Randolph, or Curry attached to them?

If Walsh can put together a group of players that compliment D'Antoni's game plan, then it's a success. If not, it'll be the kind of flop that suits New Yorkers - big and loud.

Rick Carlisle - Dallas Mavericks: SUCCESS. A lot of people forget that this guy took the Pistons to the Eastern Finals the year before they took it all. Detroit let him go in favor of Larry Brown the summer before their improbable championship year.

The thing to remember is that a newly aquired and motivated Rasheed Wallace was the biggest reason Detroit hoisted a banner that year. We'll never know that Carlisle couldn't have taken the Pistons to the top.

Carlisle went on to coach a Pacers team that went 61-21 in the regular season, only to lose to his previous employer, Detroit, who went on to win the title.

After that, any lack of success is tainted by years of PPP's (Pacer player problems). The 2004 brawl in Detroit, the numerous gun and drinking incidents, Ron Artest...the poor guy never had a break.

Mark Cuban realized that when Carlisle has a fairly good team under him, the guy wins. Dallas is (or at least, can be) a really good team. The Mavs needed the right kind of motivation, not the in-your-face decibel-shattering motivation that former coach Avery Johnson wore out. Carlisle has a lot to work with, and should be able to make it work.

Erik Spoelstra - Miami Heat: SUCCESS. Spoelstra has the most envious position of any new head coach. Miami is coming off a horrible year, so expectations are at an all-time low. He's got a 25% chance at the number one draft pick in June, and he's already got Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion in tow.

That's great, except what makes anyone think the Heat will do better with a 37-year-old newbie than with Hall-of-Famer Pat Riley? I'm not sure, except that Riley and owner Micky Arison think the world of the guy. The last time they were this pumped about a new head coach was when Stan Van Gundy took the helm, and he only took the Heat to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

In one way or another, Spoelstra's been involved with basketball his whole life. That unprofessional, but insightful approach should be appealing to his players. All the benefits of the job I mentioned in the beginning, will only speed the transition along, and in the right direction.

Scott Skiles - Milwaukee Bucks: FLOP. Skiles is developing a habit of taking over less-than-mediocre teams, and making them a little bit better than mediocre. What will make this coaching stop worse than his Phoenix and Chicago tenures is that this team has no talent (or interest)whatsoever in doing what Skiles will demand: play defense.

Steals, blocks, and rebounding are all considered defensive statistics. The team leaders in those categories (Mo Williams, 1.18spg; Andrew Bogut, 1.73bpg; Bogut, 9.8rpg) all failed to place among the league leaders in those defensive statistics.

When Skiles orders his team of shooters (Michael Redd, Charlie Villanueva)and foreigners (Andrew Bogut, Yi Jianlian) to guard the basket, it'll be like asking a chihuahua to guard your house. It'll scamper around a lot, make a lot of noise, and look funny, but willl ultimately get pounded into submission.

Larry Brown - Charlotte Bobcats: SUCCESS*. The asterik is for length of time, which we all know is only a matter of time for Coach Brown.

Brown excels at getting previously-ungiven effort out of players (assuming they're not playing for the Knicks...hopefully former Knicks Othella Harrington and Nazr Mohammed aren't in danger of losing their jobs). Young studs Raymond Felton and Omeka Okafor have done enough to pass as good in their careers thus far. Brown will make them do more.

He might even be able to resurrect Adam Morrison (what is it about great white college players who never make it big in the NBA? See: Laettner, Christian; Gugliotta, Tom; Redick, JJ).

Like Spoelstra, Brown is taking over a team that has good pieces and low expectations. In the Eastern Conference, Brown should be able to guide the Bobcats to the playoffs.

This just came to my mind, and I had to include it, because I absolutely 100% know it will happen. A conversation between Charlotte citizens next season will go something like this:

Citizen #1: Hey, how about them Bobcats, huh?

Citizen #2: Oh, are they a new hockey team or something?

Citizen #1: No, man! NBA team!

Citizen #2: Dude, the Hornets have been in New Orleans for years now. Where have you been?

Citizen #1: No, we got another team since then! The Bobcats! And this year they're really good!

Citizen #2: Get outta here, man. Are you serious? How come I never heard of them?

Citizen #1: They weren't real good, before, man. We might actually make the playoffs this year! Ray Felton, Sean May, Okafor and Wallace are tearing it up man!

Citizen #2: Dude, you're stuck in 2005, man! Felton and May played for the Tar Heels back then! What the heck is an Okafor? And 'Sheed plays for the Pistons! You're crazy, man. Unless...you're not trying to get me all worked up over one of those NBDL teams, are you?

Fans from the Valley of the Sun thought it couldn’t get any worse after yet another playoff exit courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs.

Think again.

Offensive revolutionist Mike D’Antoni is officially on the coaching carosel, and the future of a franchise that’s been “on the cusp” is in serious doubt at this point.

To add insult to injury, other teams either are or will soon be making Phoenix appear foolish for their ineptitude at fulfilling their once vast potential.

Hornets have no trouble where Suns had no answers

In a highlight from the Hornets Game 2 victory over San Antonio, Tony Parker attempts to knife his way into the paint, something he did with pathetic ease and consistency against the Suns in round one.

The only difference is that instead of a Suns defender (if you could call him that) letting Parker race by and then half-trying to block the layup from behind, Tyson Chandler actually (no joke) stays in front of Parker, and then blocks the shot. This isn’t revelatory, considering that the idea of defense is to stay between the man and the basket (not to mention the fact Chandler has a foot’s worth of altitude on the Frenchman).

Considering the basic principles of defense involved, it’s even more mind-boggling as to why Phoenix was simply unable to stop Parker from dissecting them for over 29 ppg in round one.

* On a positive spin, the Suns did figure out that allowing Manu Ginobili to drive left is a bad thing. Miraculously, when the Suns forced him to go right, Ginobili couldn’t do a thing. It was like they heard all the Phoenicians screaming at the TV, “Don’t let him go left!!!” That right there was the Suns biggest defensive improvement. It’s just a shame it took them two-and-a-half series’ to figure it out.

Offensively, the Hornets are beating the Spurs using a formula the Suns should be better at: using their All-Star point guard to penetrate and finding shooters. Either that, or they created for their versatile power forward, David West.

You ask anyone, anyone who keeps up with basketball, and they’ll say Amare Stoudemire should be able to tear the Spurs apart twice as bad as David West. But it’s the Hornets who have the Spurs figured out, while the Suns are still trying to.

The worst part of this is the fact that New Orleans is doing this against the Spurs on their first try. For all the blathering about playoff experience, the Hornets are showing more poise and making the Suns look like they were the playoff novices.

D’Antoni to Bulls would be ironic

There once was a team that was playoff regular for a few years before hitting one bad year. One. Lots of good pieces that simply underachieved. A few roster tweaks, enter Mike D’Antoni as the new head coach and BAM! Hello, contender status.

That was the Suns in 2004-05. In 2008-09, it could very well be the Bulls.

If anyone can get Kirk Hinrich out of his below-potential funk, it’s D’Antoni. Hinrich is probably one of the few point guards who could do a fair Nash imitation in D’Antoni’s system. Remember, the guy played for Team USA, and not because he was the token white guy on the roster (that role belonged to Brad Miller).

With Hinrich running D’Antoni’s show, suddenly Ben Gordon becomes the most dangerous streak shooter in the league. Green light-####! Luol Deng will be the new Shawn Marion, the 6’7” does-everything-guy who is always labeled underrated. Tyrus Thomas will suddenly tap into his monstrous potential.

The worst part for Suns fans? D’Antoni’s sixth man goes from being the psychologically-soft Brazilian Leandro Barbosa to the hard-nosed Argentinean Andres Nocioni. Yeah, the league needed another guy from Argentina to be a thorn in other teams’ sides.

The Raptors? Please. Suns East will be in the Windy City.

*Actually, that wouldn't be the worst. What if Chicago gets lucky in the lottery, drafts Michael Beasley and wins a championship in the next three years with D'Antoni as coach. John Paxson sits in his office reminiscing about his '93 three-pointer that eliminated the Suns in Game 6 of the Finals. He'd smile and say, "Got 'em again."

Who coaches the old men?

The Suns are at a crucial juncture. Four fifths of their starting lineup are over 30 (Three fifths over 33). D’Antoni is leaving because of philosophical differences between him and management.

What coach wants to try to change the philosophy of 30-something-year-old players? Especially when two of them are former MVP’s?

“Look, Steve, I don’t care how many behind-the-back passes you make to Stoudemire on the pick-and-roll, play some [expletive] defense!” Yeah, that’ll go over real well.

And Nash is the nice guy. Shaquille O’Neal openly supported D’Antoni. How will he react to a new coach hoping to instill discipline into the Big Ego?

There are so many things that could’ve kept a premature ending to the Suns Era from happening. Being in the East, playing anyone but the Spurs, not having a key injury in the playoffs every year since Nash arrived.

The harsh truth is that those are all excuses. True champions win. Wannabes go home, and either get farther next year or disband. It looks like the latter for the Suns. Unfortunately for them, the rest of the league is and will be reaping the benefits.

Out of all the All-Star snubs that commissioner David Stern could choose from to replace the injured Kevin Garnett for next week's All-Star weekend, the best he could do was Rasheed Wallace? Forgive the juvenile protest, but puh-leeze.

There are two reasons why this makes absolutely no sense. One comes from the "teams should get awarded for success" theory, and the other is "the better player should be an All-Star" preference. In both cases, Wallace should not have been selected as a replacement.

First, the team perspective. Boston currently holds the best record in the NBA. Not just the Leastern, ahem, eastern conference, mind you. The entire league. Yet now they will have a grand total of one representative at the All-Star game. When was the last time that happened?

(I'd like to know what search tools those professional writers use to look up random trivia like that. Then I'd sound really smart by answering my own questions.)

Even without Garnett, Boston was able to pull off a big win at home against the Spurs. That makes Boston an impressive 16-0 against western conference foes, despite all the critics and pundits prematurely crowning whoever comes out of the dogfight for the western conference championship.

In case you haven't gotten the hint yet, Ray Allen is starting to sound like a fairly reasonable candidate (if not shoe-in) to replace his injured teammate. So far, that's only on the basis of team merit.

Individually, (again, a question that more professional writers with professional resources could answer), when was the last time someone played in the All-Star game averaging a paltry 12.9ppg and 7.3rpg? Sure, Ben Wallace has made the All-Star team averaging less points, but his rebounding numbers were in double figures. The AP release mentions in passing that Wallace leads his team in steals (1.36spg) and blocks (1.6bpg). The cynic within says, "Whoopdee-freakin'-doo."

Ray Allen on the other hand? A cool 18.3ppg. Not unreasonable for an All-Star, especially on such a loaded squad. And while some may have missed this transpiring, Allen has actually become the "go-to guy" in the clutch, winning a handful of games with his silky-smooth jumper to close it out. Doesn't it say something on his behalf that Allen is chosen over All-Star teammates Garnett and Paul Pierce that he gets the nod in clutch time?

Had Stern still been tempted to bypass Allen, there are a few other players that come to mind as replacements; players "more deserving" than Wallace, if such a phrase can indeed be used in this situation. Jose Calderon comes to mind. A more obvious option is Hedo Turkoglu, who has been nothing short of phenomonal in keeping the Magic firmly entrenched in third place the whole season. Heck, even Michael Redd should get a look before 'Sheed.

David Stern's had to put up with a lot of #### over the last couple years, mainly due to the mistakes of others (Suns players leaving the bench, cheating refs, players running afoul of the law, etc.). This time, though, Stern had the power, swung, and missed big time.

Anything involving a 7'1" 325-pound behemoth has to be big. In the case of the trade that landed Shaqille O'Neal in Phoenix and all the subsequent effects that will be felt, any size-indicating adjective is inadequate. Championship hopes, new roles, and widely varying expectations all came to the forefront when the Diesel rolled into the desert yesterday, and none of them will be answered until the season's end.

The first thing that everyone who has an opinion on this trade has to come to terms with is that this sudden and unexpected move by the Suns cannot be ruled "good" or "bad" until the postseason is over. Shaq could very well stink up the floor in the regular season while the team tries to adjust with him, only to give the Suns that half-court playoff element they've missed over the last few years.

There is no debate that the Diesel will have a profound effect on his teammates. Already, he's alluded to "Project Stoudemire," stating that he plans on helping Stoudemire become the best power forward in the league. Suns staff would be thrilled if Stoudemire indeed learns post footwork and shooting from the former MVP.

That statement, along with his goal to win the fifth and sixth championships of his career, bring a charisma, optimism and swagger that hasn't been seen in a Suns uniform since Sir Charles Barkley rolled into town. That can only help the Suns in the lockerroom, where bickering and veiled comments were the rule of the day.

Optimists point out that with both Shaq and Stoudmire patrolling the paint, penetration should be nigh unto impossible. In a conference featuring the likes of Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant, that theory will be sorely tested. The Suns will also watch with trepidation when their defense as penetrated, knowing that Shaq and Stoudemire are the two most foul-prone big men in the league.

Also, how will Shaq affect Phoenix on offense? He's saying the right things now by professing how he'll start the break with his rebounding and outlet passes. How will Shaq feel after three or four consecutive fast breaks that conclude before he even makes it across half-court? Will he complain about lack of touches? Or will coach D'Antoni alter the offense slightly to take advantage of his talents in the post?

The biggest question mark concerning O'Neal is his health. The Suns might even be ok with O'Neal healing himself as long as necessary, hoping he'll be healthy and fresh for the playoffs. O'Neal's health status only highlights the fact that this team is suddenly much older, with O'Neal, Grant Hill, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Raja Bell all having had injuries and/or health issues in the not-too-distant past.

Because of his health, it's doubtful that Shaq will play more than 30 minutes a game, which should increase the load carried by Boris Diaw, who tends to be more productive with more consistent minutes. Also, by trading two smaller positions for a center, rookie DJ Strawberry has already seen more minutes, and responded well last night with 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting and stingy defense. Will D'Antoni be willing to change/expand his rotation permanently with the sudden decrease in the guard/forward department?

Ultimately, the effect of Shaquille O'Neal on the Suns for good or evil can't be measured until the Suns win the championship or fall short in their attempt. Until then, a lot of questions need to be answered, and all of them come back to the Big If.

Flashback to the summer of 1999. The Phoenix Suns, recently ousted in the first round by the Spurs, were pulling out all the stops to sign promising forward Antonio McDyess to a contract extension. McDyess spurned Phoenix's offer and elected to take less money and more losing with the Denver Nuggets.

Stung by this unexpected turn of events and desperate to compensate for their obvious weakeness underneath, the Suns turned to their consolation free agent prize, Tom Gugliotta. "Googs" (as he was known), had proven to be capable of putting up All-Star numbers on a mediocre (at best) Timberwolves squad, averaging 20ppg and 8rpg in his last two seasons in Minnesota.

Heralded as the franchise's saving big man, Gugliotta proceeded to prove that putting up All-Star numbers on a playoff team was not as easy as being the primary and only offensive option on a bad club. Expectations, blown out of proportion, went unmet and unfulfilled.

Fast forward to today and take a slight detour to Los Angeles. The Lakers, after repeated attempts, were unable (or unwilling) to aquire Kevin Garnett from (go figure) the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kobe was angry, Bynum still an embryo of talent, and the rest of the Lakers a pitiful assembly of D-League talent.

The season commenced, and miraculously Bynum evolved into a 20-year-old man-child pillar of supernatural strength and potential. The supporting cast coelesced into a functional team that actually complemented Bryant, and the Lakers were suddenly contending for bragging rights in the Pacific division, where the Suns have remained virtually unchallenged for the last three years.

A mid-season knee injury to Bynum rang the alarm bells and threatened to derail the Lakers' season. Not knowing whether Bynum would be the force he was by the time the playoffs come around, the Lakers managed to swindle a curly-haired, one-time All-Star from a bad team (sound familiar yet?) in Pau Gasol.

While Gasol is certainly a capable big man, it will be interesting to see if he suffers the same drop in production that Gugliotta did after he joined Phoenix. Will Gasol's averages of 19ppg and 9rpg as Memphis' #1 option be similar on the same team as Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and (eventually) Andrew Bynum? If not, will he still be effective?

Remember, Gugliotta's averages dropped despite the only other star players on the team being the scoring-shy Jason Kidd and the offensively inconsistent Shawn Marion. He was the guy on the block for Phoenix. Gasol will have many more weapons around him, and his will be the challenge to produce in such surroundings.

Another concern for L.A. should be Gasol's health. Both he and Gugliotta are remarkably similar in their consistency to be injured fairly frequently, missing a few weeks here, or a month there. Gasol was unable to play Sunday because of back pain. Back issues are one of the few injuries that never quite go away, but always have a way of reappearing at inopportune times.

The guess here is that Gasol will be a nice pickup, but not the franchise savior everyone in Los Angeles envisions. Luckily for them, he doesn't have to be, not with Bryant, Odom and Bynum in tow. Assuming Bynum recovers completely, it may be enough that Gasol will turn out to be another "Googs."

Does Suns management ever go to bed wondering, "If only we played in the East?" That sure would make things easier in light of the last 48 hours' events.

Thursday, the Suns hosted the Spurs in Phoenix for the first time since their controversial playoff series last year. The game had everything (tempers, involved fans, flopping)...except scoring. Unfortunately, that always favors San Antonio.

There was hope that the Suns would be able to win ugly, but that rarely happens. Stoudemire reappeared in the fourth quarter after abysmal play early on, only to choke at the free throw line with two opportunities to tie.

Memo to Amare: show some All-Star-like consistency.

Even had the Suns eked out the win, it wouldn't have been seen as a statement. Phoenix would've escaped by the skin of their teeth, and they would've known that. Not very encouraging when the game was played sans Tony Parker.

Now the Suns' nagging doubts about playoff basketball and a black-and-silver jinx have resurfaced. Pundits (cough, Charles Barkley, gasp) continue to question whether Stoudemire can consistently play up to par against his western conference counterparts in the post.

That leads to the most recent piece of bad news for Phoenix: the trade that sends Pau Gasol from Memphis to the Lakers. With this move, the Lakers have vaulted themselves from "darkhorse" to "contender" status.

Now, Stoudemire will be facing double-trouble the next time he sees purple and gold in Gasol and growing man-child Andrew Bynum (assuming he's healthy).

Let's not forget the Marion isn't exactly a fan of having to defend post players that have five inches and fifty pounds on him in the first place. Marion struggled as it was guarding Lamar Odom, who will now be the third-tallest player on the Lakers' frontline at a paltry 6'10".

The one advantage the Suns may have over the Lakers would be footspeed, but don't think a coach like Phil Jackson won't prepare his team for that.

The Suns have more than a fighting chance with solid defenders Grant Hill, Brian Skinner and (when motivated) Boris Diaw. The last thing they needed, however, was a bigger challenge out west.

Life is full of those idyllic scenarios that we imagine to ourselves and say, “Hey, it could happen.” I most often experience those with women and sports.

Members of the opposite sex often leave me hoping for the best and experiencing the opposite. “She’s gorgeous, and wonderful, and funny and sweet. Maybe she’ll think the same thing about me. Hey, it could happen.”

On those rare times it does, it’s agonizingly temporary. There comes that defining moment where she “needs space,” or to “think things over.” During the emotionally wrenching interval, I think, “She’ll realize that this is what she really wants. She’ll have a defining come-to-terms with herself (like in the movies) and think ‘Why would I ever leave him?’ Hey, it could happen.”

A few days later, I get the official word that the “we” is back to “me.”

Then there’s sports; more specifically, the Phoenix Suns. The Suns faced the Jordan-lead Bulls in ’93. I tried to convince myself that Chicago would lose to the Suns. “The Bulls are old, and they’ll be complacent. Barkley and KJ are hungry and deserve to win. They’ll raise a banner in Phoenix. Hey, it could happen.”

Most recently, in the era of the resurrected Nash, there have been so many of those moments. 2004-05, against the Spurs in the conference finals, I thought that since they had a historic turnaround, it was a year of destiny, and tried to tell myself that, “This will be the storybook season. Lottery one year, championship the next. Hey, it could happen.”

2005-06. Sans-Stoudemire, Phoenix managed to avoid the Spurs and Mavs until the conference finals. The Mavs were the opponent, having slain the Spurs dragon for us. Even without Stoudemire, I thought, “The Suns didn’t fight all the injuries and the L.A. challenges in the first two rounds to be stopped now. We’ve got Dallas, and we know we can beat them, and then get to the Finals and win even without Amare. Hey, it could happen.”

Last season, in the face of suspensions and physical Spurs defense, and for 45 minutes of Game 5, I did my best to keep saying, like a sacred verbal talisman, “Even though they’re overmatched, the Suns are playing with so much heart. We can hold on for three more minutes and then go into Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead and finally beat the freaking Spurs. Hey, it could happen.”

I think the worst part about all of the occurrences above, is that I truly didn’t believe it myself. There was that part of me, in my gut, that would ache and tell me, “You want to believe, but you know, despite everything, that it won’t work out that way.”

I hate that. I hate how the “Hey, it could happens” have happened to everyone but my team. How the Spurs landed Duncan in the one year the Admiral was out of commission. How Miami gets a once-in-a-lifetime performance out of D-Wade to lift them over an 0-2 finals hole. How all those wonderful, best-case scenarios work out for other fans, but not for me. Not only me, but forty years worth of Suns fans. Not once.

This year, I really believe. There is no secret tummyache that betrays a false faith this time. I really believe the Suns will win it this year.

Nash is angry and determined. Stoudemire looked good last year, but this preseason has looked more spry and athletic, like the pre-microfracture version that took the league by storm.

Hill looks healthy and is running with the offense. Marion hasn’t peeped since training camp. Diaw isn’t fat. Banks is shooting the lights out.

Yes, San Antonio looks stronger than ever. Yes, Miami got a shot in the arm with Ricky Davis. Yes, Boston’s triumvirate of All-Stars is enviable. Yes, Dallas could finally have a psychological breakthrough.

None of that matters. The Suns will win. I believe it. They’ll beat San Antonio and Dallas if/when they face them. Phoenix will play like a team. The parts will mesh. They’ll make the plays and get the breaks that all championship teams need. They’ll be NBA champions for the first time in their 40-year history, and I will see it as it unfolds.

That and I’ll find the girl of my dreams this same year. Hey, it could happen.

Rookie of the Year-Kevin Durant: Even if Oden were healthy, i'm not sure he would've beaten out Durant, simply because Seattle will depend more on KD than Portland would have on Oden.  The same could be said for Atlanta's Al Horford.  The former Gator has shown in the preseason that he can fill the stat sheet, but unfortunately is among the plethura of forwards that litters the Hawks' roster.  While Durant at shooting guard may not be pretty at times, it should be enough to win him ROY.

6th Man of the Year-Andres Nocioni: I was trying to decide between Noc and Adam Morrison, but then the bomb dropped yesterday that 'Stache would be out for the season with a torn ligament.  Nocioni has already shown this preseason that he can provide the offensive punch that Chicago will need off the bench.  Gordon and Deng can only do so much, and Nocioni has the consistent firepower (and inner fire) to get the job done.

Most Improved Player- Andrea Bargnani:  Everyone's been harping about Dwight Howard's improved offense, but the jump in stats from last year to this season may not be large enough to warrant the nod from voters.  While Toronto is loaded at the guard and wing spots, their options in the middle are mediocre at best.  Bargnani will see plenty of playing time, as GM Bryan Colangelo will want to see further returns from his #1 draft pick.  Expect coach Sam Mitchell to tweak the offense around his dynamic duo of Bargnani and Bosh, now that he knows what the Italian sensation is capable of.

Defensive Player of the Year-Shawn Marion: Just as I can't support Marion on his recent rave about underappreciation, neither can I support that Marion has never been named to an All-NBA Defensive team.  This includes last year, when he was somehow left off both the first and second teams despite finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year award.  He's the only player in the league that can guard successfully all five positions on the floor.  He's always among the league leaders in both steals and blocks.  What more can you ask for? 

Coach of the Year-Rick Adelman: The only concern with the running philosophy of Adelman being applied to Houston is whether Yao Ming will have the necessary stamina to do the job.  When they set up in a half-court offense, however, Adelman will be sure to take advantage of Yao's exceptional passing, and teammates McGrady, Bonzi Wells, Steve Francis and Luis Scola should thrive, and hopefully do so past the first round.  Orlando's Stan Van Gundy is another candidate here.

MVP-Kevin Garnett: His stats may not be impressive while playing with two other All-Stars, but KG could very well have the same effect on the Celts that Shaq and Nash had on their respective clubs in the 2004-05 season.  Boston is bound to improve dramatically, and KG's effect, both statistically and otherwise, will be impossible to ignore.  Nash, Nowitzki, James and Bryant will all be in the discussion, but Boston's renewal under a new face will likely give Garnett a few extra votes.

This isn't how it was supposed to be. After Phoenix's heartbreaking loss to the Spurs, the feeling of injustice and redemption was supposed to unite the Suns like never before heading into the 2007-08 season. Now, the Suns would settle for a quiet training camp.

Shawn Marion's unaltered trade demand, of course, will be the center of attention for both fans and outsiders alike. Opponents can only hope that Phoenix's most powerful wing will break during the course of the season, while Suns fans are hoping fervently that Marion will remember how a lot of people would love to be as mistreated as he is.

It's doubtful that anything noteworthy will leak during camp, when every NBA club puts on a facade of almost comical optimism. As the season wears on the players physically and emotionally, however, Marion's discontent may resurface, and the Suns can only hope it doesn't happen during a losing streak. If it does, teams will be able to low-ball their offers in hopes of landing the Matrix at a used-DVD price as opposed to the action-packed movie premiere that he is.

Of more immediate concern to the Suns is the breaking news of another knee surgery to be performed on Amare Stoudemire.

While STAT was praised for his comeback from microfracture surgery on his left knee, people forget that it was actually the right knee that held the majority of problems during his recovery, and ultimately forced him to abort a premature comeback late in the 2005-06 season. Stoudemire had the right knee operated on at that point, removing a cyst and cleaning up the knee.

This new operation will also be performed on the troublesome right knee. Initial reports are that it will be a "clean-up" procedure, much like what teammate Raja Bell underwent earlier in the summer. With such shaky knee history, however, Suns' fans are understandably...nervous.

Because the procedure is being performed now, Stoudemire will miss the next two to three weeks, including training camp. Teammates, especially newcomers like Grant Hill, Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry, will find that learning an offense without one of its central components to be a temporary hindrance at the very least.

These setbacks, both physical and emotional, couldn't come at a worse time for the Suns, who could use a strong start to bolster their confidence as they approach the playoffs. The NBA world is watching to see if things will be resolved before they become unraveled.

It's a head-scratching ordeal when a player that is earning over $16 million a year harps about how underrated he is. In the case of the Matrix, he's had valid points. Yes, it's true that too few realize how vital he is to the Suns success. The majority of verbal kudos have been freely given to point man Steve Nash and coach Mike D'Antoni.

But while Marion's impact may be underappreciated by less-than-avid fans, the human pogo-stick must also realize that he is not nearly the franchise player that he would like people to see him as. Franchise players take control of the game, make sure the outcome is in their hands when the going gets tough towards the end of the contest.

Marion does not do that. He does what so few NBA players are willing to do. He allows others to set up the offense and often helps convert their missed attempts into offensive rebounds and second chance points. He moves through the seems of the defense to be wide open (wide open for Steve Nash, anyway). He does not, nor cannot take a team on his shoulders and hit the big shot when it is needed.

This is no disrespect to Marion. Again, without him, Phoenix would be nowhere near as successful. He deserves to have his name in the Ring of Honor at the United Airways Arena after his career. Let it be reminded, however, that basketball is a team game where understood roles are vital to the team's success. Any role for Marion that demands more attention on or off the court would only be detrimental to the Suns.

Marion and Ben Wallace are much alike. For years, basketball purists and observers harped about how there yeoman's work was a throwback in today's give-me-the-glory sports economy. After a few years, however, their underrated-ness has been talked about frequently and loudly enough to make them almost overrated. Do Wallace and Marion really meret the title as highest-paid-player on their respective teams? Many would say no.

It's unfortunate that the thirst for public acknowledgement has been the cause of intangible strife between Marion, Stoudemire and inadvertently Nash. The Matrix and STAT should be constantly praising each other to sports reporters for how much they compliment and help each other on both ends of the floor. They need to take Nash's lead and acknowledge that their personal success is contingent on the other four players on the floor.

If indeed Marion feels slighted as has been hinted/rumored for half a decade now, he deserves credit for not letting it boil over and publicly damaging the franchise. Assuming he still feels that way, he could do no worse than change his outlook on his situation. He owes his career to the great point guards who he has played with. He is the highest-paid player on the team. He owns the coolest nickname in the NBA.

On the other hand, if all of this bad karma is just rumor and Marion does not feel overshadowed, then this is his chance to prove everyone wrong. He could be the bannerman for revived comeraderie in the lockerroom, that for whatever reason or another seemed to be semi-dormant last season.

Marion should give thanks for what he has, covet not what he doesn't, and make the ride enjoyable for not only himself, but those around him.

With all the focus on how USA Basketball has been renovated to a more teamlike structure, it'll be interesting to see if the team and its rotation is comprised of balanced units that won't inadvertantly clash while trying to figure out their roles. To help USA re-capture its place at the top of the basketball world, this is how it's team, and rotation should be formed:

Starting Lineup

PG-Jason Kidd: Right now, Kidd is the best point guard on the team. He only scores when he knows he must, and on a team of All-Stars that is a phenomonal trait to have. He sees the floor better than anyone born in the USA (Nash may barely edge him out). He'll push the ball, taking advantage of Team USA's biggest advantage: athleticism.

SG-Kobe Bryant: The designated Alpha Dog of Team USA, no one on the team will wonder who should have the rock in a must-score situation if he's on the floor. Last year Carmelo, Lebron, and D-Wade took turns trying to figure out who should be the day's clutch player and how. With KB24 on board, that question is already answered.

SF-Mike Miller: With Kobe on the other wing, Miller is the perfect compliment that won't need the ball when on the floor. As shown in the scrimmage, he'll literally feast on open looks from the international version of downtown, which is like saying downtown Tuscon, Arizona...it's not that far. In short, Miller is one of the perfect examples of a "role player" that Colangelo set out to put on the team.

PF-Chris Bosh: Bosh will be the first team's scoring option down low so Dwight Howard can worry about doing the dirty work. He may actually find himself hovering at the high post more often than not. Bosh's versatility will enable him to score however is necessary against the various defenses that Team USA will see. Unlike last year's stint on Team USA, Bosh has grown into a more intense and competitive player.

C-Dwight Howard: Howard is of more help on defense and the glass than offensively, so he'll see a lot of time playing with his offensively minded counterparts Bosh and Stoudemire. With Bosh and Kobe on the floor, Howard won't have to worry about being forced to score points, and can expand all his energy on doing what he does best: rebounding, blocking shots, and dunking.

Second Unit

PG-Chauncey Billups: As the designated veterean on the second unit, Team USA won't have to worry when he replaces Kidd as their floor general. Billups isn't shy about shooting when he has to, but will never force the issue. Detroit's clockwork success as a team is a result of Billups' diligence in making sure his squad is on the same page. He should have the same effect for Team USA.

SG-Michael Redd: The second unit's designated bomber, Redd should benefit as much (if not more) than Miller. His quick release will be paramount against the quick-shifting zone defenses that USA will see repeatedly.

SF-Carmelo Anthony: 'Melo should be this squad's numero uno threat on the perimeter. His effectiveness last summer on the team was pleasantly surprising, and he was one of the few who earned respect following Team USA's performance. His combination of a quick shooting touch and drives to the rim will be key in breaking down a stingy defense.

PF-Lebron James: James could see playing time at almost any position, but this makes the most sense for him because 1) he'll be the best secondary passer ever and 2) is big enough to stay with opposing "fours" and quick enough to take advantage of them on offense. James may actually play better when he's not expected to carry the load offensively.

C-Amare Stoudemire: STAT is obviously starting material, but would probably want the ball more than would be efficient with Kidd, Kobe, and Bosh on the floor at the same time. He also might not play with Howard that often, as those two are the only two true big men on the team. On the second squad, he'll be the big dog down low, and will see plenty of touches playing with willing passers James and Billups.

"The Bench Warmers"

Shane Battier: Between his tenaciousness on defense and having played at Duke, he'll probably earn a spot on the team. Battier will be able to come in and lock down an offensive threat from the other team, and is the best at taking charges. He's also more than willing to defer to the star power on the team.

Tyson Chandler: Because Howard and Stoudemire are 1)extremely young and active and 2)not great defenders individually, they may wind up in foul trouble more than Coach K would like. Chandler is the big man insurance on the team in case he has to bench his two superstuds. He's also a great role player who excels at rebounding and blocking shots.

Who Gets Cut and Why

Tayshaun Prince: This guy was the toughest to leave off, because he's such a great defender and role player. He and Billups would probably have great chemistry as well. Honestly, his skinny frame and unorthodox play throw me off. He didn't have a great scrimmage last weekend, with three turnovers and a few lapses on defense as well. Battier's proven himself to the point where Prince would have to blow me away to replace him.

Deron Williams: He and Chris Paul will probably replace Billups and Kidd as USA's point guards of the future. Right now Williams is having a great learning experience, but will be groomed as the first option to fill in for the older men at the guard. Also, Lebron James can be called upon as a 3rd guard if needed right now, and he actually excelled at that in the bronze medal game last year.

Kirk Hinrich: Hinrich is a player every coach wants, but just finds himself behind a few point guards that are even better right now. That's no knock on Hinrich, either. He may very well be back in the rotation once Kidd and Billups are out of the picture, but after Williams' stellar playoff showing and better playmaking, Hinrich may be stuck as the second or third point guard of the future.

Kevin Durant: Like Williams, Durant will probably be the backbone of Team USA's future. He's still very slight of build, and will benefit from a few years of seasoning in the NBA and training with Team USA. He's already a top notch scorer, and should be and integral part of the 2010 World Championships. After all, he'll only be 22 by then...

J.J. Redick: Redick is probably more o####amble than USA staff would like to make right now. He wasn't healthy most of last season, and has yet to prove himself on a professional level. If he has a decent year this next season, he could be one of Team USA's rotating outside shooters in the future. Right now, though, he's staring at Redd and Miller's backsides.

In a recent report, Tim Donoghy has received "threatening phone calls" in the wake of his FBI investigation for betting on games he's refereed. Why this made the news, I have no idea. It's kind o####iven that when people find out you've been screwing over their teams and their sport, they're going to let you know how they feel. Over half of those phone calls can probably be traced to Phoenix, AZ. For a great take on why, read this article from Foxsports writer Kevin Hench...

After a weekend-long minicamp, Team USA held an intersquad scrimmage yesterday, and KB24 showed why he's a lock on the team, scoring seven points in the final two minutes, including the game winner with just over six seconds left. It's probably a good thing that the U.S. won't have to rely exclusively on Lebron or 'Melo for late heroics if they're needed...

The surprises from the scrimmage? Mike Miller and Kevin Durant. Miller was feasting from the closer-in three-point line, and scored 22 points. Meanwhile, Durant was making his case for making the team this year, showing some deadly shooting and deft post moves. The biggest disappointment? Probably Tayshaun Prince, who had three turnovers and several lapses on defense...

Off-season movement continued last week, highlighted by the Suns' money-motivated move to trade Kurt Thomas to Seattle with two first round unprotected draft picks. That 2010 pick could definetely hurt if Nash is done and Marion is finally dealt elsewhere, as has been rumored since he entered the league in '99. On the flip-side, with Thomas' salary gone Marion will probably stick around (definetely good) and Sean Marks will get lots of playing time (hey, Kerr thinks it will work).

If you play those NBA Live video games where individual player talent determines how good a team is, then you can probably understand why Houston took a trip down memory lane and signed Steve Francis. The Rockets' makeup right now is getting really questionable. New coach Rick Adelman will want to run run run. Yao does not run run run. So in order to run run run, T-Mac will need the ball. But to win win win, Yao should have the ball. And let's not forget that Bonzi Wells wants the ball. And now they sign Steve Francis, who has no other desire than to be the ball's personal chaperone throught the game. That's not to mention the New York-like traffic jam at point guard right now...

Going along with the back to the future theory, the Lake Show signed D-Fish for 3 years and $14 million. Fisher says he hopes his being in L.A. might persuade Kobe to relinquish is already shady trade demand. At this point, I'm not sure even Kobe knows what he last said in reference to staying or not staying in L.A...the Lakers also re-signed Chris Mihm for another three years. Actually, Kobe might just reiterate his trade demand if he notices that the Lakers are just re-signing the exact same squad for a few more years...

Gerald Wallace re-upped with Charlotte for six years and $57 million. With him and J-Rich on the wings, Ray Felton setting them up on the break, and Okafor manning the middle, they look a lot like playoff material in the leastern conference...

Detroit refuses to give up on their tried and once-true veteran core, extending Antonio McDyess' contract for another two years. Will this approach work for the Pistons? What will get them back to the Finals? Their two rookies? A new sense of determination? Season-ending injuries to Lebron and D-Wade at the same time?

With all the refusals to communicate, quotes and mis-quotes and still no progress being made, the situation between Yi Jianlian and the Bucks has turned into a veritable Cold War. This whole situation isn't exactly helping David Stern promote the NBA in China...

The Bucks were not only able to speak to, but sign guard/forward Desmond Mason. That's a solid move, as he'll be able to either back up both Bobby Simmons and Michael Redd, or start for Simmons and let him take on the sixth man role. Mason should also be able to provide a few new highlights and posters. If the whole Yi thing does work out, then Milwaukee would be another team on the rise in the East...

And finally, with my weekly edition of Bits and Pieces (B&P), I'm starting to include an Idiocy of the Week. We'll stick with the Bucks theme, as this week's honor goes to Jake Voskuhl's agent Mark Bartelstein. After Voskuhl signed a contract with the Bucks this past week, Bartelstein said, "He's one of the top backup centers in the league." I guess averaging 4.4ppg, 3.5rpg, and 0.33bpg for a lottery team qualifies him as a "top backup center."

If anyone garnered respect and admiration for stepping up during the playoffs, it was Kurt Thomas of the Phoenix Suns. Against San Antonio, he went face-to-chest with the much-taller Tim Duncan, and made him work for every methodical point he scored. KT bodied him up, boxed him out, and probably bugged the #### out of him (we'll never know, due to Duncan's inability to have facial expression).

Thomas was equally Messianic on the offensive end, giving the Spurs an added problem with his rediscovered midrange jumper. Literally, it seemed that every time Thomas would roll away from setting a pick, and was open, the jumper was all net. It probably revitalized him to play such an important part in such an important series. Suns fans were thanking their lucky stars.

When Stoudemire was shut down by the league, the Suns were unable to keep up with the Spurs due to lack of fire power, but no one faulted Thomas. He had risen above and beyond any expectations that anyone had for him except for maybe Nash and coach D'Antoni.

The result of his sweat and effort willingly given in time of need? Sarver's executive decision to trade him away to the rebuilding Seattle Supersonics. This is like being on-call for work, and being called in because a couple co-workers couldn't make it due to company infractions. After working your tail off and being the only reason the place doesn't go up in smoke, you're told, "Sorry, you cost us a little more than we would like, so good luck finding your way in the world..."

Sarver needs to stop doing a 90's impression of Donald Sterling. As much as it hurts to say it, the Spurs have the right mind about shaping thier roster. They only spend big bucks on the truly and vitaly important stars, and even then they don't bust out the bank. Parker ($11 mil/year) and Ginobili (under $9 mil/year) are bargains, period. After those two and Duncan, the Spurs wisely bring in talented but humble free agents for less money. They draft potential studs that are cheap, such as Parker, Ginobili, Luis Scola, and Tiago Splitter (who honestly didn't know the Spurs would take Splitter when he was still on the board when the Spurs pick came up?).

Sarver finds himself needing to shave payroll so desperately because he didn't bother to look ahead, like the Spurs do. Now he finds himself pinned down by enormous contracts to Nash, Marion, and Stoudemire. He's probably still trying to justify giving Diaw $9 million a year after a sub-par performance last season. He overpaid to sign Marcus Banks, and apparently couldn't even get a "conditional second round pick" for him like they did for Thomas (What does it mean to have a "conditional second round pick"???).

That brings up another point that Suns fans will find particularly annoying. Sarver traded a tried-and-true veteran like Thomas who had a revelation of sorts in the playoffs, and not one, but two first round draft-picks. What did the Suns get in return? A "conditional second round pick" (seriously, what in the world is that?), and a whopping trade exception that Sarver will not use.

The Sonics just robbed the Suns. Period. This is due to two reasons: 1) Sarver has no foresight to see that his club will be in future financial trouble. All the expensive contracts putting the Suns over the cap have been signed in the last two/three years, when Sarver himself was calling the shots. 2) Even though this lack of foresight is the cause of this financial "crisis", Sarver is unwilling to pay (literally) for his mistakes.

It's unfair to not only to Thomas, but to his teammates like Nash, who knew they could depend on the veteran big man. It's unfair to Stoudemire and Diaw, who probably appreciated Thomas' efforts more than anyone, as he was battling for his fallen (or, imprisoned) comerades. It's unfair to D'Antoni, who's probably wondering, "Ok...now who's going to guard Duncan?" It's unfair to the fans, who saw what fans love to see: a player giving everything he has to win the game.

Unless Sarver has some franchise-lifting super-move in the works, this trade shows he cares(and thinks) less about his team, and more about his wallet.

Yi Jianlian's reps struck a huge blow to Milwaukee's hopes that Yi would play for them this year, if ever. Interestingly, the supposed "reason" is not because Milwaukee offers a small Asian population, but because the team is "not good for his development." They're saying that with fellow bigs such as Charlie Villanueva and Andrew Bogut, Yi wouldn't get the playing time his reps would like him to see. Other than those two, what other bigs would Yi be competing with for playing time? Brian Skinner? Please...

According to both Kevin Garnett and T-Wolves owner Glen Taylor, the Big Ticket isn't going anywhere. KG may find that things won't be so bad in Minny with Randy Foye, Ricky Davis, and rookie Corey Brewer to help him out for a whole season. Taylor mentioned that if any trades are pursued that they will exclude Kevin Garnett. So which T-Wolf will be next on the rumor mill? Marco Jaric, Trenton Hassell, and Rashad McCants may all be dangled to lure any semblance of a center. Their current best option at that position is Mark Blount...

Chucky Atkins left Memphis to sign with Denver this week. Atkins arrives to fill in the pass-first point guard void left by Steve Blake, who signed with Portland earlier. There are a lot of domino-effects involved, which are: 1) will J.R. Smith, who started last season on fire with a starter's role, continue to lose time due to the duo of 'Melo and A.I. needing a point guard on the floor? 2) The Grizzlies loosen up their logjam at point guard, with Mike Conley Jr., Kyle Lowry and Damon Stoudamire still on board and 3) Portland, Denver, and Memphis will all be less of the push-over type in the Western Conference.

Speaking of being less of a pushover, a few teams in particular have done well for themselves this summer while powerhouses San Antonio, Dallas, and Cleveland have all been standing pat.

With the playoffs and the Draft buzz dying down, the focus now shifts to Team USA basketball. Several newcomers to the program, as well as those who were unavailable last year, will try and get Team USA out of its current funk. Kobe figures to be the main guy, while Deron Williams, Michael Redd, and Amare Stoudemire should definetely make their marks on this squad. The most likely to be cut? Probably J.J. Redick, Tyson Chandler, and maybe Kevin Durant.

The Heat's roster is slowly being tweaked this summer. While Alonzo Mourning is coming back for another go-around, Zo says that his buddy Gary Payton probably won't be coming back. His replacement? Possibly Steve Francis. Considering D-Wade's game is pretty similar to Francis' stomping-ground days, it would make for an interesting backcourt. Oh yeah, and Shaq will be 36 next season. They'll regret trading Jason Smith to Philly sooner than later...

Washington re-signed guard Deshawn Stevenson for four years after being to perfect role player last season. The question is, how many guard/forward types will the Wizards stockpile before looking for a competent big man? The Etan Thomas/Brendan Haywood thing has run its course already. With Stevenson, Agent Zero, Caron Butler, rookie Nick Young (who plays a lot like Arenas by the way), Antawn Jamison and Antonio Daniels all on board, expect one or two of them to be shipped out for a big in the not-too-distant future..

In the spirit of the upcoming 7/7/07, I have taken it upon myself to look back on draft night seven years ago.  In so doing, I found out that the NBA Draft of 2000 was the worst draft ever. I mean, it's unreal, it was so bad. I was like, "Are you kidding me?"  Here's a breakdown on this nauseating slew of selections:

1. New Jersey Nets-Kenyon Marton: K-Mart was already damaged goods when he left Cincy for the NBA, but he did manage to provide shot-blocking and rebounding early in his career, helping JKidd and company reach the Finals twice. His offensive game never matched the enormous contract he demanded, and the Nets (rightfully, in my opinion) let him walk. Since that time, Martin's been distracting, injury-prone, and disruptive for the Nuggets. The good thing about the Nuggets is that they no longer need him with frontcourt players Carmelo Anthony, Nene Hilario, and Marcus Camby.

2. Vancouver Grizzlies-Stromile Swift: The Grizzlies drafted based on potential here, thinking Swift's athleticism was a sign of big things to come. While he could dunk with the best of them, Swift's personal drive never really left the ground, and he's been earning money based on "potential" for the last seven years.

3. L.A. Clippers-Darius Miles: One of the worst-case scenarios for jumping straight from high school to the NBA, Miles enjoyed a couple decent "developmental" years in L.A. and Cleveland, but never panned out as the "Next KG". Now an outcast on the Portland roster, he may never get another chance due to his on-court performance and off-court issues.

4. Chicago Bulls-Marcus Fizer: Fizer was supposedly the most solid pick in the draft, the next Karl Malone. He never averaged more than 25 minutes a game or 12ppg either, however, and disappeared from the NBA after fve seasons.

5. Orlando Magic-Mike Miller: To give you an idea about how bad this draft was, it's important to know that Miller is the most productive player from the first round of this draft, and that he was also that year's ROY. Great perimeter shooter, but not exactly qualified as a marquee name from a draft.

6. Atlanta Hawks-Demarr Johnson: Another guy "filled with potential", he's been on three NBA teams and has NEVER averaged double-figures in scoring.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers-Chris Mihm: LakerKev's favorite all-time player, Mihm is the epitome of the "soft and white" NBA center. I'm assuming he took that title from Luc Longley. Let's just say he's never developed into the dominant big man people thought he'd be.

8. Chicago Bulls-Jamal Crawford: People knew he could score coming out, and yes, he's very good scoring 17ppg on a bad team. The problem is not knowing if he can produce on a good team (maybe we'll find out next year when he plays with Curry and Randolph). He needs the ball in his hands to score. He's...OK.

9. Milwaukee Bucks-Joe Pryzbilla: Another 7-foot project, he somehow managed to get a decent contract with Portland after posting still current career-highs of 6.4ppg and 7.7rpg.

10. L.A. Clippers-Keyon Dooling: You'd think the first true point guard drafted would be more than a career 2nd/3rd string point guard...

11. Boston Celtics-Jerome Moiso: 6'10" out of UCLA, career highs of 4.0ppg and 3.5rpg. Lasted five years in the NBA, being the bench-warming big man for six teams.

12. Dallas Mavericks-Etan Thomas: Career highlights include 6.0ppg, 5.5rpg, and getting a dreadlock torn out of his hair by Wizards teammate Brendan Haywoodin a fight during practice.

13. Dallas Mavericks-Courtney Alexander: Translated 24.8ppg in his last year at college to a 3-year NBA career where he averaged 9.0ppg and a change of address per-year.

Ladies and gentleman, those were the Draft Lottery picks of 2000. Other miserable failures such as Mateen Cleaves, Mamadou N'Diaye, Dalibor Bagaric and Erick Barkley graced the first round. Now, granted, there were few players who managed to make decent NBA careers out of this class. The most notable is Michael Redd who was drafted late in the second round. Other honorable mentions include Quentin Richardson, Morris Peterson and Jamaal Magloire.

I think it's obvious, however, that on terms of expectations and overall production, this draft can unofficially go down as one of the worst ever in NBA history.