One of the best qualities about the NBA, is that it's really not like TV dramas at all. The characters actually evolve, progress and change. The plot, protagonist and antagonist can vary on a seasonal basis. Best of all, there're no summer reruns.
This summer promises to give us all the drama we could ever need and, unfortunately, it won't be covered by TNT. I'm sure that EJ, Kenny, Charles and Magic would love to hash out everything that will come to pass during these long and otherwise exclusively baseball-filled summer days. But sometimes what happens off the court can be as captivating as the proceeds on it, as this offseason is sure to prove.
Will Portland take Greg Oden with the number one pick in the draft? Common sense says they should, but what if they defy common sense, tell it to take a hike, and take Kevin Durant instead? It's not like they don't already have a competent center (see LaMarcus Aldridge). What would happen then?
If that happens, Seattle would most assuredly and happily take Oden, and suddenly the Northwest Division by itself would feature the best frontcourts in the NBA: Seattle with Oden, Rashard Lewis, and Chris Wilcox; Portland would roll out with Durant, high scoring forward Zach Randolph and the aforementioned Aldridge. The head-to-head potential is enough to make someone salivate in anticipation.
Will Atlanta take a point guard at number three or trade for one? I don't wonder because I care all that much, it's just that I'm sick of them ignoring a can't-miss point guard in the draft to take a tweener year after year.
What will Dallas and Phoenix do respectively, if anything, to their rosters? They had the best regular seasons in the league, but neither one made it farther than the semifinals. Both teams can convince themselves that the cards just didn't fall their way. Dallas can argue that it drew a bad matchup and mojo facing the Don Nelson-lead Warriors. Phoenix can blame its failure to advance on the powers that be and the NBA front office. Will they try again with what they've got, or retool and mess up a pretty good thing in the process?
Is the Bryant/Lakers marriage really on the verge of divorce? If it is, and Kobe really does get traded, a new superpower could be born in the NBA. Not to mention, who knows what Phil Jackson could do with a team of players willing to play his way and not their own? On the other hand, if Kobe stays, how will Laker fans react? Will they welcome Bryant back with open arms? Something's gotta give.
Speaking of franchise faces being on the block, will Kevin Garnett stay in Minnesota? What about Jermaine O'Neal, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups? All of them could possibly be on their way out of franchises upon which they've stamped their respective images. How will that tilt the scales in the league?
Team USA Basketball has to finish at least second in this summer's FIBA America tournament to qualify for the Olympics. Sounds easy enough, until you remember that the US of A hasn't finished better than 3rd in any international basketball tournament since the 2000 Olympics. Newcomers Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant could help there, as well as a completely recovered Amare Stoudemire. Time for Team USA to put up or shut up.
This may be one of the most dramatic and exciting summers in NBA history. The dreams of fans, teams, executives, and players can be made or broken during this time of year. If you don't like this, you don't like NBA basketball.
Earlier in the season, I expressed my feelings concerning the ever-present lack of dominant big men in the history of the Phoenix Suns. I called this historical dearth the Void of the Suns. I ended the article pleading with the basketball gods to have mercy on this seemingly cursed franchise.
That plea was answered in the affirmative for 82 regular season games and the first nine games of the playoffs. The Void was filled to bursting with Amare Stoudemire. Then, amazingly, the basketball gods (fickle beings that they are) sent demons to take over David Stern's soul. The response to a small infraction instigated by Robert Horry? Game 5 suspensions for both Amare and versatile forward Boris Diaw.
Nevermind the fact that no harm was done by either of the "guilty" parties. The basketball gods whispered in Stern's ear, "They came off the bench. They must suffer the consequences." Perhaps the portion of Stern's soul that is good and right tried to fight against it. If so, the internal struggle was a quick one. With divine deviousness, the basketball gods ripped apart the Suns frontline, and permitted the Void to exist for the most important and opportune game of the year.
The Suns had turned in a heroic effort to steal Game 4 in San Antonio, regaining homecourt advantage. With Game 5 in the desert and a frenzied arena of supporters waiting, it was to be the best chance for the Suns to dispel the notion that the Spurs had their number. Alas, they were left crippled, facing the best power forward in the history of the game in Tim Duncan.
Phoenix turned in a valiant effort, but the Void proved too great for the final five minutes of the game. One game was all that was needed to completely change the entire feel of what would have most assuredly been a historic series. Yet the basketball gods took the wind from their sails after Game 4. Is it fair? No. Is it fate? It sure seems like it.
The basketball gods and the Void they've slapped on the Suns since the team's inception have made the franchise's history into a seemingly endless run of "what-if's." When will the Suns get their break and the other teams lose theirs? Haven't they gone through enough "almosts" and "if only's" over the last 39 years? Unfortunately, the answer to those questions will have to wait until next year.
In one of those popular T-Mobile commercials, Charles Barkley comments, "Man, the eighties were the good old days." Now, I enjoyed the Bulls dynasty of the 90's. It was great stuff, witnessing live legends being engraved in history. Shaq muscling his way to the winner's circle three years in a row was great too. I appreciate the team basketball the Rockets, Spurs, and Pistons have all exhibited over the last 12 years.
If there's one thing I do miss about the 80's though, it's the rivalry. The one that everyone knows is there. The two powerhouse teams that are constantly aware where the other team is at, and constantly having not only a physical, but emotional and psychological war with as well. The Lakers and Celtics, and later on the Bulls and Pistons gave us that rivalry.
Miami and New York gave us a good, if ugly rivalry in the late 90's. The only thing lacking in that was the potential each team had to win a championship. While they fought like territorial alley-cats, they were mere kittens to the Bulls of the late 90's. Nothing more than advancing to the next round was ever on the line.
TNT tried its best to hype up the current Bulls/Pistons matchup, but frankly, the star power between the two teams is pretty underwhelming. Only one player out of the two teams was named to an All-NBA team this season. A paltry two All-Stars can be found, and neither one was thought of enough by fans to be voted in as starters. That's not rich soil where a good rivalry could take root.
There is hope for the NBA, however. Given the right sequence of personnel changes and perfect conditions, we could see the dawn of a renewal of the Lakers and Celtics rivalry. Is this anywhere close to happening right now? Heck no. But it could be.
Both the Celtics and the Lakers have great All-NBA caliber players in Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant, respectively. Pierce is a solid, high scoring and low-key All-Star...a perfect fit for Beantown. Kobe is a glitzy, acrobatic, and unstoppable scorer with almost too much swagger...pure Los Angeles. The foundations are in place, now each team just needs to build up.
The Celtics have a step up in this category, thanks to a wonderfully tanked '06-'07 season. If they can land one of the top two picks in this summer's draft, suddenly, they're in one of the most envied positions in the league. Not only would they have a chance at Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, but they also have other young players with potential that they could trade away for proven role players to fill in the gaps.
The guess here is that the Celtics, with Bill Russell's legacy imprinted on the franchise, go for Oden. Suddenly, the Celts are primed with one of the best inside-outside tandems in the league, if not the best. The Celts options from here are almost limitless. They will have what over half the teams in the NBA want: an expiring contract in Theo Ratliff at over 11 million. Trading him and one or two of their youngsters like Tony Allen, Al Jefferson or Kendrick Perkins could land them the all-important point guard they've been lacking due to immature stand-ins (see Sebastian Telfair).
Mike Bibby should be a prime target, since Sacramento's not going anywhere soon and has to realize sooner or later that what they have isn't working. Other floor generals that might be available include free agent Chauncey Billups (sign-and-trade?) and Chris Duhon of the Bulls.
Should any or all of the above scenarios play out, Boston suddenly launches itself to the top of the Leastern Conference, where a trip to the Finals is literally up for grabs to the team with the most momentum. With Pierce, Oden, a solid point guard and well-cast role players, it's not so hard to fathom Boston coming out on top. And this could all happen over this summer.
The Lakers meanwhile, are in more of a sticky wicket. Kobe ensures entertainment and a competitive element, but as we saw in the first round against Phoenix, he is in desperate need of a more adequate supporting cast. This will not come from the lottery, since they made the playoffs, so shrewd trades and free agent signings are in order.
The first thing that Lakers brass must come to grips with is that Lamar Odom is not an ideal Number Two option. Maybe a number 3, but after Odom, their trade bait becomes pretty thin. To get anywhere, Lamar's gotta go. We're talking about getting competitive here, so this will take some guts and a plunge. Part with any two players out of the rotation of Walton/Mihm/Cook/Brown/Bynum. It'd be best to keep and develop Bynum, but beggars cannot be choosers. At this point with the roster they have, the Lakers have no other choice but to beg.
Now, with Odom and two out of the afore-mentioned quintet, the Lake Show should go out and grab another marquee player. Kevin Garnett has been the name most often mentioned. He's still only 30, but plays with the passion of a young twenty-year-old. He's talented, hungry, but willing to defer to Kobe. It doesn't get much better than that. With his versatility, Phil Jackson would have a field day running an offense featuring a multi-dimensional forward and the most feared scorer in the universe. Again, your ideal 1-2 punch. If not Garnett, go for Pau Gasol or Rashard Lewis.
At this point, the Lakers should still have at least one out of their big man threesome of Mihm, Bynum, and Kwame Brown. Ronny Turiaf and Jordan Farmar showed enough consistent potential in the postseason to be held on to and worked as more integral parts of the team. L.A. could then wait for key role players to slip through the cracks of free agency. Somone out of the group of Matt Barnes, Anderson Varejao, Andres Nocioni, Steve Blake, Mickael Pietrus, Quinton Ross, Jamaal Magloire, and Morris Peterson could be available for the Lakers to pick off the ground and put on the finishing touches.
Suddenly, the Lakers are a well-balanced, dangerous team. There's no more spare-part syndrome where cast-offs are trying to fulfill roles that are beyond them. Kobe won't have to score over 40 and simultaneously hope his teammates shoot better than 50% from the field to win the game. He could actually have a chance to win something relevant without being in Shaq's shadow.
The best part about all this is that both the Lakers and Celtics would be just young enough to bang heads almost eighties-style for at least five years. The dual matchups of Bryant/Pierce and Oden/Garnett/Gasol would be instant headline material. Role players would be stressed and praised for "fitting in." The history of the two teams would only add to the sweetness and TNT drama.
Is it too good to be true? Probably. Impossible? Not remotely. Another sports commercial reminds is, "Impossible is nothing." To the Lakers and Celtics, respectively, I say, "Just do it."
A shame and a sham. That's what this series will be should the Spurs win. It's a shame because this was developing to be one of the best playoff series of all time with the Suns ready to knot things up at two games a piece.
Then Robert Horry, in a frustrated and low-class move, bodychecks Steve Nash, igniting a mini-melee towards center court. Reacting (but not participating), Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire left the "immediate vicinity" of the bench towards the altercation. What their intentions were, we may never know. We cannot assume anything, and by "we", that must include the league offices.
What is hard to understand is why those two players would be punished for leaving the bench, when those who were actually participating in the fracas were not even fined (with the exception of Horry, of course). On an even bigger scale, the league officials (most namely Stu Jackson and David Stern) are looking at the tape of this incident, knowing full well the options they have in front of them. They had to know that should they suspend Stoudemire and Diaw, that would be the biggest story, effect and consequence to the entire thing. And that is wrong. The biggest focus should be punishing what Horry did, and discouraging players from repeating the same bone-headed and cowardly act.
That's not the case now. What Horry did has been incredibly minimized because the suspensions of STAT and Diaw are by far the most series-altering actions that have taken place. The Phoenix Suns were punished far worse than the Spurs, even though they (the Suns) misbehaved far less than their opponents. The league is trying to punish individual players, which is all well and good early in the regular season, but leaves any playoff series tainted and false.
Now the Suns find themselves brutally undermanned in the frontcourt against one of the best frontcourts in the NBA. How are the Spurs sent a message, especially considering Bruce Bowen is fresh off receiving a Flagrant 1? Rules in the NBA are designed to make the game fair, but by all that can be observed, this is as far from fair as it gets.
With one fell swoop, the NBA has crippled the Suns when it matters most. For the third year in a row, they will be missing a critical component of their team in the postseason. In 2005, Joe Johnson was involved in a collision with Jerry Stackhouse of the Mavericks in the Western semis, which caused him to miss several games in that series and the following against the Spurs in the conference finals. Last year, Raja Bell suffered a severely pulled hamstring during the conference finals against Dallas. Bell, up to that point, had been the Suns' most consistent threat offensively.
Now this. With the series tied 2-2, the aftermath of "Cheap Shot" Rob is the Suns being without two of their best big men for the one of the biggest Game Fives in history. Everyone has been saying that the difference for the Suns this year is Stoudemire, yet that difference is history along with one of the most versatile forwards in the game because another player couldn't help but throw a temper-tantrum.
Spurs fans, and even some of the reps, are probably thanking the league offices right now for their actions. Any moral regret for what Horry did will be forgotten in the wake of these devastating suspensions. The Spurs may very well win the series, and all because Horry was angry enough to level a two-time MVP into the scorer's table. Is that the message the NBA wanted to send? If so, they did a darn good job.
Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki? Gone. Chris Bosh, Yao and T-Mac? First round fodder. Dwight Howard, D-Wade and Melo? On vacation. Such are the results as half of the All-NBA first, second, and third team members have been sent home after the first round of the playoffs. That includes one MVP, a two-time league scoring leader, six All-Star starters, and two of last year's Finals' participants. While the awards and honors are given for regular season effort, the playoffs is where a player's true identity is made and known. Last year's champion, the Heat, didn't do so hot in the regular season, but convincingly won its first NBA title. Steve Nash, a two-time MVP, will be the first to tell you that regular season accolades mean nothing once the teams are narrowed down to sixteen and the new motto is "win or go home." Nash is on a mission to prove this point too. After a Game 1 loss to the Spurs, Nash called out his teammates to play with the intensity and fire that is required during the NBA's version of the Big Dance. The Suns responded, emphatically routing San Antonio in Game 2. Their floor general has been an assist machine and hasn't shied from taking the big shot, doing whatever it takes to get his team to the promised land. In response, Duncan had a monstrous Game 3 with 33 points and 19 rebounds, instilling his quiet dominance on the Suns the way he's done to the league for almost a decade now. Younger players should take notice of Timmy D's focus on winning, and utter lack of interest for a slice of the spotlight. While those qualities don't sound as sexy as Melo's scoring prowess or T-Mac's mad skills, it is Duncan that has the hardware (3 championships) to show for his efforts. Carlos Boozer the Bruiser of the Utah Jazz is having his own coming-out party in the postseason. Going against Yao Ming in the first round is no easy task, considering the nine-inch differential in height. Boozer went right at the great wall of Ming, taking it hard to the rack with authority and converting impossibly high-arching shots outside the key. After taking care of business in 7 grueling games, he's lead his team to a 2-1 advantage over the Cinderella Warriors from Golden State. The Jazz forward has been rocking this tune all year, so the fact that he didn't make any of the All-NBA teams is a travesty. Maybe the NBA should have just put the Detroit Pistons' starting lineup in as its All-NBA first team. They're 7-1 in the playoffs, and have gotten that far in dominating fashion. Only Chauncey Billups made an All-NBA team, and that was just the third team. They, more than any other team, understand that individual accomplishments by themselves don't amount to Larry O'Brian trophies. King James, meanwhile, is making the voters look foolish for demoting him to the All-NBA second team this season. LBJ's clutch play down the stretch of games has us all being witnesses to the Cavs' 6-1 playoff record. Once questioned for his star power in close-game situations, James has slammed down those doubters with the same authority he does on the break. Would voters make corrections to the All-NBA teams were they given another chance? Probably a few. Great players in the NBA are heroes to fans, but the post-season champions are those who become legends of the game. Babe Ruth said in the film Sandlot, "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." The playoffs are proof of that.
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