Hey Mark Cuban!

By Migs


Hey Mark Cuban! Wake up!

My friend Jeff and I are huge Dallas Mavericks fans. I have been a follower of the Mavs for 11 years now, and Jeff, for almost just as long. The Mavs have lost 8 of their last 10 contests, and while the losses of Caron Butler and Dirk Nowitzki (who has recently returned from a knee sprain) have contributed to Dallas' recent slide, great teams win against the odds. The Mavs just haven't been able to score enough to be relevant.

Around 7 years ago, Don Nelson was the Mavericks head coach, and as any basketball fan would know, Nellie let the Mavs play. He let them run, run, and run some more. Nick Van Exel scored to his heart's content. Raef LaFrentz made it to national television. Mike Finley, Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki was a big three that scored and was as entertaining as any the league's ever seen. Eduardo Najera would moonlight as Dallas' center. You get the picture.

And oh, we can't forget Shawn Bradley. The svelte preacher man was a filler center at best during his years in Dallas. Wow, Dallas has a soft center? Again, go figure. Maverick eclair. That's right. That's who they were.

After Nellie had issues with Cuban and left town, Avery Johnson took over, and the team began their ascent towards becoming a decent defensive squad. Steve Nash, like Nellie, had skipped town, and morphed into an MVP level player. Jason Terry, formerly of the woebegone Hawks, was now the starting point guard. Erick Dampier was acquired from Golden State to be the team's starting center, representing an upgrade over Shawn Bradley- "upgrade" like a run down Toyota Prius is an upgrade over a run down Honda. Not much of a push upward there.

With Avery, came the 2006 finals meltdown, the 2007 first round self-destruction at the hands of an upstart Warriors team, and pre playoff game partying from the likes of Josh Howard in 2008. By the end of 2008, Johnson was out the door, and Cuban then handed the reins to former Piston and Pacer coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle was a good choice then considering his experience dealing with adversity (he was the guy on the sidelines for Indiana during the Brawl at the Palace in 2004), and his "players first" attitude which contrasted Avery Johnson's overbearing style. The Mavs have made decent runs at the playoffs during Carlisle's tenure, but if you asked me, the team is a bit fragile still. Sure, they've lost Caron Butler (maybe forever), and Dirk's been hurt recently, but to go 2-8 in that span is inexcusable. Brendan Haywood, in true Cuban style, was overpaid, and is currently underachieving. He is pretty much the next Erick Dampier. He is untradeable, and I can't see why any squad out there would want him for the money he's raking in. Jason Terry is still effective, but streaky. He's not getting any younger, and he's still being paid a lot of cash. He too is not likely to be dealt because of his contract. Cuban keeps sticking to crowd favorite JJ Barea as his backup point man off the bench. While Barea is quite the dynamo, he's not a pure point guard, and, in an offense that tends to be as slow and perimeter oriented as Dallas', his penetration skills work to the teams advantage- and disadvantage. He tends to forget he's dime and a few quarters tall, and he is turnover prone. That isn't good when you're a team that doesn't have too many possessions to work with during games. The Mavericks have no first round picks, and are over the luxury tax threshold.

Mr. Cuban, is this good ownership? You overpay veterans who have worn out their respective welcomes and do not fancy developing young talent. Dirk is an MVP-caliber cager, but, he needs help, and I for one believe that championship teams are built from the ground up, and not through transplanting arms and legs. Sure, one may argue that Pau Gasol was the jet fuel that helped propel LA to a title in 2009, and that Rasheed Wallace catapulted Detroit to its unlikely 2004 championship, but then, those two squads possessed solid cores before Pau and 'Sheed came on board. Those cores had been with each other for a while, and were balanced, through and through. The Dallas core for these last few years has been Kidd, Terry, and Dirk, with other parts grabbed off fire sales or supposedly "blockbuster" trades. The Mavericks' core is old, and is, in a way, not dynamic enough to take over games on the defensive end. The addition of Tyson Chandler was a good move, but beyond that, what? Ajinca? Stevenson? Cardinal? Those guys are one dimensional players who are second stringers at best.

Once Dirk and Kidd retire, and Terry shoots his last decent 3-ball, fixing up the financial mess that Mark Cuban's made in Big D will take a while. If the chance to make deals on draft day presents itself, I say go for it. The Mavs need to prepare for the inevitable while trying to win now. The Spurs have been successful at doing that, and so have the Lakers. The Mavs need not follow the business/basketball model of the 2006 Heat who whooped them in the championship round. The Heat of that era mortgaged all its cap flexibility to get the likes of Antoine Walker, J-Will, Gary Payton, and Shaq to help Dwyane Wade reach NBA nirvana. We all know how long it took for Miami to become relevant again after that.

So Mr. Cubes, learn from what's happened around you, be shrewd, and savvy. Changes must be made. Drastic ones.

Fans don't really care whether you get a Landry, Iguodala, or maybe even a 'Melo. Anything is better than trying to plug this huge leak with Sasha Pavlovic.

Let's go Mavs, but then, that cheer needs to be amended a wee bit. We'll cheer for the team, the players, yes, we shall. Cheering for the team's management? Well, that's a whole other ballgame.

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SAM I AM.

By Migs

Say what you want about his physical appearance. The fact of the matter is, former Rocket, Celtic, Timberwolf, Maverick, Sun, and Buck Sam Cassell was one of the best clutch support players of all time.

Here's a little story I'd like to share about him.

As a kid (in the 1990s), I was a Utah Jazz fan. If you want to go back to when I was 3 feet tall, I was a Boston Celtics fan, primarily because of Larry Bird. I was not, by any means, a Houston Rockets fan. I did dig what Sam Cassell did on the hardwood, though.

He was vocal, and I found it fascinating that despite being diminutive in stature, he liked to post up, and was adept at creating space for himself on offense to get uncontested mid range jumpers. His mid range jump shot accuracy rivaled that of another Houston Rocket great, Calvin Murphy. I've got a bit of a bias for players who played things smooth on the perimeter. Dirk Nowitzki's my all time favorite cager, netting a tie for the plum with Larry Bird. Cassell played smooth, he played with grit, and yeah, he was a leader. I admired that about him.

My dad would often go on business trips to the United States in the 1990s, and an official function in the middle of that decade brought him to the East Coast. I can't recall what hotel it was, but then, he was billeted in one of those five star joints in the city. One afternoon, my father was relaxing in the lobby, when, in the distance, he saw a visibly tired African American man on seated in one of the corner seats, seemingly waiting for someone to arrive. That African American man was the Rockets' Sam Cassell. I'm guessing that he looked drained because the Rockets were in the midst of a long road trip, and that he had probably starred in one of those long, drawn out, games that had ended at around midnight the day prior. My didn't know that I was a Cassell fan, or that I wasn't a Rockets fan for that matter. He wasn't that familiar with the Rockets roster, either, but then, my dad knew that the man seated at the end of the hallway was an NBA cager. He later told me that he recognized that he was an NBA-er because he had remembered seeing an "alien looking fellow who played for the Rockets" on television.

I'm sure Cassell got teased a lot as a youngster (and maybe even later) because of his looks. As an NBA player, though, he let his game do the talking.

And so yes, my father nervously approached SAM I AM that afternoon and requested for his autograph. My father mentioned that I (his son) was a big fan and that he loved the NBA. Sam supposedly replied (wearily so, because he was tired) that he was happy to hear about that, and that he'd gladly give me my dad his autograph. Since my father did not have a decent piece of paper on hand, he asked Sam to autograph the back of his calling card.

I have since lost that autographed calling card, yet I remember how thrilled I was to have seen it when my dad showed it to me a day or two after he arrived back home in Manila. Sam's note to me read,

"To My Fan in the Philippines, Miguel

Thank you!

Sam Cassell"

The basketball fan in me shook with excitement at how one of those "big guys" I'd see on television actually acknowledged my existence. There existence as professional athletes seemed to be foregone conclusions, but mine, mine, an Asian kid from a third world country, didn't always seem to be worth half as much in the greater scheme of things. For that moment, it feel gratifying to have someone from the stratosphere, actually call me by name.

Sam Cassell has since retired, and brought with him 3 NBA titles, two with the Houston Rockets of the nineties, with the likes of Otis Thorpe, Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry, and Hakeem Olajuwon. He nabbed his last ring as a member of the Boston Celtics, the team which featured Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and yes, my favorite, Scot Pollard. Sam now work's as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards. John Wall's got a good mentor in Sam, and while Wall's career is only beginning to take form, he's already managed to display some of the on-court tenacity Cassell possessed during his playing days.

I, meanwhile, am still in the Philippines, and am still an erstwhile fan of basketball. I know that maybe, this little anecdote of mine is a grain of sand in the desert, but then, some grains of sand mean more in the others. Amongst a thousand grains of sand, there may be one or two of a varying hue- one or two that may be more brightly colored than the others. This tale, to me, is that bit of sand that got dipped in the "wrong" vat of paint. This story's made me ponder on the power public figures have, how the can shape perception and even alter the course of lives with the wave of a hand.

SAM I AM, from thousands of miles away, helped remind me that I was important, that I had an identity which I had the greatest of opportunities to mould and make whole, make solid.

If only Sam knew how his "small" gesture taught me a big lesson- that we owe the game (of life), and not the other way around, and that every breathing moment ought to be spent finding ways to give, and to inspire.

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'Melo Dramatic and Other News

By Migs


According to communication theorist Marshall McLuhan, "the medium is the message". In the case of the Carmelo Anthony saga, the aforementioned quote couldn't be more true.

I could give you the 1,001 ways a potential 'Melo deal could go down. But then, I don't want to bore you. By now, you've probably read about the many ways a deal could be consummated, courtesy of Yahoo Sports, ESPN, or CNNSI. I will, on the other hand, say this- Denver fans, I feel, are secretly wishing that a trade happen already, so that they can move on sans distractions. I think that Anthony's handled the speculation that's swirled around him like a trouper, and, I share in the Denver fans' frustration about the lack of a deal at this point, too. I realize that there are a lot of items to consider, but then, at the end of the day, I think that Masai Ujiri and the Nuggets' top brass have been acting like headless chickens. If we were to see business as business, it really won't matter what Carmelo says at the end of the day, as to where he wants to go, or how he wants to go. What will hold water is the fact that Denver is a now a weary squad that needs a purging, and such a reformat is incumbent upon the Nuggets' top management to facilitate. The fact that us fans see the dirty laundry and to and fro nature of the potential deal with Nets in all its nakedness is evidence of the fact that Denver is indeed a franchise in flux, so much so that the "outside world" has become privy to their pains. The medium is indeed the message, and based on what Denver's done, the message being sent to us is that 'Melo is a hot potato that the Nuggets are reluctant to part with. That reluctance is now segueing into being unprofessional, with talks straining, supposedly, because they keep changing blueprints at the last minute. Damn if you do, damn if you don't, and if you will, cut and cut cleanly. Don't hold your fanbase hostage. Don't give the media the chance to scoop up mud and hurl it at you. I'm just saying that this better fall through soon, lest we see a fallout of epic proportions. If 'Melo holds out until the end of the season, then the franchise gets held hostage by the looming inevitability of Anthony signing with the Knicks next summer anyhow. Now that's a distraction worthy of Times Square. In the end, the Nugs don't only lose 'Melo, they also, potentially, part with him, and maybe even Chauncey Billups, on bad terms. Even Amare Stoudamire playing out his last year in Phoenix didn't get this much traction because of the way the Suns played everything on the down low. This 'Melo matter has been inflated and overexposed, hence, the itch to get this all over with, one way or the other.

In a recent report from Stephen A. Smith, Rasheed Wallace has said that he wants to return to the Boston Celtics for another crack at the Lakers. The former Technical Foul kingpin would, potentially, join an aging frontline of Jermaine and Shaquille O'Neal, Kendrick Perkins, and Kevin Garnett, a ton of beef that, many still believe, would prove to be too much for the upstart Miami Heat to handle come playoff time. 'Sheed's outside shooting and length should help, but, wouldn't Boston be better served trying to get a younger talent? On the other hand, veteran leadership tends to be better suited when it comes to handling postseason stress, and 'Sheed's been through his share of wars. The Celtics have great chemistry at this juncture anyway, and making any bold trades for younger talent would constitute rocking the boat, maybe a little too much for Doc Rivers' liking. So, best of luck on your comeback, 'Sheed. Maybe we can see Antoine Walker back in Celtics' green soon, too?

Former Timberwolf and Cavalier Sasha Pavlovic has signed a 10 day deal with the Dallas Mavericks. With recent injuries to MVP-candidate Dirk Nowitzki and the rugged Caron Butler, Pavlovic looks to fill an offensive void at the 2 and 3 spot. He averaged 7.1 points per outing for the woebegone Minnesota Timberwolves last year, and while he isn't exactly a sure ball threat, he is a low risk, high reward cager for the Mavs at this juncture. He has been questionable on defense at times before, but then, the Mavericks could have done worse. This is the same squad that took on the contract of shooter Matt Carroll, and this is the same franchise that put up with Erick Dampier all those years. They could have done worse. This "audition" for Pavlovic is also an indicator of the fact that the Mavericks still do intend to be players come the trade deadline, otherwise, they would have signed somebody to a more long term deal already.

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No Dirk, No Dice.

By Migs

From 99 to 88 points per game. From red hot, to a 2-4 record. The Dallas Mavericks just aren't the same without former MVP Dirk Nowitzki.

I have been a Mavericks fan for around 11 years now, and as others who have followed the team know, this franchise has seen its share of ups (Nash, Nowitzki, and Finley era) and downs (Roy Tarpley, Dampier, the 2007 Golden State Warriors upset, the 2006 Finals meltdown, etc.). Dirk Nowitzki has missed six straight games due to a knee sprain, and while this looks like a temporary setback, I have an itchy feeling that this might, just might, be something bigger than it actually is.

6 games is the longest stretch of consecutive games that Dirk Nowitzki has missed since 2001-2002. While Dallas' supporting cast is stronger than it has ever been, his physical presence, his perimeter play, and his ability to draw double teams, is something that has gotten the Texans' offense discombobulated. Without French phenom Rodrigue Beaubois, the Mavericks really only have JJ Barea as a consistent slasher. Shawn Marion is not the "Matrix"-type player he once was, despite his ocassional flashes of brilliance. He, too, isn't a pure slasher. Jumpshooters without a double-team magnet are jump shooters maligned.

A recent ESPN article cited the Spurs as the favorite to replace the Lakers as Western Conference Champions. Experience has taught Mavericks afficionados that heightened expectations tend to throw Dallas off, and so, go ahead, critics, laud the Spurs. Put the Mavs in the background. Such an arrangement may actually prove to be better in the long term.

Mark Cuban has mentioned that he sort of sees Dirk like a "son". Fittingly so, considering that a son's duty is to serve his father. Boy, has he served his father well. All the 50 plus win seasons. The MVP award in 2007. The 25 point per game campaigns. Dirk's become the face of the Mavericks. Without him, Dallas falls back down to Earth, and while they aren't the Clippers, they would certainly end up looking more like those afflicted with pollution-related deceases rather than those who sniff at rarefied air.

No Dirk, no dice. Here's to his trainer to help him get back on track. If all else fails, call his coach Holger. That should do the trick.

The Mavericks' Malaise

By Migs

The Dallas Mavericks' Caron Butler is one tough hombre.

In the picture above, he is seen taking a Harley Race-type knee from Quentin Richardson, then of the Heat. Before the age of 15, Butler had been arrested 15 times. During his youth in Wisconsin, he had to battle through gang life.

He has fought off all challenges to become an NBA all-star. After working in a Burger King outlet as a youngster, he now owns 6 fastfood branches across the United States. Caron's even begun to take Business Management units in Duke University.

Back in 2007, he attended a Washington area youth's surprise birthday party. Said party wasn't even covered by the Wizards' PR department. It was pure gesture. Deep inside, beyond the hardened, tatooed exterior, Butler's actually quite a nice guy.

This is part of why the Mavs losing him for the season because of a torn patellar tendon is especially tragic.

Apart from averaging 15.0 ppg and shooting a career high 43% from 3-point range, Butler was one of Dallas' tough guys. You could ask him to cover the Wades, Kobes, and Durants of the world and he'd do so, without complaint. He had the ability to get in the face of the offensive player, to get in his head, without actually causing a scuffle. On a Rick Carlisle team that has preached defense, Butler's presence, Butler's hustle, is of paramount importance.

Rumor mills have spun and spewed out news that Mark Cuban could be on the lookout to trade Butler's expiring contract for someone like Andre Iguodala, himself a defensive stalwart. Iguodala, in a sense, has worn out his welcome in Philly and seems to be better suited as a supporting star. The problem I see with this equation would be the fact that AI is a ball-dominator, and with guys like Terry, Kidd, and Dirk needing the ball in their hands most of the time, Iggy would be hard pressed to adjust his style to suit what the Mavericks do, especially on offense.

Someone who I think might fit the bill in a Butler deal would be OJ Mayo of the Grizzlies. Mayo's contract comes at a reasonable $4,456,200, and he's the sort of guy who has begun to play off the ball already in Memphis, with guys like Mike Conley and Zach Randolph getting most of the touches. He's a scorer, and Dallas, which at times would look lethargic on offense, would definitely welcome his long range scoring and his slashing acumen. To make a long story short, he could be the heir apparent to an aging Jason Terry.

For those who believe that 'Melo has a shot at landing in Big D, I do not think this is feasible. Denver wants 5 draft picks in any 'Melo deal, and the Mavs have none at this point. Even if owner Mark Cuban manages to swing a multiteam deal, he would not be able to get 5 draft choices to give away, nor would he let go, most likely, of injured French phenom Rodrigue Beaubois. Anthony, then, has a better chance of making it to the Nets (this year) or the Knicks (towards the trade deadline, or at worst, in the offseason), than he does going to Texas.

At the end of the day, the Mavericks now have a void at the 3-spot. Shawn Marion's recent play (22 points against lowly Cleveland) is an auspicious sign, however, after Marion, what next? Who backs up Dirk? Who can slide into the 3-spot when Marion takes a breather or is playing the 4? Stevenson? Kidd (in a "speedball" lineup wherein he joins Barea and Terry)? Impulsive Mavs fans might suggest waiving a guy like Steve Novak, and signing a 3-man from the sky, but who is available in the land of free agency? Dominique Jones has proven that he can ball in the NBA, but would you really be comfortable playing him in a playoff game against a team like the Thunder? Or the Spurs?

Whatever the case, the Mavs have to adjust, and adjust speedily. And oh, prayers to the basketball gods for Dirk's knee to heal up would help immensely, too.

Until then, Caron Butler, the nice guy, the tough customer, heals, with an uncertain fate awaiting him, and with an even more uncertain fate awaiting his current squad, as well.

Follow Caron Butler on Twitter- http://twitter.com/realtuffjuice
Follow Mavs owner Mark Cuban on Twitter- http://twitter.com/mcuban

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Happy New Year!

By Migs

Okay, so it's been some time since I've posted. Blame it on the Christmas season. Party here, party there.

The hoops season has not stopped, though, and much has occurred since my last foray into this side of town.

2011 has arrived, and with that, come some new year's resolutions.

Atlanta- The Hawks would like nothing more than to build on the confidence they managed to grasp during the absence of Joe Johnson. Marvin Williams may never be an all-star, but he can be a decent player, no doubt. Mike Bibby's veteran wiles have proven to be essential during the stretch when JJ was out of commission. Al Horford keeps getting better, but needs to get more consistent. His team ought to get more consistent too if they want to make it out of the East. Moreover, their bench needs to be more than just Jamal Crawford.

Boston- The Celts just keep on rolling, and despite KG's recent knee woes, they've managed to use their defensive discipline to win them games. This aged bunch of warriors just wants to stay fresh for the playoffs. That's when the real season begins, after all.

Charlotte- Run, run, run. Paul Silas is at the helm now, and when Michael Jordan announced the former's hiring, sighs of relief could be heard from Tyrus Thomas, Stephen Jackson, and DJ Augustin's sides of the locker room.

Chicago- DRose is on the upswing towards becoming one of the top point guards in the NBA. His jump shot is gradually developing, too, and once it becomes consistent, look out. The Bulls would like to build on their current winning streak with a strong finish to the regular season and a deep playoff run. Here's to hoping that Carlos Boozer can stay healthy, too. Thibodeau is getting Boozer to play D as well, and Bulls fans are praying that he remains committed to doing such.

Cleveland- Forget Lebron James. Move on. There are many fish in the sea. While you're at it, try to get 'Melo and get rid of the contracts of Jamison and Mo Williams.

Dallas- With their recent injury woes, it's become apparent that the Mavs need to get a little younger. A trade for Andre Iguodala could be a solution (they should get rid of Caron Butler while he's still of value). I'd bet that Mark Cuban wishes he didn't sign Brendan Haywood to so much money, or at least, wishes that he could teach Haywood how to shoot free throws (20plus percent isn't going to cut it on a playoff team). Haywood is slowly morphing into the second coming of Erick Dampier, and Mavs fans are not happy.

Denver- Trade Carmelo Anthony while you can. While you're at it, trade Chauncey too. You owe it to him to send him to a contender. Let the rebuilding begin.

Detroit- This is another team that needs to be gutted. Tracy McGrady, Rip, and Tayshaun ought to be shipped to contenders, and Joe Dumars needs to pray really hard that he can get takers for guys like Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. So far, no dice. Jason Maxiell needs to get on the good side of the yin and yang as well, considering that he has massively underachieved.

Golden State- If Keith Smart's smart, he'll demand that his club play defense. A prayer to the gods that Steph Curry, Monta Ellis, and David Lee don't get hurt will help, too. This club is beginning to look like the Knicks from years ago- awash with mismatched talent, lacking direction. This team, also, needs a revamp.

Houston- Poor Yao Ming. The fellow works his butt off in the summer to get back on the court, only to incur another fracture and be put on the shelf indefinitely. You've got to feel for the guy. If the Rockets are serious about winning, they need to trade or waive Yao. There's no use counting on what could be when you've got guys like Kevin Martin and Luis Scola to build on.

Indiana- Trade Dunleavy, get a coach that will advocate up tempo play (wouldn't Danny Granger love to be in Phoenix or Golden State?), and give Roy Hibbert the ball. Larry Bird coming out of retirement could help this woebegone franchise rekindle the magic of its glory years.

LA Clips- Develop Blake Griffin, trade Baron Davis while his Hollywood Lovin' beard is still worth 10 cents.

LA Lakers- The Lakeshow's been struggling as of late (being downed by teams like Memphis doesn't help), and with Kobe aging, Artest underachieving, and DFish being his mortal regular season self, I think the time's come to trade Andrew Bynum for a more consistent big, or, a set of picks. A risky move, yes, but then, Bynum seems to have hit some sort of a ceiling and he ought to be dealt while he's worth something (before he gets hurt again).

Miami- Keep the "D" on. Make sure each member of the Three Kings knows his role. While they are at it, maybe they can get a "real" big for some low post scoring.

Memphis- If they can find consistency, and maturity down the stretch, this team could contend for the last playoff spot (their horizons look auspicious in this case because teams like Phoenix and Golden State are erratic at best, and Portland and Houston are frequent fliers injury-wise).

Milwaukee- Injury bug, be gone. If Andrew Bogut can return to what he was in the 2nd half of last season, look out. The Bucks may yet again be the dark horses of the East. Brandon Jennings needs to get healthy, too, and shed his Allen Iverson-esque offensive mentality.

Minnesota- Give Kevin Love a statue, and, while they're at it, trade half the roster for a superstar to help give the city relevance again.

New Jersey- 'Melo. The should land 'Melo with an extension. That's as big a resolution as any.

New Orleans- Keep Cp3 happy, and pray that Emeka Okafor stays healthy. Without him, they don't have much else in the frontcourt.

New York- Give Raymond Felton an all-star nod, and give Amare a backup center/forward he can be proud of (Mozgov isn't exactly Arvydas Sabonis). And oh, please allow less than 106.3 ppg, will ya?

Orlando- With so many scorers, what's not to like? Well, the fact that the Magic don't play too much defense outside Dwight Howard, that's what. And Otis Smith is quietly hoping Gilbert Arenas can become Agent Zero again. In the James Bond spoof film Johnny English, lead actor Rowan Atkinson of "Mr. Bean" fame did manage to save the day despite his bumbling nature. There may be hope for Gil and the Magic yet.

Portland- Greg Oden looks to be the next Sam Bowie, and before Rich Cho can gulp another gulp, he should do something creative with the big man's contract. Brandon Roy's health is also on the pine, and with all the young talent his team's got, maybe it's time for Cho to pull off a stunner and get another all-star to help Roy and Aldridge (or for Aldridge/Roy).

Philly- Here is another team whose rebuilding has been put on hold for way too long. Jodi Meeks and Jrue Holiday are nice pieces, and Elton Brand and his fat contract are immovable at this point. Andre Iguodala, however, is a piece that might just be movable. A swap with Dallas for Caron Butler's expiring deal, seems to be a nice proposition. 76er fans have been stuck on the fringes of the first round for too long now. It's time to get serious about winning.

Phoenix- The Suns should bolster their competitive spirit by running until the day they die. Run, run, run, and see where it goes. If Nash does not get traded, at least, they get to ditch Vince Carter's contract at the end of the season. As I've mentioned in previous entries, I just feel upset that guys like Grant Hill and Stevie probably will retire sans a ring. Truly an injustice.

Oklahoma City- They should fix their sometimes lethargic defense (101.2 ppg) to go with their dynamic offense (8th in the NBA at 103.0 ppg) and give Serge Ibaka an award for being "Mr. Hustle". Graaagh. Power grunt.

Sacramento- If DeMarcus Cousins can get a less erratic game to match his gruff attitude, then, the Kings could avoid the cellar. Give Tyreke Evans some vaccines too because he looks nothing like his previous incarnations. This team needs passion, and attitude adjustments, basically.

San Antonio- Who says these guys are geriatric? The usually slow-paced Spurs have gone D'Antoni on us and have catapulted themselves to 4th in the league in scoring, and the best record in the league. Manu for the all-star team? It should be a shoo-in. Tim Duncan for the gentlest, most humble man in basketball? Absolutely.

Toronto- This Euroleague team needs a rough n' tumble big man who can score. Sorry, Reggie Evans doesn't count because he can't score. Jay Triano would love to have Andrea Bargnani develop more aggression ala-Dirk Nowitzki, too. DeMar DeRozan should play smart also, alongside being spectacular for the highlight reels.

Utah Jazz- 20-plus years with the Utah Jazz, and Jerry Sloan still smiles as much as a solar eclipse happens on our watch. They'd love better health from guys like Okur and Kirilenko, and for guys to rotate a little bit and go motion whenever Deron Williams, err, dominates the ball. Paul Millsap should be given more touches, in my opinion, and my goodness, please teach Fesenko to shoot free throws (he and Brendan Haywood are golf buddies). Al Jefferson has been decent, but for the Jazz to reach greater heights, he's got to be Big Al the beast in the low post.

Washington- John Wall is now the king of Capitol Hill now that Gilbert Arenas has skipped town, and while this is clearly a season in transition, Wall's could use more on-court time to develop NBA level court vision, and savvy. And oh, good luck dealing with Rashard Lewis and his stout contract for the next few years. A resurgence on his part would be more than welcome.

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