Basketball Articles

The World Championships are pumping along just nicely, with the second day of action now under way.

Day one in Kayseri saw a mixed bag of results. Firstly the Aussies gave their fans near heart-attacks with their last gasp win over lowly-ranked Jordan. Andrew Vlahov was in the stands to cheer the Boomers on. Defence was the main deficiency for the Aussies as they let the Jordanians waltz in for numerous uncontested baskets. The only Aussie performances of note came from David Andersen and Aleks Maric. In fact, Maric's performance was so dominant that I had German girls in my hotel asking what NBA team he played for. He was the cog inside that the boomers definitely needed with Andrew Bogut's absence. Meanwhile, Patty Mills didn't show enough on either end to justify my usual man-love for him.

Next up we saw Serbia tear African champions Angola to pieces. They were simply too big for Angola and came away as 50 point winners.

The marquee matchup of the day saw an always tough Argentina take on a youthful Germany. The crowd participation in this one was integral, as the Argies showed off their chants against the Deutsch drummers. The game was tight during the first half, with Germany leading marginally most of the way, until Argentina pulled away in the third. Germany took advantage of their opponents' seemingly napping in the fourth to pull thee game right back to level, behind some stellar play by guards Steffen Hamann and Demond Greene. However the experienced Argentinians managed to hold out for a tight victory.

Day two sees Australia attempt to withstand the might of Argentina, a potential nail-biter between Germany and Serbia and another potential tight one between Angola and Jordan.

Whilst updates to A Stern Warning usually have to wait til I return to my hotel at night, twitter updates @ASternWarning come thick and fast during the games, so make sure following...

 

If you watched Saturday's World Basketball Championship rout of Croatia by the United States, you might wonder: "Hmm, maybe Team USA did not need Dwight Howard." Rest assured though, even with Spain's loss in the team's first game to France, the American's roster deficiency will appear at some time.

It is not a deficiency of talent for sure. With Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, there is plenty of talent to lead the team in scoring and employ the team's signature press defense.

It is a deficiency of experience and quality big men. Lamar Odom and Tyson Chandler are the only players on the team with international experience at the national team level. And Tyson Chandler is the only pure center on the roster -- and Odom is starting in the middle.

It is not like everyone did not know this problem was coming. David Lee got hurt in training camp and Amar'e Stoudemire could not get his contract insured in time to participate. That means there is only one person to blame for the National Team's lack of post presence and maybe the Achilles heel that keeps the country from winning its first World Championship since 1994.

The national media's favorite whipping boy: Dwight Howard.

Surely Dwight Howard, he of the two-time Defensive Player of the Year Awards, two conference finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance, is the missing ingredient for Team USA. And surely Team USA, with whom Howard won a bronze at the 2006 World Championships, is exactly what Howard needed to reach that next step and become the league's most dominating force (not that he isn't already).

To the chagrin of Magic fans, the national media does not yet seem to be on Howard's side. There is definitely a perception about Dwight Howard in the national media especially that will not seem to go away. the latest contention is that Howard needed the reps as the best player in big games with Team USA. So being the best player on the Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals the last two years is not good enough?

Ultimately the criticisms come down to Howard's demeanor on the court. A lot of national commentators complain about Howard's bubbly smile on the court and wish he had a Shaquille O'Neal-like glare as he dunked over you. It led to Sports Illustrated writing an article to preview the 2009 Playoffs with the headline: "Too Much Fun: Can the Magic's Dunk Machine Get Serious for a Moment?"

This, you could argue, was the same complaint they had about the staid expression of Tim Duncan. He is only arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history. His titles have also quieted much of the criticism.

So until Howard wins that first title, he will continue to face these criticisms. Howard gets admittedly frustrated by all the criticism thrown his way, especially since what he is good at goes largely unappreciated.

But the one criticism that could wrankle Magic fans most is the argument that Howard is not an "Alpha Dog" and needed the reps as Team USA's best player to take back to the Magic. Fans have been divided on this issue throughout the summer.

It might be nice to have Howard be "the man" on Team USA until you remember he was not really much of a factor on offense during the 2008 Olympic run. Even when he got post up attempts, other teams were able to swarm him. And while he was still very effective on defense, it was limited because so many European big men are able to step out and hit from the international 3-point line. While Howard, Durant and Rose would make an unstoppable team, Team USA is not what Howard needs now.

Playing for Team USA would not help Howard develop offensively. The rules in FIBA basketball are too different for big men and it is debatable by how much Howard needs to improve his post games. Most Magic fans, I think, would argue Howard is a much better offensive player than the national media give him credit for. Although Howard still has plenty of room for improvement -- especially at the free throw line.

The Alpha Dog theory has gained momentum as everyone wonders who is "The Man" in Miami -- Dwyane Wade, by the way. The question for Howard is: Does he have the will to carry a team across the finish line?

He has shown flashes of it.

The impressive triple double he had in Oklahoma City two years ago and his constant presence defensively change games in a way no player can. His performance in Game Six of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals where he out-LeBron'ed LeBron James and dominated the post like every Magic fan expected him too. It is there.

But his performance in the 2009 NBA Finals, where the Lakers threw big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol at him to slow him down, and the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, where Howard played well but obviously did not win.

Howard simply does not have the demeanor of the typical Alpha Dog. He is not wildly pumping his fists like Kobe Bryant or methodically breaking down his opponents like Tim Duncan. Basketball is his passion, but for him it is fun. That is no knock on Howard. You cannot begrudge him simple joys and his way of expressing it. Some guys just don't have that killer instinct gene inside of them -- *cough* LeBron James.

That does not make him any worse of a player and that does not preclude him from being in the top five best players in the league. What matters is what he does when the chips are down. And right now the results are mixed and he has not shown the ability to convert on free throws enough to carry his team across the finish line in close games.

I think we all agree that is the only part the Magic really want to see change. What we all want to see Howard do is come into a big game and know he is going to have a huge game offensively and defensively.

So far, we know he is going to be incredible on defense. It is half of the game, but does not generate the stats that casual fans like to see -- although Howard produces some staggering defensive numbers. Offensively, yes Howard has a ways to go to get to the 20-25 point per game mark fans expect from their "Alpha Dogs" of the league. But that distance is cut in half if he can figure out how to shoot free throws consistently. Who needs a refined post game when still the only way to defend Howard is to foul him?

So does Howard need to be playing with Team USA to get "Alpha Dog" reps? Absolutely not. He may not have the barking Alpha Dog mentality of a guy like Kobe Bryant, but he has his place on the team as the leader by example (it is Jameer Nelson who gets in everyone's ear and teammates listen to).

And surely after last year's early playoff exit, he is preparing to step his game to an entirely different level.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Dwyane Wade's Miami Heat and LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers en route to a trip to the NBA Finals, but now Wade and James have joined forces in South Beach to create the biggest threat to Boston's hold on the Eastern Conference championship. Meanwhile, the Celtics added two former Heat players this off-season, but can this bolstered Heat team beat the aging Boston team in a seven-game series?

Rajon Rondo shone throughout the playoffs, and Miami did not upgrade defensively at the point guard spot. He plays on the Team USA team right now, and he should only continue to flourish into one of the League's best point guards. He will be a handful for any opposing coach to defend, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra could defend him more effectively than he did last year.

Kobe Bryant defended Rondo very well in the Finals, giving him a lot of room to get off a jump-shot, but closing off driving lanes to the basket. Sure, it gives Rondo nice looks for entry passes into the post, but Rondo doesn't have a respectable jump-shot and isn't going to it this summer with Team USA. Spoelstra should have Wade defend Rondo and give him a lot of space. Mario Chalmers would then defend Ray Allen, the 35-year-old guard.

In my playoff preview post, I said that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett also pose problems for the Heat. Miami's additions of James and Chris Bosh come into play here. During Boston's defeat of Cleveland in the conference semifinals, Pierce shot just 34.5 percent from the field against James, a two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection. James has the athleticism to defend Pierce, and with less of a scoring load, James should devote more effort to defense. And while James will be a small forward on defense, he will be a point guard on offense. He is much quicker than Pierce and will demand of some of the other Celtic defenders' attention. Mike Miller's and Eddie House's shooting will become a factor here, and Wade and Bosh will also get open looks from James' creation of offense.

As I have always said, the way to make the Miami Thrice click is to have James as the point guard with the ball in his hands, Wade as the off-ball scorer he was during the Olympics and Bosh as the high-post option. Heat President Pat Riley signed Bosh because he needed a player who could be very effective around the rim. Unlike Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem, Bosh has the length to contest Kevin Garnett's shots. At this point in KG's career, I'd take a 26-year-old Bosh over a 34-year-old Garnett. Like Bosh, KG is still an efficient high-post scorer, but he's lost some of his explosiveness.

Miami's crunch-time five should be James, Wade, Miller, Bosh and Haslem. Wade would guard Rondo, Miller would be on Allen, James would check Pierce, Bosh would guard Garnett and Haslem would defend Jermaine O'Neal or Kendrick Perkins (Shaquille O'Neal's woes at the free-throw line will keep him on the bench to close games). But although Shaq will be on the bench to close games, he could come into the season very motivated.

In my previous post, I said that Shaq would need to adjust to playing without the ball with Boston. He needs to get used to being the fifth option offensively, but he will probably buy into Celtics coach Doc Rivers' system. Shaq was energetic in 2008-09, playing in 75 games while averaging 18 points and eight rebounds and earning a Third-Team All-NBA Selection. More importantly, Shaq didn't unceremoniously leave Phoenix or Cleveland like how he left Orlando, Los Angeles and Miami. Neither his personality nor his skill set would fit in with the Heat, but Shaq knows that these next two years will be his last two in the NBA. He will write the last chapter of his legacy during these next two years.

Shaq wants more rings than Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, the two other future Hall-of-Fame players who have dominated the League after Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls in 1998. He will be fine with his role with the Celtics and will be a tough match-up against Joel Anthony for the 20 minutes he's on the floor. Boston may even exploit that match-up and feed the ball to Shaq a few consecutive times down the court. Spoelstra may have to double-team Shaq, and I'd send James as the second defender. At 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, he has enough size to interfere with Shaq's vision of the passing lanes. He also has the speed to recover to a perimeter player if Shaq passes out.

Keep in mind that Shaq will only play 20 minutes per game, though, and if Boston does re-post him after James recovers to Pierce, then I'd live with Shaq getting the attempt. He can dominate a quarter or maybe even a half, but his season high last year was 22 points.

The Celtics also lost Tony Allen, who was the team's designated perimeter stopper, this off-season. Rivers hopes he can get the same out of Marquis Daniels, but Wade should dominate Allen, Pierce or whoever the Celtics throw at him. As Wade continues to improve his game – particularly his outside jump-shot – he will become increasingly difficult to defend. Heat fans could see a lot of zone this season.

With Miami's added offensive firepower and defensive tools, such as James' athleticism and Bosh's length, the Heat should beat Boston in a seven-game series. However, the Celtics will be motivated to win another championship and the Big Four and company should win at least two games.

Following on from my previous post about who's in with a shot of being named MVP, I've decided that the rookie of the year award also deserves some blog space. Even by browsing through this summer's draft, there are a host of first season guys entering the league who will, from day one, start and make their respective teams better. Before I get into who I think will be in with a shot of winning the award, here are my requirements for all candidates.

1.      Be a starter, goes without saying really

2.      Improve your team's fortunes from the previous season

3.      Have at least 2-5 games this season where people are going to come away saying, "My God, he's going to be an absolute star in three years time"

4.      Be the best player at your position of all rookies

As with the MVP column, we're going to take a look at the past decade's winners to use as comparison and to compare requirements also.

2000/2001 - Mike Miller - only rookie to play in all 82 games, shot 40% from three, averaged 12 points per game, to be fair though that Draft sucked

2001/2002 - Pau Gasol - 82 games played, 17 points and 9 boards through the season,

2002/2003 - Amare Stoudemire - 82 games played, 13 points 9 boards through the season, first prep-to-pro ever to win ROY,

2003/2004 - LeBron James - 79 games played, 20 points, 5 boards 5 assists average, improved win total by 18 for team, youngest player to ever score 40 in a game during his rookie season

2004/2005 - Emeka Okafor - 73 games played, 19 straight double-doubles, 15 points 11 boards through the season

2005/2006 - Chris Paul - 16 points, 8 assists and 5 boards through the season, led all rookies in points, assists, steals and minutes, won rookie of the month every month in the West

2006/2007 - Brandon Roy - 17 points, 4 boards and 4 assists through the season, got 127 out of 128 first place votes, played in only 57 games

2007/2008 - Kevin Durant - 80 games played, 20 points per game average, highest scoring rookie in franchise history

2008/2009 - Derrick Rose - 81 games played, led all rookies in assists per game, 17 points per game average, equalled Kareem's record for most points in a playoff game by a rookie with 36, second player in NBA history to register at least 35 and 10 on playoff debut, joining Chris Paul on that very short list

2009/2010 - Tyreke Evans - 72 games played, won MVP of Rookie All Star game and shared it with DeJuan Blair, outscored the Bulls on his own in the fourth quarter in a game where the Kings rallied from 35 down, joined the Oscar-Jordan-James rookie club by averaging 20-5-5

Now I'll be the first to admit that some of those guys didn't even reach my criteria, for instance, Durant's SuperSonics won only 20 games his debut season. Mike Miller never had those "Wow" games, and Gasol also failed to improve his teams record.  Out of all those guys, perhaps only Okafor remains the only iffy selection, unless you're a Steph Curry lover or Ron Boone, the former Jazz analyst who was the only guy not to vote Chris Paul ROY, instead choosing Deron Williams. This year there are six guys who will lead the way in search for winning Rookie of the Year, and without further hesitation here they are.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers.

Pros; monster on the boards with serious low post moves, should be given plenty of touches offensively for the Clippers, extremely gifted athlete with very good hands

Cons; it's the Clippers, how healthy is his knee, will Baron Davis facilitate the rookie who is the face of the franchise?

John Wall, Washington Wizards.

Pros; unstoppable in the open court, incredible speed/athleticism, cannot be stopped going to the rim where he's a good finisher, should average over 35 minutes a game so will have lots of time to show his talent, could be an elite on ball defender

Cons; Gilbert Arenas, turnover prone when playing recklessly, questionable shooting, expectation will be enormous

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacaramento Kings.

Pros; very skilled for a rookie big man, monster rebounder, good touch, can move well is on a team where option one down low is always going to be him

Cons; possible headcase/lunatic in the making, needs to learn to control his emotions, how will he handle not being the biggest guy on the floor compared to college where he could bully his opponent

Evan Turner, Philadelphia 76ers.

Pros; extremely polished, great decision maker, versatile in that he can slot in comfortably at three positions, big game player

Cons; Andre Iguodala, not exactly the most explosive guy you'll come across in the backcourt, shooting could do with some improvement

Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pros; shoots the three well, very skilled, freak athlete, will get a lot of looks for Minny from day one, serious potential as a defender

Cons; he's already 46 years old, not the biggest or strongest guy around, plays for the Timberwolves, how much better will he get?

Derrick Favors, New Jersey Nets.

Pros; great rebounder, serious athleticism that sets him apart, string finisher, shot-blocking machine, quickness for his spot, upside is huge

Cons; jump shot, very raw offensively when forced to put the ball on the floor in college, the new Shaq with regards to free throws

So there you have it - my six guys in with what I consider the best chance to win ROY. Being honest, there aren't many other guys out there who will be good enough to challenge, nor in a situation as favourable as the guys above. Gordon Hayward's best shot is if they allow all teenage girls in Salt Lake to vote on the winner, although he is fixing to be pretty good this year. Other rookies worth monitoring;

Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics

Ed Davis, Toronto Raptors

Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons

Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Willie Warren, Los Angeles Clippers

Jarvis Varnado, Miami Heat

Daniel Orton, Orlando Magic

James Anderson, San Antonio Spurs

Thoughts on Melo

So Carmelo Anthony has apparently but the brakes on a new deal with the Nuggets, and rumours circulating is that he won't sign one anytime soon. Now, what do you do if you're Denver? Do you keep him; hope for one more great season and a bit of good luck leading to success thus showing Anthony he's at a place where he can win? Or do you call him out, see what his intentions are and react on that? For instance, if he gave the impression he was leaving, do you then try engineer a trade to get something in return? Do you phone Portland and ask them what they can offer? You could try tempt Houston into giving you a few of their guys. Or hit up some other team willing to give you assets in exchange for a one-year fling with a premier NBA talent? One thing's for sure; Anthony has a huge year ahead of him. With the new CBA coming in, him making Joe Johnson type money may not happen. I personally feel that he knows he has no future in Denver, so he should do the right thing and ask to be traded, so Denver in fact get something back rather than losing him for nothing in 12 months time. Plenty of teams will offer the Nuggets what they want - young players, draft picks - for Anthony's services. Ultimately he'll end up in New York and form the deadliest scoring forward line in the NBA with Amare, but right now he needs to sit down and sort this mess out with the organisation, before things turn ugly.

Before I Go...

Check this out. Y'all remember how Scarface ended right? He had nobody left to back him up because everyone turned on him, or died, due to him double-crossing guys left right and centre, stepping on toes and not giving a crap. Well, here's hoping those three fizzle out and end up being overturned by the others out there. Just not as violently as poor old Tony was, of course...

Contact me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the Stepien Rules mailbag, Twitter @DOL17 or Facebook.

I was looking through ESPN.com's listing of NBA players today because I was wondering how many guys are listed under 6 feet tall.  See,  NBA players understand the inherent life rule that says that height equals manliness,  And because of this basic law of nature you don't even know what you have to do to be listed as below 6 feet by the league.  I was only able to find a select few guys and those who do list themselves under 6 feet are all basically midgets who just can't fudge 6 feet even if they stand atop a phone book.  So instead of using ESPN.com as my reference, I went to the pre-draft measurements that are found at draftexpress.com.  They do the measurements every year and post them on their page.  Year after year of data can be checked relatively quickly, it's a pretty cool site.

So while there I checked out the player's realheights, without shoes.  Because let's face it little ones, your shoes are not part of your body. They are a mirage the little man uses to boost his little ego. Look, I'm sorry, Napoleon Jr., I really am.  So I'm just going to go ahead and take the reigns from Mother Nature and apologizing to you for your small stature.  I mean, I'm 6-2 and sometimes I lie awake and  wonder how I ever even made it at 6-1.  Luckily for me, my manliness was manifest during puberty when I proved I could grow a full beard and stand erect at a height worthy of a male of the species.  So again, sorry short stuffs.  I'm sure you make up for your vertical challenges with ultra-aggressive behavior like the Badger.   Don't worry though, no one can see through that facade, wink wink.

After reading through 20 years of draft history, I got to thinking about how damn incredible you have to be to play in the NBA under 6 feet.  I mean, not only did you battle the daily dilemmas that face the short, i.e. getting onto amusement park rides, jealousy of tall people, and having to stand behind 7-4 Mark Eaton at a Paul McCartney concert (let's be honest, that one would even suck for Shaquille O'neal), you also made it in a league that has not just tall people, but giant freaks of genetics.  So I wanted to honor the Lilliputian Heroes of the Hardwood today.  Without further ado, my list of the top 6 players under 6 feet in the NBA today.

6. Ty Lawson 5'11&1/4
Lawson burst into the NBA with a bang last year and was a very important contributor on a contending playoff team.  He was able to shoot the ball well from the field and from deep and provided instant offense off the bench for Denver last year.  I'd bet my bottom dollar that the T-Wolves would like to have the trade back and that they would send Jonny Flynn to the Nuggets if they knew then what they know now, but alas, David Kahn is their GM.  Lawson has been a winner since college and it looks like he will continue to do nicely for himself as a pro.

5.  Nate Robinson 5'7&3/4
Somebody explain to me how a man this close to the ground can average 12 points for his NBA career.  Oh, I remember, because he is a freak of nature that can probably jump as high as anyone in the league when average by vertical jump.  At the pre-draft camp he jumped 43.5 inches vertically, which is just insane.  We all know about the Slam Dunk championships, including the last one he won by default in what had to be the worst slam dunk contest in the history of the event.  In fact I would wager there were better Dunk Contests staged in the back yards of white kids with adjustable hoops the very day of that failed event.   What many don't know is that Nate is also a very solid outside shooter, a decent defender, especially when height is taken into account, and can be one of the more streaky and explosive players in the league when given regular playing time.

4.  Raymond Felton 5'11&1/2
Raymond is probably the worst athlete on this list, but he has made a career out of being a solid, if unspectacular point guard.  He is a solid defender who uses his short, sturdy body to keep offensive players out of the paint.  He is a pretty good play maker and generally unselfish, despite his bad teammates.  We'll so how his stats jump due to D'Inflation (nod to Bill Simmons' concept that Mike D'Antoni's system inflates players stats), but either way, he has had a nice little, no pun intended, career that may blossom in the Big Apple.

3. Jameer Nelson 5'11
To me Jameer radiates  Short Man Syndrome as well as anyone in the league.  He always seems like if you crossed him, he might be willing to pull out a shiv and stick it in your bladder.  I'm sure he's nice as hell, but boy does he look mean.  Nelson has proven his college critics wrong time and again, being an integral part of the Magic's recent run of success.  He's a little more 2 guard than pure point, but he's such an effective shooter and screen-roll player that he fits in really well into the Magic offense.  Also, his mid range jumper seems to me to be one of the best in the game.

2.  Aaroon Brooks 5'10&1/2
Brooks is another guy who pro scouts had a lot of doubts about on drafty day, but he has also proven them wrong.  Brooks is an excellent outside shooter and overall scorer.  Like Jameer Nelson, his play making skills are somewhat lacking, but he more than makes up for it with his scoring punch.  He is also a pesky little gnat on defense, like any short man should be.  Additionally, he just has great hair and looks like a 10 year old with a goatee, which makes me like him and want to pet him.

1.  Chris Paul 5'11&3/4
You may have fooled the others Chris Paul, but you don't fool me.  You ain't 6 feet.  What you are though, is one of the best 10 players and, when healthy, bar none the best point guard in the league.  I'm not going to bore you with a bunch of stats to back that up, so I'm just going to tell you to watch the games.  Paul is simply amazing and is a joy to watch, unless he is showing you an explosion of Napoleon Complex by punching you in the crotch like he did to Julius Hodge whilst in college.  And yes, that is a picture of the crotch punching incident.

So continue fighting the good fight little men of the world.  These are your heroes.

PS.  I took that photo of Mark Eaton at the Paul McCartney concernt.  Pretty good, huh?

The big story in the NBA -- not having to do with LeBron James at least -- is reports coming out of Denver that Carmelo Anthony feels he does not have future in the Mile High City. This split is more like the Chris Bosh-Toronto split than the Cleveland-LeBron split. There are no secrets (well, there are) and there is total frankness.

Anthony apparently wants to escape to a bigger market where he can get the notoriety that James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh should get in Miami. And Denver has vowed not be held hostage by Anthony's impending free agency like James held Cleveland hostage. Anthony has been linked to New York for much of the summer.

But a new name has surfaced and, you guessed it, Orlando is apparently a hotbed for trade rumors.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports the Magic are near the top of Anthony's list if the Nuggets are going to make a deal involving him. Carmelo is hoping to get a deal done before the season begins and is willing to sign an extension and commit to whatever team he is traded to.

So Magic fans, start your freaking out and obsessing over every word written about Anthony right...now.

The Chris Paul rumors from earlier this summer drove Orlando fans nuts even though Otis Smith said very little and they turned out to be nothing. But this is a much different rumor. Unlike Paul, who, while an All Star and one of the league's superstars, re-enforces a strength the Magic already had, Anthony would fill a need Orlando has had for a long time.

Anthony, and his 28.2 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 54.8% True Shooting Percentage, would give the Magic the big-time perimeter scorer they have not had since Tracy McGrady left. And it would be pretty easy to insert him into a lineup alongside Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Quentin Richardson. Take this moment to stop salivating and come back to your senses a little.

It is tough to say at this stage how serious these rumors are. Otis Smith said Orlando has not had any contact with Denver concerning Anthony. But with Smith, that could mean he just got off the phone with Leon Rose (Anthony's agent) or the Nuggets.

There is still a month and a half before training camp opens, and this could be the realistic and (very) splashy move Orlando fans have wanted the team to make to match Miami's acquisitions. We will see in the coming weeks how much momentum this picks up.

And just think, I was going to write about the Magic potentially trying to re-acquire Courtney Lee.

For a lot of NBA fans, Adonal Foyle's retirement may jut be a blip on the sports radar. But to Magic fans it might still be a blip.

Foyle, after all, did not play a single game last year as he struggled to overcome a knee injury and mainly sported a suit and hammed it up with fans last year. I cannot even remember if he appeared in warmup lines at any point last season. Despite all that, Foyle was still viewed as a positive influence in the locker room and the elder statesmen on the team.

In other words, he was kept on the roster more for the person he is rather than what he could bring to the court.

And that is likely how Foyle's three years in Orlando will be remembered. That is likely how his career will be remembered (I will have more on that tomorrow).

Foyle is not your typical NBA player and we experienced a little bit of that in Orlando. Foyle wrote for a time for The Orlando Sentinel on their Orlando Opinionaters blog. He was also a favorite of Henry Abbott over at TrueHoop for his truthful and frank commentary on life in the NBA and even of his own team.

The great thing about Foyle though was his never-ending enthusiasm and joy in everything he did with the team. Even while Foyle was injured -- or even if he was in uniform this past year -- you would see him talking with fans in the front rows or tossing the ball to young fans sitting nearby and urging them to be a part of his pregame rituals. At the end, Foyle knew he was not going to play and involved the fans and had just, plain fun with his last bits of time on the court.

Foyle's desire to bring joy to others extends far beyond the basketball court.

Growing up, Foyle did not have electricity. He only came to the United States after Colgate professors discovered him and set him up with a scholarship at Colgate to play basketball. Foyle took advantage of that opportunity and has always used basketball as a platform for his humanitarian goals.

He founded the Kerosene Lamp Foundation in 2005 to build and refurbish basketball courts in urban areas and provide a safe places to play. KLF also established a mentorship program designed to turn promising athletes in Foyle's native St. Vincent & the Grenadines into successful student-athletes.

Foyle also founded the organization Democracy Matters that encourages young people to vote. He became a U.S. citizen in time for the 2008 election, an event he was very excited to participate in.

"I have loved every minute of the game," said Foyle in a release. "Retiring is bittersweet as my happiest memories are with the game. I’m looking forward to spending more time on humanitarian issues and mentoring the young basketball players who may need a voice of experience as they embark on their NBA careers."

Foyle was also the Magic's player representative to the NBA Players' Association and the union's first vice president. Foyle said he will resign that position in a few days (a somewhat big concern for the union as it negotiates a new collective bargaining agreement).

Foyle's is the definition of a "glue guy" and he will be missed. Hopefully he will find a role within the organization -- he has front office aspirations -- so we can still see him around the Amway Center.

NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Clippers' guard Eric Gordon has come a long way since taking his first steps towards his professional basketball career in Indiana. From being named Indiana Mr. Basketball, being a finalist for the Naismith and Wooden awards, to being drafted seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2008 NBA Draft. Gordon has accomplished much at such a young age.

Now he can add the experience of being a part of Team USA to his resume.

Yesterday I was at the USA-France exhibition game in New York City's Madison Square Garden and caught up with Gordon, who finished with eight points, to discuss the experience of Team USA, what he is learning about himself as a player, the Clippers, playing with Baron Davis and much more.

"It's definitely a great experience and I'm learning a lot about myself. I'm learning that I'm competitive and that I am one of the better ones out there. This is a good experience and it's great to be a part of," said Gordon to Project Spurs.

And what's not great about this team's roster from the eyes of a young guard like Gordon?

Chauncey Billups and Rajon Rondo provide a veteran presence at the guard position and since Gordon has never played at the international level, the veteran guards are imparting their knowledge to Gordon and he has been all ears, "Just to keep working hard," said Gordon, "Playing with good guys everyday and then playing against different countries with different styles is a good experience."

Even though Gordon may be experiencing his first international basketball experience, he can step back a look at areas the team still needs to work on as the 2010 FIBA World Championship nears, "It can be either," said Gordon when I asked him if team chemistry or defense is still a concern for Team USA. "Our chemistry on defense has been really good and we definitely have to work as a team because we're picking up full court through out the whole game. As long as we stay together and really get after it we will be fine as a team."

If there is one thing Gordon is enjoying about being a member of Team USA is the winning atmosphere but playing for the Clippers can be taxing for a competitive player. But with Blake Griffin finally joining the Clippers after an injury delayed his NBA debut, Gordon is optimistic about the Clippers' chances next season and feels Griffin will make a big difference, "I'm looking forward to play with Blake. He was hurt this past year and I think he is going to make a big contribution for us winning next year. He will definitely help," said Gordon to Project Spurs.

Though Gordon's tone changed a bit when I asked him about playing with Baron Davis, "It's good. We just need to get him motivated to really play. We all know he can play. As long as he stays motivated we know what he can do to help us."

While Griffin will definitely help the Clippers get on the winning track, Gordon will also contribute to that winning track by bringing what he has been learning with Team USA to Los Angeles next season, "The winning experience and to work hard everyday," said Gordon to Project Spurs.

Right now the USA's roster stands at 13 which will need to be trimmed down to 12 players before the start of the games in Turkey. Some feel the next cut will be at the guard position and it could come down to Gordon or Stephen Curry.

Should Gordon get released there is no denying he is appreciative of the chance to represent the United States. He is just 21 and would have another opportunity in the future. He brings much needed perimeter defense and an outside shot which are both crucial for any team playing on the international level.

Although many people may remember the signings of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat as team president Pat Riley’s crowning achievement as an executive, he also managed to sign some suitable complementary pieces. This core could dominate the next decade and become the dynasty that Riley wants to build.

As the Heat's fourth-biggest off-season acquisition, Mike Miller will be the fourth option even though he will probably come off the bench. He can easily score double figure points and averaged 18.5 points per game just three seasons ago. The University of Florida product is a dead-eye shooter who will receive a plethora of open looks with Wade and James driving and dishing. He can handle the ball, but I envision him mostly roaming around the three-point line or coming off of screens with the Heat. Miller is versatile enough to play the two or the three, and can step up if Wade or James is injured or struggling. If he goes off for 20 points, the Big Three could combine for 60 points and Miami could still win.

In addition to giving Miller a five-year deal, Riley also asked Heat owner Micky Arison to open his wallet for Joel Anthony. I still like Anthony as the starter over Zydrunas Ilgauskas because he can run the floor. With all of the athleticism that the Miami Thrice has, it would be foolish not to run a fast-break offense. James is most effective in the transition game, when he is a running locomotive who can finish over contact or make the extra pass. Anthony provides interior defense to catalyze that offense, and he will also play with energy and intensity. Offensively, Anthony can bring centers to the perimeter with his screen-setting. He’s also gotten better with his catching every single year, so don’t be surprised if he finishes when James throws him a bullet pass.

Udonis Haslem is another diamond-in-the-rough type that will contribute this season. Knowing how highly Riley and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra think of him, Haslem could see a lot of time at the center position. He played a lot of center in 2008-09 before Miami traded for Jermaine O’Neal, so he has some experience at that position. Haslem can also run the floor well, and playing him in the middle with someone long like Chris Bosh could mitigate any defensive deficiencies he has against some bigger players. He is a good rebounder and can engage in those pick-and-pops that he has done for the past seven seasons. Ilgauskas will play some, but he can’t run with the rest of the Heat. Furthermore, the Heat coaching staff may want to keep Ilgauskas fresh for the playoffs and limit his minutes during the regular season.

After Riley waved goodbye to Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley and Dorell Wright this season, Mario Chalmers became Miami’s youngest returning player. With the arrival of a play-maker in James, Chalmers can play off the ball more, similar to how he played in Kansas. All he’ll be asked to do is make open shots and defend.

Riley also knew that Chalmers regressed significantly after a promising rookie season, though, which is why he signed Carlos Arroyo and Eddie House. House is a knock-down shooter who brings championship experience from his 2008 run with the Boston Celtics while Arroyo can set up an offense and hit the open mid-range shot. In order to keep everyone happy, Spoelstra may have Arroyo back up Chalmers and give House Wade’s back-up minutes. Miller could back-up James and also play with Wade and James to close games.

The Heat’s training camp, which opens Sept. 28, will be pivotal to the development of this team. This team needs to develop chemistry early to take the League by storm. I know Wade, James and Bosh played with each other in the Olympics, but building a championship team is also about playing with the next five or six players on the roster. I was happy to hear that the Heat will play the maximum eight exhibition games. Riley has done a fantastic job of bringing in very good players to this organization. It is up to the players and coaches to win a championship this June.

In 1989, Jon Koncak signed a 6 year, $13 million dollar contract with the Atlanta Hawks and instantly assured himself a place in professional basketball history. Koncak was coming off a year where he averaged just under 5 points per game, around 6 rebs per, in just over 20 minutes a game. However, his contract made him a highly compensated professional basketball player and also a lightning rod for scrutiny from the media, fans and other players in the league. See, in 1989, Jon Koncak signed a deal paying him more per year than Michael Jordan, Larry Bird or Magic Johnson were making. His new contract earned him a new nickname: Jon Contract.
...
So to honor the NBA, the collective bargaining process, and to help us get through the month of August (Please, no more coverage of Dez Bryant NOT carrying Roy Williams shoulder pads): The Real Shaq teams up with other bloguin geniuses to compile a list of the WORST contracts the NBA has had since the last lockout in 1999. And boy, let me tell you there are some good ones on here. Here's how it works: every week day in August one of the fabulous bloggers from around the Bloguin network will write about a bad contract and make their case for why it's one of the worst contracts the NBA has ever had.