Bleacher Report - Articles by Mark Brown

It's Official: The Phoenix Suns Are About Money, Not Winning

Mark Brown — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:01:06 -0400

Being a Suns fan is hard. For the past 3-4 years, the team was regarded as a legitimate contender for the NBA championship. People truly thought this was a team that could go all the way, having reintroduced a run-and-gun style of play that was efficient and fun to watch.

Unfortunately, it seemed that every season was to be an unlucky one. Injuries and suspensions to players like Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Kurt Thomas, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Grant Hill hampered Phoenix's effort to finally give the city a title.

Each year, the Suns came close. And each year, the Suns failed. Owner Robert Sarver constantly spoke about his ambitions to reload the team, despite the costs.

However, this never seemed to be the case. Sarver only signed bad contracts, such as those of Marcus Banks and Boris Diaw, but wouldn't spend necessary money on players like Joe Johnson.

Each time, I defended Sarver. After all, I argued, the Suns were still good enough to win a title. Why saddle the team with unnecessary contracts?

Steve Kerr eventually was appointed GM, mainly to take the blame for Sarver's bad decisions. I continued to support Sarver until thrust with undeniable proof that money would always take priority over winning: the Shaq trade.

No, I'm not talking about trading Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to for Shaq. That was actually a good deal, and Kerr should be applauded for making it happen. I'm talking about trading Shaq for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and other assets.

O'Neal had one year left from the five-year, $100 million contract he had signed with Miami. The smart move would have been to keep Shaq for one more year, take a few beatings, and then reload the following summer.

Instead, Sarver traded O'Neal for Ben Wallace, who had two years left, totaling $29 million. Sarver then bought out Wallace's contract so that the money would be cleared of the team's cap space.

Ultimately, Sarver made the move to save himself a few million dollars. That would have been acceptable had he actually spent the money on free agents.

Instead, Sarver added only one, Channing Frye, for a minimal cost. With all that money and players like Hedo Turkoglu, Paul Millsap, and Ron Artest, among others, Sarver opted for Channing Frye, dooming the team to a season of mediocrity.

Sarver will have an opportunity to redeem himself if he shells out the money for a big-time free agent next summer.

However, if he chooses to do nothing but retain Amare Stoudemire (assuming he isn't extended this summer), then he should prepare himself for the anger that will soon follow. Sarver will be known as the man who ruined the Phoenix Suns.

Toss Up: Dirk Nowitzki or Chris Bosh?

Mark Brown — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:34:13 -0400

Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh are two of the most similar players in the league. Both players prefer to play from the perimeter and low post, as opposed to with their back to the basket. Obviously, the question arises: Which is the better player?

Dirk Nowitzki: 25.9 point per game, 8.4 rebounds pg, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals and blocks pg, 47.9 field goal percentage, 89 free throw percentage, 35.7 three point percentage, and 37.7 minutes pg.

Chris Bosh: 22.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.0 bpg, 48.7 FG percentage, 81.7 FT percentage, 24.5 3P percentage, and 38.0 mpg.

As we can see, Nowitzki is the better scorer and shooter, while Bosh is the better rebounder and shot blocker. Though it's close, I'd have to go with Nowitzki.

Both players have been labeled as soft, because they are not traditional post men. Neither is very athletic, and neither will finish very strong around the rim.

But Nowitzki's offensive game is more complete than Bosh's. He can kill you inside and out, and will hit three pointers if left open. If you press up on him, he is generally able to drive right past you. There are very few defenders who can effectively guard Nowitzki one on one, and even they struggle.

Bosh, too, has some of these characteristics, but not to the extent that Nowtizki does. Teams do not fear Bosh's jump shot as they fear Dirk's, so they can give him some room. If Bosh is able to drive past his defender, teams can foul him, knowing that while he is a good free throw shooter, he is not a great one (as Nowitzki is).

Both players can pick apart double teams, but Nowitzki has developed an unstoppable shot, something Bosh has yet to do. Nowitzki will post up his man, usually around the free throw line, bump him a few times, then fade back with one knee in the air.

If he''s on, there is no stopping him. You have to double team him, or aggressively deny him the ball. Chris Bosh is not to that point yet.

Defensively, Bosh is the better defender, both man to man and help. But as neither is very good, is doesn't really make a difference. Nowitzki's game doesn't lag too far behind here, and it's not enough to make up for the difference in offensive production.

Bosh does get more steals and blocked shots per game, but the difference between the two is minimal. When playing on a team with names such as Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, and now Shawn Marion, it's all the more impressive.

Bosh does have the edge in rebounding. Nowitzki's numbers were down last year, as he usually will grab nine to 10 boards a game. He will not put his nose into crowds as often as Bosh does, preferring to snag some of the easier rebounds.

Leadership is the final quality I'd use to judge the two. Both men are tremendous leaders that have put their respective teams on their back. Nonetheless, Nowitzki is the better leader and better clutch player.

Nowitzki has lead his teams far into the playoffs, and in 2006, he should have won the title. He has been unfairly saddled with the blame of his team's failures the past few years. Of course, much of it must be placed on his shoulders, the Mavericks's losses have been almost exclusively associated with Nowitzki.

Bosh has done a terrific job leading the Raptors the past few years, but has yet to have taken his team past the first round of the playoffs. He's been dominated by Dwight Howard when they've matched up, and while his team isn't nearly as good as Nowitzki's, it's not terrible, and Toronto should have made the second round at least once.

Both are clutch players, but again, Nowitzki more so. Dallas frequently will give the ball to Dirk with the seconds ticking away, and he often delivers.

Bosh, too, can do this, but often times the offense will run through Jose Calderon when the Raptors need a basket. Bosh has yet to consistently assert himself as the undisputed number one option on his team when the game is on the line.

Though the two are similar players, I'd have to take Nowitzki by a moderate margin. However, Bosh is younger and will undoubtedly improve, meaning he could easily overrtake Nowitzki soon. It'd be interesting to see which player most GM's would take if given that choice. We will soon find out.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know by posting a comment. Thanks for reading.

Kwame Brown: The Biggest Bust Ever?

Mark Brown — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:12:02 -0400

When Kwame Brown was picked first overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, expectations were high. After all, the great Michael Jordan was the one who wanted Brown. People were wondering if Brown would be the second coming of Kevin Garnett.

As we all know, this couldn't be further from the truth. Brown turned out to be an absolute scrub and one of the biggest busts in NBA history, if not the biggest.

Granted, Brown wasn't that bad in Washington, D.C. He showed occasional flashes of brilliance but no consistency. Unbelievably enough, he ended up leaving Washington after an argument with Gilbert Arenas. Brown wanted a bigger role.

He certainly had that opportunity with the Los Angeles Lakers, who traded Caron Butler for Brown. I'm sure if the Lakers didn't get Pau Gasol for Brown, the whole city would have been up in arms.

Brown quickly proved in L.A. that he had no game whatsoever. His small hands, bad feet, and lack of passion (and skills) frustrated fans beyond belief. Here's a clip of what Stephen A. Smith had to say.

Eventually, the Lakers had enough of Brown. I've never seen a player booed on his home court for an extended period of time, but sure enough, Brown was able to acheive this feat, one of my favorite basketball moments.

Skip to just before five minutes, when he misses a dunk. From then on, he is booed every time he touches the ball. I had tears in my eyes when I saw this game.

Then it happened. Brown was traded, along with other minor assets, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Pau Gasol. Unbelievably, the Grizzlies dealt an All-Star player for scrubs. I still can't believe it.

He fared no better in Memphis. Both sides soon made it clear that Brown would not stay much longer, and he left for Detroit following the conclusion of the 2007-2008 season.

Some thought Brown might actually do well in Detroit. They though he might thrive away from the spotlight. On such a balanced team, he would not feel pressure and could contribute freely.

Once again, Brown demonstrated his lack of skills. Brown was a non-factor for Detroit, and he rarely received playing time on a team that barely won half of its games. Even more ludicrous was the fact that Kwame was (and is) getting paid four million dollars a year.

What does the future hold for Brown? Personally, I'd find it ironic if Brown became one of the greatest executives in the history of the league, contrary to Jordan, who was one of the greatest players but not one of the best executives. I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

First To Five: Kobe, Shaq or Tim Duncan?

Mark Brown — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:32:45 -0400

I was watching Pardon the Interruption a few days ago when I saw an interesting question posed: Who will win their fifth ring first: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan?

It was a great question, considering all three guys are on championship contending teams. Any one of them could get their fifth title first.

Unfortunately, I was at the Dentist's at the time, so I didn't get to see how the guys responded.

By examining all three players and their shots at winning the championship, I went ahead and made my pick as to who will have a ring for each finger first.

So, let's take a look at each player and his respective team:

1. Shaquille O'Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers

Shaq has teamed up with LeBron James to give the Cavs their best shot at winning a ring in the history of the franchise.

LeBron has almost won a title by himself, but he desperately needed help. He had to look no further than Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaq will be the first true superstar LeBron has gotten to play with, and won't disappear as easily as Mo Williams did.

He can guard opposing big men and will help out on the boards. Players such as Williams can relax knowing Shaq will step up if they don't.

The Cavs have a lot of money to spend this offseason. That said, I still don't think they will win the championship.

Shaq is too vunerable to the Hack-a-Shaq strategy, and he may clog the lane when LeBron wants to drive the ball. His ego might get in the way too.

Even though Cleveland will probably get another good player, they still don't seem to have what it takes. Shaq is the least likely of the three, though he may still win his fifth title soon.

2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant is on top of the world. His Lakers just won the NBA title as Bryant gathered his first ever Finals MVP.

Kobe will not opt out of his contract and will likely remain a Laker until at least 2012.

The Lakers success this upcoming season all depends on if they can resign Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza.

If they can, and I think they will, then the Lakers are the leading candidates as champions in 2010.

That said, I think San Antonio will pull off some more moves this offseason (signing Rasheed Wallace?).

If they continue to add to their team and Ginobli, Parker and Duncan are healthy, then it will be a dogfight for position as top team in the west.

While I think Los Angeles will finish with a better regular season record, I think San Antonio may squeak by in a seven game series. It'll definitely be fun to watch.

3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Duncan is my pick, as I think the Spurs will win the 2010 championship.

The addition of Richard Jefferson to the team was nothing short of genius, and if San Antonio can sign Wallace, then they will probably beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

I've bet too many times against this team to do it again. They constantly win when they are under the radar, as they currently are now. Most people do not think the Spurs will win the title.

If they aren't able to sign a free agent, then they may be right. However, I think the front office of the Spurs is looking to make another splash.

If the big three can finally stay healthy and if Jefferson pans out, then the Spurs will be the team to beat.

Otherwise, the Lakers will win their second consecutive title.

Although we'll have to see how the offseason plays out for each team, I think San Antonio will ultimately win the title after making more moves. The Lakers will be just behind them, and the Cavaliers will be a step behind.

Duncan's my pick: Who's yours?

Phoenix Suns to Acquire Tyson Chandler?

Mark Brown — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:57:37 -0400

Rumors regarding NBA free agents are heating up, as we will probably see Hedo Turkoglu, Paul Millsap, Ben Gordon, and Charlie Villanueva all moving to new teams.

After trading Shaquille O'Neal, the Phoenix Suns have made it clear that they are trying to shed as much money as they can while still attempting to stay reasonably competitive. They are now looking toward the future.

The New Orleans Hornets are in a different situation. Just one year ago, the Hornets had signed free agent James Posey and looked poised to make a legitimate championship run.

But with the Spurs and Blazers looking to be much better teams, the Hornets are looking to save as much as they can.

If Phoenix is serious about trying to remain competitive while staying flexible financially, they must make a serious effort in trying to acquire New Orleans center Tyson Chandler.

The Hornets have made it well-known that they are looking to deal Chandler in order to save themselves money. And the Suns are in prime position to snag him because of one key player: Ben Wallace.

Wallace currently has two more years on his $29 million contract left. However, many presume that Wallace is going to retire and will not return for the 2009-10 season. If this were the case, then Wallace could be traded to New Orleans for Chandler, and could then retire.

Unfortunately, trading Wallace for Chandler straight up would not work because their salaries don't match up. New Orleans would have to throw in another player, which they may or may not do. Devin Brown would be enough, but New Orleans would have to be willing to let him go.

If they weren't, then more pieces would have to be added by both sides. Phoenix might throw in Leandro Barbosa if Posey were to be added, but the bigger the trade would get, the more unlikely it would become.

For now, I'll just focus on Wallace for Chandler and Brown.

Phoenix would be getting a legitimate center in Chandler—a guy who can rebound, defend, and block shots. The Suns would basically be getting what they sought for in Shaq, but without the same offensive production. But at the same time, the Suns would be getting more from the defensive side.

Brown would give the team another wing, but at this point, the Suns don't really need one. He would most likely serve as insurance if Grant Hill and Matt Barnes leave. Brown is a solid role player, but he wouldn't see much time as the Suns want to develop their younger players.

There would be no reason for Phoenix not to do this deal. Chandler is an upgrade over Wallace in every aspect of the game, and Brown would be an added bonus.

The only reason the Suns would refuse would be because they don't want to lose the money they freed up from the Shaq trade. Chandler is a young piece, but Phoenix really seems serious about saving money.

As for New Orleans, they would not benefit basketball-wise, but the Hornets would gain a lot of wiggle room financially. The team could pursue a free agent, or could sit on the money and hope they can get someone good in next year's free-agent class.

As of now, the trade seems iffy, as the Suns are considering all options. I believe New Orleans would jump at this trade, so it all hinges on the Suns. They also have the possibility of dealing Amare Stoudemire, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Cleveland Cavaliers Aren't Done Yet

Mark Brown — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:47:46 -0400

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a splash with the recent acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal. The Cavs had the best record in the NBA last year, yet were exposed against Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cleveland seemed confident that they had enough offensive firepower to win the championship. Obviously, they were wrong, as LeBron James, though magnificent, was the only one doing anything.

In addition, the Cavaliers could not defend wing players or big men, as Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard dominated the Cavs, who had no answers (other than LeBron).

Getting Shaq for peanuts was a nice move by Danny Ferry, as they now have a big who can adequately defend Howard. However, Shaq alone will probably not be enough to win a title.

The Cavs still need a mobile power forward who can guard the Lewises and knock down shots. They also need another perimeter defender so that LeBron does not have to do everything. Getting another player to increase depth would be nice as well.

Cleveland will have a lot of money to work with thanks to Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract of almost $14 million. The Cavaliers should sign Rasheed Wallace, acquire Matt Barnes, and re-sign Szczerbiak.

Rasheed Wallace would be the top priority by far. Cleveland needs more mobile big men than O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Anderson Varejao just won't cut it.

Wallace could be that guy, as he has given Dwight Howard fits in the past and could do a reasonable job on Howard.

In addition, Wallace is a great shooter for a big man, something that would prove invaluable with LeBron's penetration and Shaq's inside play. Wallace would get a lot of open shots and can hit a three-pointer.

Wallace also can create his own shot and is very efficient in the post. He would give the Cavs a very good offensive piece, and James and O'Neal would keep his temper in check. Wallace would likely sign for around $7 million.

Second on the list would be Matt Barnes. I know he isn't a guy a lot of people think of, but Barnes is a good defender and a very tough player. He has the size to match up against the bigger forwards, and would give LeBron a chance to rest.

He plays good man-to-man defense, can block shots and make steals, and is an above-average team defender. He isn't afraid to stick his nose in crowds to grab rebounds and will do a lot of the dirty work.

Barnes is a good shooter who can create, provided he isn't over-relied upon. He certainly wouldn't be in Cleveland, so he would be just perfect. Barnes is a very cheap player who the Cavaliers could probably get for less than $2 million.

Once that is done, the Cavs could look to re-sign Szczerbiak for around $5 million, probably less. Wally would give them good shooting coming off the bench and would definitely help the depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions.

If Cleveland finds that they somehow don't have the money for these moves, then they could look to trade J.J. Hickson and/or Darnell Jackson, each of whom would give the Cavs enough flexibility to get things rolling.

Though it wouldn't be a roster move, there is one other thing I feel the Cavs should do. I know it sounds dumb, but they should move Mo Williams to the bench and have Delonte West start at point guard.

I know Williams is good, the Cavs would have enough firepower in their starting lineup with LeBron, Shaq and Wallace. Having Williams in the game would diminish what he is able to do, and he wouldn't make as much of an impact.

Williams could be the sixth man like Jason Terry and Manu Ginobli. When the Cavs need some instant offense, they'd just have to insert Williams into the lineup and he could help spark the team. His minutes only be slightly diminished.

The lineup would be:

PG-Delonte West, Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson

SG-Matt Barnes, Wally Szczerbiak

SF-LeBron James, Darnell Jackson

PF-Rasheed Wallace, Anderson Varejao, J.J. Hickson

C-Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Let me know what you guys think.

How the Phoenix Suns Can Stave Off Mediocrity

Mark Brown — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:43:35 -0400

The Phoenix Suns are in a very difficult situation right now. They went from being arguably the best team in the NBA to a lottery team in just a few short years. One thing is clear: the Suns need to make moves.

I have proposed two moves which I feel would allow the Suns to get back on track. They would be younger, save money and hopefully win a few more games.

Step One: Trade Amare Stoudemire to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Caron Butler, Mike James, and the fifth pick in the draft.

It's no secret that Washington is looking to deal its pick in the upcoming draft, as they would be forced to acquire a guard and they don't really need one right now. Grabbing Amare Stoudemire would be perfect for them.

Washington desperatley needs a big man on their team, because Antawan Jamison just isn't enough. Pairing Stoudemire and Jamison would be a formidable front line. DeShawn Stevenson would go to small forward, Nick Young at the shooting guard. As a bonus, they get rid of Mike James's bad contract.

Amare Stoudemire isn't a great rebounder or defender, but he does get nine rebounds a game (much better than most) and will play some defense. He would certainly be an upgrade over Brendan Haywood. Washington needs to change things around, to at least look like they're trying, and this move would be perfect.

For the Suns, they would get an athletic wing man who could step in as the defensive ace this team has lacked since Raja Bell was traded. He is a very tough kid and is a very physical defender, and Phoenix would love to have that.

He is also a very talented offensive player and a good shooter. The Suns wouldn't have to worry about their offense, and with Stoudemire gone, the lane will be free for Steve Nash again. The Suns wouldn't have to worry about Stoudemire's complaints or threats of leaving in 2010.

The fifth pick may be high enough for Phoenix to snatch Ricky Rubio. Rubio's stock has dropped because he has refused to work out for many NBA teams.

With the Grizzlies looking at Hasheem Thabeet, Oklahoma City not needing another guard, and Sacramento no longer interested in Rubio, Phoenix would have a great chance at landing their point guard of the future.

Phoenix could then use the 14th pick on a player like Earl Clark, who would give them additional depth. Mike James would simply be a filler. He could play minutes and give Steve Nash the occasional night off.

Step Two: Trade Jason Richardson to the Los Angeles Clippers for Marcus Camby.

It's no secret that the Clippers are going to draft Blake Griffin, a power forward. They'll need space in the frontcourt for him. Of course, Los Angeles would much prefer to deal Zach Randolph instead, but it's doubtful anyone will take him.

If the Clippers are too reluctant to deal Camby, the Suns could ask for Chris Kaman instead. If this were to happen, LA would have to toss in a scrub to make the salaries match.

The Clippers would be getting an explosive offensive player who could help take pressure off Blake Griffin and let him develop at his own pace. Los Angeles isn't going to make the postseason anytime soon and they need to play their young guys (Griffin and Gordon).

The Suns would be getting a legitimate big man to replace Amare Stoudemire. Both Camby and Kaman are defensive minded players, something that would be great for the Suns to have in one of their big men.

Once that has happened, the Suns could use the money they'll have from their soon to be free agents (Grant Hill, Matt Barnes, Stromile Swift and Louis Amundson) and look to either resign Amundson or go after players like Chris Anderson or Marcin Gortat.

They would have about 3.76 million dollars from those expiring contracts and could surely sign one of the three. They could also use the 2.2 million dollars saved by dealing Richardson for Camby, or 2.7 million if they get Kaman. This would total to 5.96 or 6.46 million dollars, depending on who they get.

So for the Wizards:

PG-Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton

SG-Nick Young

SF-DeShawn Stevenson

PF-Antawan Jamison, Darius Songaila, Andray Blatche

C-Amare Stoudemire, Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas

(The Wizards would probably have to trade some bigs for wings.)

For the Clippers:

PG-Baron Davis, Mardy Collins

SG-Eric Gordon, Ricky Davis

SF-Jason Richardson, Al Thorton

PF-Blake Griffin, Zach Randolph

C-Marcus Camby/Chris Kaman, DeAndre Jordan

And for the Suns:

PG-Steve Nash, Ricky Rubio, Mike James, Goran Dragic

SG-Caron Butler, Leandro Barbosa

SF-Earl Clark, Jared Dudley, Alando Tucker

PF-Camby/Kaman, Louis Amundson/Chris Anderson/Marcin Gortat

C-Shaquille O'Neal, Robin Lopez

(Phoenix may look to trade Dragic for a big man or perhaps a wing.)

Let me know what you guys think!

One of the Greatest Players Ever? Kobe Bryant IS Overrated

Mark Brown — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:21:13 -0400

Before I start, I would like to say that I feel Kobe Bryant is a very good player and is the second best shooting guard in the history of the league.

However, I find it completely ridiculous that Kobe is now regarded as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Even more absurd is that Kobe is regularly being compared to Michael Jordan.

All this after winning one championship without Shaquille O'Neal.

The Lakers did not do anything miraculous in these playoffs. In fact, I was disappointed by their performance. Against the Jazz, they were decent, but they should have easily swept the series.

Against Houston, I was shocked. Everyone picked the Lakers to come out on top easily, especially when Yao Ming went down for the rest of the playoffs. However, Los Angeles actually ended up playing a seven-game series against the Rockets.

Next was Denver. Now, the Lakers actually played pretty well against the Nuggets, but they were not exceptional. They exceeded expectations, but Denver really wasn't that talented of a team.

Finally, there was Orlando. Again, Los Angeles played well, but they got lucky.

Orlando could not hit the shots they were making against Cleveland, and they did not get the same production from Hedo Turkoglu. They got lucky in several instances; Courtney Lee missing an open layup, Jameer Nelson playing terrible defense against Derek Fisher, and Dwight Howard missing his free throws.

These were not accomplishments on the Lakers's part, but failures on the Magic's.

Now, on to Kobe. His numbers were solid throughout the playoffs and the finals. However, there were a few things I noticed about him. For one, his shot selection was (and still is) very questionable. He constantly takes very difficult shots that only occasionally go in the basket.

When he does make them, we all marvel at the fact that Kobe just made a terrific shot. But what we don't think about is all of the times Kobe will take that shot and miss it. When he does, we just dismiss it as him missing a tough shot.

Towards the end of games, I noticed Kobe missed shots and turned the ball over several times. Often, it was other Lakers making the big plays down the stretch.

Secondly, though it does not directly impact Kobe's play, he complains after nearly every single call he doesn't get. I'm not exaggerating when I say I frequently saw Kobe turn his head and scream at the officials when he would take a tough shot that wouldn't go down.

People argue that Kobe Bryant is a good leader, and for the most part I agree. But that doesn't seem like good leadership. Also, after seeing Spike Lee's movie Kobe: Doin' Work, I began to notice more faults in Kobe's leadership. Too often during breaks in the game, Kobe would tell other players what they needed to do and what they were doing wrong.

He should let some things go.

Finally, Kobe's defense isn't as good as some say it is. Yes, he gets the athletic steals and the crazy blocks, but he isn't really a lockdown defender. Trevor Ariza was the guy the Lakers turned to when they needed big defensive plays. I'm not saying Kobe is a bad defender, just not a great one.

Like I said above, Kobe Bryant is a great player. He is in the top-20 all time, and may even make it into the top-10. All I'm saying is the discussions of him being better than Michael Jordan must stop.

Amare Stoudemire to the Wizards: Could It Work?

Mark Brown — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:48:13 -0400

The Phoenix Suns are currently in a critical situation. For years, they have been regarded as one of the top teams in the NBA, yet have been unable to win a championship, as some unforeseen incident always seems to get in the way.

Now it appears that the window has closed for the Suns; they must rebuild.

The Washington Wizards have been experimenting with Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler for years, but have yet to get anywhere close to the Finals. Times have been hard, as Washington has one of the worst records in the league this year.

Both teams are in need of a major shakeup because their current compositions just aren't cutting it. These squads have underachieved and should be looking to cahnge their rosters significantly and look to the future.

Perhaps their similar situations would make a swap between Washington and Phoenix a possibility. In my opinion, moving Amare Stoudemire to DC would be a great move for both clubs.

The man they call "STAT" has become a bit of a problem in Phoenix. Fans are tired of his unfulfilled promises to improve defensively and rebound, and the whole desert is sick of his complaining about lack of touches. His presence has disrupted what was once a beautiful chemistry.

Getting rid of him would be a step in the right direction; the Suns can become a deeper team and prepare for years down the road by shipping him out.

Meanwhile, Washington needs to move one (if not two) of their stars elsewhere. They just aren't getting anything done, and this team needs a fresh start.

The Wiz have had a gaping hole in the middle for quite some time now, so getting Stoudemire would be a great way to solve the problem. True, he does have problems playing defense, but seeing as how Washington is way too soft in the middle, anything would be better than what they have now.

Besides, his offensive presence would be tremendous, and he gives the Wizards cap room in 2010, when his contract expires.

The only potential problem for the Wizards might be an overabundance of scorers, but a good coach could help solve that problem. Avery Johnson is on the market, and if he could get Dirk Nowitzki to play defense, he can probably get Amare to as well. He can make sure everyone gets their touches.

I would propose Phoenix sending Stoudemire to Washington for Jamison, Darius Songaila, and a 2009 first-round pick. The Suns would then have two lottery picks in the upcoming draft, one very high (at a position at which they could possibly snag Ricky Rubio), and they would add a great shooter at power forward who can spread the court in Jamison and a serviceable big man in Songaila.

Washington would get a true force in Amare Stoudemire. The Wizards hardly need another young player, so sacrificing their draft pick wouldn't hurt too much; besides, what they need (size) isn't really available this year.

The Wizards would have enough depth up front to afford losing two big guys and could score a lot of points with their new lineup. If they could get a coach like Johnson, they would look formidable. And if they really do want another big man, they could demand that Phoenix toss in a second-round pick, allowing them to get who they like.

I think this trade could help both teams improve. At the very least, it would give both clubs a fresh start and would inject new life into their fan bases.

I'm open to any opinions you guys have, or any modifications to this deal.

Is Tim Duncan Underrated?

Mark Brown — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:18:11 -0400

Amare Stoudemire. Kevin Garnett. Dirk Nowitzki. Carlos Boozer. There are so many talented power forwards in the league that it's easy to overlook Tim Duncan.

Duncan's stats have fallen off in the past few years, and he is beginning to fly under the radar.

Of course I know that everyone acknowledges what Duncan has accomplished in his past, every fan and their dog can tell you that.

In recent years, however, Duncan has seen a decline in his status as one of league's best players. He went from arguably the best to not even top 10 in the blink of an eye.

Ever since the 2005-06 season, where Duncan suffered from plantar fasciitis for a majority of the season, fans have begun to forget Tim Duncan. He averaged a career low in both rebounds and blocks that year, with 18.6 and 11.0 per game respectively.

Timmy has continued to post similar numbers, consistently recording 20 and 10 every night. His defense is still stellar, and his team play continues to amaze me. His leadership is unmatched, and he has developed one of the greatest work ethics I've ever seen.

Why, then, are fans now sleeping on him? Has society changed to the point where flashy dunks and drives are the only things we feel are worth paying attention to?

What about the perfect way Duncan sets a screen? Or his ruthless efficiency, night in and night out? Is that not worth taking note of?

Perhaps people are just getting sick of the Spurs in general. They've been a legitimate threat ever since Duncan was a rookie, winning four titles and coming close on several occasions.

San Antonio still is in great shape, having added young guys like Roger Mason, Drew Gooden, and George Hill. With Manu Ginobli returning soon, their future looks bright.

As a Suns fan, I always hated it when Duncan would improbably lead his Spurs from an early deficit to win every playoff series San Antonio has encountered with the Suns in the Steve Nash era.

It was seriously annoying, but now that the Suns are practically dead and I can take a non biased look at the upcoming playoffs, I can really appreciate Duncan.

I'm not sure what it's going to take for Tim Duncan to take his name out there. He never does anything controversial, and his charity work is never discussed.

He's going to give you the same thing every game, but maybe we've gotten so used to it that we no longer realize how exceptional it is.

I guess San Antonio is just going to have to go out and win another title. It wouldn't surprise me, given the reasons listed above.

Duncan can will his team to victory single-handedly (remember Game 5 of the 1999 Finals?), so it would be very possible. Once that happens, Duncan may get his due.

It seems a bit weird to me to say that the greatest power forward in history is now underrated, but it is true.

He'll probably have to win a title to get his shine again, which is unfortunate. We really need to take notice of his game while we can. Consider this a wake-up call.

I'd be happy to hear what you think, just drop a comment.

Jermaine O'Neal Traded to Miami Heat

Mark Brown — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:09:59 -0500

TNT's David Aldridge reports that the Toronto Raptors have agreed to trade Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon to the Miami Heat in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/david_aldridge/02/13/heatraptorstrade.20090213/index.html

Toronto, disappointed by the O'Neal experiment so far, decided to deal the big man due to concerns about team chemistry.

Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani seemed to play better when O'Neal was injured, as O'Neal needed room in the low post to operate and crowded the paint. Bosh could not properly play, nor could Bargnani.

By adding Marion, Toronto has a much more athletic front line than in the past and will have a great deal of financial flexibility this summer, when Marion's $17 million contract goes of the books. Marion's agent has stated that Marion would not mind re-signing to play in Toronto after his contract expires.

Marion may switch back to the power forward position, where he enjoyed a great deal of success in Phoenix. In Miami, however, he was much less effective as a small forward. Hopefully the trade will allow Marion to get back to his old self.

Banks may get some playing time as a backup to Jose Calderon, but is pretty much just a filler.

The Miami Heat needed a proper center they could throw the ball to down low. More importantly, they needed a defensive presence that could block shots and rebound. With Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem already at the forward spot, Marion's presence did not allow for other players to get the time they needed.

Now, Beasley can start at the small forward position, Haslem at the power forward, and O'Neal at center.

Miami, too, will get financial wiggle room in the summer of 2010.

O'Neal's $20 million contract expires, and the Heat may get a chance to add another superstar to add alongside Dwyane Wade. Jamario Moon adds depth and athleticism at the small forward spot, and will be a fairly good perimeter defender.

The deal does take Miami out of the Amare Stoudemire sweepstakes.

The Heat and Chicago Bulls were the two teams making a strong run for him. With Miami now backing down, it will be interesting to see if Chicago will be able to nab Stoudemire.

Both the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat may have significantly improved their teams through this trade.

There is a chance in each scenario that the situation may backfire, but the deal could easily boost either team back among the Eastern Conference's elite, to perhaps snatch the fourth seed in the playoffs.

Toronto Raptors Have Work To Do

Mark Brown — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:25:22 -0500

With the 2008-2009 NBA season well under way, it's easy to see which teams are dominating and which are disappointing. The Toronto Raptors, who were expected to be a serious threat to teams like the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, have so far fallen under those who have disappointed.

A 12-20 record is nothing most Raptor fans expected when the team made the blockbuster move of trading TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and Roy Hibbert to Indiana in exchange for Jermaine O'Neal. O'Neal was believed to be a major piece to the puzzle and would allow Chris Bosh to thrive, much like another O'Neal, Shaquille, was expected to do for Amare Stoudemire.

So far, however, it's not working. In the beginning of the season, Bosh was finally starting to look like the dominant player he could be, even leading the league in scoring at one point of time. No longer forced to bang with the big boys, Bosh was able to play his customary finesse style and let O'Neal take care of the dirty work down low.

Recently, though, Bosh is looking much less like the player he was in the beginning of the season. It seems as though he has temporarily decided to defer to O'Neal, because his numbers have gone way down. Monday night's game against the Warriors was a step in the right direction, as Bosh had 30 points and 14 rebounds, but O'Neal left the game early due to flu like symptoms.

Hopefully, Bosh can use this as an opportunity to continue his torrid ways and develop as rapidly as he was at the start of the season. Bosh will be forced to contribute more to the cause and he may be able to get things going again.

Jermaine O'Neal has not been playing as he was supposed to. Once again, he is injured, but it's more than that. He has not been able to adequately benefit Bosh by relieving him of responsibilities in the paint. O'Neal is not nearly the defensive force he once was, but he needs to turn it on as well for Toronto to have a chance. Otherwise, Bosh will have to rebound and defend and neither big will score.

Despite the problems, the Raptors do have a bright spot in Jose Calderon. He has been playing extremely well, running the show and satisfying everybody without having a proper backup. Calderon was given a lot of trust by management when Ford was dealt, but Calderon has rewarded their trust.

The amount of strength he uses to burst by a pick is just unbelievable. Calderon is a fantastic pick and roll player, and with Bosh and O'Neal as his bigs, running the play should be no problem. Calderon is not a strong defender, but does a decent job. Though he doesn't shoot much, he makes shots when he shoots. His 13 points and nine assists have been very important to the team so far.

One of the main problems I've seen is the bench and role players. It seems like Andrea Bargnani is still struggling despite the firing of Sam Mitchell. Now, though, it doesn't look like he can be depended on too much. Toronto needs to relieve some of the pressure they put on the guy.

Jason Kapono is purely a shooter; he can not do anything else. He is a weak defender and is only shooting 43% from the field this season. Jamario Moon has been quieter than last season, and doesn't seem to be putting in too much effort. I was hoping for more than seven points a game from him. Anthony Parker is solid, but his shooting has been less than stellar as well.

When these guys aren't making their shots, teams are free to load up on Bosh and O'Neal. The other problem is a lack of big men to support the starters. This team cannot afford to rely on Kris Humphries and Will Solomon as their backups if they expect to actually pose a challenge for the elite teams.

Now that Sam Mitchell is gone, Toronto is looking for a new head coach. Personally, I feel that the best candidate out there is Avery Johnson. A lot of teams could use him for one reason: defense. Johnson took a horrible Dallas defense and transformed it into one of the best in the league. Now, the Raptors defense isn't nearly as porous, so imagine what Johnson could accomplish.

With a front court of O'Neal, Bosh, and Bargnani, their is clearly potential. Johnson could let Bosh and O'Neal stay down low and let the other three players press up on the offense. This eliminates three pointers and most penetration. If a player does get into the paint, the bigs should be able to stop them and let the team regroup.

The weakness is the post, where there will be many holes, but Bosh and O'Neal are excellent defenders and can easily hold the fort down low. They will also snatch any rebounds coming their way, and having three players by the three point line will encourage fast breaking and easy points.

If nothing happens, Toronto can always put O'Neal down low and seal his defender and let Bosh roam around the free throw line. If the perimeter players start knocking down open jumpers, the Raptors can have one of the most efficient offenses in the league.

It's clear that Toronto has serious problems and needs to address them now. The best way is to appoint Avery Johnson as head coach, but Eddie Jordan and Mo Cheeks are also good options. If Toronto wants to make a serious push, now is the time to do it. Otherwise, they will far too far behind. I'd love to hear what you guys think, let me know what you think the Raptors should do.

Orlando Magic: The Making of a Magical Season

Mark Brown — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:45:56 -0500

With a 22-6 record, the Orlando Magic are off on a spectacular season. They are having a record year for their franchise, and actually look like legitimate contenders this season. The team is playing extremely well.

Their star player is, of course, Dwight Howard. Howard has not disappointed so far: With a stat line of 20.3 points, 13.9 boards, 3.7 blocks, 56 percent FG shooting, three fouls and 2.7 turnovers per game, he is finally looking like the dominant big man many predicted he would become. Offensively, Howard is finally developing a repertoire, adding a jump-hook and turnaround shot to his fearsome arsenal of dunks.

Defensively, he remains the presence he always has been, as one of the best defensive players in the league today. With nearly 14 rebounds and four blocks a game, it is easy to see just how well Howard enforces the paint. His man-to-man defense is solid, and he is becoming an excellent weak-side defender. Once Howard starts hitting free throws on a regular basis, look out. He will truly be unstoppable.

Of course, the rest of the team is doing well, too. Jameer Nelson is finally having a breakout season: 17 points, 5.4 assists, nice shooting and excellent leadership. Nelson is performing admirably, and is rising on the premier point guard list. He has done a marvelous job at point guard, guiding the offense as smoothly as I've ever seen. His leadership must continue to blossom with Dwight Howard's for Orlando to continue to improve.

Their wings, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkaglou, are also playing at high levels. Each is putting up nice numbers, contributing 16-19 points, 5-6 rebounds and 2-4 assists apiece. They are continuing their dead eye shooting and are great at spacing the court to allow Howard and Nelson room to operate. Their defense has also been above standard norms, as neither is getting completely burned. And when the game is on the line, one of the two is going to take that big shot.

Orlando's bench/role players are both solid and deep. Anthony Johnson has done a good job of running the show when Jameer Nelson is on the bench, Tony Battie allows Dwight Howard to take a breather, and Mickael Pietrus has established himself as their perimeter stopper. Toss in young guys like Courtney Lee, Brian Cook, and Keith Bogans, and you get a nice second unit.

I'm a big fan of Stan Van Gundy, he has done an amazing job as head coach and is one of the top-10 coaches in the league. He has directed the offense beautifully, and has incorporated Howard, Nelson, Lewis, and Turkoglu equally and ensured that there is no ill will over who's getting the shots. Defensively, this team is solid and can hold their own when the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers come to Arnway Arena.

The only problem I have with the Magic involves their big guys. Their starting lineup usually consists of this: Nelson, Pietrus, Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard. While having Lewis play power forward does provide some advantages (like big guys having to close him out when he's on the perimeter), it also provides a ton of weaknesses. For example, when Orlando plays the Toronto Raptors, Howard is going to have to guard Jermaine O'Neal instead of Chris Bosh. Why? Because if Lewis guarded O'Neal, he would get eaten alive. So, Bosh ends up eating Lewis up, and can score anytime he wants to.

The same thing happens with the Boston Celtics. Howard must guard Kendrick Perkins and not Kevin Garnett because Perkins would dominate Rashard Lewis. So, Garnett is free to go off against Lewis. I'd like either Lewis or Turkoglu, it doesn't matter which, to go to the bench so that they play small forward (and occasionally power forward). Having one of those guys in the second unit gives the bench even more offensive punch.

Overall, however, this team looks poised for a long run in the playoffs. While they may not beat the Celtics or Cavaliers, I think they have given themselves a chance to do it, and are certainly a better team then they used to be. Look for the Magic to be one of the last teams standing when it's all said and done.

I'd love to hear your opinions, let me know what you think.

Phoenix Suns Well-Represented on Top 10 NBA Dunkers List

Mark Brown — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:01:58 -0500

Today, everyone always seems to care only about spectacular feats of athleticism when watching basketball. Nobody likes watching screen and rolls being executed, or backdoor layups; no, it's always about the exciting.

And of course, there is no play in basketball more exciting than the slam dunk. These are the guys the media and casual fans worship. The top 10 dunkers in the NBA are:

10. Vince Carter

A couple of years ago, the status as top dunker in the league wouldn't even be debated. Vince Carter was easily the best in the game, possibly one of the best the game had ever seen. Carter combined the finesse Michael Jordan displayed with a power that Jordan lacked.

These days, however, Carter rarely dunks the ball at all: He is much more likely to shoot a jumper than drive to the rim. So, he drops to number 10.

9. Baron Davis

It's always fun to see the little guy slam it home. Though Davis is only 6 feet 3 inches, he dunks with the best of them. Davis is ferocious when at the rim and displays no regard for human life.

He is an awesome finisher; just watching him slam one home against Andrei Kirilenko in the 2007 Western Conference Semifinals gives me chills. Believe me, this guy can dunk and he can dunk well.

8. Shaquille O'Neal

Another guy who is no longer in his dunking prime, Shaq has declined in terms of his dunking ability. He was once able to overpower every player he went up against and slam the basketball hard, often bringing backboards and shot clocks down with him. Though he can occasionally get a good one, Shaq is no longer able to bring it every night and so he slips down to No. 8.

7. Shawn Marion

Man, do I miss Marion running alongside Steve Nash. Back when he was in Phoenix, Shawn Marion would run the court almost every single play and, more often than not, would dunk the ball courtesy of Nash.

His incredible athleticism helped him elevate and finish, but Marion no longer seems to have what it takes to play like that anymore, probably because Miami runs far less.

6. Josh Smith

This was a tough one. I didn't want Smith to drop down this low, but the other guys in front of him are just so good. Smith is just like Marion, only an improvement. He dunks with more power than the Matrix, and he still runs the court every chance he gets. Smith is a fantastic dunker that can just bully big guys out of his way to finish, but because his dunks rely on others to set him up (like Marion) he stays at sixth.

5. Dwyane Wade

Watching Wade is one of my favorite things to do. His drives to the basket are so smooth, you're just speechless. Once at the cup, Wade will slam the ball with such grace that you'll still be speechless. The guy is a perfect combination of finesse and power, much like Vince Carter used to be. Though he still dunks quite often, he doesn't do it as often as he used to, so I'm a bit worried. I pray he doesn't turn out like Vince.

4. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard, what am I going to do with you? You are a marvelous specimen; you may be the most athletic player in the league today. Your dunks are insanely powerful, but still smooth to watch.

You're a lot like a young Shaq, but you still have a ways to go. One request: You need to stop dunking it all the time. I want to see your post moves come to life, don't just throw it down.

3. Amar'e Stoudemire

Stoudemire is just fascinating. He has that same power that big guys do, but he is so much more agile than the rest of them. Watching him play is so nice, you can see him abuse people with his athleticism.

Though Stoudemire does have some of the best dunks around, he sometimes requires other people (Steve Nash) to set his dunks up for him. That slightly hurts, but not enough to drop him too far back. He's that good.

2. Jason Richardson

I may be a little biased here as a Suns fan, but it's true: Richardson is the second best dunker in the league. His deadly jumper allows him to blow by guys pressing up on him and throw down that ball hard.

He's so graceful around the basket, but when hacked he can still finish the play. He can also avoid contact and still twist his body into letting him dunk the ball. Watch J-Rich, he's amazing.

1. LeBron James

Are you freaking kidding me? Who else can dunk like LeBron James? He is the perfect dunker; I have never seen a player his size with his strength. James may be one of the strongest players in the league despite playing small forward.

His drives to the rim are vicious; you have no chance of blocking his dunk, and he will throw it down as hard as some of the big guys will. He is made for dunking.

So, there's my list. It was pretty close choosing between guys, so you all probably have different lists. Feel free to let me know, I'm eager to hear what you all think.

Philadelphia 76ers: A Look So Far

Mark Brown — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:41:57 -0500

In the preseason, the Philadelphia 76ers were believed to be serious contenders after they signed superstar free agent Elton Brand. Expectations were high after finally adding a reliable post scorer, thinking was that the Sixers could fast break whenever they needed to, but could always throw the ball into Brand if nothing was going for them. Eagerly, the rest of the world awaited their debut.

So far, however, things have been mediocre at best. Philadelphia has a miserable record, several games under .500. Head coach Maurice Cheeks has been fired by the front office, and Brand has not fit in like he was supposed to. Worse, Brand recently dislocated his right shoulder and will now sit out for about a month, at a time when his team is struggling.

Many things have gone wrong for Philly so far. When Brand was still playing, he was not properly incorporated into the offense. The 76ers force fed Brand way too often and other guys did not get nearly enough touches to be successful. Brand himself was forced to run the court every possession and then do something with the ball after vigorously playing defense just before. Brand has worn out and things just aren't how they should be.

What Philadelphia needed to do was run the court every time they were able to. Then, if nothing was available, Brand could go to work down low. By making Brand post every trip down, guys like Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala just aren't allowed to score and play offense like they are used to. It's a lot like the Phoenix Suns and Shaq: Feed your big only if you have to. Phoenix is beginning to realize that, hopefully the 76ers will too.

Now that Brand is out with an injury, it is likely that Philly is going to start fast breaking again, just like they did last year. I actually feel that Brand going down may have been a good thing, as it forces everyone to regroup, start running and gunning, and continue their style once Brand returns.

Miller and Iguodala will get their confidence back and will play better, Thaddeus Young will continue to grow, and Maresse Speights will get valuable playing time. Once Brand comes back, look out.

The Sixers still do need a new coach, however. The two that immediately come to mind are Avery Johnson and Eddie Jordan.

Personally, I'd perfer Jordan because I think he has learned how to coach an uptempo team in Washington, something Avery Johnson refuses to do. Jordan would be perfect in getting this team back on track by making them run and then reincorporating Elton Brand into the mix. Though Jordan has never really coached a good big man before, I'm sure he could figure out exactly what he needs to do.

The Philadelphia 76ers clearly have a lot of potential and a lot of problems. We all saw what they could do in last year's playoffs, so we know that Philly is much better than this. Once Philly takes a moment to regroup, re-strategize and retool their coaching vacancies, I'd look for this team to start competing once again.

I'd love to hear what you guys think about this, give me any thoughts.

Toss Up: Dwyane Wade or Chris Paul?

Mark Brown — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:03:52 -0500

Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are two of the NBA's best guards. Both are well-rounded players, capable of playing offense and defense. They are strong leaders and have the ability to take over games whenever necessary.

Both Paul and Wade put up incredible stats:

Wade: 29 points, 7 assists, 5 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 49% FG, 75% FT, 26% 3P%

Paul: 20 points, 12 assists, 5 boards, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 52% FG, 89% FT, 34% 3P%

Offensively, Paul and Wade are both lethal. They are excellent at penetrating to either finish or create a shot for another man.

Paul is the better distributor and shooter, while Wade is the better scorer and finisher. Wade can also occasionaly score off post ups, something Paul can't do.

While his jump shot is not as accurate as it should be, Wade is so good at getting into the paint that it doesn't matter.

Paul is more inclined to set his teammates up, and while no one can do it better, his teammates can somewhat dictate what he is able to do. If their shots aren't falling, Paul is not able to score like Wade can. For this reason, Wade gets the slight edge here.

Defensively, both are again skilled. They both play man to man well, and are good team defenders. Wade is bigger and stronger than Paul, and is able to guard guys Paul can't.

Paul, however, is so quick that his size doesn't matter. Whether he be guarding Kobe Bryant or Steve Nash, Paul can strip his man at will and can then ignite a fast break.

Paul also has a slight edge on Wade in terms of rebounding even though Paul is only 6 feet tall. Though Wade is an excellent shot blocker, much better than Paul, CP3 gets the nod on this one.

What really makes these guys amazing is that both of them are fantastic leaders and always show up when the game is on the line. Paul has transformed the Hornets from a bottom dweller team to a championship contender.

Wade transformed his team from a bad one to the best one when he won a championship in 2006. Because he had Shaq for that season, and Shaq was averaging 20 and 9, though, Wade's success does not automatically warrant putting him above Paul. This is too close to call, I'd probably call it a tie.

Though it is extremely close, I would have to put Dwyane Wade over Chris Paul only because Wade can take over games by scoring.

I would have no problem if Paul is considered the better player either; again, this is way too close to call. I'd like to hear what you all think, let me know who you would take.

Robin Lopez: Step It Up

Mark Brown — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:51:05 -0500

Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, and a 2010 second-round pick have been traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and Sean Singletary. It's a good move for Phoenix, as they have now added athleticism and a scorer who can take pressure off Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire.

Their defense is bound to fall now that Bell is gone, but it's still a good move for Phoenix, one that pushes them back into relevancy. However, there are two drawbacks to the deal: Who will spell Nash as a backup point guard? And secondly, can Robin Lopez take Diaw's place?

The first problem isn't too big of a deal for Phoenix. After all, it is a problem that has plagued them for many seasons, but it still needs to be addressed. Goran Dragic has not played up to the hype he received from the Suns, as he has played rather poorly.

For now, Leandro Barbosa may have to slide into the role, though he can not create shots for others. When Nash goes out of the game, Phoenix will be a much more one on one team, as Jason Richardson, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O'Neal and Barbosa will all be looking to beat their man.

The Suns should look for a backup point, but it is not as necessary as another big man.

That will be Phoenix's biggest problem. When Shaq and Amare are on the court, Robin Lopez and Louis Amundson will be the only bigs Phoenix has. Amundson is a solid player but is not big enough to be a center. Amare refuses to play the position. So, when Shaq comes out, Robin Lopez must play as center. This may be the reason Phoenix will not be the team many expect them to now be.

When Lopez was taken with the 15th pick in this past NBA draft, he had expectations that would be difficult to live up to. Suns management, however, seemed positive that Lopez could do it, and Lopez thought he could too.

So far, though, Lopez has played poorly in the few minutes he gets time. Phoenix seems to prefer Amundson over him, he generally plays more. Lopez is a good defender and will block shots, but his offense has been limited, and more importantly, he fouls way too much.

Take the opening night game against the San Antonio Spurs. In less than two minutes, Lopez accumulated three fouls in a series of boneheaded moves. He needs to learn to play much less aggressively or he will be a serious thorn for Phoenix.

When Shaq and Amare go to the bench, they have to be able to trust that Lopez can play an effective 20 minutes every game. If he doesn't, the Suns bigs will really ware down and Phoenix will fall in a very competitive West.

The Suns need to make a move for another center, but I'm not sure they can find one. Steve Kerr has a lot of work to do.

Is New Orleans a Legitimate Contender?

Mark Brown — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:43:01 -0500

During the 2007-08 season, one of the most surprising teams was the New Orleans Hornets. I knew they'd be good, but they were great. Chris Paul has quickly blossomed into the best point guard in the league today, and teammates such as David West, Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic were playing fantastic ball.

Then they went into the offseason and made a big free agent deal by adding James Posey to the mix. Posey is the type of hard-nosed player that gave a fantastic hustle and defensive effort night in and night out. Even better, he brought a championship attitude to a team that desperately needed one. Winning championships with Miami and Boston gave him a swagger that New Orleans craved.

Once Posey was added to the team, many expected the Hornets to continue to grow and play even better ball, possibly challenging the Lakers for a trip to the NBA Finals and the status as the best team in the Western Conference. Everything looked perfect once Posey was signed: A hungry team had added a winning veteran. However, so far this season, the Hornets have disappointed and are only a few games over .500.

Though Paul has continued his out-of-this-world play, the Hornets just don't seem to mesh as well as they did last season. Perhaps this problem does stem from a lack of hunger, but they seemed so ready before the season started, I can't believe that's the answer. Guys are still getting their stats, so what is going on? Although I don't think there is a definite solution, I do think that there are a few things that need to be done.

For one, New Orleans needs to defer to Paul less.

While he is a fantastic player, I have seen games where he is the only one initiating the offense. On almost every possession, he would penetrate and finish, find a big man for an easy dunk or kick the ball out to guys like Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson. They need to start creating their own shot, or eventually teams will clamp down on Paul and the Hornets offense sputters to a halt.

David West needs to get the ball down low and operate on occasion even if it is only rarely. Morris Peterson is a capable offensive player and can post up or penetrate some times. And Peja can create his own shot sometimes, I've seen it before. They don't seem to fast break much, as too often they just give it to Paul and let him go to work. I think this directly relates from their defense.

There are problems defensively too, as their defense just doesn't seem as sharp lately.

Usually, this results from a lack of effort on the players' part. They're doing an okay job but because their defense can fuel their break, they need to dedicate themselves more or risk losing that part of their game.

With Chris Paul leading the way, Mo Pete running to finish at the rim, and Peja trailing for an open three, there is just too much talent for them to not break. It may be one of their best strengths, as Paul is so good in the open court. Tyson Chandler anchors their effort down low by grabbing boards: This year's eight a game aren't enough for a guy who's gotten 11 or 12 in years past. David West also needs to get in there, he doesn't even have seven.

It's still early in the season, and the Hornets have gotten some quality wins. But, it doesn't really seem like New Orleans has the potential to really challenge the Lakers for the Western Conference title. Unless they pick things up, and soon, they may fall too far behind to make it up.

Toss Up: Amare Stoudemire or Dwight Howard?

Mark Brown — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:11:05 -0500

Two of the best big men today include Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard. There is much debate between the two: Would you rather have Amare's offensive awesomeness or Howard's defensive dominance? After thinking it through, I'd probably have to go with Dwight Howard.

Let's compare their stat line so far into the 08-09 season:

Stoudemire: 22.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 56.5 percent field goal, 82 percent free throw

Howard: 21.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, 58.1 percent field goal, 57.3 percent free throw

This isn't as lopsided as it looks. Although Stoudemire isn't even averaging one more point than Howard, he has shown in the past that he is able to completely dominate games by scoring. He is a much better shooter, and is almost impossible to stop when he's clicking offensively. He scores in a variety of ways.

Of course, he gets power dunks, but he is just as likely to beat you by sinking a 15 footer, taking it to the rim or getting to the free throw line. He has the complete offensive package (save passing, though Howard can't do it either).

Howard, on the other hand, isn't as skilled as Stoudemire. His points come right around the basket, either by dunking or making a jump hook five feet away from the rim. He does not punish teams for fouling him, as his free throw percentage is a miserable 57 percent. He does not have very much range on his jumper either. However, Howard is still a capable scorer and can easily get 20 a game.

Defense, though, is the big difference maker. I've feel that as a big guy, your first and foremost responsibility is to protect the rim. Guards and forwards can't do it. They can score, but they're not going to rebound and block shots. Though he has shown the potential to be a dominant force under the basket, Stoudemire is not nearly a good enough rebounder for his size. Howard, however, is a force that cannot be stopped.

As stated above, Amare Stoudemire cannot rebound the ball on a consistent basis. He does not put enough effort into it, and that's what stops him from being truly great. 8 rebounds for a center is just not going to cut it.

He is a capable shot blocker, though too often he tries to block the shot and will instead foul. In terms of man to man defense, Stoudemire has improved and is improving, though he is only average. He does get a steal per game, but he needs to defend to really up his game.

Howard, however, is the best defensive force in the game today. He is able to change the course of a game simply by rebounding and defending, something Stoudemire lacks. He is an absolute beast, grabbing nearly 15 boards and blocking over 4 shots a game. He is the player who will guard the Tim Duncans, Yao Mings and Amare Stoudemires of the league. He is a non stop hustle player, and in my opinion, is currently a lock for winning the defensive player of the year award. Howard is just amazing here, and clearly is the better defender and rebounder between himself and Stoudemire.

There is also the leadership factor, something which is big in my opinion. Stoudmire has done nothing but complain this year about how he wants to be "the man" in Phoenix. He needs to realize that to be "the man", you have to act like "the man." That's why the Suns are still Steve Nash's team.

Howard, on the other hand, has done a great job leading the Magic for the past few years. His teammates have a great deal of respect for him, and are following Howard's example this year. With him in charge, the Magic have become one of the best teams in the entire NBA.

I love Amare Stoudemire, and think he is a great player. However, he will never be truly great until he rebounds, defends, and leads. Howard is raw offensively, but is dictating the game by doing the things Stoudmire doesn't. Think of it as a kind of Chamberlain vs. Russell type deal: Chamberlain got the points, Russell got the championships. It will be the same with Stoudemire and Howard.

Phoenix Suns Need Kevin Martin

Mark Brown — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:30:28 -0500

The Phoenix Suns still have one huge weakness they need to address before they can be considered legitimate championship contenders.

And no, it's not defense.

The Suns suffer from having too many cold streaks offensively in which they can't get anything going. After watching a disgusting game in which the Miami Heat decimated the Suns, it was clear that when Nash goes off the court, Phoenix is utterly bamboozled as to what they should do.

Even when he is there, the Suns have looked a bit shaky. Shaq is the No. 1 option for the Suns, but he can only dominate in stretches. Amare Stoudemire isn't showing the same passion that he did last year, and his offensive production has dropped considerably. Leandro Barbosa was the only guy who could get his own shot off.

Enter Kevin Martin.

Martin is the efficient scorer Phoenix needs to be successful. He scores a lot but doesn't shoot much; he is a very disciplined player. His range could also free up Nash's drives and Shaq's post play.

Every good team has a player they can throw the ball to and have him score by either making a shot, creating one for an open man, or having him get to the foul line. When the Lakers need points, they turn to Kobe. With the Cavs, it's LeBron. And as we just saw, Miami has Dwyane Wade. Phoenix needs a player who is capable of scoring baskets whenever needed, and Kevin Martin is the perfect guy for it.

It'd be a tough deal to arrange, since the Kings really like Martin and do not want to see him go. However, the Suns need to do whatever it takes to get the guy, or they will never win an NBA championship. They can afford to lose pretty much any player on their roster, because Suns fans everywhere are looking for Phoenix to get rings.

Even if Martin didn't work out, the Suns would be able to retool their roster in the summer of 2010, when Shaq, Amare, Nash, and Raja Bell all will see their contracts expire. Phoenix will have a ton of cap room and will be able to sign one of the coveted superstars of that free agency class.

If the Suns truly want to win, they need to make some sort of change.

What Is With the Phoenix Suns?

Mark Brown — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:31:41 -0500

I know it's only been a couple games into the season, but I have to ask: What is going on with the Phoenix Suns?

With a 7-3 record, the Suns are currently the two seed in the west, second only to Kobe Bryant and his Lakers. That means that teams like the New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs are all below the Suns.

Before the season started, many "experts" picked the Suns to be on a crash course, with all those teams mentioned above placing higher than Phoenix. Coming into November, however, Phoenix had something else in mind.

Wednesday, October 29. NBA fans all over were turning on their TVs to watch the start of a new year. After the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix and San Antonio were getting ready to square off. I was extremely nervous, knowing that this would be a test the Suns would have to pass.

They did, with flying colors. The entire game, Phoenix outplayed the Spurs, but that has been the case quite a few times. We all know that the end result usually is a win for San Antonio, following a fourth quarter meltdown for the Suns.

This time, however, Phoenix wasn't going to have it, and held on, even outplaying their opponents, in the final 12 minutes of the game. Amare Stoudemire established himself as the go to man, pouring in 11 points as Kurt Thomas and Tim Duncan could only watch. Their defense was stellar, their toughness evident.

Their next game was a loss to New Orleans, and while the Hornets, Bulls, and Rockets have all beaten Phoenix, the season has gotten off to a good start, with solid wins against Portland and New Jersey.

Against Indiana, Stoudemire was spectacular, notching 49 points on over 80% shooting from the field to go along with 11 rebounds. Most of Phoenix's opponents have been fairly weak teams, but they have been impressive wins, with Stoudemire, Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal all playing well.

It has been a balanced attack, with Raja Bell, Matt Barnes, and Robin Lopez defending and doing the dirty work, Leandro Barbosa scoring off the bench, Goran Dragic and Grant Hill running the show with Nash on the bench, and Boris Diaw doing a little of everything.

The next few games will truly test the Suns, as they are going to play Detroit, Utah, the LA Lakers and Portland in a six game stretch. I look forward to see how the Suns will respond, but based off their performance with San Antonio, I think it's likely that they will rise to the challenge and beat Portland, Utah, probably Detroit and maybe even the Lakers (not likely, but they can give them a good fight).

10 games in, Phoenix is looking exactly like I'd hoped, and I can only hope now that they continue to play as they have been.

My Top 10 Shooting Guards

Mark Brown — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:53:01 -0400

These are my top 10 shooting guards. Note: I didn't include Allen Iverson because he is in my point guard list.

1. Kobe Bryant

No surprises here. Over 28 points, six boards and five assists certainly merits the No. 1 spot on this list. Bryant can shoot the ball, handle it, play defense, and is amazingly clutch. Bryant only needs to win a few more titles to cement his place as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

2. Dwyane Wade

It always amazes me when people sleep on Dwyane Wade. Just two years ago, he was THE thing after beating the Mavs in the Finals, but now he's rarely discussed. He's had injury problems the past two seasons, but he still posted 24 points, seven assists and five boards. Now that he's healthy, look out.

3. Tracy McGrady

McGrady generally falls too low on lists. Usually, Manu Ginobli occupies this spot, and frankly, I don't know why. It's easy to win with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. McGrady didn't have a great regular season (about 21, 5, and 5), but in the playoffs he averaged 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

4. Manu Ginobli

Ginobli comes off the bench for San Antonio, but he's still pretty damn good. He's one of the keys to the Spurs' continuous success (jealous Suns fan that I am). His stats aren't out of this world, but he brings so much more than that. He's one of the most clutch players in the league, and he is a winner.

5. Joe Johnson

Johnson is one of the most slept on players in the league. He nearly got the Hawks past the Boston Celtics last season, and is a good leader. He averaged 22 points, six assists and 4.5 boards. He is a good shooter and defender, and will continue to improve. Right now, he needs to cut down on his turnovers.

6. Andre Igouadala

Igouadala averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds and five assists. He is very athletic, a good finisher around the rim, and plays good defense. He averaged two steals per game, which is a nice average. Igouadala's weaknesses include lack of a jump shot and his tendency to disappear in big games (last year's playoffs against Detroit).

7. Brandon Roy

Roy put up 19 points, six assists and five boards per game. More importantly, he led a young Blazer team desperate for leadership. Roy is the real deal and a great player who is going to improve. I look forward to the Blazers playing this season; they have a great nucleus and Roy is in charge. He's a great kid, too.

8. Vince Carter

Carter posted 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. He is at number eight, though, because of his poor leadership. When many expected the Nets to be serious contenders this season, New Jersey plunged further into mediocrity and had to give away Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson. Carter has to lead this season because it's too early for Devin Harris.

9. Kevin Durant

Durant originally wasn't on my list, but I've been told to put him on, so here he is. During the 07-08 season, Durant averaged 20.3 points and about 4 and a half rebounds. His jump shot isn't wonderfully acurate, but he is a good free throw shooter. Durant is riding a wave of momentum right now, he really picked his game up after All Star Weekend. Look for him to improve.

10. Michael Redd

I'm not a big fan of Redd. He can shoot the ball and score, but that's about it. He needs to develop other faucets of his game. Also, Milwaukee has gone nowhere under Redd, though that may change this season. Richard Jefferson and Scott Skiles are great additions, and may help Redd improve his overall package.

Sorry to Ray Allen, who was replaced by Kevin Durant. I still love you Ray!

The NBA's Top 10 Fantasy Point Guards

Mark Brown — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:04:52 -0400

The rules for this are simple: These are the top 10 point guards you, from a fantasy perspective (as in, forget their contracts), would want to have on your team during the 2008-09 season to win a championship.

1. Chris Paul

Paul is an absoulte stud; he should have won MVP last season. He averaged over 21 points, 11 assists, exactly 4.0 boards and almost 3.0 steals. He shot about 49 percent from the field, 85 percent from the free-thow line, and 37 percent from the three-point range. Plus, he only averaged about 2.5 turnovers.

Paul is a true leader, and will continue to lead the Hornets into supremacy for the next several years. Start with this guy at point guard.

2. Deron Williams

Williams's numbers are extremely similar to those of Steve Nash's in the 2006-07 season (Nash's personal best): 19 PPG, 11 APG, 3 RPG and 1 SPG. Williams is a decent jumpshooter, but needs to improve that area.

He is a good defender, and is able to post up smaller defenders, an ability Paul lacks. Williams is good in the open court, athletic, and will have even more freedom from Jerry Sloan this year.

3. Allen Iverson

Many are quick to leave Iverson off this list, but I wasn't about to. Averaging 26 points and seven assists certainly warrants the No. 3 spot on this list. Iverson continues to play with more heart than anyone in the game not named Kevin Garnett, and even that's arguable.

AI also averaged two steals a game, and shot the ball fairly well (45% FG, 80% FT, 34.5% 3PT) last year. He is declining, but is still a great point guard, one of the best in the game.

4. Baron Davis

According to the stats (22 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5 RPG, 2.5 SPG), Davis could arguably be ahead of Iverson, but I don't think so. Davis is a good player, but his shot selection is iffy, leading to fairly poor percentages for a point guard.

Also, he was unable to lead the Warriors into the playoffs. I know they won 48 games, but they should have beaten out the Nuggets and Iverson for that last spot.

5. Steve Nash

Nash is slipping, no doubt about it. Still, he remains at No. 5 because of his 16 points, 11 assists, and wonderful shooting percentages. Nash is still the best playmaker in the league, and his defense, though bad, is blown out of porportion.

Knocks on Nash include his health (he suffers from a bad back) and his inability to lead his teams into the Finals. He is not solely responsible, but put some of the blame on him.

6. Tony Parker

Parker is one of the fastest players in the league, and is impossible to stop when he's fast breaking. He averaged 19 points, six assists and had the Spurs being the Spurs.

However, Parker still cannot hit a jumpshot on a regular basis, and defenders are not forced to respect him. Parker is not a strong defender, but is not bad, either. Once he can nail threes and get his teammates more involved, he'll move up on this list.

7. Chauncey Billups

Billups is another oft-forgotten player. He put up 17 points and seven assists last year, but does not get the respect he deserves.

Billups is a great shooter known for making clutch baskets, but it doesn't seem that he's as effective anymore. Another reason Billups is left out of this discussion is because, of course, of the Pistons' continuous failures in the postseason. He must get them back to the Finals to hear his name again.

8. Andre Miller

Like Billups, Miller averaged 17 points and seven assists. He is a good post player and a strong leader. After Iverson was dealt, the 76ers were expected to plunge (further) into mediocrity. Because of Miller and Andre Iguoadala, however, things are looking up in Philly. Miller's biggest weakness is a lack of a jump shot, but don't expect that to change so late in his career.

9. Jason Kidd

Kidd had a good year statistically in the regular season: 11 points, 10 assists and 7.5 rebounds. In the playoffs, however, things took a sharp turn for the worse. Kidd was completely outmatched by Chris Paul. Kidd is old, has no jumper, and can't score, but he is a good leader. Things will improve slightly in Dallas, but there is no doubt that Kidd is no longer an elite point guard.

10. Jose Calderon

Calderon's stats of 11 points, eight assists, and excellent shooting (52% FG, 91% FT, 43% 3PT) won't jump out at you, but he is a great young player. I was very impressed by the way he led Toronto once T.J. Ford went down again.

Calderon's numbers went down because of exhaustion from having no backup point guard, but they will go up again, particularly with Jermaine O'Neal giving Calderon wide-open looks and a chance to pad his assists.

Those are my top 10 point guards for this coming up year. Look for these guys to be the cream of a very deep crop.

Phoenix Suns' Future Looks Bright

Mark Brown — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:04:46 -0400

After years of unsuccessful seasons, are the Phoenix Suns finished?

My answer? No way.

The Suns still have their core group of Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, and Shaquille O'Neal. Sure, Nash and O'Neal are declining, but they still have a few more solid seasons in them. Stoudemire will soon become a top-five player in the league, and Barbosa and Diaw are still young.

Phoenix also believes they have added two great players—an energetic big man in Robin Lopez and a point guard who could succeed Nash without causing Suns fans too much pain, Goran Dragic.

A lot of people are going to call me a stupid Suns fan who can't face reality, but this team is going nowhere. Do I believe they will win an NBA championship with this group? No. But they will continue to play at a high level, and compete in the Western conference. The real reason for optimism, though, is the summer of 2010.

Shaq, Nash, and Stoudemire will all have their contracts off the books by then. I think it's extremely probable that the Suns will be able to resign Stoudemire and add another quality player. Look at all the names that will be out there—Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Yao, etc.

This may be the greatest free-agency class ever. With those huge contracts off the books, I'm positive Phoenix will be able to grab at least one of those guys. I can't wait until then.

This was my first article, so tell me what you think. And if you think it sucks, screw you.