THE 10-in-a-row Nets are playing so well, I did a double-take to make sure Bye-Ron Scott hadn’t been fired the day before the run started. Before Vince Carter’s 42-point detonation and game-ending trifecta laid the Raptors to rest, Toronto had won five straight, its finest showing in more than two seasons. I’d be derelict not to acknowledge Rob Babcock for drastically recouping from the Carter hijacking and seemingly (I’m not so sure anymore he’s going to be a bust) unspeakable decision to choose Rafael Araujo No. 8 overall in ’04.
Babcock made a miraculous recovery last June when he resisted the herd mentality by tabbing controversial Charlie Villanueva No. 7. He also took Joey Graham No. 16. Two months later, Jose Calderon was signed as a free agent. All three rookies are important pieces surrounding emerging franchise player Chris Bosh (Walter Berry with a head) to the Raptors puzzle that gradually but clearly is becoming visible.
If those aren’t redefining command judgments, then the next one unmistakably qualifies. The mark of a successful GM is to correct a glaring error as quickly as possible after admitting one was committed. That’s precisely what Babcock did by rerouting Rafer Alston (in constant conflict with coach Sam Mitchell) and his $24M, five-year guarantee for Mike James. It’s arguably the slickest ripoff of last summer.
Think Houston counterpart Carroll Dawson might like a do-over on that obtuse move? Think Houston might have liked to have James in its starting lineup last Friday night instead of him adorning Toronto’s? Think Tracy McGrady could’ve used his former running mate’s 30 points, eight assists and seven rebounds?
But that’s not all James accomplishes. Counting his demonic defense, The Amityville Terror is one of the league’s precious few quadruple threats. James does things that show up in the box score and he does things that limit opponents’ impact on a box score. Aside from the above glitzy stats, he also goaded Juwan Howard into an early ejection (14 minutes) from that game and suspended from the next for shoving a Spalding into James’ face with two hands.
Fittingly, before Sunday’s opening tip in Toronto, Carter threw his full support behind Babcock for Executive of the Province.
I may be off the wall, but Carter, averaging 33.5 points during the win-fall, has almost made Net fans forget George Bruns.
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Off a 26-minute, 30-point, seven-rebound bombardment against the Wizards, Channing Frye earned just 21 minutes of daylight (15 and five) versus the Sonics. Larry Brown says he’s saving him for the rookie game.
A non-aligned source claims the Bulls offered Ben Gordon to the Celtics for Al Jefferson and Marcus Banks. A Chicago official contends that conversation never took place. A Boston official confesses being infatuated with Gordon but underlines that Jefferson is the foundation of the team’s future.
I’ve got to believe Next Town Brown is showcasing Maurice Taylor (23 points, six boards, 27 minutes) the same way the Republicans display-cased Jeanine Pirro.
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Word from the wise in La-La Land: Phil Jackson strongly encouraged Jim Buss to include Andrew Bynum in a package proposal for Ron Artest, but the owner’s son fervently negated the notion. Though everyone in the front office maintained shared aims last June, people in the know maintain Buss and assistant GM Ronnie Lester were instrumental in the drafting of 7-foot Bynum, whereas Jackson and GM Mitch Kupchak preferred Sean May and Danny Granger.
How the Lakers could hire Jackson for three years and select an undeveloped high-school project when the team clearly needed immediate help has never been explained logically or otherwise.
I used to think Jackson was overpaid at $10M per. Now I’m convinced he’s underpaid.
Still, at least one cockeyed optimist within the organization remains convinced the Lakers somehow will bag Artest.
“I’m looking forward to the peace and quiet Ron would bring to our locker room,” he dryly declares.
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About a dozen DNPs (coach’s decision) into the season, Earl Watson finally has earned the respect (i.e. meaningful minutes) of George Karl. Your feral guess is as good as my cultured one whether the point guard’s elevated status results in him not being traded.
There’s positively plenty of interest; none of it grabs me. The Knicks continue to offer Quentin Richardson ($6.9M) for Watson ($5M) and someone else. The Sonics are offering Vitaly Potapenko ($3.325M) and Flip Murray (895G), who must agree to any deal, therefore owns a certain amount of leverage regarding a (wink, wink) commitment on a new contract.
The Cavaliers (perhaps the moderately appealing Drew Gooden, $4.065M) and the Jazz, two of his most ardent free-agent suitors last summer, are making unknown pitches. And the Grizzlies would love to swap the unremittingly injured Brian Cardinal and his mid-level maximum deal for their former backup.
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The Screw Jersey Nets continue their four-game excursion tonight at San Antonio. For those scoring at home, the Spurs lead the 2003 Finals, four games to two.
Apparently the only thing that can slow them down is a Bye-Ron Scott Reunion Tour.
Afterthought: Comparing Bosh to Berry is no putdown. Walter was the original “The Truth” before someone in the Boston media ingeniously bestowed Paul Pierce with the nickname 15 years later. To put Berry’s talent in proper perspective, Lou Carnesecca confides to friends he was the best player he has ever coached.
Just wondering: What would happen if Artest were voted to start in the All-Star Game? Fans have been known to do a lot goofier things than throw their support behind him. Better yet, what if the East’s coaches vote him in as a sub? I’d donate big bucks to Diane Stern’s animal charity to see that. Since the deactivated Artest is legitimately a member of the Pacers and is still getting paid, I see no reason why he’d be ineligible.
A Salt Lake City movie theatre owned by Jazz boss Larry Miller scheduled, then sacked, “Brokeback Mountain.” Responding to criticism from same-sex groups, Miller replaced it with “Memoirs of a Gay-sha.”