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BasslineSpin.com May 9, 2007 ...I
spent the time to list birthdates next to the efficiency ratings, and
rankings of this year’s free agent crop.
Here
are the NBA Free Agent rankings for the coming summer. May 4, 2007 ...The
Warriors knocked the #1 seed Dallas out of the NBA Playoffs in a memorable,
exciting, fast paced, first round seven game series. Only six games were
needed to determine that Dallas - despite a league regular season record that
was the best - couldn’t run with Baron Davis and
the W’s. ...Davis was special, special. Stephen Jackson fired
shots in the air without fear. Matt Barnes was
consistently energetic, if erratic, yet somehow productive. Andris Biedrins helped the Warriors off to quick
starts by slipping screens and rolling to the basket. He converted due to his
good hands, and youthful quickness. Jason Richardson hit
some big shots, and Mickael Pietrus excited
with dazzling dunks. ...Dallas may not recover. At least not as we know the
Mavs. How will Dirk Nowitzki respond
to being publicly called out by his coach? How will Erick Dampier relate with Avery Johnson after basically being forgotten about
in the losing effort? Beyond that—the Mavs have to get better in some key
areas with regard to athletic talent. They need to be better than Devean George as a minutes-playing backup. The Mavs
should also explore starting Devin Harris at the
Point, and running Jason Terry at the
Two Spot next season. I wouldn’t blow
the team up. I might change coaches, and seek a free agent backup guard, and
wing player. The Mavs free agents are Jerry Stackhouse (bring
him back), Austin Croshere (let
him go), Sagana Diop (bring
him back), and Kevin Willis (let
him go). George has the option to return but if he does Dallas should bench
him for good. April 30, 2007 ...A
week away from the Blog allowed for a trip to Tahoe and lots of hoops
watching. The NBA Playoffs were my entertainment from Wednesday through
Saturday. Once back home I watched even more basketball. So what did I learn?
Miami needs more help for Dwyane Wade, and Shaq. The Heat do not have a point guard worthy of being
an NBA starter. They should target Jose Calderon of the
Raptors by all means necessary. Beyond landing a true gem like Calderon—the
Heat might look at other under-valued PG’s such as Orlando’s Carlos Arroyo, or Portland’s Sergio Rodriguez or Jarrett Jack. If the Heat want to try a veteran
that makes BIG money—Mike Bibby would
be a huge upgrade. Bibby or Indiana’s Jamaal Tinsley wouldn’t
be such a defensive liability as long as Alonzo Mourning is
still in the fold. Udonis Haslem’s efficiency
slipped this season as well. I think Pat Riley should
have been playing Zo and Shaq together. ...Speaking of Miami - I saw Darius Rice, the former Hurricane player -
getting it done in a big way in the D-League title game. The Dakota Wizards
small forward busted 50 points as his team beat Mike Harris’ Colorado 14’ers. ...The Golden State
Warriors run has been fun to witness. The W’s are up 3-1 over Dallas. I was
wrong about Don Nelson. I
thought his hiring was a bad choice. While he’s still not my favorite guy - I
have to admit he did plenty of good. His recognition of talent in Andris Biedrins, Monta Ellis, and Matt Barnes is a big factor in why the Warriors
are succeeding. I am happy for their radio play by play guy Tim Roye who was in Sacramento before the Kings made the
Playoffs. Roye and Travis Stanley, and Mitch Richmond are all good guys that deserve to be
a part of a winner. Baron Davis has
been unreal. He is second to only Steve Nash in PG
efficiency. I recall thinking long and hard, and wrong that Steve Francis was the better prospect when he and
Baron entered the NBA. Ooops. ...I was right on the money about Mikki Moore. Years ago I called for Moore to be
on an NBA roster when he was tearing up the minor leagues. New Jersey is
infinitely better when Moore is on the floor as opposed to Jason Collins or Clifford Robinson. Jason Kidd and Vince Carter have both been great in the
NJ-Toronto series. ...Detroit ripped through Orlando. Antonio McDyess posted his highest efficiency rating
for a regular season since prior to his knee injuries. McDyess had the 14th
best PF EFR at .569. ...NBA Draft. I’m not as high on Jeff Green (Georgetown)
or Derrick Byars (Vanderbilt) as the rest of the world is. I believe scouts
are missing the boat on Reyshawn Terry (North Carolina). NBA Playoffs broadcasting: I have enjoyed
the work of sideline reporter Lisa Salters. She
and Michelle Tafoya are
good. ...Roye continues to do a great
job of dropping in sound bytes on radio during free throws. ...Ernie Johnson continues to be the best studio host.
I would put NBA TV’s Rick Kamla as a
solid second to EJ. ...I think Jon Barry does a
good job. ...Bill Walton still
makes me chuckle. He drops lines like, “UCLA legend—Matt Barnes.” Walton did go too far though—I thought—in
his criticism of Andrei Kirilenko during
Game One of the Houston-Utah series. Walton said Kirilenko’s drop in
efficiency was due to mental problems. |