October 29, 2006 ...Check out the BasslineSpin.com NBA Preview here.

October 27, 2006 ...Good players are getting the ax all across the NBA. Guys I like that were waived or released include; Mike Harris, Milt Palacio, Justin Williams, and Kasib Powell. Sacramento should  maybe sign Palacio or Rick Brunson. They can play point guard. ...Hard for me to believe that Luke Jackson was waived by Boston. Jackson was a standout college player at Oregon. I saw him take over games. The NBA is no joke. I also thought  Kelenna Azubuike was ready for the League. He was cut in Houston. ...Speedy Claxton is practicing in Atlanta. That is good news for the Hawks who got the bad news of Marvin Williams being out with a broken hand.  ...Seattle is said to be seeking a shooter. I would suggest Devin Brown, or Derek Anderson.

October 24, 2006 ...Just back from ARCO Arena where the Kings lost to the Hornets 84-81. Sacramento had the lead for the majority of the game even though they played poorly without Mike Bibby. Their starting point guard is said to be out two weeks with “Mallet Thumb”. The Kings tried Ronnie Price, and John Salmons at the point but they had a hard time getting into any offense other than isolations. In at least three situations—pressure from New Orleans/OKC led to either the Kings having to call timeout or to a Hornets steal. Once the primary ball handler was covered—no one ever came to help. ...I’ve said it before and I will surely say it now—Francisco Garcia may be the Kings best option at backup PG. He is naturally unselfish, he can draw defenders with his penetration and he has excellent vision. Garcia also has a knack for dropping a pass at the precise time—waiting until the last millisecond to hit an open teammate. He might struggle to guard the super quick PG’s—but his size would be beneficial in rebounding, and interior defense. I see the progress in Price but he is not a point guard. I keep hearing people talk about ‘small ball’ and how it is okay to play non traditional lineups. I agree BUT ONLY IF you have the personnel to do so. You still have to have the following ingredients; ball handling/distribution (assist-to-turnover ratio should be 1.9:1 or better in the NBA), creative scoring, perimeter shooting (better than 33% from three), post scoring, rebounding, and shot blocking. Last year’s champion Miami played with the traditional pure point guard (Jay Will, GP), a scoring guard (Wade), a small forward that can stretch the defense with three point shooting (Antoine Walker), a power forward (Haslim) that is a rebounder, and a true center in Shaq. The Pistons—who had a great record did the same with Billups (PG), Hamilton (SG), Tayshaun Prince (3), Rasheed Wallace (4), and Ben Wallace (5). Until proven otherwise—that is my formula for a winning team.

By those standards—Sacramento played tonight without a point guard, and without a center.  Price’s assist-to-turnover ratio is not NBA PG quality, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim—who started at center simply isn’t a center. To me - a center has to block shots, alter shots, and be, even, if nothing else—a defensive rebounder, and goalie. Tyson Chandler basically did that tonight for the Hornets. The only player on the Kings roster who could do that is Justin Williams. ...By my definitions—here are the true positions I feel the Kings roster players can play: Bibby—1, 2 / Hart—1 / Price—2 / K. Martin—2 / Artest - 3, 2 / Williamson—4 / K. Thomas—4 / Abdur-Rahim—4 / B. Miller—4 / Potapenko—4 / Mo. Taylor - 4 / Amundsen—4 / Garcia - 2 (1) / Salmons - 2 (1),  / Williams—4, 5. ...The Kings remain overloaded at the four spot. ...Since I picked on Desmond Mason yesterday—I have to admit he played well at ARCO Tuesday night. …”Air Slamson” continues to make me laugh. The BIG blowup version of the Kings mascot  bounces to a hyper beat and hits the funny bone every time he sticks his tongue out. ...The audio mix on the starting lineups was really bad. The music was too high and Scott Moak’s voice was drown out. ...I love chatting with Marty McNeal of the Bee. ...Ticha Penichero has been sitting courtside at the Kings games. She is my favorite WNBA player.

October 23, 2006 ...I watched the Kings and Hornets game on TV tonight. Preseason from Reno. The Kings spanked that ass. Again they played well. New Orleans / OKC looked awful. Were I in a position to do so—I would have stood up at the meeting where they decided Peja was a two guard, and said, “no way!” Peja Stojakovic is a shooter and a guy that scores with his movement away from the ball. He is not adept at putting the ball on the deck and driving or playmaking. The two guard spot requires more dribbling and creativity not to mention having to guard faster players than at small forward. Secondly, as far as the Hornets are concerned, Desmond Mason is killing them. His lack of offensive production reached a point last year where his efficiency slipped to the 103rd rated shooting guard. If it is really about winning in New Orleans/OKC, Byron Scott needs to look at Chris Paul, Bobby Jackson, and Peja at one-two-three. David West is solid at the four and Tyson Chandler should provide a defensive presence. ...Maybe I’m tough to sell but I still think Ronnie Price has a long way to go to be an effective NBA point guard. His assist-to-turnover ratio has to improve and he needs to turn down some three point shots.